Vol. 3 Chapter 90: Attempts at Armament Magic (Patreon)

I kinda woke up on the right side of the bed today, as I have been for a few days. Huh, looks like being relieved of my duties brought some ease within me. Despite how displeased I may be, being removed from a job made my mental health better. So let’s all quit our jobs!

Joking~.

I have been pretty much clueless about what’s been going on with things lately. I guess observing means to stay on the sidelines and mind my own business. Nothing should go wrong with this little matter, so everything’s fine. Saerus should have done his role by now.

Anyhow, let’s set aside that thought for now and focus on the present. The snow has been accumulating lately. Just outside my training building, the white scenery filled my vision. I wore a simple white coat for the cold season. Given that my family’s rich — not me — the word simple was putting it lightly.

I felt so majestic.

My first winter in this world! The world was turning as white as me, as beautiful as me, as cold as me. Literally me, for real. I scooped up a handful of snow. Hm, yeah really was snow, can I eat it? Ooookay, kidding. I mean, you gotta be tempted like this once in your life. Except if you’re living in a place that doesn’t snow — that’s just… sad.

“Princess? Are you going to your training or not?”

My knight asked me while slightly quivering. He was wearing a jacket of course, but apparently that’s just not enough.

“I am,” I replied. “You need a thicker coat or something?”

“How are you not shivering in this cold?”

I smirked. “Maybe because of my high-quality, finely made warm coat.”

“I didn’t need to hear those kinds of details. Seriously though, aren’t we going inside?”

As I was a merciful girl, time to get inside for the poor knight’s sake. Inside waiting, was Elson, as always.

“How is your progress, princess?”

He had taught me the starting steps to do Armament Magic. Apparently, we can’t just skip to dagger techniques because that would be difficult. So I’ve been starting with the sword.

“I think I made decent progress. I’ve been practicing in my spare time.”

Of course now that I am out of the job, I have plenty of spare time. Along with my reading time. I mean, you gotta chill sometime. During my own practice, I used some spare swords, while hanging out in my new guest room converted to an office.

Sometimes I had to ask Rogan for some tips and have me teach me a couple of things. But given it was magic, there were struggles here and there. Broke a few swords along the way. I poured a little too much mana, turns out steel swords were fragile.

If only diamond swords existed… Hm, but how heavy would it be though? Now that’s an interesting thought.

“Well then, let’s see how far you got.”

After removing my jacket and giving it to Mera, I grabbed a sword and stood at the center of the room. I held it with both hands and closed my eyes to focus. I didn’t need to, but got to have all the focus I could get, lest I shatter this dull blade.

Just like in normal spellcasting, it starts somewhat the same. Pour out mana and give it properties, substance. However, unlike where you have more freedom to fill it, in Armament Magic, you need it to blend with the weapon in hand.

I gently have my plain mana touch the steel handle, then slowly spread it upwards. Had to do it slowly since I just started casting this. It had some difficulties for me. Like a thread through a needle. Had to make sure the coating was mostly exact.

A moment later, I fully coated it up to the tip. I gave it a little substance, plain mana that could hurt, and it glowed in crimson. I opened my eyes and I smiled.

“Yes!”

It was difficult when I heard the explanation. I have to make the mana to really blend with the metal, make it compatible and make it as though they were one. Make sure to shape mana almost physically as the blade. Like molding clay or some shit but not as easy, and not exactly.

But as I basked in joy, a second later, there was a snap and crack.

“Oh.”

Before my smile could fade, the blade shattered, the steel pieces clanging on the floor. My… my sword.

Goddammit!!!

I did a good job! Why the fuck— shit! I wanted to slam the hilt to the floor, but I resisted as I was the adorable princess. Fuck this shit! My intense power has been a bane to my existence on multiple different occasions. Bullshit.

My face as I looked at the broken sword was on the verge of crying.

“You broke it,” Elson curtly said.

Obviously!

He continued, “Perhaps you did it wrong.”

“I did it right! I just have too much mana and it’s hard to optimize them.”

“... I broke a dagger once, just like what happened to you. You are forcing them to condense and shape.”

“Well, of course I have to do that.”

“And if you lose focus, that will happen.”

“Yes.”

“If your sword was stronger, you don’t need to worry about it. But normal swords are steel. You need to find a way to keep them from being broken.”

“I’m working on it.” I frowned.

“If you find it hard to condense and keep them in proper shape with the blade, it is fine to discard the excess.”

Hm, wait. “You mean?”

“If it’s too much, let them leak away into the air.”

Ah!

I can do that? Of course! I just pour in mana and if it’s too much, let some of it go. That process could work. However, in that case, I’ll have to keep discarding the excess mana, and I mean constantly. And mana won’t just disappear in an instant. I’ll be emanating mana on my sword like smoke from a torch. And that could cause some bother or trouble.

“But, I may dispose of mana away too much with the amount I tend to release.”

“Then practice to keep the flow stable and figure out how much mana you can tolerate letting go in the air.”

“I guess that way I don’t need to worry much about keeping mana static.” Which would cause my sword to break.

If I keep input and output in a stable flow, I don't need to worry about some sort of overheating, you could say. Keep things cool. Like a computer, cool air in, hot air out — okay I’m not exactly sure if that analogy fits, but I think it gives the idea! Hehe.

“I’m gonna try it.”

I gestured for Rogan to bring me another sword. I firmly held it with both hands and stared at it. This time I'm gonna change my way of focus and make sure to look the subject in the eye. I poured out my mana, carefully engulfing the blade.

The amount continuously increased and accumulated, so I let out the excess into the air. However, I miscalculated just a little. But, when I say a little, well, I have a different measure of little in my magic.

“Eeh!” I exclaimed.

The blade emanated a bright red light of mana spreading out into the air.

It was way brighter than I wanted, and it moved the air and made my hair flutter. I grew frantic, but before I could cut off the supply of mana, the blade shattered and the pieces scattered. The light dissipated from the pieces as they fell to the floor.

Thankfully, my beautiful face was unharmed.

Once again, what remained in my hand was the hilt.

“Ooooh, want to go again?” Rogan casually stepped beside me, staring at the hilt.

“... Yes.”

“Yeeeaaah, we’re gonna need several more spares.”

“... Yes.”

Fuck. So, who’s going to clean all this mess up? Surely not me~.

And so, I practiced with other swords. And more, and more and more. Let’s just say I wasted like… more than a dozen swords before Elson placed a hand on his forehead.

Swords… were not dirt cheap…

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!

Please forgive your dear princess!

But sacrifices have to be made for my sake!

***

The word of the late Count’s crime spread out all over the capital, and in the passing days, further out. A betrayer, and yet redeemed himself by taking his own life. To express his utter regret for his actions.

This caused a stir among the populace. How could a noble commit treason in their beautiful nation? How could they, who have wealth beyond what the common could hope to achieve in their entire life? How could they betray the monarchs who took care of them?

And thus, there were many that cursed the Count’s name. However, there were those that respected the Count’s attempt of redemption. There was always a place for forgiveness, especially if they committed an act to make up for their mistakes. But the common folk would likely set this matter aside in a few months, for it would not terribly affect them.

Although, it would be different for the people within the late Count’s domain. It was shocking news. They became anxious of what would become of the land they lived in. How would they fare without support from a high-ranking aristocrat?

Such questions, such concerns, were settled immediately by the king. A wide announcement was made that someone will be appointed as a steward of the domain, and will be in control until further notice.

Sometime after the steward’s arrival, several operations were initiated across the Count’s domain. Mainly targeting the individuals that were under the Count’s paycheck or under his command. Their fate varied, some were taken away, others were only warned — but they will be under constant watch.

As for the Count’s family, they will be taken care of in their home. But at the moment, they possess no power whatsoever. For how long? Until they have proven their loyalty.

The nobles’ reaction to this occurrence was erratic. The most affected were the ones to personally witness the Count’s horrible act. Many requested further and deep investigation in the matter, while others made inquiries. But the king ignored them except for those from the capital nobles.

The entire aristocratic society of Wisteria was shaken by the news. They were restless. This was the first time something like this happened in their lifetime. And the Count, revealing he was a traitor, unveiled that there could be potential traitors in other households as well. And whosoever those traitors could be, they were now aware of the potential repercussions of their actions.

Treason to their nation, and betrayal to the Lord and Lady.

Such were the news that the king of Wisteria learned. In his office, he was reading reports that mentioned the same. He put down a sheet of paper and massaged his temple.

“Should I request coffee, father?” Eleden, who was sitting beside his desk, working on his own pack of sheets, asked.

“No, there’s no need. I just need to think clearly about how to proceed.”

“Of course. But I’m afraid that with Uncle here, there will be more news you have to hear.”

Meril was also in the room, sitting on a distant chair, checking on a couple of reports himself. He had just arrived, but gave the king a little more time to finish his work. But it would seem it won’t be ending anytime soon.

“I know… How are things on your side, son?”

“Well, they’re all menial issues. I can handle these pretty easily.”

The king divided his work with Eleden. While he handles the more dangerous and urgent matters, Eleden would take care of the more normal things. Things that were less important compared to the others.

“Good. This will be good practice.”

“... I could handle more delicate matters, ‌though.”

“If there are then. Perhaps you could ask Estevan for help.”

He awkwardly chuckled. “No need. I have Lucious. Besides, he would be complaining all the time if I had him do this.”

“Heh, definitely.” He gathered and piled up the papers scattered on his table and moved them aside. “Alright, Meril, what news do you bring?”

Meril put away the papers and rose from his seat to stand in front of the king. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t say it’s bad.”

“Tell me.”

“With the nobles restless after that dramatic event, potential traitors are more pressured than the rest. A few agents noticed their subject’s change of behavior. In short, they became suspicious.”

“But that doesn’t mean they are traitors.”

“Of course, but at least we have some names on the list that we can watch more closely.” He handed out a list to the king. “Merely a few, but in the coming weeks we may receive news from farther places.”

“Low ranking nobles, I see.”

“Yes.”

“They are more easily tempted than others, I suppose… Speaking of others, I assume everyone is becoming wary of other aristocrats.”

“It appears they initiated less communication with their neighboring households. So yes, they are.”

“... You think someone will surrender themselves and confess to us their treason?”

“Let’s hope so. But, if they do, what will you do with them?”

“Stand trial as a start.”

“... Estelia would have done differently. It consumes needless time.”

“Still, we are nobles and royals. There must be a process if we are to maintain our grand image.”

Eleden chimed in. “What would my sister do in this case?”

The king did not answer, and so Meril did.

“Either instantly throw them to jail. Or maybe have them executed on the spot.”

“My sister is not that cruel…”

The king lowered his gaze, he agreed. Estelia may be forced to make the hard decisions, but she was not cruel. She wasn’t taught that way, nor was she exposed to that kind of upbringing. However, the current predicament was changing her. That was something Leodoule was trying to prevent.

Indifference was the last thing he wanted for his daughter. And if that happens, how will others see her? How will her subjects see her? What will become of her?

Those were from concerns for the future.

What if people, the nobles, discover that she was behind all these sudden occurrences in the kingdom? They will fear her. Fear was often needed, but not this kind. Not to Estelia. That soft and fragile Estelia.

Meril smiled. “Of course that’s the last draw. Another way is to use them to support her cause, but that would be unlikely. Nobles differ from merchants. Nobles are harder to handle. Speaking of merchants, they have a couple of requests.”

“What?”

“They require a few more warehouses if there are still available. And also, they want to make a secret route to a new location and prepare the depot. They need your authorizations and assurance that they can freely work there in secrecy.”

The king took a deep breath. “I’ll prepare the necessary documents.”

“They’re the merchants in your command, right? You never told me what exactly they’re doing,” Eleden said.

“It’s a secret.” Meril shrugged.

“Is that what Estel instructed? To keep it a secret to everyone, even to me?”

“Yes.”

“I see…” He sighed. “As the crown prince, I expected that I’ll be privy to this sort of matter.”

“Son, there are other matters you also must handle. Leave this to us. But, when Estelia was in charge, only a select few knew of her orders to the merchants.”

“Your sister is not exactly the sharing type.”

“I see.”

“But…” the king continued. “I am now in charge, maybe I can tell you what’s going on. Perhaps you can help.”

“Really?”

“Leodoule, that’s nice and all. But there’s a reason she only made a few aware. You need to be careful.”

“Eleden is the crown prince, Meril. I see no harm in telling him what the merchants are doing.”

“... Your choice.” he turned his eyes to Eleden. “But let me caution you, nephew. Be watchful of what you’ll do and command once you know. The princess keeps most things a secret so we’ll have more leverage and options. She is paranoid, but no issue in that.”

“Paranoid?”

“She knows war is inevitable. What the merchants do is so we can last longer and survive. To recover what we lost during the Empire’s sabotage.”

“Then I believe I can help in that, there is no cause for concern.”

“... Will you not consult Estelia about this?” Meril asked Leodoule.

“Estelia is having a peaceful time already. I can’t have her disturbed.”

“... Very well.”