[Melas] Chapter 146: The King (Patreon)

“You can’t just speak with King Adilet over something as petty as a dispute with his daughter, lass,” Gennady protested as he followed after me.

I returned to my room with Luna resting on my shoulder. “Look,” I said, crossing my arms. “If you’re not going to help me arrange that meeting, then I’ll find some way to do it myself.”

“That’s not the point.” He massaged his temples. “First of all, it’s not easy to speak with the King. Not anyone can do it.”

“But you managed it before, didn’t you? You helped me speak when we first got here.”

“Second of all,” the Dwarf sighed, “that’s his daughter we’re talking about. He’s not going to side with you over this matter.”

I tapped a finger on my chin, and Luna purred. She was hungry— which was something I could sympathize with.

“I am aware of that,” I finally said. “I wasn’t expecting him to turn against his daughter. No— I have something else in mind.”

Gennady furrowed his brows. “What are you scheming, Melas?”

“You’re making me sound like a bad guy or something.” I rolled my eyes.

“Well, you are a heretic spellcaster who’s being hunted by the Church for being a part of a terrorist group.”

“Formerly a part of a terrorist group,” I corrected him. “And that doesn’t change anything. The Church could be the one that’s evil.”

“Uh… must I repeat the part where you’re a heretic?” The Dwarf crossed his bulky arms.

I sighed. “Look, I have an idea, alright? It may… work out. But I have to try something.”

“What are you attempting, lass?” He eyed me dubiously. I didn’t want to spill all my secrets right away, but there really was no point in holding anything back.

My main goal wasn’t to spite Aishat. I wanted to make a living for myself. What I wanted was for my inventions to sell— for there to be a breakthrough. And perhaps I would’ve never thought about this if not for a prior suggestion I’d been given.

One that I wouldn't have preferred in the first place. But I had no other choice.

“Fine,” Gennady acquiesced. “I’ll arrange a one-on-one meeting with you and Adilet. But I can’t help you if things go awry.”

“Thanks— but it’s not going to be a one-on-one meeting.” I grinned. “I’d prefer it to be a two-on-one meeting. A friend of mine will join.”

“A friend? Who’s this friend?”

“Aniyar!” I called out to the Engineer as he labored away on a Silver Golem.

He was making some adjustments to how it’d function— maybe he was taking the data from my battle with a Silver Golem and putting it to good use. At least, that was what I hoped. If he gained something out of it, I’d be happy. I felt bad for the damage I’d caused back then.

Although, he did quite literally ask for it.

The Dwarf Engineer looked up and lowered his tools. “Yo, Melas. What’s goin’ on?”

“I reconsidered your proposal,” I said, walking up to him. “About these… mana scrolls.” That was what I was calling them from now on.

“Wait, you mean you’ll let me use ‘em for my Golems?” He creased his brows. Aniyar was, rightfully so, surprised at my sudden change in tone. He inspected me closely, poking me on the side as if I was someone else wearing my skin.

“What are you doing?”

“Just making sure nothing happened ta ye. Ye didn’t hit ye head, did ye?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m being serious, Aniyar.”

“Me too,” he said, taking a step back. “You were so vehemently against it, weren’t ye? What changed?”

I could tell the Engineer was surprised, considering he was speaking with an accent right now. He always spoke in a proper manner, except when in shock. He was kind of like Gennady, although I was certain Gennady was a lot more casual than him.

“Things… happened.” I shuffled my feet uncomfortably. I wasn’t going to tell him about my situation with the Princess of the country— if I did, I was certain he’d side with her. Or at least, he’d be too afraid to side with me.

“Whatever happened to not wanting to contribute to wars?” Aniyar asked with a raised brow. “While I disagree with ye, I do think that’s a valid concern.”

That was true. I did not want to be responsible for unnecessary deaths— for innocent lives to be taken due to what I had created. It was a moral quandary. To support the mass production of weapons for war was, obviously, already something that was morally dubious.

Sure, there was the genuine defense that one could be doing it for the sake of protecting their country. National security was an actual concern; I didn’t blame someone like Aniyar for what they did, especially when they truly did it for the sake of their country and loved ones.

Now, to support the mass production of weapons for war purely for profit was quite clear-cut. I couldn’t ever justify myself in causing such irreparable damage to so many lives for my own gain.

But I didn’t want to continue living just like this, either. Would I be satisfied, kept trapped in an institution and seeing nothing but the same people for the rest of my life? I wanted to live. I wanted to live free. It was a declaration I had made what felt like so long ago.

I’d already had this discussion. I was grateful for what I had here in the MTC. The dull hallways that were designed more for necessity and durability weren’t pleasant to see, but they kept me safe and protected. However, I wasn’t just going to sit around and be protected by others if it meant I couldn’t live my life how I wanted.

That was why I was doing this. It was why I rejected that jerk god. It was why I didn’t accept Elara’s tutelage. Anything they’d do for me would rid me of any happiness I ever had or would have.

The same thing applied here: so I acted to secure my position. And one of those actions meant establishing my name, even if it meant fighting against Princess Aishat. As long as she, for whatever reason, hated me, I wouldn’t be able to do that.

While I couldn’t pit her against her own father, I knew one thing— I could at least establish myself through her father regardless.

“I thought about it,” I sighed as Aniyar peered into me. “And I still hold the same position as before. I’d rather my inventions stay away from destructive wars.”

“You… are sending a lot of conflicting signals here, Melas,” he said, running a hand through his beard.

I shook my head. “That’s the thing, I don’t want to and will not supply my scrolls for destructive wars. But for defense? Against monsters and against invading armies? Using my mana scrolls to guard the populace from being slaughtered by soldiers from another nation? That— I don’t mind.”

“You’re proposing a deal to use your mana scroll to power only Guard Golems?” Aniyar furrowed his brows. “That is not a bad idea.”

“There are probably a few possible problems that could arise from this. However, I don’t think anyone— not unless they’re a spellcaster on the side— will be able to copy and reproduce my mana scrolls. Not in the same way I can. Also, it does make sense to keep it limited. I can’t create too many mana scrolls without pushing myself too far.”

He nodded. “That is fair. My only concern is that these Guard Golems may be deployed against your consent for politically charged threats. Things that you’d rather not be involved with.”

“Mhm. I’ll make sure to read the contracts carefully and specify what I want. And I trust you, Aniyar. You’re my friend. I want you in this project.”

“It’s not like you can ask anyone else.” He grinned, giving me a thumbs-up. “I’m in! I really want to get in on this, Melas. I truly believe it’s something that’ll change the world.”

“Well, I won’t go that far,” I said, scratching the back of my head.

Although, I did hope so. If it did become a worldwide phenomenon, maybe magic would no longer be so frowned upon by others. It was a step in the direction of acceptance. The Church probably wouldn’t just readily accept it.

“But I do hope it becomes somewhat prevalent,” I concluded, and Aniyar beamed.

“Yep. Now we just have to find someone who’s willing to fund this project.” He placed a hand on his chin, in thought. “I know of a few people, but you should probably ask Bertrand about it. You’re his friend, right? He’s most guaranteed to be able to help us.”

“Oh,”— I waved a hand off—”I have someone else in mind.”

He raised a brow. “Who’re you thinking of?”

“King Adilet,” I said. “I’ve got a meeting with him tomorrow. You’ll be joining me.”

“I see.” Aniyar nodded. Then he blinked a few times. His eyes widened. “You have a meeting with the King?!”

I drew back slightly. “Why does everyone keep reacting that way?”

Author's Note:

Sorry for the late chapter. I'm busy preparing for my flight.