However, Gem exhaled deeply with a face as if a possessing spirit had been exorcised, and shook his head left and right once more.
“I was wrong. I cared only about my pride and made unseemly attempts to defend my beliefs……Aoi-dono. You have reached the depths of magical arts, haven’t you? And Crown, Awad, and Balbrea noticed this and were frantically trying to absorb that knowledge……Only I was foolish and couldn’t see anything.”
Speaking of his regret, he bowed his head deeply, deeply. The hallway of the audience chamber was wide with good visibility. Given the location, Arabata became flustered.
“Gem-dono. You needn’t bow your head here……!”
Arabata hurriedly tried to stop him, but this time Ord bowed his head toward us.
“Aoi-dono. I too would like to apologize. To think that Aoi-dono was such a skilled magician……I also had a biased view regarding Shenley’s grades. Please forgive me.”
At Ord’s words, I involuntarily opened my mouth.
“More than that, I’d like you to reflect on deciding on Shenley-san’s marriage partner without even listening to her opinion……”
When I protested with a sharp remark, Ord’s face became troubled.
“……The partner isn’t just any upper noble. It’s the Westmeath Marquis family. Are you still truly against it?”
When Ord asked in a low voice, Shenley looked down tearfully. Seeing this, Ord deeply sighed and dropped his shoulders.
“I see……It seems I’ve become so ingrained with aristocratic thinking that I blindly believed marriage arrangements with partners of high rank and status were good things. From now on, I’ll consider candidates that Shenley desires. I apologize.”
Ord honestly expressed his regret. It seemed the marriage talk itself really wasn’t done with ill intent. As the family head, he was thinking about the future of his house and daughter.
“I understand. If you’re convinced, I have nothing more to say. Katy-san too……”
As I said this and turned my gaze, Katy was trembling with tears in her eyes.
“……I can’t complain, can I? When His Majesty said such things, someone like me……What is this, it’s so unfair! I studied healing magic more desperately than anyone……Even though big sister ran away, why is she the only one who looks happy……!”
As if expressing her overflowing emotions, tears spilled from Katy’s eyes and her tone became harsh. To Katy, who was putting her suppressed feelings into words, Shenley timidly reached out her hand and gently rubbed her back.
“Katy……um, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t use healing magic……But if you’d like, why don’t you come to Fidic Academy? Then Katy could also learn from Aoi-sensei together……”
It was clumsy comfort and a suggestion. However, Katy said nothing and looked at Shenley, then at me.
“I can only properly use healing magic……This is all I have……”
To Katy, who said this in a dark voice, I gave her a thumbs up.
“Please rest assured. I will raise all your magic to advanced level. By the way, Shenley-san can also learn healing magic. While restoring internal organs is somewhat difficult, anyone can definitely learn to heal external wounds.”
When I said this and looked at the two, they froze with wide eyes. Their expressions were identical, proving they were sisters. Then, the two began laughing together.
Having somehow resolved Shenley’s problem, I spent the remaining days on magical education.
Regarding the fundamental magical theory, I had all teachers and students at the Holy Capital Magic Academy attend. Incidentally, Katy and Gem were also among them.
“I had noticed the patterns in incantations and the relationships between phrases, but they were too complex for research to progress. That’s what prompted me to begin research into magic circles. While most ancient incantations have been lost, magic circles and magical tools from ancient times remain in physical form. I thought that by studying these, it would lead to research in both areas.”
“I think Balbrea-san’s approach is very correct. Ancient characters and figures always have meaning, and they interact with each other to produce effects. The same is true for incantations, and if the characters and figures used in excellent magical tools and magic circles could be converted to incantations, they would surely produce similar effects. With your permission, I’ll create a dictionary to serve as a Rosetta Stone.”
“I don’t know what this ‘Rosetta Stone’ is, but I understand what you’re saying. That would be very helpful.”
Thanks to the cooperation of people with the titles of saints and saintesses, even people who didn’t know me listened to the lectures with serious expressions. As Awad, Balbrea, and Crown asked questions and I answered them, gradually even people who had remained silent began asking questions.
Before I knew it, one week, then two weeks had passed, and more people became able to use advanced magic, while those who previously couldn’t use healing magic gradually became able to use it.
Particularly, those who could already use intermediate or higher magic showed remarkable growth. Balbrea and Awad became able to use lightning magic, and Crown became able to heal even bone fractures with healing magic.
While this was happening, I used up the initially planned stay period. Finally, Diagio himself would see us off.
“Normally, His Majesty only sees off royalty from major countries.”
“It’s because this isn’t normal.”
When Shenley muttered in confusion, Aile laughed while saying such things. Looking closely, Aile and the others had completely mastered wearing Mapleleaf’s traditional clothing. Shenley looked more like a foreigner instead.
“Just when we were getting along well with the people from the Holy Capital Magic Academy, it’s lonely.”
Eliza said this sadly. Incidentally, Eliza was also properly wearing traditional clothing. Perhaps because of her short stature, she looked like an elementary school student and was adorable.
“However, we also need to give lectures at Fidic Academy. It can’t be helped.”
Strauss said this coolly and shouldered a large leather bag.
“What’s in that? You didn’t have it when we came, right?”
When Eliza confirmed, Strauss opened the bag right there.
“I bought the most delicious bread in the holy capital. We won’t be able to eat it after we return.”
To Strauss, who said this somewhat happily, Eliza was exasperated.
“It’ll spoil. I’ll help you eat it!”
“Don’t worry. More than half of it was purchased as dough. I plan to have it baked when we return to Fidic Academy.”
“Even dough won’t last for days! We need to eat it tomorrow or the day after!”
“Absolutely not.”
The two had such an exchange while bickering. Watching this with a smile, I pointed at the bag.
“If you’re going to have Grenola-san bake it in the dormitory, you have to give one to Grenola-san too.”
When I said this with a laugh, Eliza exclaimed “Ah!”
“Speaking of which, was Grenola-san a saintess? When I was asking about healing magic, someone from the academy mentioned a missing saintess……”
Reminded by Eliza, I recalled.
“Ah, I heard about that too. Apparently Grenola-san left the country more than ten years ago because she disliked being a saintess. She might want to keep her whereabouts hidden, so I haven’t mentioned that she’s at Fidic Academy.”
Nodding at Eliza’s words, I added supplementary explanation. Then Strauss wrinkled his brow and groaned.
“……Grenola as a saintess. I’d find it more convincing if someone said she was a general……”
Eliza burst out laughing at Strauss saying such things.
“She doesn’t seem like a saintess. But she’s actually kind, just foul-mouthed. When Aoi-san doesn’t show up at the cafeteria for a while, she comes to my room to check if I’m okay.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
I was also surprised by this unexpected story. To think I was causing worry without knowing it. She might dislike it, but maybe I should buy some Mapleleaf souvenirs to bring back.
“Excuse me, it’s about time for the scheduled departure……”
Since the adults were absorbed in chatting, Court called out hesitantly.
“Ah, you’re right. Well then, shall we go?”
With a wry smile, I said this and we left the royal castle. After greeting the gate guard soldiers who had completely memorized our faces, we came outside to find academy teachers and students lined up along the main street in front of the royal castle. In the back stood Arabata, Crown, Awad, and Balbrea. There was also a horseless carriage there.
“I’ll go to Fidic Academy as soon as possible.”
“I’ll definitely go whenever I can as well.”
Balbrea and Awad said this while looking at me. From our perspective, this was exactly what we hoped for.
“Of course. Whether Mapleleaf becomes the world’s greatest magical nation depends on you two.”
“Fufu……Eventually I’ll surpass even Fidic Academy.”
Balbrea responded with gleaming eyes. As expected, she’s ambitious. Balbrea, like Grenola, doesn’t seem very saintess-like either.
“Aoi-dono has been most helpful. Please definitely come to the holy capital again.”
“Grrr……If I didn’t have work, I’d follow you to Fidic Academy immediately……”
Arabata and Crown also expressed regret at our parting. No, Crown seems a bit different.
“We’re the ones who were helped. I’m thinking of deepening exchanges through things like school trips and exchange programs in the future, so please take care of us then.”
Having such an exchange, I suddenly looked behind the two. There stood Gem and Ord, who bowed their heads upon receiving my gaze. Behind Ord was also Katy, but she remained turned away. Giving a wry smile, I returned a light bow.
Then, belatedly, Diagio, Rose, and the Prime Minister appeared from the royal castle.
“Aoi-dono. Please continue to work with us. I’d also like to hear about future policies when we meet next time.”
“Yes. I’ll come to the holy capital again eventually.”
When I replied to Diagio’s words, he tilted his head.
“Hmm? No, within less than a month there will be a cultural exchange ceremony at Fidic Academy. It was called a cultural festival, wasn’t it? Rose and I participate every year.”
“Cultural festival?”
At Diagio’s words, I turned around with a question mark.
Then I saw Strauss and Eliza, who had turned pale.
“……I forgot.”
“W-we haven’t prepared anything……!?”
Judging from their state, it seemed to be a very important ceremony. Moreover, it was something the teachers needed to prepare for. I wondered if it was different from what we did on Earth.
“……Those two seem to be very busy indeed.”
Diagio said this with a wry smile. Nodding, I approached the carriage to use flight magic.
“At this rate, I’ll be busy too. Excuse me, but I think I should return early and ask the dean. Well then, Your Majesty. Thank you for all your help. Please continue to work with us.”
“Indeed.”
Having such an exchange, I got into the driver’s seat of the carriage. Then Strauss and the others also climbed in while greeting people around them.
“Everyone. Thank you for your help. When you make new discoveries or have ideas regarding magical research, please definitely tell me. Well then, until we meet again.”
After a brief greeting, I used flight magic. People seeing flight magic for the first time raised voices of surprise. Feeling a bit moved by everyone’s cheers, we took flight into the sky.
Initially it was troublesome in various ways, but before I knew it, Mapleleaf had become a very cooperative nation. It was a completely satisfactory result.
During the brief aerial journey, I enjoyed the scenery while immersing myself in memories of Mapleleaf. When I return, I’ll have Strauss share some of that bread he bought.
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