第３８０堀：王と魔術師と鼠 (Part1)
**Chapter 380: The King, the Magician, and the Mouse**
**Side: Noble**
A single wyvern danced in the blue sky.
At the command of its master riding upon its back, it let out a cry.
*Gyaaaah!!*
The sound reached the entire training grounds—no, the entire castle.
The retainers watching were also raising voices of astonishment.
"That is truly formidable."
"Indeed. One cannot underestimate a Dragon Knight."
"It is fortunate that they are still students."
"Agreed. It would be a waste to label such talent as a threat and dispose of it. We should forge a friendship while we have the chance."
Indeed, just as I had planned, the assassination of the Dragon Knight was avoided, but... that wyvern is stronger than I anticipated.
My retainers cannot even distinguish between a wyvern and a dragon, but that wyvern is abnormal.
I have seen wyverns during the Great War, but none were at that level.
If things go poorly, it might even surpass a true dragon.
If we were to make an enemy of that, we would have to be prepared for a corresponding amount of bloodshed.
Considering that, it was the right decision to summon Popuri-dono here.
I had heard that the monsters around the Academy were powerful, but I didn't expect this much.
I recall reports that a swarm of wyverns appeared during the skirmish between Hifi and August.
I thought it was a tall tale, but seeing such a powerful specimen, I can no longer deny it.
If I had been hostile toward Popuri-dono, there was a possibility that she could have unleashed the powerful monsters of the Academy region upon us.
No, it is not yet decided that she is an ally.
I must draw her to our side, no matter what.
Fortunately, the Dragon Knights seem to be acting independently; while that is a concern regarding surveillance, it is a blessing that I can spend time persuading Popuri-dono.
As for the Dragon Knights, once they have been given a moderate tour of the castle, I can move them to a restaurant in the castle town, and there should be little to worry about.
"Now then, Popuri-dono, Lara-dono. I would like to show you some magical tools. Would that be acceptable?"
Once the Dragon Knight’s demonstration ended and things had settled down, I broached the subject.
"Yes, that is fine."
"In that case, Knight Arne, I leave the guidance of the Dragon Knights to you."
"Yes, sir!!"
Since I heard the Dragon Knights were students, I assigned her to them, and it seems to be going well.
There is a possibility they might run into Princess Dressa in town, but they likely wouldn't recognize the enslaved princess as the real thing.
I have instructed the knights to follow and provide support if any trouble arises, so it will be manageable.
...I feel nothing but regret for her sake.
But this, too, is for the future.
Without knowing my inner thoughts, she led the Dragon Knights away.
"...I will make amends once everything is over."
The words spilled from my mouth unconsciously.
It seems Popuri-dono heard them...
"...We who stand at the top have a difficult time of it, don't we?"
This response—she likely anticipates what I am about to do.
As expected of a genuine magician who has lived for 400 years, and one connected to that god.
I suppose there is no need to probe each other's intentions...
"...If possible, I would like for us to join hands."
"Indeed. However, there are things I cannot yield."
"I wish to confirm those things from here on out."
"...Understood."
That said, even if I jump straight into the main topic, she won't join hands with me unless I demonstrate our technological prowess.
No, in the first place, she likely does not know the significance of the existence of Comet-dono, Hifi-dono, and myself.
If she knew about the problem of mana depletion that threatens the world, she would have offered her cooperation the moment I mentioned her name. This is no time for internal squabbling.
Even so, I doubt she would believe me if I told her the truth right now.
Therefore, I will first capture her interest with our magical tools, join up with Hifi, explain the situation, and ask for her cooperation.
Unless she is a fool, she will give a favorable answer.
Conversely, if she does not, it will be proof that she is consumed by self-interest, and regrettably, I will have to recognize her as someone who must be eliminated.
If that happens, Hifi and the others will be saddened, so I suppose it is my skill that will determine whether I can bring her into the fold without such an outcome.
"We are walking quite a distance."
"It is a state secret, after all. I have placed the laboratory in a location separate from the castle. I hope you can forgive that."
"It is different from the Academy."
"It is classified, and experiments are prone to failure. Unlike the Academy, I cannot conduct them in the same place where the nation's government is carried out. Since failure is the norm, it would only cause unnecessary anxiety for the people."
"That is certainly true. Unless the residents think that explosions are part and parcel of the process, like at the Academy, they would surely be uneasy."
"Indeed. Thinking back, it’s amazing how well they get along with the Academy."
"..."
Why is that?
I only said something ordinary, but there is something different between the Academy and Ex.
Or rather, just how often are they exploding?
How do the residents manage to live in peace with that? Isn't something fundamentally wrong?
...Ah, calm down. My thoughts feel like they are slipping back to a casual state.
"...Ahem. While I am interested in your way of doing things, let us prioritize this for now."
We finally arrived at the workshop on the outskirts of the royal capital.
"This is where magical research in Ex is conducted. In the streets, it is called a workshop or a factory."
"A workshop? A factory?"
"Yes. It is not just for research, but a place to mass-produce invented products."
"Oh? That is quite interesting."
"I do not know how you handle things when a good invention is made, but I ensure that if it is something beneficial for the people, a production system is prepared immediately. The prosperity of the people leads to the prosperity of the nation."
Yes, few understand that enriching the people enriches the nation.
This is the same for every country.
They fear for their own positions and dislike the idea of the people possessing wealth.
That is no good; it is insufficient.
What we must strive for is the elevation of the whole, not the luxury of a select few.
Of course, "elevation" is not just about wealth; it is about the standard of living, individual strength, and many other things.
"...Noble-dono seems to have quite modern ideas."
"If you say that, then you, who opened the gates of the Academy saying that talent is all that matters, should be called the pioneer."
"No, I only do so for the sake of scholarship."
"We will get nowhere if we both keep being humble. Let us look at the goods first, and then we can talk."
"That is true."
...As I thought, Popuri could be my comrade.
However, I must show that I possess the ability worthy of being her comrade.
There is no reason to harbor a burden, and she would not be able to trust my words otherwise.
That is why I will show her.
That I am worthy of being a comrade to trust, cooperate with, and aim for the future with.
"Is the preparation complete?"
"Yes. It was brought in around noon."
"Good."
I had only meant to confirm. I didn't think there was anything problematic about the response, but...
"Oh? Judging by that, are there other workshops like this?"
"Why do you ask?"
"No, we hadn't entered the workshop yet, and since you said it was 'brought in,' I assumed it had been transported from another location. But thinking about it, it was just moved internally to show us, wasn't it?"
"Ah, yes. That is correct."
I managed to answer on the spot, but I was likely found out.
As Popuri-dono said, it should be a story that makes sense as an internal transfer, but I was flustered.
It was a slight—truly slight—agitation and confusion, but it is foolish to think it went unnoticed.
There is no reason to speak of it immediately, but if pressed, admitting it honestly will be better for the future.
"Then, please, lead the way."
"Yes. This way."
Though there were some minor issues, what matters now is moving according to plan.
Guided by the staff, we moved to look around the workshop.
Popuri-dono and Lara-dono seem to understand my intentions, as they are observing the scenery inside the workshop intently.
The hook is set well.
Facilities like this are rare.
Usually, it is taken for granted that weapons and the like are made by specialists within the castle or the town, and countries do not build their own workshops or factories.
I wondered how it would turn out at first, but I was surprised by the results: production increased, quality stabilized, and it provided jobs for the people, exceeding my expectations.
"The magical tools for your inspection are placed in this room."
"Thank you for your hard work. Please, Popuri-dono, Lara-dono."
I opened the door to the room myself and guided them inside.
"Excuse me."
"Excuse us."
By having the King do it himself, I showed that this place is of such value.