Nihon 7

Having finished lunch, they return to the research building.

"Let's put the hero legend aside for now and proceed with our exchange of technologies. Oh, and please keep this strictly between us."

Kisai cleared his throat once, then began explaining in a steady stream.

"Our technology... well, I didn't develop it myself, but it's simply a mixture of powdered gemstones and sap collected from this land."

"Sap?"

"Yes, please take a look over there."

Kisai pointed toward the window, beyond which stood a slender, translucent tree.

"What... is that...?"

"We don't fully understand it ourselves. We've revered it as a sacred tree since ancient times. Scientifically, it appears that magical stones have infiltrated the wood, but we have absolutely no idea how such a phenomenon could occur."

"Indeed, we've observed countless instances of magical stones attaching to animals, in various patterns, but this is the first time we've seen a plant growing intertwined with them. Since when has it been like this?"

Kisai quietly shakes his head from side to side.

"I don't know. I've been watching it since I was born. But it just seemed to grow there one day, and that's how it developed. We haven't found any seeds or anything like that."

...I see...

It's getting more and more incomprehensible. If it were at least starting to be consumed by the spirit stone midway, but to begin with treating the spirit stone as part of one's body and growing with it... normally.

There's still a lot about magic stones that remain unknown.

While gazing absentmindedly at the peculiar tree, a small bottle filled with a viscous liquid had quietly appeared before me.

"This is a paint derived from the sap collected from that tree... I can't disclose the exact formula, but it's created by incorporating crushed magic stones. It's commonly known as 'Spirit Paint' in town."

This is... the true nature behind that mysterious pattern...

It reflects iridescent light in translucent colors, with high viscosity; when scooped with a finger, it slowly drips into a small bottle, much like oil floating on water.

And there's a gritty texture against the fingertips—clear evidence that it's made from crushed magic stones.

"We created weapons capable of activating magic by applying this liquid to weapons and performing processes such as baking... Specifically, I can't go into further detail, but the method involves this kind of treatment. This is a specialty technique unique to our nation and also classified as a state secret... However..."

"So, you're curious about my presence—no, about this staff I used, are you?"

"Yes, our secrets have not been leaked. And from what I can see, you're doing something slightly different. What exactly is that?"

"This is from the desert town of Puet..."

I explained that it was a desert village. Listening attentively beside me, Rilka tilted her ear as if remembering something nostalgic.

"I see. Liquid mithril... So such a substance has been unearthed after all."

I show the actual object to Kisa, who listens with interest. Taking it from me, Kisa examines it closely, comparing it to their own magic coating.

As they study it carefully, they begin to ponder something.

Kisa falls into deep thought, their brow furrowing deeply.

"Master Taro, might I trouble you to spare a small portion of this...? If it's not too much trouble?"

"Of course, go ahead. I understand your curiosity—something that might have belonged to a hero, after all..."

"Yes, a nation created by a hero cannot be overlooked." Kisai observed the liquid gemstone, his sharp gaze gleaming.

They continued exchanging opinions and discussing various aspects related to the hero.

It was extremely enjoyable—rarely had he engaged in academic debate in such a long time. After all, it was clear that I was better suited to technological development than combat.

By the time the surroundings grew dark, I had finished my work at the academy and left.

As I was heading back, I received word that starting tomorrow, I'd be allowed to read some of the records stored in the library. That also boosted my spirits.

"Tarou, you seemed really excited earlier."

Rilka quietly said, her hands clasped behind her back.

"Really? Well, I guess it's because it's been a while since I last talked like that. Maybe that's why."

"Yeah... I wish I could have a conversation like that too!"

You'll get the hang of it soon. It's not that you don't know much—it's just that you haven't found something you're truly passionate about yet. Once you do, you'll naturally want to talk about it.

When we returned to the lodging, Coil was already waiting.

You're quick—did you already figure something out?

"It's backwards, backwards. The people here are exclusive. They won't talk about anything. Even though they should be completely different individuals, they acted like a single living being. Honestly, it's getting creepy at this point. The only one who actually spoke to me normally was the guild receptionist."

"Is that so...? We managed to learn quite a bit about the Hero's Legend right away. And we even saw something interesting."

"Something interesting?"

I'll talk about the magic coating I saw at the training ground.

"That's information that's hard to react to with mere surprise—quite a serious matter."

"Really? It's not so different from what we've been doing ourselves. A little heartwarming, really."

"To you, maybe... But not to the nation."

"What do you mean...?"

"Understand this clearly—remember the 'Mato' technique? This technology has been continuously developed through tradition, and remains a top-tier military capability and a secret technique even today. Now imagine a situation where such a thing spontaneously emerges from another country, and there are sorcerers there who weaponize it. If you were in charge of the nation, what would you do?"

I hadn't even considered that possibility. I'd simply been excited about the fact that technological exchange was possible, and had spoken freely, without restraint.

"...Got it. I'll keep an eye out."

"Yeah, I'll make sure I'm ready to leave the country at any moment. And I'll keep digging for more information. If the locals aren't any help, maybe the adventurers coming from outside the country will be. The guild really does seem a bit different from the government after all."

And so, a day passed.

From the next day onward, Rilka was assigned to stay with Coil at all times.

That was the reasoning—being together made it easier to escape if anything went wrong.

Today, too, we headed toward the Institute of Technology.

At the entrance, Ky sai was already waiting.

"Oh, Miss, she's not here today, is she?"

"We have another companion now. She's currently on a social visit, so she's attending a study session over there today."

"I see, that's quite commendable. Then, shall we proceed with the continuation of yesterday's work here?"

"Yes, I'd like to take a closer look at the Hero's diary today."

"Very well, then please follow me this way."

The place they led him to was a shelf filled with numerous books, appearing relatively new.

"This is our repository, where we copy the contents of old books. Books naturally deteriorate over time, so we periodically rewrite and preserve them this way."

"Wow, there are all kinds of books here—very interesting indeed. I'd love to read every single one from cover to cover."

You can read it whenever you like later. But today, you're here for this, aren't you?

Prompted by Kisai, I enter a small room located deep within the study. There, a shelf securely locked and stored away stood.

The lock hanging on the shelf was removed, and a notebook was taken out from inside. Though somewhat dirty, it was still legible enough to read.

The hero's diary itself. Finally, it's here.

I've been searching for this all along.

Taking the diary in hand, I slowly open it.