The morning after the second international conference, Alka received visitors. Emperor Reinhardt and Sayuri, graced us with their presence.
I had already informed Emperor Reinhardt about the completion of the communication device. With important figures from various countries currently at Amagi Castle, I had planned to have him come to Alka for an explanation. However, I hadn’t expected Sayuri to accompany him.
Well, considering they came from Sayuri’s mansion on Ou Renten Street, it was perhaps to be expected.
“So, this is the communication device.”
“It is quite large, isn’t it? Couldn’t you have made it a bit smaller?”
“This is a prototype, and there are issues with the materials used, so that wasn’t possible.”
We used materials from not just P-rank monsters, but also An and Catastrophe Species, along with magic stones. It might have been possible to make it the size of a home telephone, but at that size, we weren’t sure how the video would turn out, even if the audio was fine. That’s why we deliberately made it desk-sized this time.
“You used a water screen? The after-processing for the water must be troublesome. How are you handling that?”
“We’re just using water stored in a tank, and circulating it with magic stones. If we run out, we can replenish it, so we’re not particularly worried about that.”
The water used for the water screen isn’t from water-attribute magic imbued into a magic stone. Instead, it’s stored in a tank installed within the communication device. While we could replenish it with water-attribute magic in case of spills, we primarily circulate the water in the tank using wind-attribute magic. Furthermore, during screen deployment, barrier magic is used to prevent water leakage.
“And these numbers here?”
“Those are the numbers of the communication devices you wish to connect with. By touching the corresponding magic stone and channeling mana, both video and audio will connect.”
“Is a voice-only connection not possible?”
“We haven’t quite adjusted it to that extent yet. While it might not be impossible, I don’t think it would serve much purpose at this size.”
“That’s true.”
I had, in fact, ignored the voice-only call function for this prototype. It would have been difficult to tune precisely, and I couldn’t find much use for it.
“You mentioned lending one to me; are you sure that’s alright?”
“Of course. After all, I created this communication device with the possibility of using it in the war against Solemne in mind. It ended up not being ready in time, but since it can also be used for governance, I worked hard to ensure it would be ready this time around.”
Hilde, of course, was also present and receiving the explanation alongside us. I initially considered explaining it to Hilde first, but since the communication device is planned to be taken to Solemne, I felt it would be problematic to inform Queen Torencia before King Amister. Therefore, I had postponed the explanation until today.
The initial spark for creating the communication device was simply the thought that it would be convenient to converse over long distances. It also stemmed from the fact that such a thing was commonplace on Earth. Thus, in the initial planning stages, I had no intention of using it for war or governance.
“One more important note: you cannot receive transmissions if the device is stored in a magical storage or inventory.”
“That’s understandable. However, establishing a permanent device in Solemne will be difficult. If we receive a communication, we’ll first attempt to send a reply. If it cannot be received, we’ll have no choice but to ask someone from the Ancient Order directly.”
“I apologize, Brother Rai.”
“No, it’s fine as long as it’s installed in my room or study. Besides, we’ll likely be contacting you more often than you’ll be contacting us, so it shouldn’t be a major issue.”
The Ancient Class members, including Hilde, Emperor Reinhardt, and H.R.H. Maruca, have all learned Traveling. Emperor Reinhardt and H.R.H. Maruca acquired it after their recent evolution, with the usual assistance of magic augmentation from my Multi Edge. I was reprimanded by the Prime Minister, Lalaina, for what magic I had taught them. The Emperor and his entourage, who often go hunting during their vacations, have expanded their range of activity thanks to learning Traveling, which has become a headache for Lalaina. While Emperor Reinhardt will undoubtedly exercise restraint, he has stated unequivocally that on this particular matter, he cannot be trusted.
“Also, regarding Lucas and Lyra, they will be able to reside in the residence of Bai Lu, which is now vacant.”
“Is that so? While it might not have been necessary with the communication device, it’s a great help since I’ve already informed them. I also conveyed that their ability to move to Alka is uncertain, but the plan to relocate them to Float has been communicated.”
Indeed, with the communication device, we could maintain contact with Alka without relying on Lucas and Lyra as intermediaries. However, if we were absent from Alka, there might be matters that butlers or homunculi couldn’t handle. Therefore, having them come directly to discuss these issues would be beneficial and ensure confidentiality. Furthermore, Lucas and Lyra belonged to the First Squad during their dispatch, and that squad rode in our Beast Carriage during the advance on Solemne. Being from Feel, they are also familiar with everyone and have a good rapport. Thus, it was decided without any particular issues that they would be welcomed into Alka.
“Two people might find it a bit too spacious, but Lucas will likely gain more wives in the future, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Being able to live in Alka… that’s enviable indeed.”
Both Lucas and Lyra are set to relocate to Float, and simultaneously, they have been promoted to A-rank Order, bestowed with the title of Jade Knight. This was announced yesterday, and along with the rewards for those who participated in the war, High Class members were granted Knightly Titles, and those already holding Knightly Titles were awarded the title of Jade Knight. This was accomplished using a Knight Magic called All Orders Modifying, which, similar to the license available in every Guild, can only be used by Grand Masters. The ranks of all Orders have reportedly been changed accordingly. Mina and Rika of the Wing Crest Order, and Raus, have also received the title of Jade Knight and been promoted to A-rank Order.
“Once His Majesty’s mansion is complete, we’ll install a Gate Stone there, so please bear with us until then.”
“I understand.”
The mansion where a retired king resides is built in a district called Ou Renten Street within Amagi Castle. We have already installed a Gate Stone at Sayuri’s mansion. However, Sayuri spends more time away from Amagi Castle than at it, and Emperor Reinhardt cannot casually visit Alka. Therefore, he has requested a Gate Stone be installed once his own mansion is completed. His Majesty is Mana and Yuri’s elder brother, which makes him my brother-in-law as well. I plan to install it once it’s finished.
“Speaking of which, I still haven’t met the previous Emperor. I’ve never met him before.”
“What? Really?”
It occurred to me as I recalled Ou Renten Street that I had never met the previous Emperor. Sayuri seemed surprised as well. Ah, the previous Emperor was Sayuri’s son.
“Yes. It seems we always miss each other due to timing.”
While my visits to Amagi Castle are irregular, the previous Emperor and his family apparently spend even less time there than Sayuri. So, it might not be surprising that we haven’t met.
“Kaito, he’s getting on in years; he should probably settle down by now.”
Sayuri muttered this, but she herself is already a hundred years old…
“Something wrong?”
“Nothing at all, I apologize!”
I thought something impolite and was glared at with an intense killing intent! It was terrifying!
“Well, putting that aside, my grandfather is also over eighty. He hasn’t evolved into High Class, so I’m quite worried about his physical condition.”
Kaito Re Amister, the previous Emperor, was indeed over 80 years old. Furthermore, being of Normal Class, he could be considered quite elderly. One of his wives has already passed away, but he still wishes to work as a Trader and is traveling throughout Amister with his other former queen.
“If only they would at least let us know their destination; we could visit them.”
“As Traders, wouldn’t their schedules be easier to understand if it’s for business negotiations?”
“Normally yes, but perhaps because I manage an orphanage in Float, he also makes donations and provides support to orphanages in various regions. So, after finishing his business negotiations, he just pops into some town.”
So that’s why his schedule is so unpredictable. Sayuri mentioned that Kaito is an Elf, but due to his Normal Class, he has aged normally and has the appearance of an elder Elf. She has repeatedly told him to stay in Amagi Castle, or at least in Float, but Kaito and his wife, Lilina, adamantly refuse and continue to visit orphanages in towns other than Float.
“I don’t mind him donating to and supporting orphanages. I also always make donations to orphanages in towns I visit for requests. However, given my grandfather’s and grandmother’s ages, their bodies can’t handle strain. I’m not asking them to stop, but I wish they would show a little more restraint.”
Emperor Reinhardt also gave a wry smile, “Does His Majesty also donate to orphanages?” As part of Amister’s policy, orphanages receive substantial aid. It’s not as if the orphans chose to be orphaned. It’s uncommon for children, some of whom become high-rank Hunters or Orders, to not be actively supported by the Royal Family, with the hope that they will contribute to the nation. This is reportedly a tradition that has continued since before Sayuri’s time, and successive kings have used their personal fortunes to aid orphanages. Emperor Reinhardt and Sayuri also support orphanages in accordance with this tradition. However, the orphanage in Float, which Sayuri directly manages, reportedly faced bankruptcy, or rather, financial difficulties. To be precise, when the nobleman in charge was replaced by his incompetent son, he squandered the orphanage’s funds and concealed it, even resorting to abusing the orphans. I can safely call him an absolute idiot. It is widely known that the Royal Family directly supports orphanages, so any but the most foolish would not dare to harm the orphans. Yet, this foolish son crossed that line, and Sayuri witnessed it, so one can only imagine what happened.
“Ah, I’ve heard about that. He was truly an idiot. I never imagined he wouldn’t recognize me.”
Indeed, as Sayuri says, he apparently didn’t even know who Sayuri was. He even tried to solicit her and, upon discovering the abuse of the orphans, intended to silence her. It seems this happened just before Saya was entrusted to her care. That foolish son was divested of his noble status for embezzlement of funds and abuse of orphans and was sent to a magic silver mine as a criminal slave. Attempting to lay hands on the Royal Family—that’s an offense that could have easily resulted in a death sentence. Afterward, Sayuri purchased the orphanage, properly renovated the facilities, and began providing generous support.
“The reason the Royal Family supports orphanages is also to prevent the creation of lawless areas like slums by providing proper education. Once housing, food, and clothing are secured, education is paramount. Is it not ‘When food and clothing are abundant, one knows propriety’?”
“Yes, an Earth idiom. Shinichi popularized it, but I agree with him.”
Ah, I see. Shinichi was reincarnated nearly 200 years ago. I heard he was a university student who aspired to be a teacher, so he likely understood the importance of education well. Come to think of it, there were no slums in Esperanza either. Perhaps the results of Shinichi’s educational efforts are reflected in the cityscape.
“In that case, the more I feel the need to do something about the Scholar’s Guild.”
“I agree, but without further fleshing out the details of what kind of Guild it should be, its establishment will be difficult. After all, it’s not just intended to be a general school but also to house research facilities.”
“And speaking of which, MARS as well.”
“Ah, that’s right…”
The general school plan I proposed earlier is in the process of becoming the Scholar’s Guild. However, there’s the issue of where to build the school, and because it’s intended to be both an educational institution and a research facility, we can’t escape the budget problem. Also, the magical tool MARS, which I am currently developing, is intended to be installed in several branches, including the headquarters, which requires a considerable amount of land. Therefore, progress has been slow, and currently, our full attention is focused on the establishment of the Federation Heavenly Empire, which is likely to further delay the Guild’s establishment.
“However, rushing things won’t lead to a good outcome. If it is an educational institution, careful discussion and deliberation are necessary.”
“Indeed.”
I understand that, but with the discussion having progressed this far, it’s becoming frustrating. However, given the nature of the matter, and that it’s somewhat out of my hands, my urging won’t accomplish anything. I suppose I’ll focus on developing and adjusting MARS.
No, before that, I need to go to Rorie Village and find the village chief. It doesn’t matter to me personally, but since he drew a sword against the Emperor’s sister, it seems necessary to impose a proper punishment to avoid future troubles. This was stated not only by Emperor Reinhardt but also by King Gumnos. Political matters are troublesome.
