The Vermilia Jewel does not exist on its own.
It is always paired with the Vermilia Castle and the Vermilia Clan Head.
These three are in a mutually protective relationship.
For instance, if the Vermilia Jewel were lost, the castle could not exist, and if the Vermilia Clan Head disappeared, the jewel would cease to be.
Losing the castle is difficult, but when a situation arises where the castle is lost, it means one of the other two has already been lost.
Such a mutual relationship naturally influences the creation of the Vermilia Jewel.
Previously, Shurein mentioned that the “rank” of the jewel was related to the castle’s growth, and the reverse is also true.
Naturally, if the jewel’s “rank” does not grow, the castle will not grow on its own.
Kousuke considers the growth of this “rank” to be the evolution of the jewel.
Currently, Shurein also understands it as such, but the idea of a jewel, which is ultimately just an object, evolving is not easily accepted by the clan members.
This, however, is outside the scope of the current objective, so it is not a problem.
“So? Did you find anything?”
To Kousuke, who had arrived with those words, Shurein shook his head.
“No. It’s not that I haven’t found anything at all, but it’s quite difficult.”
Kousuke is currently at the location where the Vermilia Jewel is enshrined within Vermilia Castle.
Several days had already passed since he began staying here.
Even though Kousuke is treated like a savior of the clan, the place he is in now is the most important location for the Vermilia Clan.
It was not possible for Kousuke and either Kouhi or Mitsuki to be alone, so Shurein usually accompanied him.
When Shurein was busy managing the North Tower, someone else would be present.
However, even among the Vermilia Clan, no one except Shurein is allowed to enter this place alone, so Kousuke’s treatment is truly exceptional.
Kousuke has been investigating the Vermilia Jewel for the past few days, but he has not yet managed to uncover its entire mechanism.
Rather, he estimates that he has only understood about thirty percent of it.
“I see. So, is it also difficult to grow the jewels of the Four Elements Tower?”
“Ah, no. I’ve mostly figured that part out now?”
“…..What?”
At the casual reply, Shurein’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“W-What? You weren’t staying here because you couldn’t figure that out?”
It was only then that Kousuke realized Shurein’s misunderstanding.
No, in this case, it’s Kousuke who’s more mistaken.
He certainly wouldn’t have expected that he could decipher the mechanism of the Vermilia Jewel, the ultimate treasure of the Vermilia Clan, in such a short time.
“No, I was investigating the Vermilia Jewel itself?”
At Kousuke’s nonchalant reply, Shurein felt a wave of dizziness.
“So, what you’re saying is? The past few days you’ve spent here were not investigating the jewels of the Four Elements, but the Vermilia Jewel?”
“Yes. Well, originally that was the case, but as I investigated, I became engrossed.”
The fact that such a large jewel contained something like Vermilia Castle, and the “rank” linked to the clan head.
The more he investigated, the more interesting things he found, and he became engrossed in it even as it progressed.
“So, in other words, Kousuke understands how the jewel is made?”
“No, I wouldn’t go that far. What I understand now is, at best, just the initial starting point?”
Shurein clutched his head at the unbelievable information.
In the past, for a long time since the Vermilia Clan and the jewel began to exist together, they had naturally researched how the jewel worked.
However, as if mocking their efforts, they were completely unable to make any progress. They couldn’t even understand how it worked, let alone what power drove it.
Kousuke, in just a few days, had managed to overturn years of research by the clan.
Seeing Kousuke tilt his head as he observed his demeanor, Shurein impassionedly explained what he meant.
“Ah… so, you’re saying it’s problematic that someone like me, who just appeared, could decipher it?”
“No! There’s no one in the clan who would say anything about Kousuke now. The issue is that Kousuke has unraveled a mystery that they couldn’t solve.”
“Umm, so, in other words?”
“Kousuke might become even more revered by the clan.”
“Ah, I see. …But, I think that’s difficult?”
“…Why is that?”
“Because if you can’t wield divine power, you can’t even investigate it.”
In short, currently, there is no one else who can confirm it other than Kousuke.
Of course, if a god from the divine realm were summoned, it would be a different story.
“Ah, I see.”
Shurein nodded in understanding, then slumped his shoulders.
Using divine power means it’s a divine tool, of course.
This means that even if the research progresses and the mechanism is understood, it would be impossible to replicate.
The clan had been researching the jewel with the goal of replication, so this meant that their efforts would be in vain.
“…Let’s consider it a win that we know replication is difficult.”
“I don’t think it’s impossible though.”
“Are you saying that if Kousuke made it?”
“Well, that’s how it would be.”
“Then it’s meaningless.”
“Ah, I see.”
This time, Kousuke nodded as if he understood.
“Well, if there were someone in the clan who could wield divine power and was skilled at making magic tools, it might be possible?”
Since vampires are long-lived, it wouldn’t be impossible if they were taught patiently.
By the way, vampires in this world are long-lived, not immortal.
However, “long-lived” means a duration that is mind-bogglingly long for humans.
“That’s a very patient endeavor.”
Even with their sense of long life, Kousuke’s words were a mind-boggling prospect.
“Well, whether it makes sense to make two of the same thing is another matter.”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
Shurein asked Kousuke, implying that being able to create multiple castles, not just two, should be meaningful.
“Because this jewel is inherited by one clan head per person?”
With those words, Shurein understood what Kousuke meant.
Two jewels would imply two clan heads existing.
Kousuke’s statement indicated that one head could not possess multiple jewels.
“I believe there would be applications if it could be made so that the head could hold multiple?”
“Well, if that were possible.”
Kousuke said so with a bitter smile.
In other words, at the current stage, it’s not possible to make it with such specifications.
“Things don’t always go as planned.”
“Well, that’s how it is, isn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
“By the way, are you still continuing your investigation?”
Since the original objective has to some extent been met, there is no need to continue the investigation.
“Hmm? If I’m allowed to continue investigating, I’d like to, but if not, I’ll stop?”
“Isn’t replication impossible?”
“Ah, that’s what you mean. The technology used here can be applied in various ways, so I’d still like to look at it for future reference?”
Since it’s technology that uses divine power, it can only be used by a select few, but there are still many aspects to consider.
“In that case, investigate to your heart’s content.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. After all, it will bring benefits.”
Of course, he wasn’t expecting any immediate benefits, but Shurein chose to phrase it that way.
“Haha. I’ll remember that.”
Kousuke replied with a laugh and returned to his investigation of the jewel.
Shurein had said it as a joke, but he understood that Kousuke’s tools would be useful in various ways, so he knew it wasn’t just a joke.
Regarding Vampires:
Of course, they would die if cut by a sword, so their near-demise in a conflict proves they are not immortal.
Shurein being a being that Mitsuki could summon would mean he was made that way through magic, not because he was immortal.
