Marius was unaware that the term “Nungaro” did not exclusively refer to something bag-like.
This meant it had uses beyond just item bags.
It turned out that items familiar with Marius’s magic were no longer affected by the spells of Lucas or Nilson, leading to the decision that Marius would be in charge of magical enchantments.
He was obligated to put in even more effort to ensure the magic settled properly.
“If it’s only about five, there’s no need to rush,” Bernhard III’s reassuring words were appreciated.
“It’s good that we didn’t have to shatter the Nuug,” was Lovisa’s first statement to Marius after learning the whole story.
If it hadn’t been accompanied by a beautiful smile, it would have sounded like pure sarcasm.
As they had free time today, Marius, Lovisa, and Emma were having afternoon tea, also as a way for Marius to study the Taliant Language.
Emma, while serving, mentioned that in addition to item bags, they were also short on curtains and cloaks.
Hearing this, Marius wondered about the distinction between magic items and ordinary ones. While munching on a scone, he asked Emma, who seemed knowledgeable about everything, “What’s the difference between a magic item and a regular one?”
“Simply put, it’s whether it can perform the same effects as magic,” Emma replied after taking a sip of her lemon tea.
In reality, many everyday items were enchanted. However, they were still treated as everyday items because the magic applied was usually just for durability, while any magic with special effects was classified as a magic item. Even everyday items with enchantments were considered more high-class than those without. Furthermore, the higher the level of magic, the more difficult it was to imbue, and the more expensive the item tended to be.
“You have a great responsibility, Marius-sama,” Lovisa said with a chuckle, and Marius deliberately shrugged his shoulders.
Lovisa and Emma had been told by Bernhard III that Marius possessed high-level mental magic, but their attitudes remained unchanged. Occasionally, Lovisa would give him a searching look, but otherwise, things were as usual, much to Marius’s surprise.
“I heard you can use ‘Read Sink,’ so I was surprised by your unchanged attitudes,” Marius couldn’t help but say, regretting it later. He hadn’t thought of any other way to confirm this, and he didn’t particularly want to read Emma’s and Lovisa’s minds without their consent, but whether that would be understood by them was another matter.
“Both Emma and I can tell whether you’re using magic or not,” Lovisa’s answer made Marius nod in understanding. If he could read minds unconditionally, it would be different, but the fact that he had to use magic meant there was room for understanding. He had made an effort to use magic as little as possible to show his friendly intentions, and he was a little pleased that this had not been entirely in vain.
Marius first realized he could perceive the moment magic was cast when he fought Lucas and Nilson. He had assumed everyone could perceive magic, so he congratulated himself internally on his decision to use magic sparingly. However, he had also thought, “Is that all?” He hadn’t necessarily wanted them to change their attitudes, but he had secretly felt a bit deflated, expecting some other reaction.
“Marius-sama… you truly underestimate your own abilities,” Emma said with a sigh of exasperation, having seen through Marius’s thoughts. Marius felt it was more a difference in values than an underestimation, but he didn’t retort and gestured for her to continue.
“After demonstrating power that could easily overwhelm this kingdom, the ability to read minds or delve into the past is child’s play, don’t you think?” Emma’s detached demeanor made her words seem sincere. It appeared that Marius’s combat prowess had been so shocking that the impact of his mind-reading magic was diminished. He wondered if that was truly the case, but then the possibility of receiving a reply like “That’s how it is in this world” surfaced, and he remained silent. Perhaps it was a perspective unique to this world, where beings like Demon Lords and Demons exist who can destroy kingdoms, and such Destructions actually occur.
(Besides, they perceive me as someone who can destroy a kingdom…) That was his honest thought; he felt he hadn’t shown that level of power yet. Was it because he had effortlessly defeated Wyverns and cast spells without incantations? Or was it because he had done so while remaining unfazed?
(Well, what’s done is done.) With a remarkable ability to switch gears, he quickly turned his thoughts to the future. Was Wilson’s outwardly friendly demeanor, despite his hidden animosity, also due to his perception of Marius’s power? If so, was Bernhard III’s shock yesterday not because Marius could read minds, but because he had exposed and read out his schemes? That would be a significant miscalculation.
(If you call it the “Sage” buff, it should at least bridge gaps in values, shouldn’t it?) Marius couldn’t help but click his tongue. It was too early to declare the situation worsening, but it was undeniable that things were becoming more serious. No, Marius himself had been too complacent, having been warned subtly several times but not taking it seriously. Even seeing a ploy to sow discord, he hadn’t considered that a conflict surrounding Marius Tuban, the balancer, had already begun.
(In that case, perhaps it was good that I showed the King the ‘mind-reading magic’ card.) It was purely a result of hindsight. Marius did not accurately grasp the current situation. Those around the King understood Marius’s power, but the opposing nobles, misled by Wilson, did not. Furthermore, the number of people aware of his mind-reading abilities was even more limited. While his assessment of the situation being serious was correct, the reason behind it was mistaken. While part of the cause lay with Marius himself, it was also a factor that no one was providing him with an accurate account of the country’s internal affairs. The prevailing concern was that they didn’t know how Marius would react if he learned that the country’s leadership was not united. Of course, they didn’t believe it could be entirely concealed, and Marius himself had an inkling of it. That was precisely why Lovisa and Emma continued to interact with him, even at the risk of scandal. Noticing Marius lost in thought, the two women tactfully remained silent. Emma thought, “He’s not that bright after all,” but she kept it to herself and didn’t tell Lovisa. Telling him now would likely only increase his mental burden. The only sound in the room was the clinking of cups. Marius took a sip of the cocoa tea, which had become familiar to him, and let out a small exhale. Unfortunately, no brilliant idea came to mind. More importantly, he felt it was unwise to leave the women he was having tea with unattended for much longer. However, the atmosphere suggested they would be disappointed if he suddenly changed the subject.
“That’s an exaggeration. If I couldn’t perceive magic, I believe I would have struggled much more against Lord Lucas and Lord Nilson,” he said, which was true, though not his entire honest thought. And his comment came after a considerable pause. The air didn’t feel disingenuous because Emma immediately joined the conversation, as if she had seen through everything.
“That’s right. If Lord Lucas and Lord Nilson had mastered ‘Stealth’ magic, which conceals the casting of spells, it might have been a more heated contest,” Lovisa said, though she had her doubts. She assumed the assessment of the two, who were superior mages to herself with almost no combat ability, was likely correct. Lovisa was a genius in her own right, but hopelessly inept in most areas outside her specialization. Marius found the mention of a new magic fascinating.
“Oh, there’s a magic like that?” he asked, genuinely surprised. There was no such system for concealing magic in the game. It was likely implemented to avoid situations where attacks could be made unilaterally and without any counter.
(I thought the same about mental magic, but in reality, you can do more outrageous things than in games. I should be careful.) He chuckled at his own ordinariness, realizing he was constantly telling himself to be careful. Just then, Marius noticed something.
“But when using ‘Stealth,’ isn’t it perceivable?”
“Yes, so its effect is limited unless you’re far away.” Marius was about to accept this when he considered whether Emma meant only that, or if there was a deeper meaning. If there was another meaning, was it an indirect warning that “you’ll be suspected if you use magic from afar”? Emma often provided subtle hints, and he might regret it if he carelessly overlooked them.
“Speaking of which, how many people know about the mind-reading magic?” he wondered if the King had only confided in those he truly trusted. In other words, wouldn’t those the King didn’t trust be precisely the ones Marius should be wary of? Lovisa answered Marius’s question.
“My father, my siblings and I, Falk, Lucas, and Nilson.” It was far fewer than he had imagined. And it was surprisingly unexpected that the Queen and the Prince were not included.
“It’s a secret from the Queen and the Prince too?” Marius, not hiding his surprise, was met with a wry smile from Lovisa.
“They have little contact with Marius-sama. It makes little difference whether they know or not.” Would the King omit an explanation to members of his own family? Marius certainly didn’t think those two were enemies, but he felt as though the situation was rapidly becoming more suspicious.
“I promised Lord Raymond that we would teach each other magic and summoning arts.” Marius, as if probing, was met with a smile from Lovisa.
“I know. Please guide Raymond well.” Raymond was someone Marius didn’t know, and the implication was that he didn’t need to teach him. It was certainly not something to be carelessly discussed, but he couldn’t tell if that was the only reason or if there were others. Marius was not a strategist.
“Who can use the magic called ‘Stealth’?”
“Myself and Lord Lucas. Lord Lucas is my master,” Emma stated matter-of-factly with a straight face.
(Wait, wasn’t Emma a healer?) Marius was becoming increasingly confused.
“That’s right. Emma, why don’t you teach Marius-sama?” Lovisa clapped her hands, a triumphant look on her face as if she had a brilliant idea.
“Eh? Really?” Marius responded almost instinctively, stunned by the surprise.
“It’s no problem for about an hour. Right, Emma?”
“If Viscountess Lovisa says so,” Emma replied calmly, despite being suddenly tasked. Even Marius, who was usually quite astute, realized this was likely a form of surveillance, but he couldn’t refuse at this point.
