Chapter 358 - Episode 350: A Confident Meeting
"This is a magic tool of attack magic capable of firing Flame Bullets. We have already confirmed that it is in a usable state through test firing. Please accept this as a gift from the Arqvist family to celebrate the engagement of our two houses."
While listening to Noein's explanation, Oscar took the magic tool in his hand and examined it in detail.
"I see... I do not believe you would deceive me, but as King, I have a position to maintain. Hey, verify this."
"Yes, sir."
At Oscar's command, a Guard soldier who had been waiting nearby took the magic tool and left the room. He likely intended to confirm that it actually worked outside. In the vast royal palace, there was a training ground for royal mages, where live firing was occasionally conducted as part of the maintenance of magic tools stored by the royal family. It would not be unnatural to fire a magic tool.
"Now then, according to the story relayed through Count Koenitz, a considerable number of magic tools were discovered in the ruins..."
Noein nodded as Oscar proceeded with the conversation on the premise that the offered magic tool was genuine, without waiting for confirmation.
"Yes. Including the one presented to Your Majesty, a total of twelve attack magic tools were discovered. All of them were in usable condition. The ruins belonged to the late period of the West Zeetsgard Empire, and it seems they were a workshop directly under the Imperial family for manufacturing attack magic tools. However, both the manufacturing method and the equipment were entirely lost."
"I see. The late period of the Empire... It is a strange thing to speak of a 'late period' for the West Zeetsgard Empire, which perished in less than twenty years."
"I agree. I used that phrasing simply to mean that it was a workshop from the time truly close to the collapse of the West Zeetsgard Empire."
Ancient great powers are often spoken of with a sense of awe, but the late periods are different.
The Empire in its final years could not keep its vast territory together and eventually split clean in two. Some records of the specific blunders of the emperors of that time still remain. The West Zeetsgard Empire, which had begun to collapse at the very moment of its founding, is also rated poorly as a failed state.
"Even so, the manufacturing method for the attack magic tools is unknown, eh? It is a regrettable story, but perhaps it was a blessing for you?"
Noein answered, appearing genuinely relieved, as Oscar questioned him with eyes that seemed to be testing his reaction.
In truth, Noein was relieved from the bottom of his heart, but Oscar was undoubtedly considering the possibility that Noein had discovered the manufacturing method for the attack magic tools and was hiding it. In this situation, it would be madness not to be suspicious. Noein felt that this was fine.
No matter how much the royal family investigated, the manufacturing method for attack magic tools would not surface even if it took years. Because, in the first place, it did not exist.
"Hahaha. Just like last year's Wyvern commotion, you dislike conflict and trouble, yet you often find yourself embroiled in tedious matters."
"Yes. Just the other day, my father-in-law told me the same thing."
Noein replied calmly to Oscar, whose gaze remained sharp as he continued to try and see through Noein's true intentions. Since there was no reason to be shaken, he naturally remained unperturbed.
"It cannot be helped that the manufacturing method is gone, but still, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist will come to possess eleven attack magic tools. That is a number second only to my Rhodeberg family. It must be a tremendous military force for you."
"Indeed. Since I have come into possession of them, I intend to use them effectively as a shield to protect our country."
If one is given an attack magic tool, they become a military force equivalent to a skilled mage, even if they are a child. It was as if the Arqvist family had suddenly gained eleven employed mages. To put it extremely, eleven peasants and one commander could fight on equal terms with the territorial army of a high-ranking noble house.
The only drawback was that the cost of magic stones would pile up, but the Grand Duchy possessed enough wealth to spend money like water in an emergency. If anything, they even had a source of high-quality magic stones in the Bezel Great Forest.
From the perspective of the Grand Duchy, it was a blessing; from the perspective of surrounding countries, it was a high-firepower asset to be mindful of. By daring to call it a "shield to protect our country," Noein indicated his own country's stance based on exclusive defense. He did not expect Oscar to swallow that whole, but the posture shown openly was important.
"Hmm, so you do intend to possess all eleven, then."
"Yes, as they were discovered within our country's territory, naturally the ownership belongs to the Arqvist family... Um, perhaps Your Majesty was offended that only one was presented to you?"
When Noein asked with a deliberately anxious face and tone, Oscar shook his head with a wry smile.
"Of course not. I am not such a narrow-minded man. However, possessing many attack magic tools may, depending on the case, invite trouble. I simply confirmed your intention once more with that in mind."
The Rhodeberg royal family and the Grand Duchy of Arqvist had just entered into an engagement between their children. At such a critical juncture, Oscar also took care to avoid words or actions that would cause Noein's distrust to grow.
Attack magic tools were certainly useful, but from the perspective of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, they were not something so desirable that they outweighed everything else. They did not surpass the strengthening of the next generation's ties with the Grand Duchy.
Precisely because he knew Oscar would judge it thus, Noein had been somewhat aggressive in declaring that he would take all the remaining magic tools. In the first place, presenting one using the engagement of the heir as an excuse could be called generous.
If someone gave a gift saying, "I got a lot, so I'll give one to you, my best friend," and the receiver said, "I'm not satisfied with one, give me more," the friendship would end at that instant. Oscar was not someone who failed to understand that.
"I see. I am relieved."
Noein showed a fake smile, as if to say he was relieved.
"With this, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist has further increased its military power. It has also been decided that my daughter will marry into the Arqvist family, so I must make sure not to anger you."
"You joke. I still intend to be Your Majesty's friend, and I hope that we will maintain a friendly relationship with the Rhodeberg royal family for a long time to come, even into the generations of our sons and grandsons."
"Hahaha, you say such pleasing things. I shall strive to ensure you continue to say so."
Oscar laughed in good spirits at Noein, who spoke with a cool face.
At that moment, the Guard soldier who had first left the room returned and informed Oscar that the magic tool was indeed genuine.
...
The Arqvist Grand Ducal villa, small but of high-quality construction, standing in the noble district of Lichthagen.
Returning there along with a mountain of gifts received from the Rhodeberg royal family in exchange for the magic tool, Noein was greeted by his wife, Clara.
"Welcome home, dear. How did it go?"
"I'm home, Clara. Well, I suppose we can call it a success. I obtained the verbal commitments I needed."
Answering thus, Noein gave Clara a rough account of the contents of the meeting with Oscar.
In this meeting, Noein had Oscar acknowledge that the Grand Duchy of Arqvist would possess all the remaining attack magic tools. Regarding the manufacturing method of the magic tools, he explicitly stated that it "does not exist."
Regarding the former, there was no worry that Oscar would reverse his word. From the royal family's perspective, the disadvantages of reversing it were greater than the merits.
Regarding the latter, they would likely probe a bit more, but since there was no actual answer, Noein did not care how much they poked at a stomach that didn't hurt.
If the royal family spent time and effort trying to grasp information on a non-existent manufacturing method, and as a result, their usual information gathering regarding the Grand Duchy became neglected, Noein found that to be rather welcome.
Furthermore, even if they searched for information, there were limits to the means. Oscar could not perform overly aggressive espionage or sabotage activities against the place where his beloved daughter was marrying. It was also impossible to apply pressure openly, saying things like, "You know the manufacturing method, don't you? Tell us."
If he moved too flashily, it would become known to those around him, and in some cases, he would receive a public protest from the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. If that happened, he would be looked down upon by the kingdom's nobles, who would ask, "What is the King doing to a friendly nation?"
"With this, I suppose we don't have to worry about the magic tool matter for the time being. Eventually, the story will leak and become known in various places, but as long as we have the Rhodeberg royal family settled, it shouldn't become a major issue."
"That's true... You also succeeded in hiding the Jet-Black Steel well."
"I just didn't mention it because I wasn't asked anything. I haven't told a single lie, you know?"
As Noein smiled mischievously while sipping the tea Matilda had brewed, Clara also showed a faint, wry smile.
Regarding the matter of the Jet-Black Steel, he had not even told the House of Count Koenitz. At this stage, only the actual vassals of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist knew.
At the point where Noein informed Oscar of the ruins through Arnold, he chose his words to create the impression that the only important discovery concerned the magic tools. The kingdom's side, including Oscar, were so preoccupied with suspecting that the manufacturing method had been found if magic tools existed, that they did not think there were other achievements.
"Now then, the work is finished, so we can finally enjoy our visit to Lichthagen as a family."
"Fufu, Eleos is fired up, saying he's going to go to all sorts of places with his father."
Clara said with a smile to Noein, who sighed with the sense of relief that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I see. Eleos worked hard at the wedding reception, too. I have to let him enjoy himself to the fullest."
"That child's curiosity is inexhaustible, so he'll be happy no matter what he sees in the royal capital. Philia is still small, so the places she can go are limited, but let's take her to the zoo or something. Also, dear, please accompany me on my shopping, alright?"
"...It seems there will be no time to rest starting tomorrow."
Being the royal capital of a great power, Lichthagen had many places to play, such as theaters, arenas, amusement parks, parks, and a zoo that collected rare creatures. In the commercial district, shops gathering various goods from home and abroad lined the streets, bustling with shoppers every day.
Accompanying his wife, son, and daughter in such a large city until they were satisfied. Thinking that in a sense this seemed more exhausting than socializing or diplomacy, Noein showed a wry smile.
For the next three days, Noein devoted himself to family service until he was exhausted, and then, considering the burden on the children, he returned to his country in haste with Matilda and a portion of the guards, preceding Clara, who returned slowly.