Chapter 276 – Technical Exchange

“At any rate, now that I’ve recovered, I must pay my respects at the Royal Castle. But before that, Theodore. Could you introduce your companions in a bit more detail?”

“Of course. Well—”

We had only briefly exchanged names during the memory restoration process.

After all, we came directly to the academy alliance after fighting Zadias, so we’re still dressed in combat dresses and equipped with weapons. They probably still have questions about what kind of gathering this is.

During the introductions, they didn’t react to Rosemary or Marlene’s names… probably because the memory seal was placed on the elders before their names became known in Silvatoria.

So as I introduced everyone… the consecutive titles of “fiancée” and “bride sent from the royal family” made everyone’s expressions shift from puzzled to strained smiles, which was quite something to behold.

When we got to Sheila and Irmhild, the “fiancée” titles finally stopped, and Old Sigmund seemed somewhat relieved.

“…Indeed… if you have achievements like defeating demons, I suppose that makes sense.”

“Grace has been living with my mother since I was born… so she might know stories from before I can remember.”

“Oh ho. That interests me. I’d like to hear those stories once things have settled down.”

At Old Sigmund’s words, Grace quietly bowed and placed her hand over her chest with a smile. Old Sigmund closed his eyes when he noticed her ring.

“That ring…?”

“It was made by my mother.”

“This ring has protected me until today. It’s very precious to me.”

“A seal ring. That’s originally a technique passed down from shrine maiden to shrine maiden through generations. Patricia adapted it to weaken her own constitution. If it’s protecting Lady Grace, then it’s best to continue cherishing it.”

“Thank you.”

Grace placed her hand over the ring and nodded. Then—at that moment, the messenger returned.

“Was I interrupting?”

“Not at all. We were just finishing up our conversation.”

When I answered, the messenger’s expression relaxed.

“Is that so? We’ve confirmed the surrender of everyone in the tower up to the upper levels. Therefore… we’d like to speak with the members of the seven families as well, so we’d appreciate if you could accompany us to the Royal Castle. Of course, if anyone is feeling unwell, we can reschedule.”

“Hmm. That’s quite timely. I shall go to the Royal Castle myself.”

“Lord Sigmund. I shall accompany you as well.”

When Old Sigmund stood up, Valentina followed.

“…It was probably that Volheim fellow. My study was ransacked.”

Several minutes later. Old Sigmund emerged from his room with a grim expression, having finished his preparations.

He wore a robe and carried a magic staff, looking quite dignified and fitting for his title of elder.

“Was anything taken?”

Asked Valentina. She too had changed, now wearing a white robe with embroidery and carrying a magic staff.

“No. When I sealed my memories, I moved all truly important materials and catalysts to the treasure room with a magical lock. They just overturned some books. To enter the treasure room, my memories had to be restored first.”

Old Sigmund grinned.

So ultimately, neither Zadias nor Volheim could enter the treasure room. The Volheim faction magicians must have worked hard in their own way, since they developed techniques like miasma techniques from their research.

“Then, shall we go?”

Urged by the messenger, we headed to the Royal Castle by carriage.

When we arrived at the Royal Castle, they stared wide-eyed at the airship lying in the courtyard and the rubble from the destroyed walls.

“What happened here?”

“Zadias attempted to take His Majesty Eberhart’s life, and while we subdued him… well, let’s just say these are the aftereffects of that battle…”

Some parts were destroyed by Zadias and his golems, but I also broke through walls and floors. I can’t say I don’t feel somewhat responsible.

“Zadias underwent demonification, so it was unavoidable.”

When Sheila said this, Marlene nodded repeatedly. Old Sigmund’s mouth twitched.

“It seems he was colluding with demons… and had established techniques for manipulating miasma.”

“He brought out a giant golem, and we fought it in the audience chamber.”

Added Ashley and Rosemary.

“Deplorable… Even though he should carry the blood of the Beriondora royal family, who are said to have bravely fought demons… he’s fallen as low as one can go.”

“But if you defeated the demonified Zadias and a giant golem, then this situation makes sense.”

“Indeed. It seems Theodore and his companions possess power beyond what we imagined.”

“Well… compared to the demons I’ve fought before, he was practically a downgraded version.”

When I shared my thoughts, Old Sigmund gave a wry smile.

“Are demons… things that humans transform into like that?”

“From what I saw of His Majesty Eberhart’s mutation due to miasma erosion, it just seemed like he thought of controlling it. But somehow, I feel the fundamental nature is different.”

When Irmhilt tilted her head and voiced her question, Claudia answered.

“…There’s a passage in oral tradition that says ‘humans are not demons’… What you saw of Zadias might be better described as a failed attempt to bring humans closer to demons. If that’s the case, there are records in the literature.”

A failed attempt. So the completed version would be a true demon, I suppose.

That raises the question of what the difference is between a failed attempt transformed from a human and the completed version. It seemed much closer to a real demon than the half-demons created by Gardinis and the Duoveris Cult.

As we talked, we proceeded deeper into the Royal Castle. When we were shown to the VIP room, King Eberhart, Princess Adriana and Princess Stephania, along with their escort Marquis Zilbolt and others were waiting.

“Your Majesty.”

“Lord Sigmund. Are you sure it’s alright for you to be moving about already?”

“Originally, I merely sealed my own memories. Since we used the proper procedure to undo the magic, I’m perfectly healthy.”

“…Right. That was the case.”

King Eberhart smiled self-deprecatingly.

“At any rate, I must apologize for allowing that man’s rampage.”

“…At this point, saying that won’t change anything. Let the royal family and academy alliance join as one and devote our strength to repelling the demon threat.”

“…You would… say that to me?”

“It seems Her Highness Adriana sheltered Selblum.”

Selblum. Probably the magician who, like my mother, was given one half of the memory liberation spell formula.

Princess Adriana closed her eyes.

“That person said that the day would come when Silvatoria would return to the right path.”

“…I cannot betray that person’s trust.”

When King Eberhart spoke, Princess Adriana nodded.

“Now then… I’d like to discuss what comes next.”

“Indeed. We also have matters to discuss regarding Verdgar and Theodore.”

“Oh ho…”

“Hmm. Technical cooperation, then?”

When Old Sigmund mentioned sending academy alliance members to Verdgar, King Eberhart responded with a serious expression.

“About that, I’d like to add something from my side as well. The collapse of the Black Knights represents a decrease in military strength. I cannot make any firm commitments here, but to compensate for that, I’m thinking of asking Verdgar if we could introduce aerial combat equipment here as well.”

For example, flight through miasma techniques… Unless they plan to control people with Caex Gems like Zadias did, it sounds too problematic to be formally adopted.

“Then this would be more of a technical exchange than technical cooperation.”

King Eberhart smiled wryly. He thought for a moment longer before raising his head.

“We owe Verdgar an unrepayable debt. I suppose I have no choice but to go to Termwills myself and request an audience with Lord Melvin.”

So it would be a summit meeting. Well… it’s a discussion where both sides stand to gain much. Cooperating against demons should be beneficial for everyone.

“One more thing. It seems we can use the power of the Moon Goddess and Moon Temple to enable transfer magic between Termwills and Vinesdora. If it’s not too much trouble, why not use that when heading to Termwills?”

“What…?”

King Eberhart’s eyes widened. I also informed him that with the prayers of the Moon Temple shrine maidens, we can detect crisis situations here. Though I needed to add that we can’t use transfer magic too frequently.

“The Moon Temple. Hmm… That’s reassuring news. I’ll have a notice sent to the shrine maidens accordingly.”

“Your Majesty. May we accompany you to Termwills as well?”

“Lord Sigmund. I would also like to accompany you.”

Said Valentina. So both of them would be going to Termwills.

“Very well. For Lord Sigmund, this would also be his first meeting with his grandson. But… we still haven’t properly welcomed Princess Stephania as a nation. This brings disgrace to our country. It might not be appropriate for me to call it a victory celebration, but we have prepared a banquet and there’s the matter of rewards. Let’s proceed with preparations for Termwills gradually. That should allow the situation to stabilize.”

A banquet. Now that he mentioned it, that was the official reason we came to the Royal Castle.

King Eberhart going to Termwills… well, I should contact them through the communication device.

Is there anything else I should discuss? Probably matters related to the Beriondora investigation.

This could lead to stirring up trouble, so we should proceed with extreme caution. It’s definitely not something to undertake in the current situation, before we’ve emerged from the confusion. It would be better to have thorough discussions between Verdgar and Silvatoria first.