Chapter 292 – The Return of the Marquis

While we were discussing various matters about the airship, a message came through the communication device. It was from Mercedes. According to a message from Marquis Zilbolt, he was asking if he could visit now.

I had told him he could decide when to return via teleportation and to let me know when the time came, but it seemed he couldn’t leave his territory unattended for too long, so I had received word that he would be returning today. Even so, he probably wanted to make some time to spend with Romina.

It appeared Marquis Zilbolt was being escorted by the knight order, so in any case, he would likely be accompanied to my house.

Therefore, I replied that I was in the workshop and asked if they could guide the Marquis there. While waiting for Marquis Zilbolt, I continued discussing the airship.

“Having piloted the airship this far… I’ve come to realize there are indeed many blind spots,” I remarked.

Old Sigmund nodded as if he had similar thoughts.

“Indeed. The fact that we can’t see below at all is problematic.”

“For this issue, I’ve thought of several methods. First, we could have wyverns or crew members equipped with aerial combat gear accompany the ship. There’s also the simple method of installing windows on the hull bottom…”

Having wyverns accompany the ship would be similar to the relationship between an aircraft carrier and its planes. This would also make use of the airship’s carrying capacity, and having escorts for the airship should solve the blind spot problem to some extent.

“I see… From the way you speak, it seems you have other ideas as well…”

“I was thinking of either making the ship itself a magical creature… or incorporating magical creatures as components.”

For example, gargoyles or golems. Like Rosemary’s dolls. Rosemary showed a thoughtful expression at my words.

“So you mean incorporating magical creatures as components to eliminate blind spots?” she said.

Rosemary’s simple-type dolls had the ability to combine with other dolls to form larger ones. This would probably be her area of expertise.

“Exactly. We could incorporate magical creatures with vision into the hull and link them with crystal balls through contract magic.”

“Like a familiar contract?”

“Yes. Though we’d need to modify the spell formula for the contract magic somewhat…”

When I looked at Alfred as I said this, he smiled and nodded as if he understood perfectly.

“I’ve researched various contract magic that connects objects to objects. I think we can apply that knowledge,” he said.

Due to the communication device development, we already had the know-how for implementing contract magic into magic tools.

Anyway, by linking vision to crystal balls, we would be able to see places that would normally be out of sight as images. It would be like a car’s backup monitor.

“Next would be… armaments designed to counter demons. I don’t think ordinary projectiles would hit demons that fly around.”

“…That would likely be true. What Zadias had installed on his ship probably wouldn’t be effective against demons either.”

Old Sigmund nodded. I turned to Valentina and asked,

“Earlier you mentioned that magic stones can be given specific directionality. Would that work with somewhat special things like the Moon Goddess’s Blessing or Cursed Melody?”

“…I haven’t tried it… but I think it might be possible?”

Valentina answered after thinking for a moment.

“I’m thinking of mounting magic tools that can give such things directionality and project them. The idea is to disrupt the flight control of demons that come within the airship’s range, then have accompanying dragon knights or combat personnel intercept them.”

The concept is similar to acoustic weapons. I believe they were non-lethal weapons intended for riot control, but disrupting control in aerial combat and then attacking with wyvern corps seems quite effective.

There’s also the convenience of simply projecting to be effective. If we can make the gun mounts rotate up, down, left, and right, evasion would be difficult. From the enemy’s perspective, easy approaches to the airship would be blocked.

“Hmm… What needs to be made is becoming clearer…”

“Yes. Next would be estimating the required amount of materials, and for magic stones and other shortages, we could procure them from the labyrinth, I suppose.”

Just then, a knock sounded. Talcott appeared at the door, followed by Cindy, the object of Talcott’s one-sided affection.

“What is it?” Alfred asked.

“It seems we have visitors. Dame Mercedia and members of the Zilbolt Marquis household have arrived,” Talcott replied.

Since Talcott also serves as Alfred’s bodyguard, he doubles as security for the workshop. Announcing visitors is also part of his duties.

Cindy sometimes helps in the workshop, and today she seemed to be keeping Talcott company while he was on guard duty. It appears their relationship is progressing relatively well.

“Understood. Our discussion has reached a good stopping point anyway, so please show them in.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll prepare some tea,” Cindy said.

Talcott bowed and returned. Cindy seemed to have decided to prepare tea.

Shortly after, guided by Talcott, Mercedes and three members of the Zilbolt Marquis household arrived.

“Hello.”

“Yes. Hello, Ambassador-dono. And everyone else.”

We exchanged greetings with the arriving group.

“Are you ready now?” I asked.

“Yes. We were able to spend some leisurely time together as a family,” Marquis Zilbolt said with a smile.

After drinking tea and relaxing for a while, we moved to the ritual site. Teleporting from the ritual site apparently significantly reduces Claudia’s consumption. This is because we can borrow power from both the spell formula and Tephra.

“Ahaha, it’s true! Everyone’s here!”

As Seraphina spread her arms and flew forward, fairies appeared from among the flowers, drawn out with smiling faces. Seraphina happily spun around in the air, chasing the fairies and being chased by them.

The ritual site… had become a place where colorful flowers bloomed in profusion. Combined with being filled with unique magical power, it was quite an unreal scene.

The fairies also flew around us, went to greet Tephra and Claudia… They felt much friendlier than before.

“Hmm. This is good. Truly good.”

As for Tephra, the master of the ritual site, she was in quite a good mood. She seemed favorable to the fairies settling here. She was letting them sit on her shoulders and fingers.

“Now then, Romina. Do your best.”

“Yes. To make up for having been protected by Father until now, I want to study hard and broaden my knowledge.”

Nearby, Marquis Zilbolt, Lady Belinda, and Romina were exchanging words. Since we left the Zilbolt Marquis territory, we don’t know the situation there, so we plan to accompany Marquis Zilbolt to confirm his safety.

“It’s unfortunate that you have to return, busy as you are, when the theater performance is just a few days away,” Alfred said, watching them.

“…If the consumption for teleportation magic to the Marquis territory is small, could we invite the two of them on the day?”

“Yes. That shouldn’t be a problem,” Claudia said, narrowing her eyes.

In that case, why not invite all three members of the Marquis household? I tried conveying this idea to the three of them.

“That would be delightful… but wouldn’t it be a burden?”

“Frequent use would be problematic, but the consumption doesn’t seem to be large, and considering this is for the victory celebration…”

“Is that so…? Then we’ll gratefully accept your kind offer.”

At these words, Romina showed a happy expression.

“Then I’ll send you off. I think we’ll appear in the air, so please use Levitation.”

“Understood.”

The Marquis used Levitation on himself and Lady Belinda, then put his arm around his wife’s shoulder. The lady also cheerfully leaned against the Marquis. They really seemed like a devoted couple.

“Well then, we’ll be off for a bit.”

“Hmm. We’ll wait here then,” Old Sigmund nodded.

“This way.”

Following Claudia, we moved to the air above the ritual site’s accommodation facilities. As soon as the Magic Circle deployed, we were enveloped in light—and when I opened my eyes, the scenery and temperature had completely changed.

Marquis Zilbolt’s castle was visible below us.

As we descended into the castle’s courtyard, retainers came running with surprised expressions. Among them were the Knight Order Commander and the magician from the Marquis territory whom we had met before. They were the pillars of the Marquis territory.

“Oh, Marquis… and Lady Belinda too. Have you returned?”

“Yes. Is everything normal?”

“Yes! Those influenced by Zadias are quietly staying in the prison cells.”

Marquis Zilbolt nodded and informed them that Zadias had been defeated.

“Zadias was defeated by Theodore-dono here, and His Majesty Eberhart has disinherited him. He’ll never see the light of day again.”

“Oh…”

The Knight Order Commander and the magician closed their eyes as if looking up to heaven with deep emotion. King Eberhart had also restored Marquis Zilbolt’s honor. For them too, this must have been a welcome outcome.