Chapter 63 – Knight Fernando

“…Sorry. Could you explain that one more time?”

Alfred made a gesture as if rubbing his forehead, looking somewhat troubled.

“Hmm. Well, you see—”

I lit a small magical light on my fingertip and made it blink in a regular pattern.

Short intervals of light and long intervals of light. Two types of signals.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be light—it could be sound or even magical power itself—but by combining short flashes and long flashes like this to create signals and matching them to letters, we can transmit information. The sender inputs letters first, the device converts them into signals and transmits them. The receiver converts the signals back into letters and displays them.”

In other words, it was communication using Morse code. Since the method was simple, I expected the spell formula scale could be significantly reduced.

The reason for deliberately including the process of converting between signals and letters was so that it could be used by a wider range of people without requiring prior knowledge or skills.

The magical circuits used for signal transmission and reception, translation, and letter display could each be independent. There was no need to make it all-in-one, and doing so would likely allow for further simplification.

“All that’s left is to figure out how to specify the recipient.”

“That… could probably be handled by applying contract magic or curses to create a magical connection between two parties. Meaning we’d cast magic on the completed device itself from the outside.”

Alfred crossed his arms as if deep in thought, looking down while giving that answer.

Contract magic. The magic used to form master-servant contracts with familiars or subjugate slaves.

If that could specify the communication partner, then all that remained was to reduce it to a portable size.

The hard work would fall almost entirely on Alfred, and I felt a bit guilty for just throwing out ideas and leaving him with the work.

But still. Even though I suggested it, I’m not entirely confident how useful it would actually be.

I’m prepared for people to call it common sense or say we’re behind the times. Looking at what the existing magic systems here have achieved, there are aspects even Earth couldn’t accomplish.

Plus, while there might not be dedicated magic for long-distance communication… if you’re determined, bidirectional information transmission is possible using high-level familiars or summoning magic.

The former requires preparing a high-level familiar. The master also needs sufficient power to contract with it. Transportation via summoning magic requires large-scale equipment or special catalysts, making the hurdle even higher. Of course, you need a skilled summoner, and if anything goes slightly wrong, accidents can happen. The drawback of both methods is that they can’t be widely popularized to the general public.

Since the common methods of information transmission seem to be quite anachronistic—letters, smoke signals, carrier pigeons, dragon palanquin transport, etc.—perhaps those methods are actually the exceptional ones.

“No… I’m impressed.”

Alfred, who had been looking down, widened his eyes and raised his head. His expression and tone showed pure surprise and curiosity.

“Using magical power but not relying on complex spell formulas, treating it as simple signals. And that signal method with all the waste stripped away… with this—”

Judging by Alfred’s reaction, it seemed quite useful for reducing the scale of spell formulas. Meaning Morse code doesn’t exist in this world, I suppose.

“Theo-kun… where do you get such ideas…?”

“Well, even if you ask me where—”

I couldn’t say “from Earth,” so I evaded the question vaguely.

—And so, as a result of my discussion with Alfred, we decided to develop a magical communication device.

Well, it won’t be completed overnight… but the theory and final form are clear. Alfred is fired up, saying he’ll definitely make it practical eventually and turn it into Brightwelt Workshop’s flagship product!

If communication technology becomes convenient and fast, it would probably have a big impact on society in various ways. I can understand Alfred’s enthusiasm.

Even if Brightwelt Workshop’s policies and strategies are decided, it doesn’t really affect my current life. Today, like every day, I’ll be making rounds in Dusk Forest for leveling and earning money.

When I headed to the temple to delve into the labyrinth, what caught my eye was Fernando’s exploration team together with Jasper and several other adventurers.

If they were at each other’s throats, I’d understand, but they’re all wearing friendly smiles, which is rather hard to believe.

“Hmm. So that means we can skip straight to the section I’m aiming for.”

“Yep. Lord Fernando, you can rest easy and leave it to this Jasper here.”

…Jasper replied to Fernando like that. His manner of speaking was unbelievably humble compared to before.

Hmm. So Jasper’s value standard ultimately comes down to money, I guess. Everything else must be secondary.

The adventurers with Jasper were people I didn’t know. Perhaps his relationship with his original group became strained after that incident.

Maybe he’s decided to stop caring, but Mercedes would probably get angry if she found out.

“Hey, brat. You got some problem with this?”

Jasper noticed me and glared.

“Not really, or rather—”

I shrugged my shoulders, and Jasper snorted.

While it was somewhat disappointing, it wasn’t like they were committing any crime against the law, and it’s basically none of my business anyway. I have no intention of picking a fight over it.

“Oh? You two know each other?”

“Not really… not what you’d call knowing each other.”

Fernando showed interest, but Jasper turned away sulkily.

“Hmm…”

Fernando gave a small shrug and walked over to me.

“…Is there something you need? Are you unaware of my promise with Sir Chester?”

“I know about it. But his promise has nothing to do with me.”

…Bold words. Since his backer is Greg, he should fully understand what that means.

Even though he knows, which means he understands the situation, he’s ignoring it to talk to me…

“Just listen. Just because our interests clash with the Wyvern Corps doesn’t mean I’m looking for a fight. Actually, I’ve got a better proposition. I don’t know how much you know about the situation, so I’ll be vague, but if you give me information about what the Knight Order is looking for, I’ll pay you handsomely.”

He whispered that to me… I could feel my eyebrows furrowing involuntarily.

I don’t know how he interpreted that expression, but Fernando laughed as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Don’t be like that. The Knight Order has looked into you a bit. You’ve cut ties with your family and are strapped for cash, which is why you’re delving into labyrinths, right? The fact that you’re here now means even the previous reward wasn’t enough, so this shouldn’t be a bad deal for you.”

…What kind of thought process is this guy using?

When he wanted maps or guides to the labyrinth depths from adventurers, he probably used the Knight Order’s authority to demand compliance… and now that the situation has changed, he’s trying this approach.

Fernando looks quite pleased with himself… but it’s not like he’s the one actually paying the money.

“Well, think about it. I know my approach isn’t great, but hiring adventurers with money is still the official policy.”

After saying what he wanted to say, Fernando walked away. He headed toward the stone tablet with Jasper and disappeared into the labyrinth depths.

Well, well. Regardless of his outward appearance, his inner self is quite different from Chester’s.

…Even if someone were to report his earlier malicious remarks, he’d probably claim they were misinterpreted with ill intent. I don’t want to get involved in that kind of pointless argument.

“If it were me, I’d absolutely never do business with him.”

That was Sheila’s opinion.

Fernando probably thought he was speaking quietly to me alone, but it seemed Sheila heard everything clearly.

Given that she belongs to the Thieves Guild, she apparently really disliked Fernando’s manner of speaking and stance just now.

“Needless to say, I have no intention of doing so whatsoever.”

At my response, Sheila smiled slightly and nodded.

“What were you talking about?”

Irmhild asked Sheila. Sheila looked at me as if asking if it was okay to share, so I nodded.

Whether someone is trustworthy enough. In that regard, I think it’s important to properly share information with comrades.

But still, how should I put this.

Maybe business and personal feelings should be kept separate, but as human emotions go, it’s always better to be able to conduct transactions in good spirits.

In my case anyway, I could bypass the Knight Order entirely and give information directly to King Melvin or Prince Albert if I wanted. There’s no benefit to negotiating with that guy. Rather, I’d prefer to have nothing to do with him, Jasper included.

…Sigh. Let’s just get into the labyrinth quickly. Dealing with monsters is far more constructive than thinking about guys like Fernando.