Chapter 74 – The Third Princess Marlene

With our labyrinth exploration on a brief hiatus for a few days, we decided to meet up at the Brightwelt Workshop.

I wanted to thank Alfred for going out of his way to hastily craft boots for me, and I also planned to sound him out about whether we could create flight equipment in the future.

While I was mixing potions as usual, Sheila and the others told me about the hole in their roof.

“Well, at least the ventilation improved.”

“That hut was quite uncomfortable to sleep in during this season, after all.”

Irmhild seemed oddly pleased, but was that really something to laugh about?

“A hole in the roof… is that really alright?”

When Grace asked, Sheila tilted her head slightly.

“Hmm. As long as it doesn’t rain or anything.”

“If we can get some tent-like material by then, it should be fine, don’t you think?”

“Eh? You plan to keep living there as is?”

“It seems like they’ll do repairs for us. And having the water source nearby is convenient.”

Still, it’s the western district. With a roof like that, wouldn’t there be security issues?

Even though Sheila and Irmhild could easily detect any suspicious individuals, the risk of burglary when they’re away wasn’t ideal.

Since we have extra rooms anyway, one option was to have them stay at our house for a while. I felt somewhat responsible, about half to blame.

Hmm… First, I should consult with Grace and Ashley.

“That sounds good. It would make planning easier.”

“I think that’s fine too. We could practice sparring and coordination continuously.”

When I asked the two, I got very practical answers. Probably because they had a favorable impression of them as party members.

“Well, that’s only if Sheila and the others agree.”

So I went to ask Sheila and Irmhild.

“—So, that’s the situation.”

“Thank you for the offer. But won’t we be in the way?”

“…That’s a bit late to worry about now. And the other two don’t seem too concerned about that either.”

Life has been stable here lately. About that house, I should think about what to do with it.

Should we keep it as a rental, or officially buy it? With moderate monthly payments and regular labyrinth diving, we’re in the black. There are other rewards and such too.

“If we pay rent, wouldn’t that make it easier to stay without feeling like a burden?”

“True… that might be the case.”

Sheila and the others nodded. The situation was different from the engaged couple, after all.

Well, I’ll have them bring their necessary belongings to the house later.

“My, my, everyone’s gathered together.”

Just as we reached an agreement, Viola, the workshop’s resident blacksmith, showed her face.

“Good morning, Viola-san.”

“Hello. Good morning. Theodore-san, it seems you’ve been quite active. I’m glad you’re safe, but are you injured?”

“Well, as you can see.”

Except for the burn mark on my side that might leave a scar, everything else healed quite cleanly.

“That’s good to hear. Are you here to see Alfred-kun today?”

“He did some work for me on short notice, so I wanted to thank him. Well, it seems he hasn’t arrived yet though.”

“Kun did say he’d stop by the workshop today. But when I saw him yesterday, he said he’d been up all night and was going home to sleep, so his schedule might be off.”

Alfred didn’t seem very accustomed to all-nighters.

Viola said she usually forges swords that can incorporate magic stones in the hilt or guard, unless Alfred specifies otherwise.

It serves as training for Viola’s own blacksmithing skills, and having pre-made items designed for magic stone use is apparently important so they can quickly provide magic tools when orders come in.

“He was grumbling about how it would’ve been nice if there were magic stone-compatible boots,” Viola said with a laugh.

Well, that did lead to a rushed job with emergency measures piled on.

“I actually came to talk about that today. I was thinking that with such tools, fighting demons might become easier.”

“Ah. But is that alright? Magic Shield magic tools themselves are common enough, but creating footholds in midair with them—it seems like you’ve made various Theodore-san-style improvements to the spell formula, haven’t you? I’ve heard magicians tend to keep such application techniques secret.”

“I think any magician with basic skills can manage something at the level of Magic Shield. If you understand the principles of flight techniques, the rest is just a matter of time, I’d say.”

If you have the fundamentals of magical perception and manipulation down, you can use incantations to make magical power perform predetermined movements for low-difficulty magic. Since Magic Shield is simple magic, just activating it isn’t particularly difficult.

What comes after is what’s important.

For example, the shield’s position relative to the caster, whether it can be maneuvered as a shield or remains stationary like a wall. The duration of the shield’s maintenance, its scale, strength variations through output adjustment. Being able to make adjustments in these areas is where a magician’s skill truly shows.

To apply it as a flight technique, you need to arrange it so it can serve as a foothold. That was the part Alfred had been adjusting all night.

Magic tools basically only produce effects as described, so they don’t allow for the free improvisation that magicians can employ. Therefore, to use them as footholds, they need to be adjusted for versatile use.

That area normally requires research, but we completed it through rushed work with me disclosing the core information. Such application techniques are indeed something magicians tend to keep hidden, as it could diminish their advantage over magic tools.

That said, the theory is simple. Now that flight techniques are known to the world, someone will probably figure out how to implement them. It’s only a matter of time before they become magic tools.

So me disclosing the information doesn’t carry that much significance.

In essence, it’s more advantageous to establish yourself as the originator or authentic source before others imitate you. That’s about it.

“Even if you could fly with assistance from several magic tools—Theo-kun’s exceptional part is that he can do it all by himself without any assistance, and even handle combat on top of that.”

Alfred poked his head through the doorway and said as much.

“Good morning, young master.”

“Yeah. Morning.”

“Good morning. Thank you for yesterday.”

“Nah, I’m glad I could help.”

Hiding behind Alfred as if seeking shelter, a small girl looked our way.

In her hand was a Disguise Ring. Prince Albert’s sister, Princess Marlene… that’s right.

He brought her to the workshop openly, but is that really alright?

“This is my relative, Marian. Things got a bit messy when we were heading out. Since she didn’t want to be separated, I brought her along thinking it might help change her mood. She’s quiet, so I don’t think she’ll be a bother.”

“Messy,” huh. Even if their foundation is weak, Prince Albert and Princess Marlene are proper royalty. The kind of people who could cause trouble for them are rather limited.

Despite the risk of her disguise being discovered, he brought the young Princess Marlene along—perhaps Prince Albert thinks it’s acceptable if the information leaks to this group.

Or perhaps… because he knows Princess Marlene won’t slip up.

“Nice to meet you, Marian-san.”

Grace and the others smiled at Marian and introduced themselves. Marian gave a small nod but didn’t open her mouth.

Whether she was being cautious… or somewhat frightened by the many unfamiliar faces like Sheila, Irmhild, and Viola.

Still, when Alfred entered the room, as if disliking being alone, she followed him inside.

“Sorry about that. Marian doesn’t talk much. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

Alfred gave a wry smile.

None of the women seemed offended. Rather, they seemed to have sensed something.

Well… that’s right. Grace was close to me during that time, and Ashley has had her own hardships too. Sheila and Irmhilt are from the orphanage as well.

I don’t know about Viola’s past… but she didn’t show any expression of treating Marian poorly. It shows that Alfred brought her to the right place. From Prince Albert’s perspective, they must be people he can trust.

“Marian-san, over here. Are you interested in embroidery?”

Grace was actively engaging Marian in conversation. Since we came to the workshop today to adjust and take measurements for flight-assist magic tools, Grace had brought her embroidery tools anticipating she’d have free time.

“Sheila-san. Would it be alright if I watch the embroidery today too?”

“Mhm.”

Ashley had said she would spar with Sheila in the workshop’s courtyard, but it seemed she decided to spend time with Marian alongside Grace.

Sheila and Irmhild too. When our eyes met, they nodded to each other. Irmhild had brought her instrument as well. They say skills help you in life, but if the goal is to change Marian’s mood, Irmhild is quite the perfect person for the role.

Marian looked up at Grace and the others with slight hesitation before timidly joining their circle. Watching this scene, Alfred let out a small sigh of relief.