Chapter 10: Permission
It was my fourth day in the Holy City. I had been summoned by Diagio this morning. I was deeply disappointed, as this meant missing out on the chance to research healing magic and learn incantations in the laboratory. I might not even get to visit the lab today.
Feeling dissatisfied, I was led by Alabaster to the audience chamber.
I walked on the thick carpet I had trodden before, kneeling at the designated spot to lower my posture.
Then, I noticed that those standing around weren’t just royal guards.
Not only Awad, but Crown, Balbrea, and even Cameron were present. There were also court magicians who were faculty and researchers. Apart from the guards, these were all people I had met over the past two days.
As I glanced up at the top of the stairs, I saw not only Diagio and the Prime Minister but another figure today.
Standing two steps below where Diagio and the others were, was a man who appeared to be a court magician. If I remembered correctly, that was Gem-Westmeads, the Deputy Chief Magician. Gem looked down at me with a defiant smile.
Something felt off about this audience.
As I was pondering this, a voice called from the top of the stairs.
“…Miss Aoi. How did you find your tour of the Holy City these past two days?”
Tilting my head at such an innocuous question, I nodded and answered.
“Yes. It has been a very educational experience. I’ve learned about magical perspectives and approaches different from what I’ve researched, so if I could study those for a while…”
As I was explaining the results of the two days, the Prime Minister interrupted me.
“Isn’t that confidential information that His Majesty didn’t authorize?”
Hearing this, I tilted my head again.
“I was told the magic couldn’t be disclosed, but nothing else was mentioned.”
Diagio lightly shook his head while touching his temple.
“We promised to treat you as an important figure from another country. And gave permission for tours of the academy and laboratories. Not permission to view confidential magic books.”
Diagio clarified the permissions he had given me. I had thought this would be tacitly allowed based on our previous conversation, but it seems I was mistaken.
In that case, I should ask for permission again.
“I see. Then, even if not current research, would it be possible to get permission to view magic of past saints and holy maiden?”
Hearing this, Diagio and the Prime Minister furrowed their brows and fell silent. Perhaps they felt reluctant to show anything.
As silence spread, Gem shrugged and spoke up.
“Your Majesty, those words are as good as a confession. I don’t know how the Chief Magician and Academy Principal were manipulated, but it seems they were trying to show confidential magic beyond Your Majesty’s intentions. Our country was nearly subjected to severe damage.”
Gem said this and looked towards Awad. Awad ignored him and turned to Diagio.
“Your Majesty. Though I’ve only met Miss Aoi for a day, I can assure you she harbor no ill intent. Moreover, Miss Aoi’s magic is extraordinary and will certainly benefit our country’s magic.”
Awad said this and looked at me. His speech lacked its usual unique tempo. It felt oddly out of character.
However, no one else seemed to notice, and Crown followed up.
“Exactly right. Rather, we should exchange information on healing magic and receive instruction on other magical attributes.”
The moment Crown said this, Gem’s mouth curled into a wide smile.
“You’ve finally shown your true colors, Crown-Windsor. Didn’t you realize your words could lead to treason? Or have you already leaked important information? If you’re brazening it out for fear of investigation, you’d do well to confess everything now.”
Gem criticized Crown with an undisguised look of joy, apparently interpreting Crown’s words in his own way.
Diagio and the Prime Minister exchanged glances. This wasn’t going well.
“…Hmm. While there may be truth in the Chief Magician’s words, Gem’s words also carry undeniable persuasion. Now then, Balbrea, you’ve been silent until now. As Academy Principal, do you have anything to say?”
The conversation turned to Balbrea. Balbrea opened her mouth, looking annoyed.
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“I dislike lying. So, let me be clear. Just today, I was in the process of resigning as Academy Principal. I was thinking of recommending Cameron as my successor.”
Balbrea’s sudden announcement caused the Prime Minister to interject hurriedly.
“W-wait a moment! Lady Balbrea. You, one of the holy maiden, why would you resign as Academy Principal…!?”
Asking in a voice close to a scream, Balbrea looked back directly.
“As Lord Awad said earlier, I was deeply moved by Miss Aoi’s wonderful magical knowledge and techniques. To be clear, we are losing to Fidick Academy in every aspect. Only healing magic was on par with Miss Aoi, but in other attributes, we’re no match at all.”
As soon as Balbrea said this, even the royal guards began to murmur. Then, Gem spoke up, sounding exasperated.
“…Just like the previous holy woman, focusing only on developing new magic leads to this. No matter how much you fantasize about foreign magic, it won’t lead to results. Those who take magic seriously don’t go down such side paths. We should steadily pursue the path of magic through proper methods.”
Gem expressed his personal philosophy. This further increased the tension in the audience chamber.
Amidst this, I couldn’t hold back and spoke up.
“…That’s a big mistake. What you’re saying, Gem, gives the impression that you just don’t want to take on difficult challenges or make the effort to learn new things.”
As I said this, Gem’s face turned towards me.
“…I’m… mistaken?”
As Gem revealed his anger, the atmosphere grew even colder. All eyes were focused on Gem and me.
Gem, still looking down at me, spoke quietly.
“…It’s quite an interesting opinion to say that I’m mistaken. But where exactly is the mistake in my words? Anyone who hears them should understand that they’re correct. For example, I hear that advanced fire magic can annihilate a large army if used well in war. With such magic available, isn’t it pointless to move fire around or change its shape? In fact, no magic created in the last hundred years has come into common use. In other words, it was just a waste of budget and time. After all, if you consider usefulness, magic that has been optimized through years of research is already available, so focusing on improving the efficiency of that magic is the most important research. Don’t you agree?”
Gem presented his thoughts somewhat rapidly. After listening to it all and thinking carefully, I answered.
“I see. That thinking only applies if the current magic is truly optimal and covers everything necessary. From my perspective, there’s so much lacking that I judge your way of thinking to be incorrect.”
“…What!?”
Gem’s face changed color at my words. Perhaps he had never been so clearly refuted before, as he could only open and close his mouth without words coming out.
Seeing this, Balbrea let out a small, suppressed laugh. This further angered Gem.
“Guh! H-how insolent…! Your Majesty! This person is just lining up pointless arguments to object, but that’s all idealism! New magic can’t be created so easily! It’s just using our country’s magic as a pretext to gain knowledge of healing magic…”
As Gem desperately appealed, Diagio’s face showed confusion, unsure of what to do.
At that moment, a small figure appeared from behind the line of royal guards.
“Why don’t we have them demonstrate?”
A low but beautiful voice echoed through the hall. Everyone’s attention was immediately drawn to it.
The one who appeared was a small girl in a pure white dress with blonde hair – it was Rose.
“Th-this is, Princess Rose… um, why are you here?”
Thinking Rose’s appearance might be to support Gem, Gem turned to her with a forced smile, looking flustered.
While everyone seemed to be struggling with how to respond, Alabaster spoke up.
“Princess Rose. This is an audience granted by His Majesty to meet with Miss Aoi. His Majesty will be asking questions, so please understand.”
After this polite explanation, Rose slightly furrowed her brow.
“…Are you saying not to sully His Majesty’s name? I was merely suggesting a solution…”
Muttering this, Rose looked up at Diagio seated at the top of the stairs. Interpreting this somehow, Diagio hurriedly nodded.
“Ah, is that so? No, I understand Rose’s feelings. Indeed, for Deputy Chief Magician Gem, who has long trained as a magician, Miss Aoi’s way of thinking might feel like a denial of his own beliefs. In that case, it might be better to have Miss Aoi prove that her assertion is correct, right?”
As Diagio said this while breaking into a cold sweat, Rose smiled faintly.
“Exactly. So, Gem? How would you be satisfied?”
When Rose asked this, Gem cleared his throat and nodded.
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