“…So the actual Philosopher’s Stone exists?”
“Yes. At the very least, it’s considered close to a substance meeting their definition.”
Minerals imbued with the land’s magic power are called ‘magic ores’ and gain properties like absorbing, releasing, and storing magic power.
Devices incorporating these magic ores as power sources are called ‘magic tools,’ allowing simplified magic use despite being expensive, with their magic power replenishable.
Moreover, the entire Empire is constantly bathed in abundant magic power from the World Tree.
By utilizing this magic power and the properties of magic ores, they constructed enormous ‘magic furnaces’ to accumulate vast amounts of magic power, enabling a higher standard of living than other nations.
Additionally, by removing the ‘storage’ function while keeping the ‘absorption’ and ‘release’ properties, sealed restraints could be made to intentionally prevent external magic power release, disabling magic tool and spell use—like the collar used on Feiyu, according to Lucia.
The energy produced by the World Tree, the land, or living beings like humans has its limits. If overused, it will eventually be depleted and disappear.
However, the “Philosopher’s Stone” possesses another distinct property.
“When the magic stored within the Philosopher’s Stone runs out, it doesn’t absorb energy from its surroundings. Instead, it begins to generate energy on its own. In other words, it can produce magic power almost infinitely.”
“…That sounds dangerous, no matter how you look at it,” Lucia replied.
“Exactly. If the Empire, which specializes in magic-based technology, were to possess it, they could develop larger, more powerful magical weapons by amplifying their output.”
In the previous timeline, Ornament had indeed created “magical weapons” using the Philosopher’s Stone and unleashed them during the “Sylvayu Suppression War,” devastating the elves.
“Ornament has already completed about 70% of its research on the Philosopher’s Stone. They are not only working on manufacturing magical weapons but are also developing elixirs with immortality effects.”
“…Wait, are you talking about the one you used on me?”
“Yes, the one I used on you. It coincided with the day the sample was being transported. I thought it was a good opportunity, so I stole it along with other chemicals and used it on you.”
“Wow… If not for that coincidence, I would’ve been dead by now, huh?”
“Even if it hadn’t worked, I had other ways to save you. You are the most important person for setting my plans into motion. I had nearly a dozen alternative methods prepared to save you.”
“So… you like me enough to go that far for me, huh?”
“Let’s get back to the main topic before this gets out of hand,”
“No need to be shy! I love you too, you know,”
Ignoring her, Kurtz forcibly steered the conversation back on track.
“The important thing is that after Ornament took control of Sylvayu using magical weapons, they began drafting plans for mass production of these weapons at that location.”
“…That makes sense. Beyond Sylvayu lies the territory of other races. Using these magical weapons to invade those nations would make Sylvayu an ideal forward base,”
“Precisely. Additionally, Sylvayu’s proximity to Felmund, where the Philosopher’s Stone is located, likely made it the first target of their invasion.”
Ornament had conducted geological and topographical surveys across various regions, originally for defense purposes.
During this process, they discovered the Philosopher’s Stone buried beneath Felmund. They kept its existence a closely guarded secret, ensuring no other ducal house found out. When Eisenhood relinquished all its lands, Ornament moved swiftly to acquire and take control of Felmund.
They continued their secret research for 300 years, preparing meticulously to ensure their house would rise above the six ducal houses.
But—
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“—Conversely, if we reclaim Felmund, their entire plan will collapse,” .
The cornerstone of Ornament’s plan was the Philosopher’s Stone.
Even if they had started manufacturing magical weapons, they couldn’t advance to the practical stage without the Philosopher’s Stone’s vast energy supply.
“But isn’t it possible that Ornament has already transported the Philosopher’s Stone elsewhere?”
“That’s unlikely. The fact that you haven’t uncovered such information is proof enough.”
Lucia had been investigating the six ducal houses.
Her remarkable intelligence-gathering and investigative skills allowed her to uncover information known only to the imperial family, the six ducal houses, and their closest aides.
If even she couldn’t find anything about the Philosopher’s Stone, it meant Ornament had taken extreme measures to keep it hidden.
“Of course, they may have transported small amounts for research purposes. However, most of it likely remains untouched. Moving such a massive object elsewhere would require many people, compromising secrecy. If they made such a large-scale move, it would alert the other ducal houses and jeopardize their plans,” Kurtz explained.
“Ah, I see. So, during the campaign to suppress Sylvayu, they’ll likely pass through Felmund to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone. Then, they’ll showcase the power and results of the magical weapons during the war and establish their new base for mass-producing those weapons. That way, they can intimidate the other ducal houses,” Lucia surmised.
By acting first, Ornament had made it difficult for the other ducal houses to extend their influence beyond Sylvayu, putting them significantly behind.
This delay, coupled with their aggressive advancements, was one of the reasons the entire continent fell under control within just a few decades.
As they discussed, Feiyu sighed and rested her chin on Kurtz’s head.
“Haa… Looking back, I’ve really been assigned quite a burdensome role, haven’t I?”
“You’re the only one capable of executing this plan. Using the information I provided, you’ll expose the corruption of the aristocratic faction to prevent civil war. Even if we hold Ornament accountable for their actions in this matter, as long as the Philosopher’s Stone exists, they’ll rebuild their plans and invade Sylvayu again.”
Since Feiyu was alive, the royalist faction’s power remained unshaken. By stripping the involved aristocrats of their titles and authority, the Sylvayu invasion plans would be significantly delayed, preventing a large-scale civil war.
However, that alone wouldn’t suffice.
Unless the Philosopher’s Stone was taken from Ornament, they would rebuild their plans no matter how many times they were stopped and eventually launch another invasion.
If the treaty signed 300 years ago upon Artesia’s death was broken, all the ducal houses would begin invading other nations, seeking to dominate the continent.
Understanding this, Feiyu had accepted their proposal.
“Everything depends on you now, comrade Feiyu,”
“…It’s quite bold of you to reduce all this to a single sentence,”
Feiyu said, narrowing her eyes and poking his cheek with mock annoyance.
“You do understand what you’re asking of me, don’t you?”
“Of course. I know it’s a plan so outrageous
that it will likely be seen as treason against the Empire,”
If Kurtz or Lucia carried out the plan, they would be sentenced to death without question.
That’s why Feiyu, as a member of the royal family’s branch and a victim of abduction, was the only suitable person. Her unique position offered grounds for leniency.
To create a situation where they could negotiate from a position of strength—
“—A week from now, you’ll attack the imperial castle,”
Kurtz declared with a fearless smile.
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