Chapter 268. National Treasure (1)
A faint smile lingered on her lips.
Silis, dressed in a white gown, wore an expression that shone even brighter than on the day of the coronation, when she had been torturing several spirit bodies.
Was it the leisure born from fulfilling her revenge, or the thrill of having a new goal?
Whatever it was, it was clear that she was sincere.
'To live for the people who protected her.'
A new goal, a dream, sparked by another's advice.
But it was Silis herself who gave it form. It was also she who resolved to walk a different path.
Her will was firm.
Verden engraved Silis's decision in his mind.
One day, he might make the same choice, or a similar one, or perhaps the complete opposite.
The journey he sought to walk had not yet ended, unlike Silis's. At best, he had only taken his first step.
Verden nodded.
"Indeed."
"...Is that all?"
"Was I supposed to show some other reaction?"
Silis shook her head.
"No, but... I thought at least my answer wasn't what you wanted to hear."
"I did not come seeking the right answer."
Verden did not reply further.
That silence itself was an answer.
'To think that even with such power, he has not yet achieved it.'
It was surely a higher ideal than Silis's, who had sought the downfall of the royal family.
Silis thought about the storm the man before her would bring.
She could not predict the exact result. But whatever he did, it would shake the entire continent with great impact.
The one who had, single-handedly, defeated the strongest of the Kingdom, the existence closest to a Transcendent among all Silis knew.
He would certainly come to reign over the world.
But though one might fear him, he was not someone to be avoided.
Even before the calculating judgment that one must maintain a friendly relationship with the strong, for Silis he was her benefactor.
She had no thought of repeating the same mistake as with the seal of Roafra. She had already confirmed with her own eyes that it had been wrong.
So this time, she would go the opposite way.
"Asher, I don't know what dream you're chasing. Other than the fact that it must be very important to you."
But.
"The reward we'll give you will certainly be of help."
Silis spoke with confidence.
Just what was she planning to give, to be so assured? He had not acted for the sake of any reward... but since she was offering, he had no choice but to accept.
There was no reason to refuse with effort.
"But before presenting the reward, there is something you ought to reclaim first."
Silis snapped her fingers.
From behind the throne, a bracelet engraved with luxurious ornaments flew forth.
Anyone with the eye to use
Moreover, he had seen that bracelet once before.
"Leonil's artifact, is it."
"According to our investigation across the capital, a citizen found it lying in a secluded alley. We've even secured testimony that it had fallen together with what was then a nearly shattered left arm. So we paid a suitable price and recovered it legally. Would you like to take a look yourself?"
Silis urged him to confirm.
Fixing his gaze, Verden used
'Its name is Will of Desperation. An artifact that, in exchange for sacrificing lifespan, grants temporary control over projectile magic.'
The potential applications were endless.
For example, by manipulating magic arrows, one could easily snipe a target that would normally be impossible to hit.
Especially in the hands of someone like Leonil, freely altering the position of Meteor was enough to become a calamity in war.
But the drawback was the reduction of lifespan.
If even Leonil had hesitated to use it, despite being able to control a 7th-tier siege spell at will, then the backlash must have been tremendous.
The exact figures were unknown, so caution was inevitable.
'I won't have any use for this.'
Verden's interest ended in a single stroke.
Having lived his life under a time limit, he abhorred anything tied to lifespan.
Even if he did use it himself, the result would be uncertain.
He did not believe the benefit would surpass his current strength enough to justify the cost of his life span.
It was less a doubt, more a negative conclusion.
Silis spoke.
"As expected, its performance isn't satisfactory to you."
"Not all artifacts are good. More often than not, one fails to obtain something suitable for oneself."
"And even more so for the strong, who are powerful enough without such things. Still, the ownership of this artifact lies with you. That being said, if you do not want it, the royal family would like to propose to purchase it."
"...The royal family? Do you have any particular use for it?"
"Artifacts are valuable simply by being artifacts. The problem of consuming lifespan is there, but it doesn't mean it's completely unusable. There will surely come a day when having it proves useful. Even if not, it can decorate the treasury. So, what will you do?"
There was no need to think long.
Keeping that bracelet would only make it a burden.
"I accept the proposal."
"Good. We'll pay you a price that won't leave you disappointed."
Silis stirred her magic power.
The Will of Desperation, floating in midair, settled into a corner.
"Now, it's time to get to the main point. Three rewards the royal family will grant you. Unlike Leonil's artifact, this time you may look forward to them."
So they were above the level of an artifact.
With such words, it was impossible not to feel a sense of anticipation.
Silis manipulated her magic power again.
This time, a certificate and a medal, each bearing writing, flew into her hand.
A sharp shield-shaped emblem.
Both bore the distinct crest of the royal family.
And then Silis declared.
"Asher, I bestow upon you the honorary title of Count of the Kingdom of Estiria."
***
The nobility, the privileged class who dominated the hierarchy of status.
As the ages advanced, the days of ruthless tyranny over their fiefs had dwindled, yet they still possessed immense authority.
Commoners had all, at least once, imagined themselves ennobled, for nobility was a station beyond the reach of mere effort.
But Verden's reaction was utterly lukewarm.
"Oh my, do you not like it?"
"Because it's useless."
An honorary count.
The highest honorary title Estiria could bestow, but it was neither hereditary nor granted with land to govern.
One might be treated in some ways befitting a count, but for the most part only within the Kingdom of Estiria. For Verden, who would soon depart from the kingdom, it was unnecessary.
He revealed faint displeasure.
"If the idea of granting me a title is to bind me to the Kingdom───"
"Come now, surely not. I had no such insolent intention. I only wished to grant you noble status, nothing more. If I had sought to hold you down, I would have bestowed a title higher than count, along with a fief to rule."
Silis clapped her hands lightly.
"Ah, or is that what you wished for? If you intend to plant roots in the Kingdom, then I shall grant you a fertile and vast domain. On top of that, the seat of Court Mage Commander, and even a ducal title. If you so desire, you may have it all."
It was a proposal laced with both jest and sincerity.
Even knowing Verden would not nod, it carried the meaning that if he accepted, she truly would grant him all authority.
Of course, the answer was already decided.
"Sorry, but I refuse."
"Mm, I thought as much... though it is a little disappointing. If you were to settle in the Kingdom, it would be a great reassurance."
Silis let out a quiet sigh.
That part was genuine. She soon brushed aside her regret and continued speaking.
"In fact, the reason I conferred a title was because of this."
Silis took out an envelope.
White in base, adorned with elegant green designs, preserved by magical treatment so that its condition remained intact.
The seal bore not the crest of the royal family, but another symbol. Verden's eyes widened slightly at the sight.
"...The mark of the Artison Magic Tower?"
"You recognized it at once. Yes. This is a permit from the Artison Magic Tower, granted to the Kingdom through auction, for the construction of a 'large-scale airship'."
Airships cannot be crafted by just anyone, nor can anyone possess them.
Handled carelessly, they could plunge society into chaos. Especially those of medium scale or larger, or those built for military use, were exceedingly dangerous.
An airship equipped with siege magic circles could turn an entire city into ruins in an instant.
The Artison Magic Tower, possessing production techniques unmatched by any other tower.
Perhaps in time things would change, but for now, only there was it possible to construct large-scale airships.
"As you know, there are only a handful of nations in the world permitted to own large-scale airships. And this permit is designed so that only the royal family or nobility of Estiria may use it. I thought this would be a reward that would please you."
To manage a large-scale airship required at least the rank of count. This was a rule set by global consensus, and there were no exceptions.
In other words, as an honorary count just now, Verden was more than qualified.
"Granting such a permit for a large-scale airship to an individual. Isn't that too much of a reward? If I were to misuse it, it could bring great harm to the Kingdom."
"If that were likely, would I not have given you a warning just now? More importantly, I have only given you the permit for a large-scale airship. The production cost is a problem you must solve yourself. Of course, if you were to join the Kingdom of Estiria, we would raise funds for you, even if it strained us."
He let the last remark pass by.
'...A personal airship, huh.'
Even if he emptied Grond's treasury, the funds would be far too lacking.
At present, he had no real need for one, yet without a doubt, it would prove useful in the future. A large-scale airship was a great force in itself.
"Then I'll gladly accept it."
"You are very welcome."
Verden stowed away the certificate of honorary count, the medal that verified it, and the permit from the Artison Magic Tower into his spatial bag.
An unexpected grand gift, and the satisfaction doubled.
'Now this makes me curious.'
If the previous reward was of this level,then what could the final, third reward possibly be?
But he could not receive the answer right away.
"The third reward is not here. It is still under production."
...Under production?
Verden showed a doubtful look, and Silis gave a bright smile.
"So please wait a little. It won't take too long."
She swept her platinum hair back behind her ear as she replied.
She showed even clearer confidence than before.
He did not know what it was, but it seemed he now had another reason to remain at the royal castle for a while, regardless of Grond's treasury.
***
At that same time, Calia was meeting alone with Marquis Esperanza.
Though several minutes had passed, she still did not know why she had been summoned. Other than the first greeting, there had been no conversation at all.
She carefully sipped at the steaming tea, watching her father lost in thought.
A quiet stillness filled the chamber.
Then, the Marquis's voice broke the silence.
"Calia."
"Ah, yes, Father."
She quickly set down her teacup.
The Marquis, watching her, narrowed his eyes.
"Lately, you've been spending time with Asher."
Calia's eyes flickered with sudden unease.
She soon scratched her chin with her finger, turning her gaze aside.
"Not only with Asher. I've also been with Perne and Karans..."
"I've heard there are times when it is just the two of you."
Calia closed her mouth.
She found it difficult to grasp what her father was trying to say.
At times like this, silence was the only answer. She knew too well that clumsy attempts at psychological games never worked on him.
Of course, there was no real need.
In temperament, Calia had inherited far more of the Marquis's disposition than her other brothers had.
For a seasoned noble and father like him, seeing through a child's thoughts was a trivial matter.
"In that sense, there is something I would have you do."
"...Pardon?"
Calia blinked.
"Has something urgent happened?"
"If we put it that way, there isn't much time. But it is nothing difficult. On the contrary, it is a very simple task."
Her curiosity deepened.
She was unaccustomed to such vague commands.
"If you wish to refuse, then you may. It is not something you must do."
That meant her sword would not be needed.
But then, there must be a reason he singled her out.
"...I'll hear it first."
At her words, the Marquis did not hold back, and revealed the matter.
His grave voice spread low through the chamber.
When the explanation ended, and she had grasped even his intent, Calia found herself unable to refuse the opportunity her father had given.
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