Chapter 394 - Stolen Tools and Summer Vacation
Between the treasure hunt and testing out the magic items Gozen gave us, we ended up spending quite a lot of time.
The time spent seeing and touching unfamiliar magic items was honestly very enjoyable. No, wait, that doesn't matter.
I’d estimate the total value of the items and jewelry we obtained to be worth at least a hundred million Jist. I’m not an expert appraiser, so it might be less, or perhaps even more.
Regardless, it definitely surpassed the fifty million I was planning to wring out of them. Considering the performance of the magic items Gozen picked for us, I’d say this was a more than sufficient outcome.
If she hadn't handed them over while explaining each one, we probably would have sold most of them off without ever properly testing them.
We didn't think our current equipment was lacking, and new equipment requires practice to master, so we wouldn't have gone out of our way to incorporate it while away on an expedition. While we couldn't use them perfectly right away, I felt they were items we could turn into strengths for the future.
The fact that I felt like giving them a fair shot was surely due to Gozen's character.
However, it's definitely true that the relationship between the Anastasia Union and our Kikyo-kai is a bit complicated.
In Exembra, we're in a friendly relationship, and considering our situation in Belliza as my sister's guards, we're definitely not enemies. In fact, we should be considered completely friendly.
Yet, the fact that we fought and crushed the young master's faction is as good as trampling on their organization's pride. Even if they're split into two factions, they still fly under one banner.
Normally, there’s no reason for someone like Gozen—who clearly has considerable influence within the organization—to be kind to us. To be blunt, it's unsettling, and Gozen doesn't seem like the 'kind' type either.
Looking at the bangles on both my wrists, I decided to speak to Gozen as she was about to leave the warehouse.
"Hey, Gozen. Can I have a second?"
"Huh? You're not going to say it's not enough, are you? Being too greedy is not a good look."
"That's not it. These magic items... it might be true that they don't fetch a high price, but they're useful. Don't you think it's a waste to give them to outsiders?"
They aren't just strong; they're rare. Even if you tried to get the same ones, it wouldn't be easy.
"Is that all? We can get as many of the latest tools as we want, and we have more than enough artifacts. There are no eccentrics who would want to use such difficult-to-handle antiques left behind by someone from the past. But it's a waste to let them sit in a warehouse, right? I just thought they'd be perfect for you all. Like I said at the start, this is just a bit of warehouse cleaning."
What 'warehouse cleaning'? No matter how old or difficult to use they were, these were rare and powerful magic items. There was no logic in handing such things over to another organization so easily. If she wanted to settle the debt, money or information would have sufficed. It's not like they're so poor they're struggling for that.
"I'll be much tougher to deal with if I use these, you know?"
"Don't get cocky. No matter how strong you are, you aren't immortal. Right?"
"I'm not undead, so that goes for everyone. But I'll tell you this: if you can kill me, try it."
"Hmph. Again, don't get cocky."
This old lady... she's not just a 'good person' or a meddler.
It’s likely a token of gratitude for not killing anyone yesterday, including the young master, and for protecting my sister. She didn't just give us valuables; she likely meant for us to utilize the tools she gave us. There's no guarantee that a powerful enemy like Badoo Lot won't attack again.
It felt like a parting gift from an elder to a promising youth.
And perhaps she wanted to slightly improve our impression of them, which had been soured by those hot-headed idiots, including the young master.
Objectively, they'd shown us a pretty pathetic display. From Gozen's position, she'd naturally want to make up for it a little.
Our Kikyo-kai is a strong organization even now, and our future is promising. It's wiser to have us as allies than as enemies.
"Oh, by the way, what about the rings?"
Our original reason for coming to the warehouse was to look for the rings with the Church-related engravings. I’d gotten so caught up in the treasure hunt that I’d completely forgotten.
"They were stolen. I'm having Adir look in other places too, but according to my memory, they were definitely here."
"Do you know why the rings were stolen? What about the magic infused in the engravings?"
Gozen stopped, closed her eyes, and went silent as if trying to remember. Gradena and the others walking ahead noticed and stopped too, and we waited for a while to avoid disturbing her.
"...Those should have been true junk. Mana could be poured into the engravings, but there was no discernible effect."
"No effect?"
If such a magic crest existed, what would be the point? I wanted to ask an expert.
"Those were old items from way before I was even born. What I don't know, I don't know. Just wait a while; I'll have someone look into it. There might be records left, and if not, we can ask workshops, scholars, or even the Church itself. Someone's bound to know."
I couldn't believe that not a single person in the Anastasia Union's past had investigated a magic item with an unknown effect. Gozen seemed to know that too, but if no records remained, we’d just have to investigate anew.
"I guess I can rely on your connections. This concerns the academy too, so let me know as soon as you find anything."
"What a noisy girl. I know."
In the end, as a result of visiting for an information exchange, we were nearly attacked without question, only to avoid it thanks to Gozen. As an apology for the disrespect, we obtained what was essentially warehouse clutter to them.
As for the outcome of the intended information exchange, we learned that the enemy's goal was old magic items that seemed related to the Church. What use those items are, however, remains completely unknown.
Regardless, the probability that yesterday's raid was for the purpose of seizing accessory-type magic items is very high.
While the ultimate goal is unclear and unsettling, knowing the effect of the magic crests might reveal the enemy's objective or affiliation.
Still, the combat power and information-gathering ability required to make a fool of the Anastasia Union must be considerable. Just thinking about it, I can imagine the enemy is a fairly large organization.
Come to think of it, I feel like Moore from the Intelligence Department mentioned something about a massive 'bomb' being found. Maybe this is connected to that.
If it's not related to Exembra or our Kikyo-kai, then whatever happens is none of our business—that's an old way of thinking. For us, who are looking to set up a shop in this country, there's no such thing as 'completely unrelated.'
In fact, it's the opposite. By actively getting involved and positioning ourselves as the vanguard to crush the enemy, we'll be able to walk tall even here in Belliza.
Belliza is a large country, and the capital, Beltria, alone is quite a vast territory. Since the Anastasia Union can't cover everything on its own, there's no need to raid our allies' turf. We should start preparing to take over other good spots during this opportunity.
Yes, I feel like I've found a good goal.
For now, it's nothing more than a wild delusion, let alone counting chickens before they hatch... but having a goal is a good thing.
The academy was about to enter a break for several dozen days, during which the summer heat was expected to be at its peak.
Unlike my assumption that club activities would continue as usual, it seemed that wasn't the case for a prestigious school attended by nobles.
Almost all students had plans for the long break, such as returning to their own territories or going on family trips. It didn't seem like the dormitories or the academy would close completely, but basically, use of the academy facilities was prohibited for inspections and repairs.
Even the Magic Doll Club was no exception. The clubroom couldn't be used, and the members couldn't neglect their plans with family, relatives, or friends. Daughters of titled houses are busy with various social obligations and ties. It sounds tough, though it's not my problem.
As a result, the enthusiastic club activities were also on break for a while. It felt a bit anticlimactic.
"Alright, that's enough! It's a bit early, but today's practice is over."
It was the last practice before the long break. I couldn't help but think that a gap of several dozen days would be pretty bad.
"Everyone, as we discussed before, please take your dolls home with you. Make sure not to skip your independent practice for mana sensing and mana control."
"Hamira, is everyone taking those back?"
"Of course. Even if dolls look the same, they each have their own quirks, so I can't recommend practicing with a different one. I'm certain we'll be able to show the teacher even more improved skills after the break."
'Certain,' she says. Can they really improve that much just with independent practice? Well, whatever.
"Actually, those who can meet up during the break are going to gather for joint practice."
"I can't go, but I intend to increase the intensity of my independent practice every day to make up for it."
"Ah, I want to go too, but it's a bit difficult for me. I’ll just have to work hard on my independent practice so I don't fall behind."
"...You guys really are dedicated."
The one saying that with exasperation was the curly-haired young lady. She practices properly at the club, but I can't imagine her being the type to practice alone.
"What are you saying? Edith, you're practicing with us too, aren't you?"
"I'm visiting your territory at the same time as Edith, so say hi to your family for me!"
"We're going to the territory with President Hamira."
"I'm jealous. I might join in somewhere later too."
So that's how it is. They've surpassed the level of being merely 'enthusiastic.' Most of the members are going to hold voluntary training camps.
"As someone with no plans to travel, I wish the clubroom could be used..."
That was my sister. Since she couldn't go to the Anastasia Union headquarters either, she was planning to spend her time in the nearly empty academy dorms. Given the precarious situation in Belliza, it would be a lapse in caution to go anywhere that required an overnight stay, even for a short trip.
That said, staying cooped up forever would likely have a negative impact on her mental state. So, I plan to have Valeria and the others take her on day trips. She probably won't be bored.
"I was thinking, I'll try negotiating to see if they'll let us use the training grounds. Teacher, would that be okay?"
This time it was Harriet. Since they aren't going to be playing all day, every day, this was likely a proposal made out of consideration for my sister. On the training grounds, they could go all out in practice with an eye on the actual competition, but... well.
"Hmm, the training grounds. Considering fairness with other schools, I don't think they'll lend them out. Fine, I'll at least put in a word for you. Even if we can't borrow them, I'll find some suitable place elsewhere."
"Ah, I'm jealous! If the training grounds are available, I want to use them too!"
"Yes, a serious practice location is attractive."
"Don't rush. Once the break is over, I'll make you practice until you're sick of it. Look forward to it until then."
I calmed the noisy club members, and after some conversation, we disbanded.
As the saying goes, 'if you don't see someone for three days, look at them with new eyes.' I’ll look forward to our reunion.
While waiting for contact from Gozen, we'll do what we can.
Heidi and the others from the Information Bureau will continue their investigations and surveillance as usual, and I'll have Valeria and the others play in the city under the guise of sightseeing while guarding my sister. It's not just for venting stress; it's also to broaden their horizons. It would be too pitiful if they did nothing but stay cooped up despite coming all the way to Belliza.
Come to think of it, an empty academy might be an easier target for the enemy, so it might be better in various ways to go out to the busy city. If there's no point in staying cooped up, we might as well go out openly.
Based on what's happened so far, it seems unlikely that the young master would attack my sister on his own initiative. But there might be someone plotting to use the young master through my sister. That's the only point we need to be careful about.
Gradena and the others are doing their daily training while mainly gathering information in the city. The Mercenary Guild and Adventurer Guild are particularly good places to gather information on trouble or suspicious individuals. Their goal is also to gradually spread the impression of the Kikyo crest throughout the city, including other guilds and major merchant houses.
Steadily building recognition is an important activity for the future. I expect that by continuing this, the sense of being outsiders will gradually fade, making negotiations with various people and organizations easier.
And for me, as a temporary lecturer, once the academy goes on break, my job is gone and I'm free.
Since I can use the entire day freely, I'll turn my slightly scaled-back daily training into something serious, and I'll also practice mastering the magic items I obtained. To get my body used to the curse, I’m increasing the intensity of my training until it hits my limits, spending my days pushing myself in solitude.
But I won't just be training; I'll do what I need to do as the advisor for the Magic Doll Club.
To rest my body after several days of intense training, I decided to do some advisor activities today.
Since this is an activity as an advisor and not as the president of the Kikyo-kai, I’m moving in a modest outfit without any conspicuous armaments. I think every time about how the rugged eyepatch doesn't match the outfit, but I’ll just have to get used to it.
Today, I decided to drive the vehicle alone and charge into the Magic Doll Federation headquarters.
Since the match venue has changed to a training ground owned by the Knights, I need information on who to negotiate with to borrow it for practice. That's my main goal for going, but I also want to see the faces of the idiots who plotted that troublesome rule change.
I haven't made any appointments, so they might not be in, but I’ll think about that if it happens.
"Nnn, I’m pretty sure it was around here..."
Apparently, the Federation headquarters is on the outskirts of the area where commercial buildings are clustered.
I turned off the main street and drove slowly along a poorly-sighted road for a bit. It was a quiet neighborhood with no foot traffic.
"...Is that it?"
A magnificent stone building came into view.
Far above the main entrance sat a domed roof, and the arched windows forming semicircles were very prominent. There wasn't much decoration, but it had a solemn and grand atmosphere, like Renaissance style. From what I’d heard, that entire grand building wasn't the Magic Doll Federation headquarters; they were just renting a section of it.
I parked the vehicle in the lot behind the building and stepped out into the blinding sunlight.
There were only a few other vehicles in the large parking lot, and sensing the inside of the building revealed almost no presence of people. That must also be the influence of the summer break period. For now, I decided to visit normally from the front.
Come to think of it, most of my memories of visiting somewhere new involve either charging in for a fight or sneaking in.
It’s nice to visit normally and settle business normally for once. Today, I came as an academy lecturer and as the advisor for the Magic Doll Club.
The Federation staff are supposedly either current Magic Doll Club advisors or retired ones. I kind of want to try talking to them normally.
Since I’m here, I’ll pray they aren't out.
It's summer vacation!
So, we're taking a little break from the main route, which is full of complicated and troublesome matters, and entering a bit of an interlude episode.
To be continued in the next chapter, "Club Advisor's Unconscious Deviant Activities."