kscans

Chapter 144 - O-saki and the Emissary, Part Two

"Hmph, what a mess this has become."

The covert mages who had joined the Little One’s unit. She understood they were her guards and monitors, but she couldn’t help but feel resentful, thinking they were nothing more than tattletales.

"You need not be so hostile."

"Yeah, yeah, it’s not like we enjoy ratting you out. It’s a shock to be made the villain."

"Before you worry about being a villain, why don’t you learn some proper manners! You are in the presence of a princess, you know!"

The elderly man was Hyarbas. The young man whose collar he was grabbing was Darvy. They were mages from Frontier’s covert operations. Hyarbas looked old, but there was no telling Darvy’s age. Even though the lifespans in Frontier were said to be shortening, the generation born under the influence of the golden magic still aged slowly. That was beginning to change, but Drago, who was over half a century old, and Romel, who was past thirty, looked exactly the same as they had in her previous life. Darvy watched with amusement as the Little One tilted her head with a finger in her mouth, then broke into a wide grin.

"I’m from the city, so please forgive my rough speech. I’ve never been a guard before, so I’d like to receive guidance from the knight order."

As Darvy bowed his head, Dorfen gave a magnanimous nod.

"There’s no need to be so formal. This is not the royal palace, and we are practically incognito. We will not reveal our identities unless something happens. Just remember that."

Both covert agents listened to Dorfen with wide eyes. With similar dark brown hair and black eyes, the two looked very much alike. They might be father and son.

"It’s amazing you can be a covert mage with that coloring."

Magical power is dependent on hair and eye color. It’s something you’re born with and can’t change later. Hearing the Little One’s murmur, the two exchanged a mischievous glance.

"Our hair is our natural color, but we’ve changed our eye color. Look."

Darvy lightly touched his own eye and took out a small, round object. Seeing it, the Little One cried out in surprise.

"Colored contacts…?"

"Karacon? I am not familiar with that, but this is an experimental disguise item. I hear it was inspired by the colored glasses that are popular in the capital."

The Little One couldn’t help but snort, and Uris slickly put on a pair of sunglasses.

"Ah, those. I see, so that’s what they are."

The two of them, who had been undercover in the Torzebisont Kingdom for a long time, had not returned to Frontier for many years. These colored contacts had apparently arrived by honeybee mail. They had tried them on with trepidation but had taken a liking to the completely different atmosphere they created.

"If I had to complain, it would be that my vision is poor. It’s dark, and that can be a bit of a problem at times."

Darvy smiled wryly. Hearing this, the Little One looked at the colored contacts again.

Ah, it’s just solid black glass. If I just, so, a little something here and there…

"Ah, what are you…?!"

The colored glass melted with a shuu sound. Ignoring the flustered Darvy, the Little One carefully made a hole in the center of the colored glass. She made the hole thin and smooth so as not to injure the eye, then grinned at the surprised Darvy.

"Try it on."

Darvy stared intently at the altered colored glass, then fearfully placed it on his eye.

"Eh? Oh? Whoa, I can see! Even with the colored glass on, I can see the scenery normally, Dad!"

So they were father and son.

The Little One took the colored glass disguise items from the astonished pair and made holes for their pupils.

"But try to take them out as much as possible, okay? I don’t think they’re good for your eyes."

The human body is delicate. The slightest thing can cause problems. As things like this evolve more, they might become fashionable, but as prototypes, their safety is low, and wearing them for long periods is dangerous.

"This is a lifesaver. Our eyes are a bit conspicuous."

Darvy and his father had troubled expressions. Their eyes were crimson. Not red, but a vermilion close to orange. Eyes the color of a freshly setting sun were indeed noticeable. But the Little One had seen those eyes before.

"Are you of mixed Donautil heritage?"

"You know of it? My great-grandfather was from Donautil."

I see, atavism.

Genetically, darker colors are dominant, but sometimes that can be overturned. There are cases where a dominant gene is pushed aside and asserts itself.

"In Donautil, even the commoners have silver hair and red eyes. Things like this can happen."

Considering that, Donautil had the potential to be a nation of mages. From the principles of pigmentation, all its people would have high magical power. In a sense, it could become a greater magical nation than Frontier.

"But what’s the logic behind this? How does making a hole like this allow you to see the scenery? The eye color stays the same."

The father and son checked their appearances in a water mirror.

"Ah, what you see with isn’t your whole eye. It’s the pupil in the middle. Only the black part in the center sends what you see to your brain. So, if you open that up, you can secure your vision."

"Hoh…"

The mages stared at the Little One with admiration. As if to voice their thoughts, Dorfen spoke up.

"I have thought so regarding industry and politics, but to think you are also versed in medicine… You are truly a person of unfathomable depth."

Uwaaaah?!

The Little One was once again made aware that knowledge that was common sense for a modern person was a cheat in medieval Arcadia.

It’s not that big of a deal!

The Little One tried to explain, but Dorfen just nodded along, smiling knowingly as if to say, "Chihiro-sama is so humble." Dejected by the miscommunication, the Little One armed herself and headed for the royal capital of the Torzebisont Kingdom.

"What… You say that magic will be revived?"

This was the Torzebisont royal palace.

The Little One’s unit, having been announced in advance, was warmly welcomed. At the banquet after the greetings, the Little One conveyed the main point to the King of Torzebisont.

The current monarch of the Torzebisont Kingdom was a queen. This was the first time the Little One, who had traveled around the borders, had met one.

"That is correct. I have traveled to many forests and formed alliances. As a result, magic is returning to the world. It won’t be immediate, but I believe people will be able to use magic again."

The King of Torzebisont listened, his cutlery trembling. It was the return of a legend he had only known from fairy tales. It was only natural.

However, the revival of magic was not all good news. There was the possibility that many problems would come to light, such as accidents from accidental discharges or its use in crime by the unscrupulous. There were many things that needed to be done in advance to prevent such occurrences, such as establishing laws and giving lectures on its proper use.

After explaining this, a question and answer session with experts was held the next day.

"In a way, it might be a good thing Hyarbas and the others are here."

"I agree."

The twins left the lectures to the two mages and leisurely strolled through the castle town. From Frontier’s perspective, the Torzebisont Kingdom was a remote land. If not for this event, they probably would never have visited. Only the Golden King on a pilgrimage would visit.

I wonder if my ancestors felt this way.

The capital of Torzebisont was a bustling place with a mix of Northern and Western European styles, but upon closer observation, the commoners wore something like ethnic costumes. They were splendid outfits with vibrant embroidery. They had a design like the nomads she had seen on TV on Earth. The proximity of Olga’s forest was likely a factor. On the way here, they had seen horses and sheep grazing, and several mobile dwellings like gers or yurts. The border villages and towns were made of adobe bricks, which suited the dry climate characteristic of a northern country.

"The embroidery is so beautiful. I’d like to buy a few pieces to take home."

"Hiro’s embroidery is prettier. If you embroider my tie next time, I’ll buy you some clothes."

The siblings ran around excitedly.

They also purchased many other items, such as woodwork and glassware, to their great satisfaction. They went on to hop from stall to stall, getting lots of food as well.

"This Fried Manju is delicious!"

The Little One stuffed her cheeks with a fried bread filled with ingredients and chewed, mo mo motto.

Adonis, eating the same thing, analyzed the filling and preparation with a look of enjoyment. "Meat and vegetables… peppers and carrots. Just salt, I think. It would be even better with some sesame oil and pepper."

"This… could be used for dessert, too. With a custard or cream cheese base, and a fruit compote filling…"

The Little One watched the two of them, engrossed in their research, with amusement and handed an armful of food to a honeybee.

"Take this to Olga."

As if it understood, the honeybee flew off. The Little One and her group returned to the royal palace, where the exhausted father-son mage duo was waiting for them.

"Our job is to be guards and monitors, you know!"

The Little One waved her hand nonchalantly at Darvy, who was glaring at her with a reproachful upward glance, and her lips curved into a cheerful smile.

"Even a parent can be put to work if they’re standing around. Well, this is a great help. Thank you, Romel-sama, nyo."

She gave them a thumbs-up, saying she’d be counting on them in the countries to come, and handed them a gift, which was the souvenirs. It was food they were used to, as they had originally been spies in the Torzebisont Kingdom.

"Street food? You went to the town?"

The father-son mages’ faces twisted in panic. They likely never imagined a princess would go down to the lower town.

"This is normal. Not worth being surprised about," Dorfen declared nonchalantly.

"Right. It’s not like Hiro would ever sit still," Chihaya said with a sigh.

"…You’re just noticing?" Zack finished with a chuckle. The Little One’s squad headed for the guest room prepared by the King of Torzebisont.

The two mages watched them go, stunned, bewildered by their baptism into the Little One’s squad.

And so, with new companions joining them, the Little One’s unit became even more lively.

Needless to say, when Romel heard about this later, he couldn’t help but stare off into the distance.

"Well, I expected it. Yes, I did. …When they get back, I’ll need to have a long talk. With Dorfen and the others."

Romel was just as soft on the Little One as anyone else.

She turns any situation into an opportunity. The unconsciously strongest Little One is still going strong.