kscans

Chapter 208 - Episode 7: Analysis Begins, Part One

We had a terrible time at the very end, but the journey back from the Dragon Mountains was smooth. The only issue was how dreadfully cramped the inside of the horse-dragon carriage was, occupied as it was by the corpses of Magic Insects.

The day after we returned to Maldoras, I headed for the room next to the dining hall, which had become Maytyl’s workspace. In the corridor along the way, knights in differing armor stood guard, speaking with one another.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, because the atmosphere between the knights of both nations had clearly changed. It seems even Craig and Dagobard had shared drinks last night.

Considering our goal is to cooperate with the Empire for the next calamity, this is a positive development. The problem is that my own responsibility is growing heavier and heavier as a result.

The knights noticed me and bowed their heads in unison. I bowed even more deeply in return.

During this expedition, we lost two precious horse-dragons, and three knights were injured. To be specific, two of the injured were from the Empire, and one was from the Kingdom. It was a loss we would not have suffered if we had not pressed on to the Dragon Mountains.

The value of going that far now hinges on how much information we can extract from the samples we brought back. Dagobard’s words, that we must produce results worthy of the damage incurred, weigh heavily on my heart. What will happen if my hypothesis is wrong. Well, objectively speaking, it would be better if the next calamity was no different than usual.

Even if my hypothesis about a dragon swarm is correct, it won’t make anyone happy, myself included.

"There you are, Ricardo. Just a moment. Hup."

"No, I’ll come to you, so please stay seated."

Maytyl, who had pushed herself up from her desk, came hobbling toward me. Her left foot was wrapped in bandages. Apparently, in the Empire, a sprained ankle doesn’t count as an injury. I rushed over to her side.

"You’re making a fuss."

"Your Highness, after being pushed to such extremes. You must take better care of yourself."

Crenne admonished her. It goes without saying who did the pushing. The glare from Iris through the crack in the door is terrifying.

"Speaking of which, I should return this."

I tried to hand over the ring Maytyl had entrusted to me.

"You keep that, Ricardo. It’s a sort of identification, so it shouldn’t be a bother."

"Your Highness, that is…"

"Besides, at a glance you look like nothing more than a commoner, Ricardo."

"It’s not that I look like a commoner. I am a commoner."

"Yes, yes. Now then, let’s begin our consultation on the analysis that the futures of the Empire and the Kingdom depend on."

Maytyl ignored my protest and got straight to the point. I suppose it can’t be helped. We do have to decide on our plan going forward.

"In my opinion, analyzing the magic veins should be our first priority. It’s a bit dull to stick to the plan, but…"

It would be the first time analyzing Glacial Varved Clay. And we would have to read a record far longer than that of Tree Rings. Moreover, the special Purple Light magic is involved.

"You’re right…"

But…

"What is it? Do you have something more interesting in mind?"

"No, I don’t disagree with the plan. Our goal is to prove that the next calamity will be the same as the one four hundred years ago, which means proving that similar magic vein activity is occurring now as it did back then."

The magic veins are indeed the priority.

"Shall we start with the Tree Rings, for which a method has already been established?" Crenne said.

"As Crenne says, shall we take the steady approach? Well, with something like purple magic involved, even that might not be so straightforward."

"That’s the thing…"

The Blood Mountains, and the magic in the Dragon Mountains with its abnormal energy. And the crystal’s…

"It’s a shame Fulsy isn’t here. That old man is a monster when it comes to measurements. Say, shouldn’t we contact the Kingdom and have them start selecting a catalyst that reacts to purple? We could send a letter along with that claw mark."

"That’s true, but…"

I hesitated. If we want to use purple magic in the Kingdom, we have no choice but to rely on Alfina’s help.

"Striking preemptively is your creed, isn’t it Ricardo? How overprotective."

"In, in any case, let’s analyze the purple magic with Iris first. That way, we’ll have a better idea of the requirements…"

"...Fine. By the way, Crenne. What’s the status of the Ancient Dragon’s Eye?"

"I have sent instructions to the Imperial Capital to gather records from the period when the Priestess of the Ancient Dragon’s Eye failed to produce a successor. I told them to be thorough in collecting even the oldest records."

"How is it?"

"That helps."

"It’s a little vexing, but this is the biggest point I can score to put Ricardo in my debt. I can’t pass it up for the sake of the Empire’s national interests."

Maytyl said with a sulk. If a debt to you is all it costs, then please, pile it on as much as you like.

"Alright, so the plan is to analyze the magic veins. While we’re measuring the Tree Rings, we’ll search for a method to analyze the Glacial Varved Clay. That works, right? Crenne, hurry and increase the number of Irises. We should probably hasten the measurement of the Empire’s magic veins. The Dragon Mountains that emitted the purple magic are far away, but considering the recent instability of the magic veins, we can’t be complacent."

"I understand. My hometown is in the east, after all."

Bang.

Suddenly, the door to the room swung open. A man in black clothes swaggered into what was, for all intents and purposes, the Imperial Princess’s space.

"Ricardo Vinder. I have something to discuss with you regarding the handling of that monster’s corpse."

"Ah, here comes trouble," Maytyl said with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Maytyl, if you have something to say, say it."

"I just thought it was something to come and fetch him yourself. But I suppose it’s true, after seeing the power of Ricardo’s knowledge firsthand, well…"

"This is strictly based on necessity and the Empire’s interests. In the first place, the one who brought that thing back was…"

"I’m sure it is. Well, I suppose I’ll lend him to you for now. That’s right, I had an idea about controlling the horse-dragons using a Sorcery Silver circuit. I’ll tell you about it later."

◇◇

The black Magic Insect’s corpse had been placed in a shed in the garden. Snow brought down from the mountain was spread underneath it. It was being stored with surprising care.

"That."

Dagobard signaled to a subordinate waiting at his side. The subordinate unfolded a black cloth. Lying there was a single Magic Crystal.

"This monster’s core is a crimson Magic Crystal."

"...I see."

I thought the color looked deep when I saw it on the mountain, and I was right. It seems to be related to the purple magic. Perhaps the crimson magic can charge a normal red Magic Crystal, and the purple magic can charge a crimson one.

"The Dragon Mountains are far from the Empire. No matter what powerful monsters exist there, they are no threat to us. In fact, this is a type of monster that has never appeared in the Empire."

"I see," I replied with a reserved nod.

"Hmph. I have many questions about how you saw through that special monster’s weakness. But in any case, it is not an immediate threat to the Empire. And for your side…"

Dagobard looked at me with probing eyes.

"Are you suggesting that for me, someone who wants to exterminate the dragons, it could be considered an ally?"

It eats dragons and has no flight capabilities, so it won’t come near the new city. It’s what you would call a "beneficial insect." If there were a major outbreak and they devoured all the dragons, I can’t imagine how much easier the construction of the new city would become.

"One thing is, I believe my concern upon seeing this is the same as Her Highness’s," I said, looking at the crimson-"esque" Magic Crystal.

"There are places deep within the Empire’s magic veins where crimson Magic Crystals can be found. Assuming that type of monster, let’s call them Magic Insects, can produce crimson Magic Crystals, then it would mean that in the past, those Magic Insects also inhabited the Empire’s domain."

Dagobard nodded with a bitter expression.

"The other thing is the question of whether the dragons could have lived so peacefully if the Magic Insects were originally native to the Dragon Mountains."

"...In other words, they have appeared recently. Most likely from the Mountains of Despair."

"Yes. If that purple magic is related to the next calamity, I believe this is a phenomenon we cannot ignore…"

It’s an unknown Magic Insect, and we know nothing about it at this point. How should we analyze it? I feel like there was an insect similar to this in my past life, and if only I could remember what it was…

My and Dagobard’s gazes turned to the giant insect inside the shed.

"Lord Ricardo. I would like to speak with you about a new trade deal…"

A voice called out from behind us. When we turned, Princess Lisabet and a portly man were standing there.

"This is hardly the time for such trivial matters," Dagobard said, glaring at Princess Lisabet.

No, that’s actually my main job…