kscans

Chapter 221 - Episode 16: Part One, The Canary in the Coal Mine

"Princess Maytyl, about when we transfer this type of Magic Seal to the circuit..."
"Ah, that part is difficult, isn't it. Two parameters clash and..."

Even during their break, Noel was asking Princess Maytyl questions. He was talking about etching circuits onto Sorcery Silver semiconductors. The simple lines were one thing, but the patterns themselves were essentially a black box. I had a look once. A light floated like a hologram above a pattern, changing shape and linking with the pattern next to it.

It was obvious at a glance that adjusting the distance and size was difficult. Well, the more lasting impression was the utter astonishment of the staff from the Magic Dormitory as they watched Noel pull it off alongside the Imperial Princess.

"Hmm. A catalyst whose effect changes depending on the extraction method... Interesting. This will be a hint for finding catalysts with similar properties. What about the one that reflects red magic power?"

Fulsy was discussing Magic Catalysts with Vinaldira. They were likely for the radar. Having succeeded, for the time being, in generating purple magic power, Fulsy was designing a prototype radar that would spread the magic generated by the Negative Magic Crystal across the surrounding area. It seemed the basic design could be the same as before.

No one was resting. With everyone so busy with their own tasks, it was perhaps inevitable that these breaks would become a time for exchanging information.

Besides them, Sherry and Rilka were of course involved, and occasionally Dalgan and Plural would join in too. The drop in temperature, for instance, could affect the culture medium.

The one coordinating all of this was Alfina, with Natalie helping her. According to Natalie, the people in the new wing have started calling their meetings the Magic Conclave. Half the participants are not even mages, though.

"It really makes me wonder if someone like me should even be here," Natalie said.

I was about to say she was exaggerating, but then I looked around and held my tongue. The Great Sage, the youngest court mage in history, the Oracle Princess of Prophecy. This was, in fact, a Magic Conclave.

No, with an Imperial Princess present, I would need to add "International" to the name.

"Um, Ricardo-kun. About the summary of our work..."

Alfina approached me. She held several memos in her hand.

"I see, so the instability of the generated magic power is hindering the prototypes. Um, this part still shows no regularity... It would be a waste to use the Crimson Magic Crystals, so we're using the scrap crystals to experiment with finding a pattern."

The Negative Magic Crystal draws out magic power, and the Magic-sensing Paper reacts when hit by it, so even I can conduct experiments. Calling it a return to basics sounds good, but considering the time we have left...

"And, um, about the sensory difference between that phenomenon and drawing out magic power normally..."

"There is no doubt that magic power is coming out, but something is wrong. The magic flows without resistance." "There's no feedback, you know. It's like a soft swoosh." These were the impressions of those with the aptitude. The staff from the Magic Dormitory seemed to feel much the same.

Such sensory descriptions were hard to grasp. It was only natural, since they could see things I could not, but what if we were meddling with something that could not be handled with half-baked knowledge? For example, what if there were multiple principles for drawing out magic power?

"What do you think?" Alfina asked. This was bad, I could not show any weakness here.

"Thank you. I think I'm starting to see it. I'll try adjusting the scope of the experiments, or rather, the direction," I said. Alfina's expression softened just a little.

"Speaking of which, you've been helping Mya lately too, right?" I said to Natalie.

"Yes, she seems to be having a very hard time. Of course, I can't possibly help with her discussions with the nobles from the Chancellor's Office."

Natalie spoke while holding a plate of soba manju.

"And then there's the matter of those bonds. The chairman said he wants a direct explanation from you, Ricardo-sama. It seems the royal court has been particularly..."

"Guh, that's right."

I remembered the documents Mya told me were urgent. The bond's interest rate, the period until redemption, the conversion terms. Everything was guesswork. When should I do it?

"Ricardo-kun. You're really pushing yourself too hard... You're taking on too much work."

Alfina's eyes were on the paper in my hand. It listed everything that needed to be done right now.

"It's fine. I have a trick for handling these things without getting overwhelmed."

I showed her another sheet of paper. This one listed issues to be considered, including those for the future. Separating them like this makes them easier to manage.

◇◇

The results of the experiments were laid out before me. I looked at them and groaned. On a piece of paper to the side, I had organized the results, analyzed them, considered new hypotheses and verification methods, and planned how to re-run the experiments.

"It's probably related to the contact surface area."

That was all I had figured out. I was no closer to understanding the crucial conditions for stably generating purple magic power or the method for efficiently extracting it.

And beside me were the Crimson Magic Crystals, their magic power completely depleted. I did not even want to think about their street value, if such a thing existed.

This was the result of rushing to find an application without even understanding the principle. A truly bad feeling sent a chill down my spine.

"How unusual. For you to be struggling, Ricardo."

Princess Maytyl said, poking her head into the room. She looked at the Magic Crystals scattered around me with an exasperated expression.

"I don't get what you mean by 'for you'. Magic power is outside my expertise. I'm a merchant, after all."

"I'm not being sarcastic, you know. Seeing you so deep in thought like this makes you seem more like a normal sorcerer... It's reassuring in a way."

For some reason, Princess Maytyl was smiling.

"Normal, I'm..."

I understood she was trying to encourage me, but it was just more pressure. After all, every idea I have had about magic so far has been an application of knowledge from Earth. When I have no idea what to apply, like this time, this is the result. You could call it the limit of textbook knowledge.

I am not a scientist to begin with. There is no way I can uncover the principles of an unknown phenomenon on my own.

"I'm worried you're pushing yourself too hard, Ricardo-kun. You didn't come back yesterday either, did you? Mya was worried too," Alfina said as she entered behind Princess Maytyl. It seemed they had come together. They had been talking together occasionally lately. I was curious about what they discussed.

"Oh, please. Research is supposed to be like this."

"Ricardo-kun is not a mage. Besides, he has so many other difficult things to deal with..."

The air between Alfina and Princess Maytyl grew cold.

"Um, what are you two...?" I asked timidly.

"I was asking her about the images from her prophecies to see if we could find any direction for improving sorcery. You know, like the possibility of them using lightning. We struggled against the lightning even that larva was cloaked in. It would be a threat if they attacked us from the sky, wouldn't it?" Princess Maytyl said. Alfina nodded.

"So we have to think about countermeasures for that too..."

While it was not confirmed information, the possibility was high. Would we need to set up something like lightning rods on the battlefield? What about its relationship with the weather? And how do living creatures generate electricity in the first place...

There was too much to think about. How should I prioritize it all...

I looked at the black crystal in my hand. The Negative Magic Crystal was just an amateur's passing idea. There was no guarantee it would be useful. Objectively speaking, clinging to a hunch any further was problematic.

If there was another way to generate purple magic power...

"I want to help more, but... If it's about purple magic power, there should be something I can do," Alfina said, looking at me.

"No, relying solely on the crystal is too risky. It's better to have multiple ways to attract the Magic Insects. A method that becomes unusable if something happens once is not viable," I said. I was not lying. I did not even want to imagine what would happen if Alfina collapsed at a crucial moment. Alfina fell into thought.

"Well, what he's saying isn't wrong," Princess Maytyl said with a look of resignation. That's right. My theoretical argument was perfect. That's right. Now that I knew it was possible to artificially generate purple magic power, I should not give up. Objectively.

"Princess Maytyl..."

"However, I want you to show me the crystal once. That should be fine, right? I am a representative of an allied nation regarding the prophesied disaster."

"Yes. Of course!" Alfina nodded before I could stop her. Should I use my authority to stop this? No, there was a limit to how much I could rely on Princess Maytyl's favor.

While I hesitated, the two of them began making plans to go to the cathedral right away. I suppose once would be fine.

Alfina thanked Princess Maytyl and left the room. She probably needed to prepare and contact the cathedral.

"What will you do, Ricardo?" the remaining Princess Maytyl asked me.

"Huh?"

"I'm saying you should come along if you're worried."

"Ah, right..."

"Ricardo. I understand you're worried, but..." Princess Maytyl's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at me.

"I know."

I picked up an empty Crimson Magic Crystal from the tray beside me. I would also test whether the Crimson Magic Crystal could be recharged with purple magic power.

It is over if I lose my composure. If I am going to place a burden on Alfina, I must consider how to lessen her future burdens, even if only a little.

"Honestly. The look on your face just now, Ricardo, it was like you wanted to lock that girl up in a cage or something," Princess Maytyl said. What kind of face is that?

Besides, that was an ill omen. I have to do my best to make sure Alfina does not become the canary in the coal mine.