kscans

Chapter 271 - A Secret Talk in the Dead of Night

"Phew, I'm a little tired."

I placed the small cylinder in my hand on the desk. Looking out the window, I saw that the lights at the foot of the hill, visible before I started my work, had almost all gone out.

The fine adjustments to the magic circuit made my eyes feel strained. I tapped my shoulder with one hand while reaching for the water pitcher with the other. It was light. Just as I picked up the servant's bell, I remembered the time and stood up.

As I walked down the moonlit corridor, I saw a room with its lights still on.

"Working on official business so late. It must be difficult, being the lady of the domain."

"Princess Maytyl."

I had spoken to the woman my age who was the master of this room and this mansion.

...

"I see. That does sound like a problem."

I spoke after running several figures through my head. Looking at this upward trend, I would have to consider that thing Mia mentioned.

"It has always been a narrow basin between mountains, so a sudden increase in traffic is an issue. And it isn't just traffic, the number of residents is growing too. Especially..."

Princess Lisabet stopped there. It was probably not a pretty story. I understood a little about managing a domain myself.

"What about Central Garden? It must be developing far faster than my territory."

"That place was originally a rear base large enough to support the combined armies of the Kingdom and the Empire. It still has plenty of room to spare. Things are likely going just as the city's creator intended."

"I wonder how far ahead he can see. It's almost frightening."

Princess Lisabet glanced toward the guest rooms.

"I know. I sometimes feel that way too."

"Sometimes, you say?"

"What's that? What a suggestive way to put it."

"Oh, no. Speaking of which, what happened to that dress with the open back?"

Princess Lisabet asked, looking at my sorcerer's attire.

"You don't think I'd wear a frilly thing like that while researching magic, do you?"

"I see. So you are working this late for Ricardo-dono."

"That's right. The man can't do anything on his own, so he relies on me."

"The man, you say. Fufu. Is that what you find so attractive about him?"

"..."

Being asked so directly felt like a surprise attack.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just wondering about that myself. You see, the main reason I stay by Ricardo's side is for his knowledge, isn't it?"

"Is that all?"

"At least that's what he, Ricardo, thinks. Well, I can't deny it either. So we're even."

I wondered what two members of royalty like us were even discussing, but I found myself drawn into the conversation all the same.

"Do you know the source of the Lord of Calamity's astonishing knowledge?"

Princess Lisabet asked, her voice lowered to a whisper.

"He has told me, yes. As his research partner. Oh, but no. I really can't say. Or rather, it's something that wouldn't help even if I told you. For the record, only three people in this world know."

"My. You're bragging."

"That's not what this is about. In fact, he probably told me because he wanted to say that my... affection for him was a delusion. And just as he said, there is a strong element of calculation to it. A normal girl would probably be more captivated by sweeter feelings."

"That may be so. But we are royalty, and you, Princess, are also a sorcerer."

"That's true. Although, there is a girl who, despite being royalty, has completely abandoned such emotions."

"You mean Princess Alfina."

"Yes. When I look at her, it makes me feel like my own emotions are so political and calculated. Even though she's the one who is abnormal."

"And yet, Princess, you look so sad right now."

"What has gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"My apologies. It is just that the great Princess Maytyl is being so strangely adorable that I could not help but tease you."

With that, Princess Lisabet straightened her posture.

"As a member of the Empire, I am proud that you, Princess, stand shoulder to shoulder with such a hero. I imagine Ricardo-dono relies on you for that very reason, does he not?"

Her words came as another surprise, and I struggled to respond. Honestly, she was never like this in the past.

"...More importantly, about those figures for dealing with that business in your domain. You'll be in trouble in the future if you only make linear judgments."

"Linear judgments? In the future?"

"It's something I heard from Mia. Well, to explain it simply, let's say a debt's interest doubles every month. Starting with a single gold coin..."

I switched the topic to numbers as if to deflect. Telling her how difficult things would become for her was my own little way of getting back at her.