kscans

Chapter 183 - The Lord and I, 7. Bone and Silence (Part 2)

"...If I remember correctly... when you channel a different element of magic into a magic tool, its effect is reduced. Conversely, that means you can still get some effect even if the element is different."

It was Nagara who interjected, his voice sounding a little tired. ...He felt like he was starting to understand this boy. Just a little.

"If you channel magic with no element—"

Just as Yuri started to say that,

"Huh? Don't say stupid things. No one can handle Non-Elemental Magic power. Even I know that."

He was cut off by a sullen-looking Kudol. ...Perhaps he had sensed something unsettling he did not want to hear. In any case, thanks to Kudol’s advice, Yuri gathered that it would be best to keep quiet about non-elemental magic.

"...Well, with as much magic power as you have, Yuri-kun, it probably doesn't matter if the element is different."

"No, it’s just a matter of choosing a bone tool with the same element as your own, right?"

"The problem is whether there are enough materials, that is, bones, for that... Yuri?"

"Ah, yes. That’s fine. I have a full set of elements."

Yuri casually revealed information that could only be confirmed by either possessing all elements of magic or having an Appraisal-type skill. And the group responded with a sigh of resignation.

"...We’ll save the lecture for later... Yuri, how did you make this?"

"Ah, yes. I..."

He activated Forging and Alchemy at the same time—he was about to say, but then he hesitated. Was this information he should be revealing? He hadn't had either skill when he went to Laurenzen last year, Alchemy had been at the apprentice level, so to have acquired them both in a year would surely be suspicious...

"...Ah, don’t worry about the Forging and Alchemy. You probably picked up some weird self-taught version anyway... In your case, Yuri, it’s too late to worry about that now."

"That’s right, Yuri-kun."

"So, did you make it with Forging or Alchemy?"

Encouraged by their lukewarm words of encouragement,

"Um... I feel like I was using them at the same time. ...Or rather, I found myself using them before I knew it."

As expected, Yuri's calm and far-from-ordinary confession was met with a deep sigh from the group.

"...Ah, but I feel like a skilled craftsman could probably make it with just one or the other."

That was a highly doubtful opinion.

"...Are you saying other magicians could make them too?"

"If they prepared similar bones as materials, it should be fine, I think."

"...Fresh magical beast bones?"

"The search for materials alone is already suspicious..."

"It’s not impossible if you accompany a subjugation party, I suppose..."

"A skilled production-class alchemist accompanying a subjugation party?"

"Or you’d have to bring out a ridiculously expensive Magic Bag."

As the group looked on dejectedly, Old Man Audel stepped in to wrap things up.

"...It would be best not to make this public just yet. For now, how about we give some to the ‘Lucky Footsteps’ and Nagara-kun to act as monitors, and leave the rest with Adon?"

"...Yes. In that case, um... for you, Audel-san, and Dona?"

"I appreciate your kindness, Yuri-kun, but the villagers will take notice and cause a fuss. We will be fine later."

"Ah, yes. Then, I'll do that."

Just as the matter seemed settled, Katra, the magician, let out a sigh.

"I guess... it was because he was living all alone as a recluse, with no knowledge of common sense or the basics."

"However, if you consider that it’s thanks to that that we were able to obtain stone tools and bone tools... perhaps it can’t be said to be entirely a bad thing."

They needed to keep a constant eye on Yuri's actions in order to protect him from trouble. The group renewed their resolve to do so.