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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 69 – The Last Night of Ist, As Seen from the Train Window
In the capital, a princess and the daughter of a large merchant company were shopping together in the castle town.
It was after dinner, and they were about to return home.
“Thank you, Olivia-sama, for introducing me to so many wonderful shops…”
She was wearing a knee-length white dress and a gray cardigan that was just a little longer than that. Around her neck was a necklace with a large black pearl and a lace stole. The colors were plain, almost monochrome, but the person wearing it had too many flowers, so it was probably just right.
“No, no, but I’m glad Krone-san likes it too.”
Today, with Olivia’s kind assistance, they visited a number of stores. They mainly visited clothing and accessory stores and picked up a few things they liked.
“I was always jealous of Olivia-sama’s clothes, so I was really happy today.”
Today, Olivia wore a tight, dark blue dress with exposed shoulders. Over it, she had a large pale pink shawl draped over her shoulders to keep her shoulders and chest from being too revealing.
“Ara, ara… You really know how to make people happy, don’t you, Krone-san?”
“No, that’s not true. I thought it came across so easily because it was true.”
Just where the two of them are walking, it feels like several spotlights are shining on them.
The two of them walked together with such a strong presence and spread their good looks that were noticed not only by the men, but also by the women as well.
They put their feet forward to walk. Even such a common action was refined, and the place where they walked felt like another world.
They walked back to the castle, enjoying their conversation.
Of course, there was no way they would not be escorted. A female knight of the royal guard walked behind them.
“Speaking of which, is it time for Ain to board the train?”
Krone mentioned Ain.
They haven’t seen each other in almost two weeks. Was he eating properly? Was he injured? Did he catch a cold? …She worried about Ain as if she were a parent.
“Well… I think so. It’s time for them to leave.”
“I have heard that Ain has made many new discoveries on this journey. I am very pleased to hear that.”
For the time being, the report was about the clues about the Red Fox and the precious user of healing magic… Varra.
In view of the considerable results, Krone heard that a reward for Ain was also being considered.
“I haven’t heard the details yet, but I hear there’s one thing that could be troublesome.”
Olivia had not received any further information about Viscount Sage’s case. She had only been told that it was a bit of a hassle.
“My goodness… He really is a child who can’t stay still.”
“Fufu… Yes, that’s right.”
Did Ain ever go somewhere and come back without any problems? If this question was to be asked, the answer would be a resounding “No”. He never came back without problems.
Olivia, his mother, agreed with a smile on her face.
Both of them were wearing the Star Crystal that Ain had given them. Olivia wore it on her chest, and Krone wore it on her arm.
“Speaking of which, Krone-san, you really like that necklace, don’t you?”
“Y-yes. I really like it.”
Krone often wore that necklace. She liked to wear it even though her friends and her grandfather Graff said it’s too simple.
“I like that it looks like I’m wearing a collar. I can’t tell anyone about it…”
“Krone-san, did you just say something?”
Olivia, walking beside her, recognized Krone’s voice. But this time, Krone was able to answer calmly.
“Yes. I was just praying for Ain’s safe return.”
“Fufu… I’m sure he’ll show his good health in the morning.”
A rarity of the Ishtalika royal family, the Crown Prince looked better in black than in white.
A girl’s heart wanted to show that she belonged to him by wearing his color on her neck, even if it was cheap. Such thoughts existed quietly in Krone’s mind.
＊＊＊
“I feel bad about parting with you… but I am happy that I got to meet you. Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“It is my pleasure. Thank you for all your help. Thanks to Professor Oz, we will be able to make more progress in our research.”
After a two-week stay, Ain and Chris were finally on their way back to the royal capital. Ain was tempted to take a Wyvern flight but decided against it. Ain’s presence would have frightened the monsters. So he had to give up the idea, but he spent the rest of the day in a meaningful way, buying some magic tools as souvenirs for Olivia.
In the end, Dill never came back. The reason was that Varra’s sister, Mei, had become attached to Dill, making it difficult for him to part with her. Dill had planned to return soon for his main job (escorting Ain), but he never made it back to the Magic City of Ist, partly because of the words of Warren and the others.
“If you need anything at all, please contact me at any time. If there is anything I can do, I would be happy to help.”
The time was approaching 7:00 p.m., when the temperature was already low enough to make your breath visible. And the place was a train station in the center of Ist.
Oz had stepped in to see Ain off just because it was a good opportunity. Ain can’t help but be grateful to Oz, who took the trouble to say goodbye to him after having taken care of him so well.
“I really appreciate everything you did for me.”
Ain lowered his head with a shy look on his face. Seeing Ain like that, Oz also had a soft expression on his face.
“…I actually have a souvenir for Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
He took out a box from his bag. The whole box was decorated with golden engravings, and Ain wondered what this was all about. What in the world was this?
“Christina-sama. Please take it with you with care.”
“Excuse me, Professor Oz. What exactly is this?”
It was natural that Chris would be curious about it when she received it, but more than that, she checked the contents for the purpose of safety and security.
“It’s a magic stone I finally got my hands on. It belongs to the ‘monster’ that Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been researching. I also checked the ‘contents.’ It arrived this morning, and since I was able to finish examining its contents, I thought I would give it to you.”
Oz emphasized the word “this morning” and said that he had finished examining it today. The more clues, the better. And this Red Fox magic stone, if Ain asked Katima and Majolica to help him, there might be some new discoveries.
“It should be quite valuable… but I never thought you would find it.”
“Consider yourself lucky. Even luck is on the side of Your Highness the Crown Prince. I could not help but think so… Anyway, I am glad that it was found. Please take it with you.”
“I think it’s quite an expensive item…”
The value of a magic stone skyrockets when it becomes a rare monster. Even if it had no use, it was still one of the most treasured possessions of magic stone collectors and nobles. So this Red Fox’s magic stone must be worth a lot of money, Ain guessed.
“I got it from an old friend, so it’s actually quite cheap, so don’t worry about it. So please take it with you.”
Oz smiled. For Ain, it was a great thing to have, so he decided to accept the magic stone. The magic stone of the Red Fox, which he thought was precious, was something that Ain didn’t want to keep back too much.
“Thank you. I will certainly return the favor from the royal family.”
“No, no, really, don’t worry about it. If I ever go to the royal capital, it would be enough if I could meet with Your Highness the Crown Prince again.”
How humble was Oz? Ain was even more overwhelmed by his words, which forced him to think so. If he ever came to the royal capital, he would definitely meet him, he decided.
“Yes, of course. I would love to have dinner with you…”
“That would be great! For me, that would be the best reward of all.”
After that, they spent some time together until their departure, making small talk, talking about Majolica, and so on.
——Finally, it was time for the direct train from Ist to the royal capital to depart.
“So, Professor Oz. Thank you for your help.”
“Please take care on your way home, Your Royal Highness. I look forward to seeing you again.”
Chris received the magic stone. She also bowed her head next to Ain. After that, Chris led the way to the car for the nobles that Ain had rented.
Oz stared at the car Ain got into without looking away until the water train left. He kept his eyes on the car until it pulled away, and the train was out of sight.
When it was out of sight, he exhaled lightly and left the platform.
“…It was a coincidence that I didn’t let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince touch the magic stone of such a vixen.”
The reason he let Chris receive the magic stone was not because of any security issue. It was simply because he didn’t want Ain to carry it.
“Today is a good day. Yes, let’s take the opportunity to open a bottle of my favorite drink. I’ll drink it with my beloved father… It’s going to be a great night.”
It was a shame that he had to part ways with Ain. But he had made an appointment to meet again, and he would probably continue to rely on Oz in the future. It was only natural that he felt better when he thought about it.
The fact that he was able to get rid of the magic stone, which he had been wondering what to do with, also put him in a better mood.
——And that evening. There was a small but joyous party in his laboratory.
＊＊＊
“Just to be on the safe side, I’ll secure it a bit more.”
Shortly after leaving Ist. The streets of Ist were still visible from a distance.
Chris kept the Red Fox magic stone that Oz had given to Ain even more secure, just in case.
“Thanks. I’ll have to make sure nothing happens.”
Even if the wife could control it, there’s no guarantee that the husband wouldn’t go completely crazy. The situation was completely different from the last time he saw the wooden doll. Anyway, what he got this time was a part of the enemy’s body…
“I’d better give it to Katima-san to take care of when we get to the castle.”
“Yes, that’s right. But just to be on the safe side, I thought it would be best to contact the Majolica Magic Stone Store as well.”
Ain nodded his head honestly. It’s only a magic stone… but it was also more than just a magic stone. Anyway, there was no guarantee that there would not be dramatic developments like Dullahan, Elder Lich, and the Demon King’s magic stone.
If it’s just a nice drama, that’s fine, but if it’s a drama like the Red Foxes, where they’re just playing for fun, then it’s better to avoid it.
“Then should we stop by Majolica-san’s place first after we arrive in the royal capital in the morning?”
“Um… No, I’ll send a knight of the royal guard to contact him tomorrow when the time is right.”
“Hmm. Okay.”
As they talked… the thought of finally returning to the royal capital came to mind. But Ain also enjoyed his days in the Magic City of Ist. But when he thought about it, he felt a little sad to leave it behind.
(“Huh? …It was fun though. But I guess I was just with Chris-san most of the time.”)
Katima took Dill with her, so Ain was forced to work with Chris alone. The second half of the trip was mostly sightseeing, and he was alone with Chris, who acted as if she were just a private companion.
From a third person’s point of view, it would have looked like a date.
It was a little embarrassing to realize that, but… it was nothing new.
“Well. This is all over now, Ain-sama… Huh? What’s wrong? Holding your head like that?”
“Nothing, I just realized how young I am…”
“I see… it’s hard for you, isn’t it, since you’re the crown prince…?”
It was a misunderstanding in the wrong direction, but that’s okay. The story was passed on without special mention.
“Come to think of it, I’m surprised at Majolica-san’s situation.”
“I was also surprised because it was the first time I heard about it.”
The story of Majolica was a story from Oz’s past. The fact that Majolica was a professor emeritus at the Ist Great Magic Academy… Majolica was a person who was nothing but suspicious from the outside; how could such a person be appointed professor emeritus?
“The base of the stone and the case for sealing it. The basis of this technology was the result of Majolica-san’s research alone.”
Strictly speaking, both technologies have been around for a long time. However, Majolica has made it much cheaper, simpler, and more efficient. And, it is said, the efficiency had been improved.
And the fact that he did this research all by himself was nothing short of amazing.
“I knew he was an excellent person, but I didn’t expect him to be this good.”
In fact, he was able to make a considerable amount of money from this development. But it heard that all that money was donated to fund new research at the Ist Great Magic Academy.
The capacity of what he was doing was so great that it confirmed to Ain that you can’t judge a person by their appearance.
“He became professor emeritus in recognition of his achievements.”
“People are not always what they seem… I misspoke.”
Chris also said something like that, and the Majolica case is all about the unexpected.
Besides, he’ll remember this slip of the tongue. Ain thought he would have the opportunity to use it someday and memorized it in his head.
Earlier, Ain himself had thought the same. But, of course, he would put it aside.
“Well, but you know what? Back to the topic, thanks to Professor Oz, we got some clues, didn’t we?”
“Yes, that’s right. Next up… We will investigate the adventurer city of Baltic and the port city of Magna.”
They picked a few areas from the clues they received, but these two cities would be the first.
Both were among the larger cities in Ishtalika, and it was thought that it would be more efficient than going from one small place to another.
“What kind of city is Baltic?”
“Adventurers, merchants, and people who want to make a fortune and seek a thrill. It’s a city where those kinds of people gather. There are also many monsters nearby, so the materials for them are plentiful, and so it is also a sacred place for blacksmiths.”
“Hmm… a sacred place for blacksmiths. I’m a little curious to hear that.”
Ain currently did not have a proper weapon. The black dagger was extinguished by the Sea Dragon.
Therefore, it was even more interesting to hear that it was a sacred place for blacksmiths.
“However, there are many dangerous places near the Baltic Sea, so you must be careful. …For example, there are roads that lead to dangerous places like the old Demon King’s territory.”
The old Demon King’s territory. In other words, the area where the Demon King Arche ruled at the time of her existence. It was now a restricted and controlled area where anyone who entered without the government’s permission would be punished.
“Chris-san, have you ever been to the old Demon King’s territory?”
“Yes, I have. Well… if you want, we can talk about it. It would be a good opportunity for me to explain what kind of place it is based on my experience.”
“That would be great. …Then let’s both go ahead and change first. Let’s talk about it after we’re both dressed comfortably.”
“Oh… that’s right. Then I will go and change as well.”
As she left, Chris said, “I’ll get you something to drink when I get back.” Ain just replied, “Okay.”
The wide windows of the car provide the best view of the star-filled night sky, and the large, well lit windows inside the car provided the best view of the stars.
There were no big lights in the car, just a few small ones. But thanks to these small lights, the atmosphere inside the car was even more charming.
Ain inherited Olivia’s kind face and attractive features.
Chris has good looks that even her own gender would admire, and she boasts of her style and beautiful blonde hair.
Everyone was convinced that the room would suit them both.