Vol 2: Chapter 30
There was a heavy silence.
The sound of rain clashing against the window echoed.
However, it cannot be dragged out any longer.
「…Does the young lady know this?」
The Earl slowly shook his head from side to side.
She doesn’t know, huh… I think that is for the better, too. Even if she were to know, it would just instill meaningless guilt.
「What is the young lady’s condition right now?」
「My relative was exposed to the magic eye when it activated. There seems to have been disagreement on the color of the dress, so I heard that she hit the chief maid who was beside her.」
「Is the chief maid alright?」
「Of course. The chief maid is well-versed in self-defense. As for Eva, due to the sudden change in behaviour of my relative and running out of mana, she has fallen into a deep sleep.」
I was relieved. Even with the worst situation occurring, we seem to have gotten out with one of the better outcomes.
「Then, how do we help the young lady?」
「The caster said that the seal would eventually break one day, and she should learn to control her mana by then. However, there are very few people who are well-versed in seals. You can’t find them in a day or two.」The Earl then placed a small leather bag on the table. I was very much familiar with the thick, spherical form.「I was going to give this at the awarding ceremony.」
What came out from inside the bag was a skill orb that shone a blue light – a light that mysteriously felt warm. The light illuminated the room brightly because the outdoors were dim due to rain.
【Mana Control ★★★★】floated in the center of the skill orb.
「Once Eva gets used to controlling her mana, she can drop to a lower star【Mana Control】, until she doesn’t need it anymore. Or, at the very least, a one star【Mana Control】is all she needs to control her mana.」
I see. The Earl had a proper countermeasure. If a skill orb can solve this problem, the Earl’s financial strength should be able to do it. Although, I think a four-star【Mana Control】is still quite rare.
「…If the awarding ceremony was held the day after the ‘Sprout and New Moon Banquet’, we wouldn’t have had to worry about the seal.」
If so, it’s… my fault.
「Reiji-san, you saved Prince Kluvshrat’s life. No one blames you. And there were no particular injuries today.」
「However…」
「If it still bothers you, then I have a request.」
The Earl smiled — Wow, what a nice smile! I’m sure it is all due to my guidance.
「I am not allowed to give the skill orb before the awarding ceremony. But since Eva cannot be left as she is, I will use a magic tool that draws out her mana to the limit.」
The Earl placed a silver bracelet studded with five green jewels on the table.
「Is this the magic tool?」
「Yes. It absorbs mana, and when mana is absorbed, the green jewels turn blue. Since it has a considerable amount of mana capacity, it will be able to absorb and store mana until the day after tomorrow… but the problem is Eva herself. If her mana is too low, it will put a strain on the body.」
「Ah, right…」
I also have the experience of fainting due to lack of mana, so I understand it well.
「It is going to take a toll on her body, especially in these times of tension. So, I want you to be with her, Reiji-san.」
「That doesn’t even have to be said.」
When I replied immediately, the Earl shook his head.
「Eva relies on you more than you think.」
I wonder if that’s true? Well, I guess I’m happy and embarrassed at the same time.
「Okay, then I shall go visit the young lady.」
「Thank you.」
When I stood up and was about to leave the room, I remembered something.
「Oh, right. Wasn’t there two things you wanted to discuss, Earl?」
「Oh–yes, I forgot.」the Earl said, in a disinterested tone.
「Regarding the skill orb to be given to Prince Kluvshrat, apparently there is a strong possibility of it being 7 or more stars.」
「Hou…」
Seven!?
「Hmm? Is it the information you’ve been wanting to know so much, Reiji-san?」
「N-No. It’s just that I’ve never heard of 7-star before.」
「I haven’t, either. But, this isn’t the skill orb you’re looking for, correct?」
「That is— yes, that’s right.」
「Reiji-san, you seem to already have an idea of the skill orb you wish to know information about, so I don’t think you are actually interested in a skill orb with 7 or more stars.」
How scary! The Earl has already discerned that far.
「No, no, I am interested.」
「Even a skill orb with 7 or more stars?」
「Even with 7 or more stars!」
If you are so inclined, it can even be 9 or more.
「Is that so? I understand. Please take care of Eva.」
「Okay.」
I bowed and left the Earl’s room, and headed for the young lady’s bedroom.
According to the doctor of House Sillys, the young lady is sleeping soundly, so I got permission to enter the room, and stood by her bedside.
Although it was daytime, it was dark outside, and still raining. The room was gently lit by a small magic lamp at the bedside.
I brought out a small chair and sat down next to the bed. Normally, it would not be okay for me, as an escort, to come to her bedroom, but it seems that the Earl had given permission, and two maids were in standby at the corner of the room. I faced the sleeping young lady.
(…I didn’t think I would learn about the young lady’s mother in this way.)
If the young lady learns about it, I’m sure she would be terribly hurt. She might even think that her magic eyes killed her own mother – even though it wasn’t her fault.
(If I can help the young lady by staying close, I’ll be happy to help her. Of course, I have to look for Lark and Lulusha, but I can stay with her if it’s at least until the young lady gets used to【Mana Control】. I might even be able to give her some advice by using【World Ruler】.)
In my hand was a magic tool given by the Earl — a bracelet that looked like an accessory. Looking through【World Ruler】, I saw many magic symbols engraved on the surface that come into contact with the hand.
To me, the magic engravings looked like a chain that tied up the young lady.
(…The Earl didn’t disclose such a personal story because he trusts me, but because he’s trying to garner sympathy. The Earl is that kind of a man, after all.)
Of course, if he read my mind, he would say, “I am disclosing all this because I trust Reiji-san. It is most regrettable that you would think that way,” without batting an eye.
