奇米四色777

“W… Well, no, I still want it.”

“Let’s talk about it first though. The main work of the organization that you’re part of is hunting down rare and dangerous evil beasts, right?”

“How…”

“It should be connected to the Zone of Evil that normally can’t be entered, and there are probably various types of people if it is so secretive that you can’t even tell me the name of it. Is that right?”

“Y—Yes!”

“That’s enough for me.”

Since Davey couldn’t input the data himself, he needed people who were at about the same skill level as Illyna. And various data would also be collected if it was against unusual and rare evil beasts. ‘It’s a chance to gather a large amount of data! I can’t miss it.’

-…Your head is filled with thoughts about nothing but the development of your territory…

The golem would be strengthened, and therefore, the territory’s defense would be enhanced. Davey’s position in the palace would then become more powerful and so would his right to speak. The chance that there would be forceful intervention even if he did whatever he wanted would decrease… This was only a golden opportunity to be able to gather various data about the gifted at once. And if the Last Wisp was what he thought it was, he needed ties to it.

“I will help you in the way I want. Doesn’t matter, right?” Davey asked.

* * *

“What a catch.” Davey couldn’t help but laugh.

-Davey, you know that Last Wisp is the name of a secret organization. If you get involved with them, there will inevitably be limitations…

“That’s why this is the better choice.” Davey stood up with confidence and answered while tweaking the magic circle that formed the Megatron.

-The better?

“Yeah. Unfortunately, this guy…”

Clang clang!! The golem’s metal plates rang loudly as if showing off their presence.

“He can’t come out into the world yet. Neither can the magic stone, the magic circle that forms it, nor the arrangement.”

A golem like the Megatron was completely different from the harvest of moon grass or a stigmata; it would be a weapon for war at the Master level if it were to be made exactly how it was reformed right now. There would be problems, big and small, regarding this unique enchanted golem like the Megatron in this continent if it were to be made… It wasn’t for no reason that nuclear weapons were a problem on Earth. A golem with amazing power, which could be used however one wanted and almost work forever if the exterior plates were maintained well, was that much more dangerous. Either Davey had to become powerful enough so that he would at least be fine even if someone interfered with him, or he had to have some foundation first.

“Should I go around in public to find people so that I can gather data? I can never do that, so I’m going to use them.”

Although most of the members of the Last Wisp, the organization Illyna was part of, were all over the debutante age, they were mostly still kids. However, their talent was no different from the kids Davey had seen at the Duchy of Felicity before; the Last Wisp didn’t discriminate between slaves and royalty if they had talent. And since there were a variety of people there, if Davey could collect data from them…

-The combat data should almost be complete.

What Davey wanted was not a complete set of data, but one that had variety. It was different from the situation at the Hall of Heroes, where the heroes who had lots of experience would create a temporary opponent to combat. Not only that…

“There’s at least a possibility that it might encounter a rare evil beast.”

And even if they were to be shocked by the existence of the Megatron, the organization would be the ones in trouble if they spoke about it without being careful.

‘Killing two birds with one stone. It’s the icing on the cake.’

Sigh… Davey, it might be good for you, but you are not considering your safety…

“Is there a problem?”

Perserque flinched at Davey’s question.

“Hm… Dada…”

Davey picked up Red Ribbon, who was reaching her arms toward him while rubbing her sleepy eyes, and lightly pinched her cheeks.

“Of course, you don’t.”

An unknown danger? Whatever it was, it was something that Davey had met at least once. This was unless they were talking about a transcendental summoned beast or a demonic beast.

* * *

Perhaps Illyna was actually bewildered by Davey saying yes so easily, or she felt empty in spirit, because she left the territory with all of her strength drained. She simply told Davey that she was going to leave in two weeks.

Depending on how one saw it, two weeks could be considered a short or long period of time. But it was long enough for someone as capable as Davey to get other things done in the meantime.

“Apparently, A was the first to hit. Then, the accident became much larger when B pulled out a weapon in the heat of the moment. It seems like the cause…was just a simple teasing…”

“A case of assault right now? Lock them both up. Next.”

“Two women have requested a verdict regarding one child… They are both stating that they are the child’s biological mother.”

“Tell them that we’ll split the child into two and give it to them. The person who gives up should be their biological mother. Next.”

“…Should I really tell them that?”

“Of course, I’m lying. Ask the Academy of Alchemy since they said to contact them if there was anything they could help with.”

“The Petroad Merchant Company has sent a gift. They say that they want to buy a large amount of undeveloped land…”

“Property speculation in times like this? Cut them out. Next.”

“It’s a report from Captain Monmider. He says that they have found a goblin village…”

“I selected a few royal guards yesterday and they’ve dealt with it, so pass. Next.”

Perhaps Davey making immediate decisions without taking his eyes off the papers in his hand was funny, because the girl who was preparing some tea in the corner let out a giggle.

“Ahem!!”

Of course, the girl lowered her head in surprise when Royal Attendant Bernile cleared his throat uncomfortably. The blue-haired girl wearing a maid uniform became flustered, realizing her insolence. She looked like an ordinary girl, but for some reason, she had a freshness similar to the mask-wearing girl Davey had seen in the forest.

‘Hm, this is the scent of an advanced elementalist!’

Even an elementalist’s scent of mana was different from other beings.

‘Maids nowadays even bond with high-level spirits; they are so talented. And they’re not even human.’

“I—I’m sorry, Your Highness!” The girl shouted.

“I haven’t trained her well. What are you all doing?! Get her out of here immediately!” Bernile shouted.

“No, people need to laugh once in a while. Don’t be so strict about this kind of thing,” Davey said.

“I’m sorry,” Bernile apologized to Davey.

Although the girl looked like she was quite flustered, to Davey, she was seemingly enjoying this situation. Her personality leaned towards a more laid-back vibe.

“It’s fine, Royal Attendant Bernile. Speaking of which, let’s get some snacks. You need to eat to do anything. Efficiency should increase once we get some sugar into our system. Find some places that sell desserts in the city.”

“Your wish is my command.”

The existing residents were adapting well, but it was pretty hectic right now because of the needless complaints and demands from the new residents. Davey was treating them quite well, but of course, haters would emerge as the population grew.

Davey immediately dealt with potential problems and managed the territory. Soon, the two weeks he had promised Illyna passed by quicker than he had expected.

* * *

Baron Gorneo was headed to the Lyndis Empire for business regarding the Coalition for Disease Control. The content of the message from him was very unexpected.

-It seems they were lucky. Apparently, there were assassins who attacked the carriage of the Lyndis Empire’s royalty.

“Hm…”

-The problem is that it was in the Ordem Territory. I don’t know what happened there, but it seems that the investigation sort of fell through. All the assassins were burnt without leaving a trace from the large thunderstorms that fell on the entire forest.

“An investigation…”

‘Sorry. I was the one who actually did that.’

Davey was expecting the person in the carriage to be royalty, but he didn’t expect them to be the royalty of the Lyndis Empire. It seemed like Baron Gorneo was saying that a big war could’ve happened. It was just a completely coincidental and unexpected gain.

-Actually, I came here to treat Princess Aeria El Lyndis, the youngest princess of the Lyndis Empire. And I will do my best to spread news about your accomplishments throughout the continent after the treatment.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

-No, your accomplishments must be recognized. Your Highness, you don’t know how significant your accomplishment was.

‘I’m telling you that all it’s going to incite is wariness and won’t be a gain at all…’

There was no good in forcing it since just keeping quiet for now would be more beneficial in the future. However, it didn’t seem that Gorneo was determined to let the world know about his accomplishments. As Gorneo held pride in medicine, he probably couldn’t budge about this.

When Davey sighed after ending his call with Gorneo, the silent window burst open. A blond girl familiarly busted in through the window and smiled playfully. She called out, “Davey!”

“…Royal guard!!”

“N—No!” Illyna, who was sitting on the window as usual, turned pale as Davey called for a guard without hesitation. Then, she hurried inside and covered Davey’s mouth like that was the only thing she thought to do. “What if a rumor spreads?! Are you trying to make me live alone forever?”

A rumor could definitely spread about this. Princess Illyna, the precious treasure of the Pallan Empire, was secretly coming to the office of Davey, the seigneur of the Heins Territory. An official visit wouldn’t matter, but a secret one was an entirely different situation. That alone was enough for the big mouths to talk and spread lies. Illyna’s actions were still a little reckless even if the rights of women weren’t too bad in this world.

“And yet, you still jump the fence in the light of day and come through the office window?” Davey asked Illyna.

“But I told you several times that I cannot openly come here.”

“What if I blabber out?”

“…”

“It would be a real shame, right?”

Grind.

‘It’s such a struggle to control your temper, right?’

It only took a short period of time for Davey to realize that Illyna had a nasty personality unlike the elegant and wise image that was known to the public. He even saw her lady-in-waiting try to stop her with a terrified expression almost reflexively whenever she would criticize something.

‘It was Lily. Or was it Linda?’

Davey felt horrified that the connection between talent and a nasty personality was being validated.

Two weeks after accepting her request, Illyna had persistently asked Davey if there was anything he needed. She seemingly thought that she was indebted to him. To be honest, Davey’s decision was more for himself than her, but she didn’t seem to care; she was just showing her gratitude for Davey granting her request.

“This is the last time I’m asking. You can decline, even right now.” Illyna told Davey.

“Let’s check one thing beforehand.” When Illyna looked puzzled at his statement, Davey continued, “That secret knight order. The fact that it’s not known to the public means that it can conceal information very well; is it possible for you to just take anyone you want to the test?”

Illyna pulled out a small artifact and slowly nodded. “That won’t be a problem. I’m thinking of using the chance I have.”

“Chance?” Davey asked.

Illyna simply nodded.