Chapter : 95
“That… feels a bit… like slave mentality… I told you not to feel indebted…”
“It’s not out of indebtedness. I genuinely feel this way. Of course, I can’t deny the gratitude I have for you saving my siblings as well.”
“Hmm…”
I crossed my arms and thought for a moment, then glanced up at him.
“You know, it’s not exactly me being vain… but my dad told me to make sure I confirm this…”
“Yes?”
“Do you… like me…?”
The moment I asked, Reno coughed loudly.
“Th-That… what do you mean…?”
“My dad said that if you sense excessive affection from someone your age, you should ask them right then and there!”
“……”
“So I’m totally off-base, right? But if by any chance that feeling is mutual, I’m sorry. I couldn’t possibly return it!”
Reno wiped his face with both hands before replying.
“…It’s nothing like that, so you can rest assured.”
“Ah, I thought so! Honestly, I know it’s a bit of an overthinking on my part. It’s natural for humans to feel some affection for one another, right? Seeing everything as romantic is weird, isn’t it? My dad’s just overly cautious.”
“……”
“Hehe, anyway, got it! Even if it’s not helping me directly, the work itself is fun, isn’t it?”
“Of course.”
“Then that’s settled!”
From his perspective, it was like receiving an unexpected first confession out of nowhere, so I did feel a bit guilty.
Still, it’s better to be clear about these things.
I had long given up on romantic elements in this world, but you never know.
Objectively, I was not very perceptive when it came to romance.
Even in my previous life, when reading web novels, whenever a side couple’s love line was confirmed, I’d always be like, “Wait, they were flirting all this time?”—constantly surprised.
So instead of living a life oblivious to flirting everywhere, an active life where I check whether my assumptions are right or wrong seemed better.
That’s why I just went along with my dad’s odd insistence.
While nodding to myself proudly, Reno murmured quietly.
“I think a lot of men will end up crying because of Kalmia-sama in the future…”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing. I just think Silvan-sama really cherishes Kalmia-sama.”
“Exactly! My dad is the best!”
Belcon, who had come out, sighed.
“Kalmia-sama, every time you come here, there’s an 83% chance you brag about Silvan-sama. I don’t think you’ll ever graduate from your father.”
“Hmm… that’s not so bad, is it?”
If I don’t get married, I’d just grow old by my dad’s side anyway.
I concluded brightly, and Belcon shook his head.
“…Anyway, the prototype you requested is this way.”
“Thanks! As expected, Belcon is amazing!”
This time, the item I requested was an improved warp scroll.
The technology was used during Black Swan, but the previous versions had limitations for practical use.
They could only operate during specific time periods when mana was concentrated, and only through Black Swan.
Over the past five years, Belcon and I worked on upgrading this warp scroll to the level of the original technique.
Through continuous research, about two years ago we succeeded in removing the time limitation, and this prototype added the ability to designate the destination personally.
However, the possible warp destinations were still limited.
Only places where mana was concentrated, near warp gates, were feasible.
“There’s still much to improve, so I feel embarrassed…”
“Even this alone has limitless potential. It drastically cuts travel time compared to using carriages.”
“Economically, it’s still less efficient than carriages.”
“The warp scroll’s main users will likely be nobles or newly wealthy, so it’s okay to view it as a luxury item rather than an economical one.”
Like first-class airline seats, essentially.
“And as I mentioned, this scroll can transport only one living being. Since it forcibly draws nearby golden mana to activate, no one else can use a scroll in that location for about an hour after activation.”
“That’s actually the biggest limitation… most travels involve multiple people.”
“Yes. We are working on improvements, but I apologize for the current shortcomings.”
“No! Just improving it this far is already amazing. And I asked for this prototype because it’s useful.”
“Useful? Since your group travels together, you won’t be able to use it for your trip to Deldomosance anyway.”
“I think it’ll be incredibly useful as a self-defense tool.”
Even if kidnapped, if I have the scroll and my hands are free, I could immediately tear it open and escape to a warp gate.
‘If the scroll’s mechanism becomes known, escaping against high-level dark mages would be difficult. But for now, it can catch them off guard, so it’s really useful.’
Belcon’s eyes widened when he heard my explanation.
“…You requested it to use as self-defense?”
“Yes. Even though I’m a dark mage, having multiple safety measures is better.”
“Please wait.”
Belcon turned around with a serious expression.
“I will give you 20 more.”
“That’s—”
But he didn’t wait for my response and went back inside.
While I was dumbfounded, Reno added.
“Understand. He’s just very worried about and cares for Kalmia-sama.”
This relationship began just for convenience, but receiving such excessive care made me feel both guilty and tickled.
“…Hahaha. Thanks.”
I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly.
Eventually, I returned home, carrying not only the warp scroll but various inventions from Belcon.
Whether impressed by my self-defense reasoning or wanting to help further, he was enthusiastic about developing more useful items.
‘I don’t know what sparked his excitement, but as long as he enjoys it…’
Geniuses are naturally hard to understand.
Back at the Blackstone Manor, I opened the envelope Reno gave me.
Lila had compiled and delivered the key information through him.
As always, she summarized everything in a clear and concise way.
‘No issues with the current situation for now… hmm?’
As I read through, one item regarding the local nobility caught my eye.
I rubbed my eyes and read it again to be sure—it was correct.
‘…They proposed an engagement from Deldomosance to Harreloren?’
While the specific person hadn’t been fully identified yet, I could guess who it was.
Nem was the only eligible heir of the right age, so it was most likely her fiancé.
It was already certain Nem would become the chief of the family, making this effectively a proposal for a son-in-law.
Proposing such a thing to the heir is akin to slapping a glove across the face.
‘I hope Deldomosance didn’t make a proposal to a branch family… but this feels ominous.’
I leapt up, hoping it wasn’t the case.
“Sasha, Sasha!”
The first person I sought out was Sasha.
“What is it, Kalmia-sama?”
He was sitting on the terrace, sipping tea, tilting his head, violet eyes blinking.
His soft lavender hair reflected the light beautifully.
Even after five years, his height and slender figure had grown, but he still looked like the idealized handsome boy.
But I didn’t buy appearances.
“Don’t you want to crush Deldomosance into hell if you hate them enough? If anything happened recently, consult with me first.”
“A timid person who loves peace like me—how could I think such thoughts…”
“……”
“……”
“……Alright, so nothing serious happened?”
I exhaled in relief.
Deldomosance hadn’t tampered with the forbidden weapon.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well…”
I relayed the rumor that Deldomosance had proposed an engagement to Harreloren.
“Hmm. It could be a branch family, but… it’s strange to specifically say ‘Harreloren’.”
“Just a rumor, right?”
“Even though Loton claims to be a prestigious family, if Deldomosance joins the ranks of fools, it wouldn’t be surprising.”
“……”
I felt a sense of foreboding.
“I’ll have to check with the others too!”
