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13





On the fifth day of the talk, they discussed about poison.

According to Shira, poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin, dissecting them into three categories, pure poison, dangerous poison that can be used as strong medicine, and poison that should be recognized as medicine instead, she'd then spell out which poisons were those exactly and their rules of use.

"Unlike medicine, it's difficult to do a trial on poison, see. So I'm not going to prattle on theoretical stuff and the likes, instead I'll give you concrete examples, which poison at what dosage for what symptoms that satisfy certain conditions, and what to expect from it. Listen well now, make sure you do not mix up the names and the dosage."

That day, Amamir learned many ways to use all kinds of poisons he initially found unthinkable. The revelation overturned all common sense to him. Shira even mentioned poison that could ease your pain in exchange for your life expectancy, which was a knowledge that could result in a huge chaos.

The topic on the sixth day was a comparison on the ways natural healing, medicine, <Recovery> and Red Potions work, as well as the mechanisms of disease and wound healing.

On the seventh day, they discussed about the changes in human body functions as it grows older. When they first heard about how mother's milk is produced and its virtues, Amamir and Kotojia gestured the holy mark to offer their gratitudes to gods. Other apothecaries were on the verge of tears as well. This particular talk had quite an impact to them.

On the eighth day, they discussed about general outlooks on the strength to live and let live. No one else besides Shira and Skalabel could get in the discussion. Amamir frantically tried to etch the exchange he himself couldn't quite grasp into his mind.

Enumerating all the topics so far, the first day was about life, the second day was about the relation between organic and inorganic life, the third day was about eating, diseases and mechanisms of the body, the fourth day was about medicinal plants, the fifth day was about poison in medicine, the sixth day was about healing, the seventh day was about growth and old age, the eighth day was about general outlooks on the secrets of medicine, as well as multi-layered knowledge on everything related to life and medicne.

Every single one of those is a topic Amamir is deeply entrenched in, yet he found himself utterly overwhelmed by the unforeseen ways and directions those medicine, poison and food he was familiar with could be utilized, put together in a deep and vast systematic compendium.  At the same time, Amamir was convinced that this talk between Skalabel and Shira would mark the beginning of a new era for apothecaries and medical practitioners.

On the ninth day, Shira would answer any questions anyone asked her.

Skalabel turned over this chance to the younger generation, relegating himself to listening to them piece by piece.

The one with the most questions thrown that day was the young apothecary, Cawin.

The runner-up was Norma.

The third one was Kotojia with Amamir on the fourth.

Lecan and Eda didn't have any question.

On the fourth and ninth day, everyone was supposed to have dinner together at the town lord's mansion dining hall. However, Shira and Eda were absent, and the priests and the apothecaries were relatively quiet, seemingly not wanting to tire out Skalabel.

Skalabel had Eda cast <Purification> on him every night.

Every morning, Norma would examine Skalabel, confirming his progress.

And thus the nine day stay came to an end, on the 17th of month 9, the Herb Saint Entourage would depart for the capital.

Records from this talk, centered around Shira and Skalabel's words, would be compiled by Amamir, under supervision of Skalabel himself, which he then submitted to the king under the name [Medical God Dialogue] three years later. Respecting Skalabel's wish, the king commissioned a huge amount of copies of the transcript which then got spread to every temples and territories. Then people started to transcribe the book themselves before it spread out into many countries like a wildfire. Eventually it was recognized as a sacred book to all apothecaries, medical practitioners and researchers of human life, and the name of its compiler, priest Amamir Tarance, was immortalized for eternity.

Here's what written in the preface by Amamir.



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Sometimes, I wonder if that was all naught a dream even to this day.

That blissful, insightful fleeting moments of learning would visit me in my dreams at times. Upon waking up, my mind would tell me that cannot have been of this world. That's how much abundantly fun, and mystically shocking those nine days were.

Guide Skalabel has forbidden us to leave the name of that luminary for posterity's sake. I have finally understood his sentiment now.

That luminary is an existence that could not be expressed by mere names. There is no name that could befit that luminary. Thus I shall henceforth refer to them as <Medical God> in this book.

Whether that is appropriate or not is up for a debate between Elex temple, Ceres Temple, Raikos Temple, and the rest of the temples, but allow me to indulge myself just this once, in spite of arguments against.

However, this nomination is by no means meant to put a living being on a pedestal as god, nor is it meant to desecrate the sacredness of gods unto this mortal realm.

That is because that luminary has disappeared forever from this world, vanishing without a trace once they were done with their work in this transient world after we informed them of our return to the capital. The Great Gods had sent that luminary to show us apothecaries dreams spanning over a few days in order to save those suffering from diseases and injuries. As such, I would like you to understand that this <Medical God> title refers not to that luminary in flesh themselves, but to the compassion and wisdom the Great Gods showed us through that luminary.

This book is a record of discussions between Guide Skalabel and his teacher done at the guest house of Vouka town lord's mansion from the 8th to the 16th Month 9 of Zaka Kingdom Year 116. All remarks not spoken by either of those two will not have the speaker's names marked. This book has been compiled by me, Amamir with apothecary Shizam and apothecary Mashram's cooperation, under supervision of Guide Skalabel.

The names of those present during this talk and those who accompanied the entourage are credited at the end of this book. They shall be living witnesses for the reality of this mystical talk taking place.

But whether this talk was but a dream nor a reality affects not this book's worth in the slightest. Likening this book to that of a well of deep knowledge shall be made obvious the more it is read.

I hold no doubt that this unending source of overflowing water shall enrich and save all the people in this world.

I pray these bejeweled words in this book remain undistorted, unsoiled, uncorrupted. I pray for people of this world to enduringly tackle on the secrets written in this book, to shed light on all the graces hidden and bring them unto this world, to save all the people in this world leaving nary any behind, for lights of gods to fill this world.

O future apothecaries, medical practitioners and researchers of life, rejoice.

In the name of great god Elex. Yale.

Month 9 of Zaka Kingdom Year 119 - First Class Priest of Elex Temple Amamir Tarance.

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 12





They dispersed early after dinner the night that day.

Amamir who was left at the town lord's mansion was visited by the officials who asked him about the talk in detail.

Amamir explained how Skalabel got strikingly better thanks to <Purification> from Shira's side, and how this must be kept secret until the last day.

He also emphasized how the talk between Shira and Skalabel covered so many ground-breaking matters that would advance knowledge about medicinal plants by leaps and bounds, that they're not something that should be carelessly publicized without Skalabel's supervision.

The stuff about medicinal plants were whatever to the officials. What they're worried about is one, whether Skalabel would return to the capital safely, two, whether Skalabel had plans to go somewhere else besides the capital.

In short, they're worried about Skalabel's well being most of all. And if he has any intention of making another journey like this one.

It'd be bad if by any chance he ended up wanting to revisit Vouka, or worst of all, wishing to stay for long.

No telling just where and what kind of ripple effects that would produce. It would greatly shake the populace at the capital and require additional fundings.

That said, the Prime Minister Office won't abandon Skalabel nor will they try to force him do something he's unwilling to. The king trusts him greatly, he's very popular amongst the capital's populace and on top of that, he's relatively cooperative with Prime Minister Office, he's a politically useful figure to have around.
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As Amamir himself also came from a noble background, he understood where these officials' worries lay, thus he touched upon topics that would assuage them.

Guide Skalabel never mentioned anything about wanting to go here again, neither did Shira's side showed any sign of wanting that. On the contrary, despite welcoming this visitation, Shira's side looked a bit bewildered about it and likely even found it bothersome.

And distilling Skalabel's intentions, it's pretty much definite that he wishes to bring back the knowledge he gained here to the capital to further help rearing new budding apothecaries there, the capital is where Skalabel will be active at.

After explaining that far, Amamir also talked about how Skalabel has plans to spread books authored by a scholar by name of Sasfrey in the world, hinting that the project can't be done if it's not at the capital.

He then hinted on the schedule for this trip.

One or more two extra days pose no big problem, and the arrangement made with the prime minister even accounted for four extra days if it would come to it. With Skalabel currently being extremely motivated, now is exactly the most crucial time. These officials would live up to their reputations if they could aid him well here, and Amamir himself would personally report their performance to the prime minister.

Due to his position at Elex Temple and lineage, Amamir is someone these officials look up even higher than Skalabel.

By making use of that fact, Amamir managed to secure Skalabel's freedom as well as the officials' peace of mind, bringing him in this trip was truly the correct choice.

Lecan got to hear all this from Amamir while they were eating together. Once he was aware of that, Lecan ceased trying to read these officials' and their employees' intents more than necessary.

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10





When they got back to the lounge after lunch, there was a magic tool put next to a flower vase.

Its magical structure looks familiar. It's that <Yacklubend Tele Voice Jar> or something.

Surprisingly nothing feels out of place. No one seems to question just what is that either.

However, a magic tool with such a huge magic stone in it stands out so awfully obvious to Lecan instead. Like shouting at him 'hey I'm here'.

"Shira, do you know about <Yacklubend's Tele Voice Jar> magic tool?"

"I sure do."

"Does our talk in this room right now get leaked outside?"

"Nope. But this is a good chance as any, let's have a little practical lesson. I'm gonna undo the barrier for a bit now."

Lecan understood Shira cast some sort of magic, but he had no idea of the specific.

"There's mana flowing out of that tele voice jar toward its paired jar in the town lord's mansion. Can you see it?"

Lecan concentrated on the jar, following after the flow of mana.

"Yea. I see it."

"Try loading your mana into that flow of mana toward the receiver jar, pouring lots all at once."

Loading your own mana into mana emitted by a machine is quite a task. But after a period of strenuous struggle, Lecan grasped the knack.

And then he poured much of his mana into it at once.

"Huh? Lecan. Did you hear something from the town lord's mansion direction? And also screaming."

"Beats me. Who cares."

"Quite an interesting spectacle you showed me."

"Guide Skalabel. Just, what has Lecan-dono done?"

When the barrier was undone, sounds from this room must have started coming out of the receiver jar. Dunno who, but the one listening in must have brought their ears close to the receiver jar in excitement.

"Shira. What happened?"

"What will happen when you cram in ten barrel worth of stuff inside a barrel?"

"It's gonna burst open."

"Then, that's."

"I see."

There's many apothecaries around. Quite a lot of them can perform medical treatment as well. The knights have red potions too.

Nothing to worry about.



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11





The enthusiastic talk continued afterward, until it was about time for dinner.

Dinner on the fourth and ninth day will be held in the town lord mansion's dining hall, the priests and apothecaries will also be having their meal there. The town lord is present as well.

Just when they were about to move out, Eda grabbed the chance when the conversation ended and spoke to Skalabel timidly.

"Umm, Skalabel-sama. Can I have a minute. I mean, may I have a bit of your time."

"Eda-dono. What can I help you with?"

"Skalabel-sama, you came here to cast <Purification> on Shira-baachan didn'tcha, I mean, did you not?"

"Indeed I did."

"But that's over now, right?"

"That is correct."

"Then, can you please in exchange, once, just once."

"Once?"

"Can you please cast <Purification> on Lecan once?"

Lecan was surprised. That thought never even crossed his mind.

"My <Purification> is no good. Been casting it every night, but it's no good. My <Purification> can't fix up Lecan's left eye. They said it won't work if the <Purification> isn't a high level because of Fixation thing. But if it's Skalabel-sama's <Purification>, then."

"And this Fixation, is?"

Norma answered Skalabel's question.

"As Guide may have known, adventurers who frequent dungeon depths are sometimes unable to heal their old wounds even with Large Red Potions. I believe that is because red potions have fixed rate of healing potential, as well as limitations like decreased effects with successive uses, due to all that, its healing effect may not reach certain parts of patients whose life force is too large."

"Fumu, fumu. Intriguing. I believe that is likely a correct interpretation."

"But then, there are also cases where their wounds don't get healed even though they have <Recovery> cast on them and displayed healing effects. After checking Lecan's left eye, I believe it's due to a phenomenon, different from <Overwritten> we discussed yesterday, in which a wound gets recognized as a normal state in the deeper part of body."

"Indeed. I have witnessed such things myself."

"It's a high-level magically induced state, but I've yet to understand its mechanism. For argument's sake, I refer to this state as <Fixation>."

"I see, I see. Quite enlightening. I do dabble in medical treatment but my main profession is an apothecary thus I never delved into such research. But if I am not misunderstanding things here, <Purification> with enough depth can restore both <Overwritten> and <Fixation> then."

"Yes, that's what I have concluded as well. Hence why I told Eda that her <Purification> may some day heal Lecan's left eye if she keeps improving on it."

"So that is how it is. Of course, I would be delighted to cast <Purification> on Lecan-dono."

"T-thank you so much! Aren't you glad, Lecan."

His left eye can see again.

It'd be wonderful if that really comes true.

The lost of sight in Lecan's left eye may not have hindered him in battle thanks to <3D Perception>.

But it's just not the same as spectacles seen from naked eyes.

Lecan has come to truly appreciate sense of sight precisely because his left eye has lost it.

Perhaps deep in his heart, he has always longed for his lost vision be restored to his left eye.

"Lecan-dono. I shall now cast <Purification> on you."

Skalabel readied his wand.

That was when Lecan saw Eda's face.

She looks pleased. Pleased, for Lecan's sake.

However, in reality Eda must have wanted to heal it herself. That was why she kept casting <Purification> every night with utmost effort. And how she kept getting dejected at her failure every night.

Can it really be said that Eda absolutely has no regret or chagrin, asking Skalabel to cast <Purification> on Lecan like this?

"No. Guide Skalabel. I'll have to decline."

"Hou? It might bear no fruit, but there is no harm in trying, is there?"

"It's not like I can't fight just because my left eye can't see. Meaning there's no need to rush. I'd be ecstatic if it could see again though. Well, I can wait."

"By wait, what are you waiting for?"

"Either for a <God Cure> I found in a treasure chest, or for Eda's <Purification> to get better."

"Hahaha. I see, I see. So that's how it is then. You truly are an extraordinary man, Lecan-dono. That's unthinkable normally."

"Eh? Eh? What? What's this about? Lecan, it's once in a lifetime chance you know. You can have the highest level <Purification>, you know?"

"Hahahaa. Eda-dono. Lecan-dono is saying that he wishes not of my <Purification>. He would like your <Purification> to heal him."

"Eeh? Mine?"

"Or perhaps he wished to obtain a <God Cure> with his own hand. I see, so this is adventurer's dream. Lecan-dono lives for his dream. Most impressive indeed."

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7





On the fourth day.

Amamir had desks brought to the lounge for the record keepers' use. The two of them also had their breakfast brought to the lounge. All the record so far was initially stored in the town lord's mansion, but starting today it would be put in the lounge. Probably a countermeasure for if the accompanying priests went ballistic.

Originally, Amamir was planning to let one of the record keepers disclose the record to those people.

But after hearing and seeing what the conversation was like, he ended up changing his mind, thinking it'd be best not to make it public recklessly.

Amamir is a gentle mild-mannered man, but he won't budge once he's decided on something. The accompanying priests and apothecaries are well aware of that trait. Hence they went for Kotojia instead.

They kept pressing on Kotojia from morning to noon. They knew the main gist of the talk, with Shira answering Skalabel's questions, so they're pressing Kotojia on what kind of topics have Shira brought up thus far.

The record keepers, two young apothecaries, get moved to the lounge early in the morning before those people arrive, and won't go out until night, they also have meals in the lounge, securing their safety.

Amamir deserted Kotojia. They cannot overcome this situation without a sacrifice. That's why Kotojia was nowhere to be found during breakfast that day, and only showed up at the guest house's lounge during tea time break after breakfast, looking all tired.

An official wearing an expensive looking outfit came over, led by Vouka town lord himself.

It's the domestic affairs secretary of Prime Minister Office.

He's supposedly two three stratum lower than the secretary who came to Vouka for the preliminary arrangement, but he's still way above Vouka town lord in standing nonetheless. It's one of the two officials who accompany the entourage to deal with expenses in this trip and to negotiate with lords in the regions they visit along the way. Supposedly they are not to intervene with the talk, just what is he here for.

A man wearing an unassuming attire follows behind them. The man must be an employee of the Prime Minister Office as well. He's got the same kind of aura as the man caught last night. He's all smiles but it's clear he's very nervous.

The secretary sat down and bowed at Skalabel.

"Guide Skalabel. I have a request to ask of you."

"Well now. What will it be?"

"Would you give the permission to allow a member of Prime Minister Office to quietly sit in the corner of the lounge during your talk."

"Well well. I believe our lineup has been determined during the early planning stage. I do not see how you want to add more now."

"My subordinate is very capable. I'm sure there will be no complications if we replace one of the record keepers with him."

"Uumu. I personally want this to be a once-in-a-lifetime lesson for our young apothecaries. In any case, we cannot decide it on our own. Lecan-dono, what do you think?"

"If we're having a change in personnel, I'd like one less person on your side and one more on ours. Yours got five, ours only got three. There's no balance. I want another member to attend Shira."

Lecan is talking about a Longarm Ape, not a human, but there's no need to specify that here.

Skalabel himself didn't want to spoil the mood they had so he brought the matter about personnel to Lecan, so he would deny it. For some reason, Lecan could infer that keenly. Thus his mild refusal.

"It is as you heard, secretary-dono. Lecan-dono bears a good point. A change in personnel should be a decrease on our side. Let's forget this talk ever happened, shall we?"

The secretary left after bowing.

Felt like the male employee who was following the secretary threw a glance at the maid standing next to the dining table.


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8





On the fourth day, the talk was about concrete effects of various medical herbs. But limiting it to one specific effect of a medical herb before moving on to next. Thanks to the topic they covered the previous day, Skalabel could clearly ask which specific effects emerges on which specific body parts, and what kind of functions that specific part should have had.

The topic has gotten to a part where Lecan could also grasp it to a point. He's not really good with abstracts, but topics regarding functions, parts and effects he learned at Norma's place came in handy.





9





It's lunch time. Which will be a buffet style dine at the guest house's dining room. Entourage priests and apothecaries are allowed to enter the guest house during this period.

These priests and apothecaries are staying at four noble houses. They asked their breakfast be packed and went to the town lord's mansion at a really early hour for a noble. And then they interrogated Kotojia. Which continued on until the guest house breakfast time almost ended.

Once Kotojia made her escape to the guest house, they would then eat their packed breakfast. And until the Halfbeak period whence they are allowed to enter the guest house, they would stay in the entry hall of the guest house, and crowd the dining room, waiting until Skalabel's group show up.

Shira declared that she didn't need lunch and retreated inside alongside Eda.

Amamir instructed the maid to carry the two record keepers' lunch to the lounge. He must believe that they can have a break since Shira isn't around anyway.

Skalabel has a good complexion on his face, his voice carries vigor in it, and his muscles and strength have returned. People were surprised and overjoyed when they saw Skalabel looked like he had been reborn anew a day after he arrived at Vouka, but then he got even better the following day. Then the day after and today, Skalabel's condition further stabilized. Over the past two days, it's clear now that this condition isn't just a transient happenstance. Everybody drew near Skalabel to inspect him closely and congratulated him. Priestess Marlia even offered her gratitudes to gods while bawling with both her hands over her face.

Amamir and Kotojia got assaulted with a barrage of questions by people sitting near them.

Many also talked and asked questions to Norma.

Some even came to Lecan asking him about medicine making crafts.

Lecan would offer his practical point of view on the matter while munching on meat and vegetable.

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 6





Lecan woke up.

No, 'woke up' is not exactly correct here. Lecan has always been monitoring the guest house with <Life Detection> and <3D Perception> even in his sleep.

Something has roused Lecan up.

There's only a few people staying in the guest house.

Skalabel and Cawin, Shira and Eda as well as two maids. Six in total.

The guesthouse has a door in the north, another in the south, with the town lord's mansion to the west.

The east side faces a grove of trees. Meaning, it's out of sight most of the time. Roland's group also tried to install the first magic tool there last night.

A knight or a knight squire is posted each in all four directions, and someone has gone through the grove of trees in the eastern side. And for some reason they're moving around without the guard interfering them.

Lecan put on his overcoat, his sword on his waist, cast <Concealment> magic and went to the guest house.

Neisan was guarding the back door. Light from a magic tool illuminates the surroundings.

Lecan undid his <Concealment> and spoke to Neisan in whisper.

"Neisan."

"Oh, is that you Lecan. Didn't saw you coming."

"An intruder in the east side."

"What"

Lecan and Neisan went around to the east side.

There's a knight squire standing under a magic tool lamp on this side as well.

"I don't see an intruder anywhere though."

Neisan thinks that no intruder can enter the building with the squire around.

There's no door on the east side. It's got a lone window, but it's a latticed one, you can't break through it without alerting everyone with sound.

Lecan stared at a vent above.

"Looks like they went in through that vent."

"From there? That's too small for anyone to enter. Besides, how'd they climb that high up?"

However, Lecan's <3D Perception> told him the intruder had entered from that vent.

And most importantly, someone is lurking on the other side of the wall.

They've hidden their presence well enough to escape Neisan and the knight squire's detection.

"One intruder on the other side of this wall. Neutralizing them. <Lightning>."

It sounded like someone fell inside.

"All right. Let's carry them outside."

"U-umu. Oy, Nissho, come with me."

"Sir."

They brought the intruder out of the back door.

The intruder is covered head to toes in black. Wearing a tight fit and elastic chainmail-like clothing.

He's carrying something around the belly. Something with a large magic stone installed. Must be a magic tool.

"<Appraisal>."


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


<Name: Yacklubend Tele Voice Jar (Sender)>

<Type: Magic Tool>

※ Send voices to the receiver

※ Maximum range 1000 steps

※ Shorter range when there are obstacles





Neisan shined the lamp magic tool on the intruder's face.

"Lecan. This man is an employee of the Prime Minister Office."

"Hou."

He had suspected as much.

Still, he was initially wary Kogurus's side would try to do something stupid, yet as it turned out all the trouble was perpetrated by the capital's people instead.

The previous Lecan would have threatened them here, like 'I'll overlook you this time, but the next time you're pulling this crap, I'll kill you and those who ordered you'.

However, thanks to many things he went through lately, he has learned to delve deeper into guessing the other party's intentions and circumstances.

Naturally, you'd think this intruder moves under the prime minister's orders.

The PM probably ordered his subordinates to report back the content of the talk, but since <Farhear> didn't work, they resorted to installing <Tele Voice Jar>. That flow of events sounds plausible.

But then what if they were under order from another party that's not the PM.

In that case, the intention was likely to make the PM lose face for causing trouble.

That means they shouldn't make a commotion here. Killing him is out of question.

(Mwu?)

Lecan noticed controlled breathing from the man lying down next to him.

The man is conscious.

Pared down <Lightning> can paralyze opponents without killing them.

There are times when they pass out, and when not. Even if they did, it'd only be for a short time.

This is affected by equipment, stamina and resistance.

"Neisan. This assassin was found and caught by Shira's bodyguard, me."

"Oy oy, Lecan. We dunno if he's an assassin yet."

"I'm allowed to kill this guy."

"Isn't that way overboard?"

"If I leave it to you to handle this guy, what's the treatment gonna be like?"

"This man is acting under his excellency prime minister's order. It's unfortunate that he didn't coordinate with us first, but we cannot punish him if his action was done to ensure Guide Skalabel's safety. We're probably gonna release him."

"Didn't you interrogate those mages to make written evidence."

"They were caught red-handed putting the night watch to sleep. The magic tool they were trying to set up was also something that would hinder Guide Skalabel as well. Or rather, these guys work directly under Prime Minister Office despite their lower standings. Can't just interrogate them willy nilly."

Lecan came up with a conclusion after thinking a bit.

"All right, let's act like this never happened."

"Haa?"

"We'll discard this man somewhere in the yard, He'll probably go away on his own once he can move."

"O-ou. We're fine with that if you are."

"<Fire Arrow>."

Lecan shot the magic tool with <Fire Arrow> while being careful not to hit the intruder.

Neisan and the knight squire yelped lightly.

The spell shot through the most complex part of the tool he found with <Mana Detection> and <3D Perception>. That must have been the core part, the magic tool should be useless now.

"My hand slipped and broke the magic tool."

After some barefaced monologue, Lecan spoke to the intruder.

"Contact me and Neisan the next time you're trying to sneak in. We're gonna look the other way if you do. Naturally, we'll monitor your every move and dismantle anything you install though."

"Wait what's even the point then?"

Lecan recited a spell while ignoring Neisan's question.

"<Float> <Move>."

The intruder's body floated up and drifted toward the shade of a tree before falling down.

Lecan called the man an assassin in jest, but he didn't have the aura of one. He must be a spy and nothing more.

"Now then, back to bed. Neisan, good night."

"Yeah, good night, Lecan."

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 5





After a while, Norma stopped crying and let go of Lecan, taking a slight distance from him.

The two stayed silent.

(No clue what to say here.)

His savior came from outside.

"Lecan. Got a minute there?"

Vice Commander of Royal Knights, Neisan Aspell has come to visit.

"Yea. Come on in."

"Pardon me. Aa."

Neisan stopped moving for a second when he saw Norma sitting next to Lecan.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"No. Never mind it."

Far from that, Neisan's visit was a lifeboat.

"Norma. He's Vice Commander of the Royal Knights, Neisan Aspell."

"Norma-dono. Excuse me."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Norma a medic."

"I have heard about how great of a scholar your father was."

"It's an honor."

Lecan picked up a bottle of liquor.
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"Want a sip?"

"Yea. Sure."

Lecan handed a Neisan high-class liquor bottle and a silver tumbler before gesturing for a toast with his own. Neisan, Lecan and Norma drank up the content of their tumblers.

"This is good."

Lecan pushed the bottle toward Neisan without taking another sip. Neisan poured his own drink.

"I was thinking about reporting the matter with Roland."

"I see."

"He came back to the town lord's mansion this morning."

"Morning? Quite late."

It was last night when the Vice Commander of Royal Mages, Roland Batt was found by Lecan trying to sneakily set up a barrier in the guest house and got himself banished to Shira's house by Shira herself, he could have gone back before morning came.

"He said he couldn't get out of the house because of an ape."

"Hou."

The barrel Roland got <Exchange>d with was probably a barrel in the warehouse. He'd have to pass through Jericho's room if he wanted get out of the house from there unless he climbed over the wall.

"When we asked what happened, he kept screaming out 'ape, the ape'. Just what was going on over there."

"Beats me."

Jericho would have let him go on his merry way had he gone out of the house without doing anything. Roland was probably attempting to do something inappropriate there. And Jericho gave him a hard time for it. Not sure how though.

"Anyway, we had long gotten the written evidence from the two mages and mage squires by the time Roland came back. With oaths and signs in tow. We've secured the magic tools as evidence as well. There's no way to weasel out of this one."

"In the end, what was he trying to do anyway?"

"Apparently they were trying to get their hands on Lecan's and Shira-sama's magic tools."

"Magic tools?"

"Indeed. Powerful and unusual magic tools."

"Dunno what you're going on about, but Skalabel was also present in the guest house. What's he doing attacking the house."

"He was insisting that he needed to confiscate the suspicious magic tools Shira-sama and Lecan had with them in order to protect Guide Skalabel. Even so, that doesn't give him the right to deploy that thing. He was planning to neutralize everyone in the guest house, including us guards and snatched Shira-sama's and Lecan's magic tools afterward."

"You gonna hand out punishment to Roland?"

"No. Not like it can't be done, but his family won't stay quiet if we did. We will hand over the written evidence and proof to Prime Minister Office once we're back at the capital. They will probably make up some reason to make him quit Royal Mages on his own."

"So you're letting him roam free here?"

"Guy looks like he's lost all his vigors. And he was always been a hard-nosed man. Apparently, Shira-sama's magic came as a huge shock."

"<Exchange> huh?"

"Yes that. I heard it's an extremely high level spell. Got his mind broken after tasting that for himself. I don't think he'd try to raise trouble for you or Shira-sama anymore."

"Do the rest of the mages and squires remain bound?"

"No no. We completely lack the personnel to do that. Even if we stand watch on the four separately, we'd be left with a minimum number of personnels for the guest house. We've released their confiscated equipment too."

"You're sure they won't do anything unwarranted then."

"I'm sure they won't. The two mages actually tried to stop Roland. They were against Roland coming with the entourage to begin with. But those two are common born. They can't go up against Roland."

Neisan's dinner came while they were talking.

"Sorry. Mind if I eat here?"

"Go ahead."

"I could have an early dinner thanks to the talk finishing early. Gonna stand watch after taking a quick nap after this."

"Thanks for your hard work. Hold onto this."

"This is... That Stamina Restorative huh!"

"Gathered the mats and made that myself. It's pretty much free."

"Ain't this thing quite valuable. The perfection of medicine making or something."

"Ah, nah. This one's made in a cauldron. It's got pretty much the same effects though."

"Either way, you have my thanks. I'll keep it in case of emergency."

"It's got burst effect for half an hour, but the slow dripping effect remains for half a day. It's even better than <Recovery> for continuous stamina restoration."

"Man, you're really an apothecary eh. Don't look like one though."

"Lecan-dono is also an outstanding medic. He's capable of accurately probing the insides of human body."

Afterward, Neisan spoke about the entourage's state of affairs, while Lecan gave a brief summary of the talk in the lounge. When Neisan heard about a project to mass produce Norma's father's literary work, he congratulated her enthusiastically. It seems he's completely forgotten about having a match with Lecan.

"Now then, I've imposed on you for too long. Can I come again?"

"Yea."

Once Neisan left, a maid came by right away and tidied up the table.

Lecan and Norma put hot water in their bath and cleansed their body.

But someone interrupted his sleep.

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 4





Lecan and Norma went back to the annex, and entered the living room.

Their bedrooms and bathrooms are separated, but they share the same living room.

Norma is sitting on a sofa in the back, while Lecan's sofa is on the same side as hers.

It's a habit he's got long before their seating positions at the guest house.

Though his <Life Detection> and <3D Perceptions> don't have problems detecting things behind him, it's just easier to do that on objects ahead of him.

"Want some drink too?"

Norma asked while taking a silver tumbler out of the shelf.

"Yea. I'll have one."

Lecan was poured an amber-colored liquor from two tumblers.

The two enjoyed the taste and aroma of the liquor in silence for a while.

The shelf has all kinds of snacks in it, from bean pastry, smoked meat, and dried fish. The stuff Lecan had eaten has been replenished, with more new stuff added. Employees of this residence are quite well trained.

"What a surprise this whole thing has been. Never would have imagined it would turn out this way."

"Isn't this outcome preferable to you though?"

"It's like I'm dreaming. I'm still not sure where this will take me, but my father's literary work will remain for posterity. That will likely come true regardless of form."

"They've got his books at the capital's temples already."

"That was shocking too. To think the marquis would do that."

This marquis would be Norma's uncle, the previous Marquis of Mashajain, Godfrey Wazrof.

"So he presented the books to Ceres Temple, is that something you can do just like that?"

"The custom is a bit different when a noble presents books to temples than when a commoner does."

"Hou."

"When a noble does it, the inner paper must be first class, and the letters must be beautifully written. In other words, it has to be done by a first-rate transcriber."

"I see."

"The leather cover must be of a fine quality, and the beaten gold as well as the seal must be done right, not to mention the binding. In short, it's going to cost you a lot."

"Guess making books is a serious business."

"The truly luxurious books fetch a handsome sum. And the offering money would have to match that when a noble present books to a temple."

"What's the point of presenting books to a temple."

"It's to make a declaration and to repay the favor to gods, like showing how much you have accomplished. Since you're unraveling the secret of this world by doing research. Nobles may present books to temples to signify the development of their territory's culture as well. Military might alone does not represent the quality of a noble after all."

"Sounds like some nobles would present some really extravagant books then."

"Presenting a book that's only got luxurious binding without content to match gets you ridiculed instead. They won't say it in public though."

"Then that means your uncle has recognized the content of your father's research huh."

"I didn't expect that. Really took me by surprise. But what's even more surprising is when Amamir-sama mentioned him saying Sasfrey, his little brother, wrote those books. To be frank, I just can't imagine those words coming out of that marquis's mouth. But Amamir-sama can't possibly lie. Little brother, really?"

"What kind of elder brother is this Godfrey to your father?"

"He wouldn't allow father to call him brother. It must be Godfrey-sama."

"Did your father hate or resent Godfrey?"

"Eh? No. That was never the case. Or rather."

"Rather?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"They talk normally."

Norma's father, Sasfrey is a little brother of Godfrey from a different mother. Wonder if they lived in the same mansion during childhood. Must be.

Since Sasfrey's mother had a low standing, Godfrey couldn't publicly treated Sasfrey as his little brother.

But behind his cold exteriors, just how did Godfrey saw his years apart little brother.

"When your father died."

"Eh?"

"Godfrey sent a letter to Jinga which had this written. 'I shall avenge my brother without fail, you keep protecting Norma'."

Norma turned to look at Lecan next to her. Her eyes were wide open out of shock.

"You said this before. Marquis house is like a machine to protect their house and territory, the marquis and the family members are nothing more than gears in that machine. Godfrey was a machine for the marquis house. But the words he sent when your father died sounds like it comes from a genuinely passionate man to me."

Norma could only stare at Lecan like she was at a loss for words.

"Godfrey avenged his little brother, took back the wand and sent it to Jinga."

"So it was the marquis who got this wand back."

"Your mother's wand was sent to you. It's loaded with the feelings Godfrey had for you."

"Feelings?"

"The marquis said this when you and your father left Mashajain to go back to Vouka. Do not bring your assets."

"Right. That marquis went and said that right in front of me."

"But you brought all those books, documents and research results without missing any. Along with a great variety of medicinal plants. And transporting all those things here must cost a lot."

"Yup. I wondered about that too myself. There were so many carriages."

"Have you ever thought of this. Prohibiting you take your assets was nothing more than a front. That must how he explained it to his relatives. But Godfrey wanted to let your father take everything he needed, no matter what it was."

"That's. That's just."

"What kind of position Jinga held at the marquis house?"

"He was the highest rank of knights. That's why having Jinga guard mother was seen as a serious matter to the marquis family."

"Jinga was posted to guard you and your father when your mother passed away. What meaning does that carry."

"I don't know. I really don't know to be honest. However, others saw it as an obvious demotion. An awful one at that. I'm not privy of rumors spreading within the marquis family, but the people there probably thought Jinga did a grave mistake, or Godfrey-sama, the then newly appointed marquis must have really hated him."

"Your mother asked Jinga this before her passing. 'Please take care of my husband and daughter'."

"Eh"

"Godfrey who was aware of that, said this to Jinga. 'My little brother is returning to that town, you go protect those two'."

"How did you know. No, the answer is obvious. You heard that from Jinga."

"This is nothing more than a guess of mine, but Jinga was probably anguishing between the formal request from the Marquis Family, and the personal wish from Godfrey."

"The marquis's... personal, wish."

"The marquis family sent Jinga a lifetime reward as part of Godfrey's will. Jinga returned his knightly standing to the marquis house. All the while laughing, saying he's now a chore taker of your medical center both in name and reality."

"Lecan."

"Hm?"

"Was my father, loved by the previous marquis, by Godfrey?"

"I believe he was. Both your father, and you."

"Me too?"

"Godfrey sent his most trusted knight to you and your father. Then he ordered that knight to protect you when your father died. That was Godfrey's true intent."

Norma suddenly wept.

(Oh crap.)

(Missed my chance to escape.)

Lecan is not into staring a crying woman. He planned to quickly make his way out once he knew she was going to cry, but Norma wouldn't allow him to.

(What to do here.)

As Lecan was freezing, Norma leaned on him.

He couldn't defend nor dodge it.

Norma put her forehead on Lecan's shoulder and hugged him.

A sobbing voice resounded in the living room.

Lecan who got his dominant arm sealed away could only stay there motionlessly.

(Hm?)

(This fragrance?)

The fragrance drifting from Norma reminded Lecan of Heles.

Their faces look quite similar.

There are some clear differences, but they really do look similar.

Norma and Heles are completely unrelated.

These two strangers are letting out a very similar scent both.

Not just scent. Their firm forms, the way they walk and the way they carry themselves, their womanliness in their dignity are also surprisingly similar.

Women are such a mystery, thought Lecan.

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