𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬
After that, the development of the Evil-Banishing Item was extremely difficult.
We made prototypes only to have them destroyed, over and over again. But the hearts of the workshop staff, who truly loved His Highness, never broke. . . It was my charm magic that was causing the destruction.
(I have to work harder, since everyone else is working so hard!)
I put my all into improving my magic control techniques, but I didn’t see much progress.
His Highness said he would go on a training journey for a while. He went to a sacred mountain at the northernmost part of the country, where it snows even in summer, for waterfall training. But he couldn’t completely deflect the charm magic that leaked out from me.
“Using an Evil-Banishing Item is not the best solution, of course. . .”
I nodded at His Highness’s words. Our ultimate goal is for the two of us to master control on our own.
It’s difficult because our feelings are intertwined.
“But if we can create an Evil-Banishing Item that won’t break even when faced with your charm magic, it will reduce the burden on the workshop in the future. It’s not something that should be mass-produced like it is now.”
“That’s true. And if we can develop such a powerful Evil-Banishing Item, it will reduce the threat to the royal family in the future!”
When I said that, His Highness smiled confidently. Everything we’re doing, and everything the workshop staff are working so hard on, will not be in vain.
◆
At that time, we received a report from the workshop.
They said they had finally completed something they were confident in.
“. . .”
“. . .”
What greeted us as we headed to the workshop with high spirits. It was.
A very large black sphere.
It was placed with a thud in the garden of the workshop.
His Highness is tall, but it’s about the size of his waist.
――It’s huge. It’s incredibly huge.
“. . .What is this?”
“I’m sorry! Yes, it’s gigantic.”
According to Tim-san, the workshop master, this is the new Evil-Banishing Item.
It’s a circle. A huge circle, no matter how you look at it.
His Highness, who is always confident, showed a rare sign of confusion. All the prototypes so far had not changed much from the shape of the traditional Evil-Banishing Item, but this one was completely different.
“In order to contain enough magic power to counter Miss Claudia’s magic power, it’s difficult to make it any smaller.”
“. . . I see.”
“It’s currently in its simplest form as a sphere, but if this test is successful, we’ll modify it to a more natural shape like a sword or shield that can be carried around. . .”
His Highness looked a bit complicated. It’s too big to hide under his cloak. His Highness is known for the jingling sound from his cloak. It would be a bit lonely without it. I wonder if a sword would make a clanging sound.
“Then, Your Highness. Please put your magic power here.”
“. . . Understood.”
His Highness touched the huge sphere and closed his eyes.
The Evil-Banishing Item is said to be completed by infusing the magic power of the person to be protected.
After a while, His Highness, who had been pouring magic power into the sphere, staggered as soon as he took his hand off the sphere.
“Your Highness!”
“. . . It takes an incredible amount of power.”
I rushed to His Highness’s side as he staggered, and saw that his normally confident and healthy face was slightly pale. I shuddered. What a terrifying sphere.
“It requires so much magic power that it exhausts Your Highness. . . !”
“You’re the one causing it, you.”
“Is it. . . a disaster-level threat?!”
His Highness and the workshop director nodded as if to say, “That’s what I’ve been saying.”
“Well, the thing is, the rest is up to you two.”
The workshop master pointed his thumb at me, who was standing next to His Highness, and quickly retreated into the workshop.
His Highness and I were left alone in the garden with the sphere.
“Create a good atmosphere here, that’s the idea.”
“. . . I see.”
Last time, I felt like I was being considerate, but this time, it’s probably because of this huge sphere that it’s like, “Let’s get moody here!”
It’s a high hurdle to be told to take this home and get cozy in the appropriate place.
“Ah, haha, it’s kind of, nerve-wracking.”
“Speaking of which, you’ve unsealed the charm magic and learned how to handle it, haven’t you? Can’t you activate it consciously now?”
“Ah.”
“. . . You didn’t think of it.”
“But, but, but, Your Highness! Even though you didn’t think of it last time!”
With a snort, His Highness turns away.
There’s no way I can get cozy like this! If that’s the case, I’ll do it, I thought, and I psyched myself up.
“Um, concentrate the magic circuit. . . around my chest. . .”
“You’re hesitant.”
“I, I’m concentrating right now.”
Speaking of which, I was close to His Highness because I was supporting him when he was dizzy. It’s embarrassing to be spoken to close to my face, and I’m like, “Hyaa!” The magic circuit I was constructing seems to be dissipating, but, no, with this embarrassment as a push, I can do it!
I was confident and activated the charm magic towards His Highness at close range.
“. . .”
“. . . Did you do it now?”
“I, I did it.”
The result. Nothing happened. The huge sphere of the new Evil-Banishing Item is also unaffected, and His Highness is calm. He’s looking at me with doubtful eyes as if he’s not sure if I really activated the charm magic.
“It’s really big after all!”
“. . . Well, that’s true, but it’s too hard to carry. He said he would improve the shape. . .”
His Highness looked at the sphere with a worried look.
If it’s shaped like a sword, it’s going to be a pretty big sword. His Highness is a smart guy, so a slender sword would suit him better, but His Highness with a great sword would surely be cool in its own way. A sword is cooler and better than a shield.
“Let’s go report to the workshop master for now.”
“That’s right. . . Ah.”
The moment His Highness stepped away from me, his body swayed again and he lost his balance. I try to support him in a hurry, but I can’t support His Highness’s body, which is much larger than mine, and we both fall down.
“. . . Hey.”
“I, I’m sorry.”
I thought I was helping, but instead, I was the one being helped by His Highness. My back, which I thought was going to be slammed to the ground, was firmly held by His Highness’s arm and escaped the danger of falling.
“. . . Don’t worry. It’s my lack of training. I’m sorry.”
His Highness sighed deeply. He must be ashamed that he has become dizzy as a result of having most of his magic power taken away by the black sphere of the Evil-Banishing Item.
“That’s not true. The amount of magic power is something you’re born with. . .”
“. . . It’s annoying when the owner of a disaster-level magic power says that.”
“Eh.”
I hurriedly closed my mouth, which was about to say that it’s not His Highness’s lack of effort or anything like that! His Highness sighed again.
“Well, it’s fine. For now, if you’re okay, try standing up on your own.”
“Eh? Ah――.”
I finally realized what His Highness was saying. I was still clinging tightly to His Highness’s body. I can clearly feel the thickness of his body, which is surprisingly solid and has a thickness to it, even though it’s slender and close. Even his face is closer than ever.
“I’m sorry, I’ll let go now–.”
The moment I tried to pull away in a hurry.
His Highness opened his eyes in surprise, and then he held me tightly.
“Eh, yo, yo, yo, Your Highness?!”
“. . .”
In contrast to my flustered state, there was no sign of excitement on His Highness’s face.
What’s going on? In my confusion, a loud explosion sounded from behind His Highness.
With a heavy explosion, dust rose.
The scattered fragments disappeared in the air, sparkling and shining. The design of the Evil-Banishing Item, which had fulfilled its role of banishing evil, was considered for safety after the explosion.
It’s like fireworks, I thought, out of place.
“. . . Your Highness.”
“. . . Yeah.”
We looked at each other and laughed together.
――It’s a failure.
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