Ch.108Magic Corps #5

“Because of my expectations…?”

“Of course. She’s a young woman who normally thinks of the Grand Duke as her benefactor, so when such a Grand Duke expresses expectations, it’s natural she’d work hard.”

Though I’m embarrassed to say it myself, I suppose I could be considered a benefactor of sorts.

It’s probably not much different from what the Magic Tower would provide—funding research, supplying necessary materials, and creating an environment conducive to spirit magic.

However, in the end, it’s more of an exchange for Eve’s results rather than bestowing favor.

I suppose understanding the microelements that weren’t recognized by the Magic Tower, even roughly, was a significant achievement.

“I think… I need to have a conversation with her.”

I understand that receiving attention can motivate someone to work hard, but when that attention becomes a burden, it’s the person themselves who suffers most.

I resolved to speak with Eve alone to confirm this.

.

“By rest… you mean there’s no training today?”

“Yes. While raising the proficiency of the magic battalion quickly would benefit the territory, there’s no need to rush. We’re not currently at war requiring urgent military strength.”

The day after leading the dark elf group around the territory, I visited Eve’s cottage.

Since I had told her to rest for the day after the tour ended, Eve was at home.

Her house was right next to the Red Hood mercenary band’s quarters, so I also briefly greeted the dark elf women who were her neighbors.

“Is that… so?”

“Yes, that’s right. Though we provide weekend rest, there are times when additional breaks are necessary. Anyway…”

Clatter. I set down the cup of tea Eve had brewed, letting it steep for a moment.

After emptying half the hot tea, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

Like the satisfying fullness after a bowl of hot soup.

“I hear you’ve been working hard lately… Are you tired or injured anywhere? Combat training must be unfamiliar to you.”

“Thank you for your concern. Thanks to your consideration, my physical condition is excellent.”

“I’m glad to hear you’re healthy.”

Her hesitant demeanor and somewhat deflated appearance remained unchanged.

However, I could faintly detect a hint of anxiety I hadn’t seen before.

As faint as the lingering smoke rising from completely burned firewood… but unmistakable.

The effort that Orcus had casually mentioned yesterday.

If it had been purely her own determination, that would be one thing, but since I had inadvertently pressured her to work hard, it seemed necessary to ease her tension.

She was someone I had brought in, and an important talent at that.

“Still, please don’t be too anxious. Rushing things tends to complicate matters in various ways.”

“…Pardon?”

Eve asked with wide, surprised eyes.

It was the reaction of someone whose hidden thoughts had been exposed.

Of course, I hadn’t read Eve’s mind.

I had merely made an educated guess based on Orcus’s comments and Eve’s demeanor, but her surprise was understandable.

“You look surprised that I knew.”

“Yes. Do you perhaps possess some means of reading minds, Your Grace?”

“No. I just made an educated guess. Your demeanor seemed different than usual.”

Though I had reasonable grounds for my assumption, Eve, unaware of this, showed signs of amazement.

It was strange that I had brought this up so suddenly without context.

“Did you really… just guess?”

“Yes. What reason would I have to lie to you?”

“I suppose that’s true. There’s no reason for the Grand Duke to lie to me.”

In the end, Eve seemed to reluctantly accept my explanation.

Even if she had doubts, it wasn’t a matter that could be resolved through questioning, nor was it important enough to worry about.

Seeing Eve’s anxious expression ease somewhat, I judged she was ready to listen and began speaking.

“Unfamiliar tasks require time. For example, if I were to learn magic from you… would that happen overnight? Even just handling mana would probably take several days.”

“Yes. I suppose… that would be the case.”

Fortunately, Eve nodded quietly, seeming to agree with my words.

This gave me confidence to continue.

“Exactly. Everything takes time when you’re first learning. Even exceptionally talented individuals need time to adapt. Of course, the more talented they are, the faster they learn, but how many such people exist in the world? You could search the entire continent and only find a handful.”

Making mistakes while adapting to new work is also natural.

Those already familiar with the task might find it frustrating to watch, but they too once followed a similar path to master their skills or techniques.

At least, that’s what I believed, and how I thought most people lived their lives.

Of course, occasionally there are those who struggle to adapt, as rare as those with exceptional talent… but Eve isn’t someone lacking in comprehension.

On the contrary, she could be called a genius for mastering complex magic and forging her own path.

I conveyed these thoughts openly, and to conclude my lengthy speech, I said:

“Take it slowly and thoroughly. Adapt gradually, just as you’ve done with your magical research.

However… dealing with people is quite different in nature, so it’s natural that you find it challenging.”

I understand how difficult it is to lead an organization.

Even without actively working, the pressure of being in charge creates tension and unconscious stress.

It’s an entirely different field from skillfully handling individual tasks.

Moreover, when starting something new, there’s usually someone guiding you, and without such guidance, struggling is only natural.

It was clearly my oversight not to consider this, and I needed to correct it now.

“So, with my apologies… I’d like to make a suggestion.”

.

“What? You’ll teach me command?”

After dinner.

In the study of the Krauser mansion, two women were conversing across a table.

One was Helena, the mistress of the mansion, and the other was Ellen, who had just returned from checking on the elf slaves.

“Yes. It’s only natural to grant Zion’s request.”

“Of course. How could anyone refuse the Grand Duke’s request?”

How dare anyone refuse a request from the Grand Duke?

The tone implied such refusal would be considered extremely rude.

Especially inappropriate to say in front of the mistress of the Krauser ducal family.

Yet Helena, the mistress of the ducal family, showed no signs of displeasure and instead nodded in agreement.

This was because for both women, Zion was their true master.

Both in everyday life and in bed.

“Anyway, so I’ll be conducting military training with Eve Greenwood. I’ll be indebted to father again… but broadly speaking, it’s not a bad arrangement.”

Gulp. Helena took a sip of her tea, then exhaled a long breath as if releasing hot steam.

Ellen watched quietly before voicing a question that had suddenly occurred to her.

“But didn’t the Duke express concern about the Grand Duke becoming close with that magician? Because of the remote possibility.”

“You’re right. There’s a high chance of falling for Zion when spending time with him. Still, I think it’ll be fine this time.”

Clatter. Helena set down her teacup and explained the condition she had discussed with Zion.

The condition was that she would grant Zion’s request, but in exchange, Zion would remain at the mansion handling paperwork.

“Ah! That would reduce the time spent with the Grand Duke.”

“Exactly. That’s precisely what I meant.”

Reducing time spent with Zion minimizes the opportunity for affection to develop while still fulfilling obligations.

There was no consideration for Eve in this process, but Helena thought it sufficient.

However, a faint anxiety lingered about whether it might already be too late.

If… if what she feared had already happened, she would have to respond differently depending on the circumstances.

That was Helena’s conclusion.

Though they had clashed over minor issues, she couldn’t guarantee Eve would understand her position as Ellen did.

“Anyway, I’ll gradually form my conclusions as I interact with Eve Greenwood.”

A bizarre situation where, despite being consumed by obsession for one man, she had adapted to sharing that affection.

This situation provided Helena with a foundation for rational judgment.

Though Helena herself didn’t realize it, she had unconsciously adapted to the environmental changes caused by interpersonal relationships.

After chatting with Ellen and heading to the bedroom together, the next day.

Helena, massaging her unusually aching waist, made her way to the dark elf village.

More precisely, she directed her horse there.

“Ah…! It feels like it’s going to overflow…”

With a flushed face, pressing her lower abdomen as if holding in urine, Helena recalled what had happened hours earlier.

Mounting Zion, wildly moving her hips, and eventually fainting.

The act of stroking her tense lower abdomen was deeply connected to this.

Though they had agreed not to have children yet, their preparation was so thorough it was almost nauseating.

Even now, evidence of this remained inside Helena’s lower abdomen.

Working with passion allows one to feel that presence close by.

That’s why Helena and Ellen always went to work after being embraced by Zion.

It also greatly helped stabilize their anxious minds.

After all, it was perhaps the most definitive proof of love.

“Lady… Duchess?”

As Helena arrived at the village, Eve, who had arrived earlier and was inspecting the village grounds, murmured with a tilted head.

She happened to be checking the linked magic formations installed around the village, which allowed her to meet Helena so quickly.

With a light movement, Helena jumped off her horse and approached Eve with a gentle smile.

“Yes, hello. You’re quite diligent this early. Did something happen?”

“Oh, no. I was just checking if the magic formations around the village were damaged. But what brings you here, Lady Duchess?”

As far as Eve knew, nobles who frequently inspected their territories were extremely rare.

Most made judgments based on reports from subordinates unless truly important events occurred.

Occasionally they would go out for entertainment or invitations from other nobles, but this was different.

Of course, Helena could be considered an exception, but compared to Zion, she gave a thoroughly aristocratic impression.

So Eve couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Hehe. Don’t be too surprised. From today, I’ll be training with you.”

“What? You personally… will train me, Lady Duchess?”

“Yes. Objectively speaking, I’m more suitable for military training than Zion. I’ve also received more education in this area.”

Helena answered the still dumbfounded Eve in a gentle tone.

Her answer naturally reflected the confidence gained from knightly training and ducal education since childhood.

Eve nodded readily, sensing the truth in Helena’s words and feeling their persuasiveness.

“I’m honored, but… I don’t know how to handle such excessive consideration.”

“Ahaha! Excessive? You certainly have an interesting way with words. I see why we should converse more often.”

Finding Eve’s unusually timid response amusing, Helena laughed quite loudly.

The reaction was so strong it might have seemed like mockery, but that wasn’t her intention at all.

As if to prove this, Helena gently placed her hand on Eve’s shoulder and focused her gaze.

“Even if it is consideration… you deserve such consideration. So have confidence, and take one step at a time. Understand?”

“Y-yes! Thank… you.”

Though she had received praise several times since coming to the Krauser duchy, she still wasn’t used to it.

This caused her to stand stiffly and feel extremely tense. That was the kind of woman Eve Greenwood was.

Knowing this, Helena gently stroked Eve’s shoulder to help her relax and spoke:

“Good. Now then… let’s first check if you’ve eaten breakfast.”