episode_0037

Episode 37

The means used by Carmel were not ordinary.

A type that is not easy to find. In other words, it is magic.

As far as I remember, Carmel without the Book of Enekra cannot use magic that could cause serious harm.

It would be impossible to directly curse the personnel who will compete tomorrow, or to infuse poison into food or weapons.

The only thing possible for Carmel now would be a much more indirect approach.

“Pilgret, please bring only one sword to be used in the festival.”

“Yes.”

In a moment, Pilgret brought a richly decorated sword in front of me. I immediately pulled it out of the scabbard.

There is no abnormality that appears outwardly. The drivers would have already checked it first.

However, as I continued to look, I saw something transparent shaking like a haze in the outline of the entire sword.

‘What is this?’

As I calmed my mind and concentrated more, I felt something like grains inside the sword. It was a different sensation from the five senses.

Pilgret gave me a puzzled look as I just stared at the blade. I asked him too.

“Pilgret. Can you see it? Something blooming from the sword body.”

“Yes? no. I can’t see anything.”

“Okay…”

Something invisible to ordinary people. Is this magical power?

Seeing and feeling magical power is the first step to dealing with it. Something is happening.

It may be in the same context that Sarah, who had no magical talent, was able to use the Necklace of Truth.

I put down my sword for a moment and took off the Necklace of Truth. The Necklace of Truth placed on the desk has lost its blue color.

And I looked at the sword again, but it was still visible to me.

Nor is it the efficacy of the Necklace of Truth. It seemed to be my own ability to see this.

I can’t think of any other reason than Carmel for something similar to this magical power to bloom from the sword. I don’t know exactly what the trick was, but this is probably the purpose of Carmel changing her appearance to infiltrate the Knights.

It is impossible for me to determine exactly what this is. I guess I have no choice but to ask someone who is skilled in magic.

I picked up the sword and spoke to Pilgret.

“I need to take a moment to check on this sword. I think someone may have tampered with the sword magically.”

“Could it be… Was it Sophia’s doing?”

We can’t discredit poor Sophia any further. I shook my head.

“There’s no way Sophia can handle magic, right? It is still unclear whose work it is. But it’s clear that something was done. I need to check with the palace mage what that is.”

“Uhm, I understand. Then shall we bring in Monaz?”

“Yes. And please keep this a secret first.”

“Yes.”

Philgret walked out of the room in stride.

And not long after, Philgret entered the room with Monaz. Monaz looked puzzled.

“Um, what’s going on, princess? Suddenly, the princess had something important to say…”

It seems that he was dragged in without revealing his purpose to Monaz. I said, showing the sword to Monaz.

“This is the sword that will be used in the Sword Festival tomorrow. Monaz, you can see it, right? What appears to be magical power is flowing from the surface of the sword.”

“Yes?”

Monaz took the sword from me with a surprised look and examined it closely. For longer than you think.

Monaz, who had been examining the sword for a long time, spoke with a confused expression.

“I am extremely sorry, Princess, but… I don’t see anything like that?”

Eh?

I couldn’t help but be taken aback by Monaz’s answer.

Because I could still see it in my eyes. Although it is very faint, something like transparent smoke or haze is definitely rising from the surface of the sword.

If Monaz, one of the highest-ranking mages in the Lustier Kingdom, hadn’t discovered it… Isn’t this magical power? A hallucination only visible to me?

“Now, wait a minute! That can’t be possible. Please take a closer look. Oh, that’s right. There’s something that looks like grains inside the handle. Maybe that’s the cause of this phenomenon.”

“Grains…? There’s something like grains inside?”

Monaz’s expression, which had been complex and subtle, suddenly became serious. He held the sword with one hand and placed the other hand on top of the sword with his hand open.

“Mana Search.”

It is clearly visible. Dark green mana flowed from Monaz’s hand and surrounded the sword.

Immediately after collecting the mana, Monaz spoke with a very serious expression.

“It’s true, princess. It is a very old method of hiding mana seeds inside an object. But how did you notice this?”

“I just saw it. Something transparent seemed to be leaking from within. As expected, it was magical power.”

“No, no. It couldn’t have been seen. The purpose of this secret method is to prevent even those who can sense mana from noticing it easily. Even I can only sense it if I use magic.”

It’s a bit harsh. You deny the princess’s words on the spot.

“Monaz. But if I really couldn’t see it, I wouldn’t have been able to bring you here, right?”

“Well, that’s… I see. Then really?”

I answered with a soft smile.

“How many times do I have to say that for you to understand?”

Only then did Monaz realize her rudeness and blushed.

“Oh, I’m sorry, princess. I was so surprised… Hmm, if that’s the case, I can’t help but say that this is an amazing ability.”

“You mean this is impossible even for you, the Grand Mage?”

“Yes. There are many different magical talents, but of course the detection of magical power is included among them. To be able to even visualize traces of hidden mana… In fact, it would be something that only exists in legends.”

As I spoke, it seemed like Monaz still had a hard time believing what I was saying. It would be more consistent to say that it was a coincidence of eyes than to say that the princess whom we have served until now is a legendary being.

I don’t even know how I got this ability. However, it seems clear that I can use the Necklace of Truth, that I discovered hidden mana, and that I have magical talent.

In that case, we need to find a way to utilize this new weapon effectively. Of course, he is doing quite well in this case as well. After the sword festival was successfully completed, it would be necessary to verify and train one’s abilities.

But the issue at hand isn’t about my mana detection abilities right now.

“Then, Monaz, what happens to the sword with hidden mana like this? There must be some danger, right?”

“Danger… The mana hidden in the object causes an amplification reaction when magic is used. The effect of magic is increased.”

Before the sword festival, non-lethal magic is used in the weapons of both sides. The reason why the mana seed was hidden in the sword was because Carmel’s target was probably there.

“What if the non-lethal magic used in the Festival of Swords is amplified?”

“Hmm… It will become dull to the point where it won’t be able to fight. Captain Pilgret, could you please lend me your sword for a moment?”

Philgret wordlessly drew his sword and handed it to Monaz. Monaz raised her sword and concentrated her mana like before.

“Logical Sell.”

At first glance, nothing seems to have changed. The blade still looked sharp. Monaz said as she returned it to Pilgret.

“The sword is currently subject to a non-lethal spell when an amplification reaction occurs. Now, Captain Pilgret. Cut the table with that sword.”

Philgret gave me a glance as if asking for permission. I nodded. Pilgret immediately moved and struck the table with his sword.

Considering the swordsmanship skills of Pilgret, the leader of the guard, cutting down a wooden table would be easier than cutting up radishes. However, the sword, which had been swung with great force, was stuck in the board of the table and could not move forward at all.

To someone who knows nothing, they would only think that the sword is lacking in skill compared to an excellent sword. If we were not careful, the guard would have suffered great embarrassment at the Festival of Swords tomorrow.

Monaz seemed to have recognized that as well, crossing her arms with a serious expression on her face.

“The Sword Festival is a meaningful ritual with a long history. It’s a huge shock that there are people in the kingdom who are trying to ruin it. Princess, what will you do? If this fact is made public, the festival of swords may be postponed until the culprit is found.”

I put it off… There is definitely such an option. An unknown person attempted to intervene in the outcome of the Battle of the Sword. That fact alone would be reason enough to postpone.

But I don’t think it’s such a good idea. Carmel still doesn’t know that her trick has been discovered. If so, you need to make the most of the situation. Even if we postpone the Festival of Swords, Carmel will try to disrupt it in other, more subtle ways.

“No, the Festival of Swords will proceed as scheduled. Monaz, please make sure you do not reveal this to anyone.”

“Ah, yes. If it is the princess’s order.”

“Monaz, you can remove that mana seed, right?”

“Yes. It’s not difficult. It reacts to magic and disappears when all is used up.”

“In that case, I would like to ask you a favor. For the fairness of the sword festival.”

“You should be willing to do so. That’s my duty as a court mage.”

I ordered Philgret to take Monaz to where the weapon was. After the two people left, I looked at my palm.

There is not even a faint haze visible, let alone a thick fog-like mana like Monaz. It was just a pretty hand that didn’t show any magical power.

I sighed softly and got up.