Talent Scouting
by Afuhfuihgs
The gathering ended just like that. With no other plans until the end of winter break, we decided to each do our own thing until the next meeting. Even without this gathering, everyone was busy with their own lives.
As soon as the meeting was over, Raelran got up and returned to the North. It seemed he was busy trying to form a cooperative relationship with Frax, using Bella, who would become the Emperor, just like the other me from another world had done.
I was about to return to the academy when Bella grabbed my arm.
,Ross, I have something to say.,
Seeming to want to talk separately, Bella led me to a secluded spot away from the table and carefully asked.
,Do you know why I bothered to bring Lamine to the meeting?,
At Bella’s question, I thought for a moment. Then I nodded. If it was just to put a leash on her like Ian, using her as a hunting dog, there would be no reason to bring her to a secret meeting.
But the fact that she brought Lamine, who hadn’t received the memories, to the meeting meant there was definitely another purpose. I thought I knew roughly what that reason was.
,Are you thinking of transferring my memories to Lamine?,
,Yeah, I wanted to make Lamine genuinely help us.,
It seemed she hadn’t completely won Lamine over to her side. Thinking of the iron-blooded Rene I knew, she wasn’t someone who would be easily persuaded, even if Bella was the Crown Princess who would soon become Emperor.
Frankly speaking, the idea of recruiting Lamine as our comrade was a novel idea I had never considered. So, I felt a strong interest in Bella’s choice.
,I understand.,
I calculated my remaining magic power and created a snow globe containing enough memories to roughly grasp the flow of events so far. Lamine, who approached at Bella’s call, took a deep breath with a nervous expression and placed her hand on the snow globe.
Lamine, having received the memories, staggered for a moment as if feeling dizzy. Shaking her head to regain her senses, Lamine looked up and smiled at me.
,Thank you for transferring the memories. To be honest, I couldn’t completely trust the Crown Princess-nim’s words. I even had the shameful suspicion that she might be trying to trap our family.,
There was no way Bella, who had the ability to discern the sincerity of others, wouldn’t know that. So, it seemed she created this opportunity to receive the memories in order to dispel Lamine’s doubts and allow her to help sincerely.
,I’m sorry for the unnecessary suspicion. I can now believe that you only told me the truth. I will do my best to help as promised.,
At Lamine’s sincere apology, Bella simply nodded expressionlessly. It wasn’t that she was upset by Lamine’s suspicion. She just couldn’t feel any emotions and was indifferent.
Because her heart was calloused, Lamine’s suspicion didn’t hurt. Being suspected and hated by the people around her was an everyday occurrence for Bella.
Feeling unnecessarily concerned about it, I looked at Bella, but she just gave me a look that seemed to say, ,What are you looking at?, before I could say anything. Before I could say anything, Lamine turned to me and said.
,Thank you, if you hadn’t saved my younger brother’s life… I really might have been tempted and gone to the Order.,
Not knowing what to say, I gave a wry smile.
,And please take care of Lacar.,
,Rather, I am receiving Lacar’s help.,
Seeing Lamine smile happily at my answer, I thought Lacar had a good older sister.
As if Lamine had finished speaking, she took a step back, and Bella, who had been silent, took a step closer to me as if it was her turn.
,What are you planning to do with the Saintess?,
At the sudden question, I scratched my cheek for a moment. It wasn’t a problem that required much thought. I had already decided to end the Saintess’s tragic story as I pleased.
,I will save her. Somehow.,
,Then shouldn’t you move quickly?,
,Is there a reason you think so?,
,If breaking the seal of the Holy Sword means the Saintess’s death, I thought Roel, who even killed the Fairy King for rapid growth, might target the Saintess next.,
It was a highly probable prediction. But because she hadn’t received detailed memories about the Saintess, there was something Bella was missing.
,There’s no need to worry about that.,
,Why?,
,The Saintess has a setting that allows her to avoid Roel until the end if she wants to.,
She had the ability to avoid being killed by Roel’s hand, but the self-sacrifice of giving up her life to save the world… I thought it was a fitting end for the Saintess, so I included that setting.
,Until the events in the Great Forest are over, the Saintess won’t be willing to die by Roel’s hand. It’s faster than her scheduled death. So, there’s no need to worry yet.,
,So, instead of the Saintess, he killed the easy-to-find Fairy King first… I understand the order now.,
Nodding as if she understood, Bella was about to pass by me as if she had nothing more to say. I urgently blocked her path and said.
,Could I ask you for a favor too?,
I was dumbfounded by Bella’s reaction of frowning at the word ,favor,.
,It’s not difficult.,
,…What is it?,
,Could you give me one of the Imperial Palace Guardian Golems?,
,I can give you that much… Ah, is it because of your magic engineering knowledge?,
Realizing what I meant as she spoke, Bella covered her mouth with her hand in surprise.
,Yes, I’m thinking of using my magic engineering knowledge to tinker with a golem.,
At those words, the golden eyes that were looking at me sparkled. Bella, who had lowered her hand from her mouth, said with a gentle smile.
,I’ll send it to the academy by the end of today. If you can efficiently improve the Imperial Palace Guardian Golem like the improved portal, I promise a big reward too.,
It seemed she had high expectations for my magic engineering knowledge. Actually, that’s why I asked for it. Now that I’ve realized the essence of magic engineering through quantum jump, I should be able to develop the Imperial Palace Guardian Golem more efficiently and powerfully.
Just as I was about to nod and open my mouth, a warm, soft hand covered my mouth. It was Estelle’s doing, who had quietly approached and wedged herself between me and Bella.
Tilting her head as if to say ,What’s this?, Bella deliberately looked down at Estelle and raised one corner of her mouth as she said.
,I even moved to a secluded spot to talk alone, but not understanding that intention and butting in without any sense… Is it because you’re poorly educated, or just lacking in thought? What do you think?,
At Bella’s action of suddenly raising her gaze and asking for my opinion, I reflexively lowered my gaze. Estelle’s pure white crown was clearly visible. Estelle, who had lowered the hand that was covering my mouth, placed both hands on her hips.
Then, as if not wanting to lose to Bella, Estelle raised her face, which was covered with a black cat mask, and said in a coquettish voice that I had never heard before.
,Oh my, didn’t you know? I’ve decided to handle all contracts related to Ross instead… Trying to secretly make a contract while leaving the agent aside, as expected, the words ,dirty, and ,cheap, suit you perfectly.,
It hurts. I want to ask why she’s kicking my shin with her heel while she’s talking.
It seems to be some kind of signal, but I didn’t want to open my mouth in this fight.
,Isn’t the shady one the shy person who still wears a cat mask even after eating so many years? Why? Have you done so many things you’re not proud of in front of your comrades?,
,Oh my, a woman’s jealousy is truly scary. I know a few of the Crown Princess-nim’s shameful escapades. I’m just, re. al. ly. forced to wear it because men only focus on my appearance when I take off the mask.,
,That’s what’s really shady. Still not escaping from your childhood delusions―.,
,Yeah, a pig’s oinking is impossible for human ears to interpret. Oink oink oink―.,
As I was wondering how to escape this hell, someone poked my back.
Startled, I turned my head back, and Eunice gestured for me to follow her.
I sincerely expressed my gratitude to Eunice, who helped me quietly escape the fight.
,…I’m sincerely grateful.,
I feel like my energy has been drained in an instant. Even though I didn’t participate in the conversation.
,What, it’s not like they’re doing that for the first time. They’ll be like that for the next few hours.,
If that’s the case, wouldn’t you say they get along well? If they really hated each other, they wouldn’t fight like that. They would just ignore each other and pass by.
,It wasn’t intentional, but I heard the word ,golem,. Are you thinking of doing something related to golems?,
,Yeah, I’m thinking of using my magic engineering knowledge. Since I can easily get a top-notch item called the Imperial Palace Guardian Golem if I ask Bella. I was thinking if there was a way to utilize my abilities as much as possible.,
At my answer, Eunice’s eyes lit up. It was as if she had been waiting for my answer.
,I have something to tell you about golems.,
,What is it?,
Eunice, who took out a notebook from her old bag, quickly flipped through the pages and showed me a certain page. There were various designs of golem-like things drawn there.
,Is this also a golem?,
As I asked that while turning to the next page, Eunice nodded and said.
,If you have time, how about visiting Arcadia Academy?,
Arcadia Academy was the northern academy that participated in the triathlon. I remember it as a place with many soldier-like students wearing green uniforms.
,Why there?,
,The city of Dirot, where Arcadia Academy is located, is where the most active research on golems is conducted on the continent. A competition to announce new golems every year is held as a city festival, it’s a place that’s serious about golems.,
Eunice tapped her notebook and added with a smiling face.
,The sketches here are also golems that were presented at Arcadia Academy this summer. Thanks to the academy exchange event, I was able to participate for free.,
Come to think of it, it was Arcadia Academy that entered last in the triathlon procession, riding a golem.
Although the use of golems was impossible due to the triathlon rules, it was only used in the procession, but the promotional effect on golems would have been clear. The scene remains vividly in my memory.
,I know that Transcendence Academy is where the best in the continent gather, but….,
Eunice, who closed her notebook, said with a face full of anticipation.
,You’ll definitely be able to find hidden gems at Arcadia Academy too.,
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