Chapter 79
──A Few Days Later, at the Demon Lord's Castle──
"Thor-dono has made a 'Magic Power Detector'?!"
Chancellor Kelv's voice echoed through the throne room.
Demon Lord Lukie gazed at the 'winged box' on the floor and said,
"Yes. It seems he made it to search for magic circles. One is with Raizenga. He made another and sent it here as a consideration so he could obtain permission to use it, I imagine."
"...A-as expected of Thor-dono. That was very thoughtful of him."
"You seem remarkably calm, Kelv."
"I decided to vent all my surprise by shouting at the very beginning."
Chancellor Kelv nodded with a composed expression.
"I expect to be associated with Thor-dono for a long time to come. I cannot afford to be surprised by every little thing."
"I am pleased with your growth as your liege."
"It is my great honor. By the way, what is that next to the box?"
"This was sent by Raizenga. It is silver ore found near the mine."
"A sample taken before full-scale mining begins."
"A map was enclosed as well. They will investigate the area and decide where to start digging."
"We should try to proceed as efficiently as possible."
"It would be easier if we knew the exact location of the silver vein."
Demon Lord Lukie nodded.
Then she picked up the letter that had been sent with the map.
"And this is the record of the 'Magic Power Detector' experiments?"
"So Thor-dono conducted experiments to see whether the item worked on his end as well."
"It contains detailed information about the abilities of the 'Magic Power Detector.' If there is clothing someone has worn, it can use the magic power in it as a clue to find that person."
"Conversely, it seems possible to find something that person was wearing. However, if it was worn only briefly, the magic power is weak, so it cannot be found unless the detector is brought close. The magic power also fades quickly... I see. It would be difficult to use in criminal investigations."
"He seems to have conducted the operational tests very enthusiastically."
"It says here that he continued the experiments until late at night."
"Yes. Apparently, he played hide-and-seek with Mabel, Agnis, and the pixies until late into the night."
"I see. That was how he confirmed whether it could detect magic power."
".........I want to play, too."
"Your Majesty?"
"It is nothing."
"No, it sounded as though you said something."
"I said it was nothing! More importantly, let us conduct an experiment with the 'Magic Power Detector.'"
Lukie rose from her throne and approached the 'Magic Power Detector' on the floor.
"Thor wrote that he wanted us to verify the capabilities of the 'Magic Power Detector' here as well. It seems he sent a magic stone for the experiment."
"Then let us put it in and test it... Oh?"
When Kelv picked up the 'Magic Power Detector,' the door on its surface moved.
A rattling sound came from inside as well.
"The door must not have been properly closed. If it is rattling, then..."
"Thor must have put a magic stone inside. In that case, let us conduct the experiment as it is."
"Understood."
Chancellor Kelv hoisted the 'Magic Power Detector' onto his back.
This magic item apparently worked when equipped.
Ping.
At once, the wings on his back began to move.
The four wings extended and retracted──
──then pointed straight at the silver ore on the floor.
"...Oh?"
"Why is it pointing at the silver ore?"
"Look inside the 'Magic Power Detector.'"
Lukie walked around behind Kelv and opened the 'Magic Power Detector.'
Inside was a small silver-colored stone.
"What? So it wasn't a magic stone inside after all, but a fragment of ore."
"...What?"
"The door wasn't properly closed, so a fragment of ore must have gotten inside while it was being transported. Take it out, and we'll redo the experiment..."
"I see. The 'Magic Power Detector' reacted to the silver ore..."
"........Huh?"
"........What?"
"...?"
"It can locate rock containing silver...? Is that even possible?"
"Ore certainly contains magic power, but it should be extremely faint..."
The silver ore had been buried underground.
Naturally, it contained a faint trace of the earth's magic.
But the 'Magic Power Detector' had not reacted to the stones in the floor or the pillars.
That meant this magic item could distinguish silver-bearing rock from ordinary rock──
"Does that mean the 'Magic Power Detector' can locate silver veins?"
"..."
"I have heard that the magic power of rock containing silver changes slightly. But that change should be so faint that even pixies cannot detect it. Are you saying this 'Magic Power Detector' can find it...?"
"..."
"Thor. What in the world have you made this time? Well, it will certainly make developing the mine easier, but..."
"It is far more significant than that, Your Majesty!"
Thud.
"Do not make such a loud noise, Kelv. You are frightening me."
"I'm the one who's frightened! If we can determine where the silver veins are, we can measure the reserves, too! We can plan our mining operations and work with an eye to the next ten or twenty years without exhausting the deposits! We can even control the amount of silver currency in circulation! Do you understand what this means?!"
Thud-thud! Thud!
"Furthermore, if we apply it properly, we may be able to find gold veins!"
"But wouldn't we need gold ore?"
"It might react to gold coins, mightn't it?!"
Thud! Thud-thud!
"This is top secret! I hereby declare this matter top secret! Once we find the magic circle, this item will be sealed away! In Your Majesty's name, it may only be used when searching for ore veins!"
"I understand, so calm down, Kelv. If you break the pillar, everyone will come running. Then it will hardly remain a secret."
"...Y-yes."
Chancellor Kelv pulled away from the pillar he had been pounding.
Lukie tried to calm him down.
"I will send letters to Thor and Raizenga. I will tell them to keep this item top secret and use it only to investigate the magic circle. The fact that it can be used to investigate ore veins will remain a secret known only to me, you, Thor and his assistants, and Raizenga, who is in charge of mining development. I will have Thor make sure the pixies keep quiet about it."
"I believe that is a wise decision."
"When I have time, I will visit Thor's workshop. I should warn him in person to consult me beforehand whenever he makes an outrageous item like this."
"I wholeheartedly agree."
"This item in particular must be kept top secret from the Empire. I trust Princess Sofia, but revealing information about an item this powerful would be dangerous. We never know where the secret might leak."
"As you command."
Chancellor Kelv nodded.
After that, they discussed in detail the search for the barrier and how to handle the 'Magic Power Detector'—and today's audience came to an end.
"I must inform Thor and Raizenga of what was decided today."
After returning to her room, Lukie began writing letters to Thor and Raizenga.
They were directives from the Demon Lord.
A warning to handle the 'Magic Power Detector' with care.
A warning never to let the Empire learn of its existence.
And instructions on when the item should and should not be used.
Finally—
(Next time we meet, make sure I get to join the hide-and-seek game, too!)
──After writing that, Lukie hurriedly crumpled the parchment.
To make sure no one read it, she carefully annihilated it with dark flames.
(What am I writing in an official letter as the Demon Lord?!)
Lukie put on the 'Recognition Obstruction' mask that lay on her desk and picked up her pen.
She took a deep breath and began writing the letter again.
It had been a mistake.
She should have kept the mask on while doing her work as Demon Lord.
Recently, whenever she took off the mask... she sometimes started acting like an ordinary girl.
It was all Thor's fault.
The first time she entered the 'Simple Storage,' Thor took her mask and robe, exposing her true identity to him. In front of Thor... and Mabel, she had become able to show her vulnerable side.
Perhaps because of that, whenever she took off the mask, she could not help thinking about Thor.
(Thor, you had better prepare yourself. You will properly take responsibility... for changing me!)
Demon Lord Lukie gazed at the 'Special Good-Luck Ring' on her ring finger and grinned.
And so, she began writing the rest of the letter.