Chapter 98
──Thor's Point of View──
"So Grand Duke Charon's unit defeated 'Demon Beast Nozerias' without any trouble. Amazing..."
Grand Duke Charon's unit was approaching from the other side of the highway.
Behind them was the corpse of the scorpion demon beast—'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
Its legs had been cut off, and its body had been split in two from head to torso.
They had probably immobilized it by severing its legs, then bisected it with the Holy Sword.
They would be able to harvest materials such as its hide and claws that way.
It was a way of defeating it that I had been unable to use.
The former Sword Saint of the Empire and the 'Holy Sword Princess' could do things like this...?
"Thor-sama. Which person is the former Sword Saint?"
Mabel asked in a tense voice.
Agnis and the Minotaur-sans also had stiff expressions.
Everyone seemed wary of Grand Duke Charon.
"The person beside Princess Liana. You see the gray-haired man wearing a cloak?"
"...That person?"
"It is my first time seeing him in person, too."
"He is the strongest swordsman, isn't he...? But he is not exactly powerfully built, and his expression is gentle."
"The fact that he does not look very strong... makes him even more frightening..."
Mabel and Agnis looked puzzled.
Grand Duke Charon was an older man with graying hair.
He was tall and slender, and barely moved his left arm. I had heard it was because of an old injury.
He also treated the soldiers around him courteously. He had the air of a gentleman.
He was the exact opposite of my father—Balga Rigas.
My father had been extremely muscular and was always intimidating his subordinates at the top of his voice.
That was what I had imagined when I thought of powerful people from the Empire.
Perhaps someone as powerful as a grand duke had no need to make himself look strong.
"No... I should not let my preconceptions influence me."
I would judge what kind of person Grand Duke Charon was with my own eyes.
He was the Empire's highest-ranking noble and the Emperor's cousin.
He was also a former Sword Saint and a symbol of the Empire's strength.
The belief that strength was supreme had driven me out of that country and created people like my father.
But Grand Duke Charon was also the person who had allowed Princess Liana to meet Princess Sofia.
Princess Sofia had been delighted to meet her younger sister, and I had learned that Princess Liana was not a bad person. I had also gained information about how to use the Holy Sword.
Both of those things had happened thanks to Grand Duke Charon.
That was why I wanted to speak with him in person and find out what kind of person he was.
Well... I might not get the chance, though.
While I was thinking about that, Grand Duke Charon's unit came to a stop.
They kept a little distance from our unit, and then—
Imperial soldiers, and people of the Demon Lord's territory!"
Grand Duke Charon called out from the front of his unit.
"I am Imperial Grand Duke Charon Riestan, and this is the unit of Her Highness Princess Liana Dolgaria. We have come to investigate the new demon beast. I would like to know your affiliations and names!"
"We are the 'Omawarisan Unit' under the direct command of Her Highness Princess Sofia Dolgaria!"
Isaac-san and the others, the 'Noza Town' unit, all knelt on the ground at once.
Behind them, we remained standing normally.
We were people from another country, so there was no need for us to kneel before an Imperial grand duke.
"With the cooperation of the people of the Demon Lord's territory, we were investigating a suspicious fortress. As a result, we learned that a new demon beast was targeting Your Highness and the Grand Duke's unit, so we came to your aid. We would like to exchange information first. Would that be acceptable?"
"You have my permission. And we have already received your aid. Thanks to the letter you gave us, we were able to defeat the demon beast with ease."
Grand Duke Charon nodded with a gentle expression.
Thank goodness. It seemed the Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuum' had reached Princess Liana safely.
"Thank you for your assistance, Isaac Omawarisan Myura and the 'Omawarisan Unit'—and all of you from the Demon Lord's territory!"
"Ooooooooooh!!"
The 'Noza Town' unit erupted in excitement.
It was probably because Grand Duke Charon had addressed Isaac-san by his full name, including his middle name.
Isaac-san had only recently begun calling himself an 'Omawarisan.'
Yet Grand Duke Charon had addressed him by that name accurately, and in an official setting at that.
To Isaac-san and the others, it must have felt as though the Grand Duke had recognized them.
"I would like to hear the details. Unit Commander Isaac, come this way."
"Y-yes, sir!"
"And now, people of the Demon Lord's territory!"
Grand Duke Charon turned toward General Raizenga.
"Thank you for investigating the demon beast alongside the 'Noza Town' unit. I would also like to thank you for coming all the way here to warn us of the danger."
With that, Grand Duke Charon bowed to General Raizenga.
The General and the Minotaur-sans murmured, "Oh!"
The Empire's highest-ranking noble had bowed to people from the Demon Lord's territory in front of Imperial soldiers.
"Your courteous greeting is appreciated. I am Raizenga Freizad, a general of the Demon Lord's territory."
General Raizenga replied.
"By His Majesty the Demon Lord's will, I was ordered to assist with the investigation of the new demon beast ravaging the borderlands. I have unexpectedly come deep into Imperial territory, but I hope you will forgive this for the sake of peace along the border."
"Of course. I would also like to hear the details from you. Would that be possible?"
"Understood."
"There is also one other person I would like to have join us..."
Grand Duke Charon turned to the side.
He looked at Princess Liana beside him—and then, following his gaze, looked in my direction.
...Huh?
I had been focused on Grand Duke Charon and had not noticed.
Princess Liana was looking at me.
She held a white cloth in her hand. It was Princess Sofia's handkerchief.
As I had expected, the Spherical Type had successfully completed its mission.
But Princess Liana's expression was utterly serious.
Her face was bright red, and her eyes were wide open—she almost looked angry.
Could it be that... she had not understood the meaning of the letter?
Perhaps expecting her to understand 'Juwaaa,' 'Shuuu,' 'Zukyun,' 'Gyurun,' and 'Zubabaan' had been too much.
I had thought that Princess Liana, who relied on intuition, would understand...
I had not wanted to explain how to use the Holy Sword to people from the Empire. That was why I had used only onomatopoeia.
But... if it did not get through, the letter was meaningless.
That might have been why Princess Liana was staring at me so intently.
She had received a meaningless letter addressed to a princess. Of course she would be angry.
If so, then the person Grand Duke Charon had said he wanted to have join us was—
"Is Alchemist Thor Rigas-dono here?"
I knew it.
Of course. Anyone who saw a magic item deliver a letter would realize I was involved...
"I would like to hear your account as well. Would you join us?"
"...Understood."
I had no choice.
I would explain everything properly so that the Demon Lord's territory would not be inconvenienced.
"Thor-sama, I will accompany you as your guard!"
"May I come with you as well, Agnis...?"
"Thank you. But... I think it would be difficult for you to come as my guards."
Only Grand Duke Charon and Isaac-san had come forward from the Imperial side.
Princess Liana... had not left the unit.
Perhaps she was exhausted from using the Holy Sword.
If there were two people on the Imperial side, we needed to match their number.
If we outnumbered them, it might make the Grand Duke's unit wary.
"They probably will not do anything strange, either."
Princess Liana could be trusted.
Isaac-san also knew what we were capable of.
They should not do anything here that would turn the Demon Lord's territory into an enemy.
"I will be back soon. Wait here."
"...Yes."
"...We will await your return."
But Mabel, please stop gripping the 'Meteorite Arrow' behind your back.
And Agnis, you do not need to clutch the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant' so tightly.
We are only going to have a discussion, all right?
"Then I am off."
I waved to the two of them and began walking alongside the General.
We started with a brief exchange of greetings.
Afterward, the Grand Duke told us why he had been heading toward the eastern fortress.
He had investigated suspicious flows of money in the Imperial Capital and realized that the fortress was suspicious.
He had then headed to the fortress with Princess Liana to investigate.
On the way, they encountered 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
Princess Liana had noticed the 'Robot Vacuum' and read my letter. Based on the information in it, they had prepared to intercept the demon beast.
As expected, it was Grand Duke Charon who had cut off 'Demon Beast Nozerias's' legs.
Afterward, Princess Liana had bisected the demon beast with the Holy Sword.
Incidentally, Princess Liana had become unstable after using the Holy Sword, so she would not be joining the discussion.
According to the Grand Duke, it was "because of the letter you sent."
But apparently she was not angry. Huh?
...In any case, I decided to send her another letter later.
After the Grand Duke finished speaking, General Raizenga described what had happened during our investigation.
The fortress commander had refused to allow Isaac-san to investigate, resulting in a battle against two 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
After the two demon beasts had been defeated, the third had headed toward the Grand Duke's unit.
He told them that we had come to their aid after restraining the people from the fortress.
"His Majesty the Demon Lord has entrusted this investigation entirely to me."
General Raizenga said this to Grand Duke Charon.
"It is my duty to confirm the facts. Therefore, I would like to be present when the soldiers are interrogated."
"Understood."
Grand Duke Charon replied.
"The people of the Demon Lord's territory came to rescue Princess Liana and me. I will respond to their goodwill."
"...Phew."
Unit Commander Isaac breathed a sigh of relief.
He seemed to have been nervous, caught between influential figures from the Empire and the Demon Lord's territory.
"The people of the Demon Lord's territory were inconvenienced because of us."
Grand Duke Charon nodded toward General Raizenga.
"I will petition the Council of High Officials and do my best to ensure that suitable compensation is paid for the damage inflicted on the Demon Lord's territory. I would also like to send a token of gratitude for your cooperation with the demon beast investigation."
"That is appreciated, but... Grand Duke, you are not the Emperor of the Empire, are you?"
General Raizenga tilted his head at the Grand Duke's words.
"Then it is difficult to believe that money and goods will be sent from the Empire..."
"I do have some influence. If I use the evidence from this incident to persuade them, I should be able to secure some compensation from the Council of High Officials. If I cannot, the Grand Duchy will provide suitable compensation itself."
"Then is this a personal promise from Your Grace?"
"That is correct. As a swordsman, I will not betray those who fought the same enemy. I will send you a written guarantee later, bearing the seal of the Grand Ducal family."
"Understood. I will inform His Majesty the Demon Lord and the Chancellor of this matter."
"Please do. Separately... I have a few questions."
Grand Duke Charon cleared his throat and then said,
"It seems that several unusual items were used during the demon beast investigation. Regarding those..."
"Thor-dono." "Alchemist-dono."
The General and Isaac-san looked toward me.
Ah, yes. So that was why I had been called.
"My name is Thor Kanan, and I am an alchemist. By the General's command, I will provide an explanation."
I gave the formal bow of a noble and then spoke.
The Grand Duke stared at me for a moment, then said,
"First... Let us see. During the explanation of the demon beast investigation, the General mentioned something called a 'Robot Vacuum.' Could you tell me what it is?"
"This is the one I sent as a messenger to Your Grace and Her Highness."
I picked up the Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuum.'
I had retrieved it earlier with the command, 'You who clean, return to your charger—House.'
"I cannot provide details without His Majesty's permission, but this device can track traces left by demon beasts. We used it to locate the fortress where the demon beasts were."
"A 'Robot Vacuum'... It is a golem that cleans, is it not? Yet it tracks demon beasts...?"
"Please think of it as something that cleans up demon beasts, the world's garbage, and helps make the world a cleaner place."
"...Is that so?"
"I cannot provide further details without His Majesty the Demon Lord's permission. I ask for your understanding."
"...I see. In that case, it cannot be helped."
Grand Duke Charon nodded.
"Very well. And as for the claim that you defeated those two demon beasts...?"
"It was experimental magic."
"Experimental magic."
"Please think of it as an inferior version of the Hero's magic, 'Meteor.'"
The Imperial soldiers had also witnessed 'Meteor Impostor.'
That was why I had consulted with General Raizenga and decided to disclose a certain amount of information.
"...An inferior version of 'Meteor.'"
"I cannot discuss the details without His Majesty the Demon Lord's permission—"
"I understand. You have your own position to consider."
After a while, Grand Duke Charon murmured quietly.
I wondered whether he believed me or was taking my words with a grain of salt.
Talking with him made one thing clear: Grand Duke Charon was not a bad person.
He listened to what General Raizenga and I said on an equal footing.
He was so courteous that it was difficult to believe he was an Imperial noble.
Still, it was only natural that I could not help remaining wary.
He was the Emperor's cousin. He was also the ruler of a grand duchy that had been granted autonomy by the Empire.
But precisely because he was a powerful person, he must know things that others did not.
"May I ask a question as well, Imperial Grand Duke?"
I spoke when the conversation reached a pause.
"There is something that concerns me—or rather, something I would like to ask you directly, if I have the General's permission."
I asked General Raizenga.
I was now an alchemist directly under Demon Lord Lukie and a person on the side of the Demon Lord's territory.
I needed General Raizenga's permission to ask an Imperial grand duke a question from our side.
With that in mind, I asked, and General Raizenga said,
"Imperial Grand Duke, will you permit our alchemist to ask his question?"
"I have no objection."
The Grand Duke nodded while looking intently at me.
"Go ahead. Thor Rigas-dono, alchemist of the Demon Lord's territory."
"That was the name I used when I lived in my former country. My current name is Thor Kanan."
Grand Duke Charon was powerful. He was also influential enough to be granted autonomy within the Empire.
That was precisely why there was something I wanted to confirm.
There was no way the fortress commander had summoned a new demon beast entirely on his own initiative.
Moreover, Summoning Magic was a secret art of the Empire. He must have been acting on the orders of someone who knew that art.
As a powerful person, Grand Duke Charon might have an idea who that was.
But I could not ask him that directly.
What should I do?
Yes... I should ask as an alchemist interested in mysterious technology.
"I find it strange that Geralt Tsenger and his people knew the route you and Princess Liana would be taking. Were they using mysterious magic items like the ones I use?"
Good. This should work.
An alchemist being interested in magic items was perfectly natural.
It was an innocent question, asked out of curiosity.
"If such an item exists, I would be very interested in hearing about it. Does Your Grace have any idea what it might be?"
"...That is something we will learn through the investigation."
The Grand Duke avoided giving a definite answer.
"Of course, we will also share the information with the Demon Lord's territory."
"I see..."
"Let me ask you in return. What do you think?"
"I do not know. I do not think there is anything else like the 'Robot Vacuum.'"
"Then how do you think they learned the route Princess Liana and I would take?"
"I cannot even imagine."
"Then... where do you think the information leaked from?"
Was he probing me?
No. The Grand Duke was smiling.
It was as though he were testing me. If so—
"I read in an Imperial history book that fortresses were once built throughout the country to prepare for an eastern minor kingdom that once existed, or its remnants. If that fortress was one of them, then it would fall under the authority of someone higher than the Minister of War."
"Your knowledge is correct."
"Then someone above Commander Geralt Tsenger may be involved. I do not know who, of course. I cannot imagine who it might be at all."
I had left myself an escape route, at least.
If it was someone above the Minister of War, then the only possibility was the Council of High Officials.
Or someone even higher.
I could not say it aloud, but Grand Duke Charon understood. That was why he wore an ironic smile and nodded.
Isaac-san's eyes widened in surprise.
General Raizenga, on the other hand, appeared to accept it without surprise.
"That line of thinking is characteristic of someone who was once an Imperial noble."
Grand Duke Charon said this.
"So, do you wish to condemn the Empire for its wrongdoing?"
"No. I just do not want something like this to happen again."
I said this.
"I hate the thought of my second homeland, the Demon Lord's territory, being ravaged by something like a new demon beast. It would be the worst if people from the country where I once lived caused trouble for the people dear to me. I only want to make sure this never happens again."
'Demon Beast Galgarossa' had taken up residence in the Demon Lord's territory.
The giant centipede had charged into the meeting between Lukie and Princess Sofia.
The fact that no one had been harmed was sheer luck. Things could easily have ended with injuries or deaths.
At worst, Demon Lord Lukie or Princess Sofia might have been injured.
If that had happened, I might have created a destructive item from the Hero world in a fit of anger.
The moment I learned who was responsible, I might even have activated it without question.
But I did not want to do that.
All I wanted was to open a workshop in the Demon Lord's territory and create items that helped people.
"If someone is behind the fortress commander, I want you to deal with them properly."
After thinking for a moment, I continued.
"Please do not give me any more reason to despise the land where I was born. The magic items I create are meant to make people happy, not punish them. End this incident so that I will not have to use 'Meteor Impostor' in Imperial territory again."
"...So that you will never again have to use magic like 'Meteor'...?"
"Yes."
Only three 'Meteorite Arrows' remained.
They were originally magic items for civil engineering. I had intended to use them to break up rocks obstructing mine development or widen rivers.
Yet I had consumed one to defeat 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
I did not want to use any more in battle. There was no guarantee we would find more meteorite.
"To repeat myself... all I want is for you to ensure that something like this never happens again."
I looked directly at Grand Duke Charon and said this.
For some reason, Grand Duke Charon's eyes widened, and he trembled slightly, but—
"I understand... In the name of Charon Riestan, I will uncover the cause. I promise that I will not allow the Demon Lord's territory to be troubled again. I will do everything in my power."
"Thank you."
I bowed to Grand Duke Charon according to noble etiquette.
"I also have a proposal for you, Alchemist Thor Kanan-dono."
"What is it, Imperial Grand Duke?"
"Would you be willing to come to the Grand Duchy?"
It was sudden.
Grand Duke Charon nodded repeatedly as he continued.
"Of course, I am not trying to poach you from the Demon Lord's territory. Seeing your items made me realize that the Grand Duchy needs to cultivate its own technicians as well. Would you come to the Grand Duchy and teach those who will follow? Naturally, we would pay you and the Demon Lord's territory suitable compensation."
"Your Grace!? What are you saying!?"
"I have taken a liking to him."
Grand Duke Charon gave Isaac-san a sly smile.
"Not only do I admire his skill in creating magic items, but I also like the way he asks questions. I would like to establish a connection with him. There is someone who would be pleased by that, as well."
"...Your Grace."
"What do you say, Thor Kanan-dono? It would be enough for you to visit the Grand Duchy for around ten days a year."
"That is a generous offer, but I must decline."
I shook my head.
"I am His Majesty the Demon Lord's alchemist. My workplace is in the Demon Lord's territory, and my duty is to create tools that help the people who live there. I cannot work in another country."
"I understand. I apologize for making such a foolish suggestion."
Grand Duke Charon shrugged.
What a shrewd man. Grand Duke Charon.
Judging by how easily he backed down, he had probably thought of it as a matter of, "It would be nice if he came."
"However, there may come a time when your work reaches a stopping point."
Just when I thought that was all, Grand Duke Charon looked toward the unit behind him for some reason before continuing.
"When that happens, I would very much like to learn alchemy from you."
"Perhaps. Once I become confident in my own skills, there may be such an opportunity."
"Hmm. When do you think that will be?"
"First, I need to make every magic item in the Mail-Order Catalog—or rather, in the textbook. After that, I will create original items and confirm that they are comparable to those of the Hero world. Once I have done that, I may become confident in my own skills."
"...Thor-dono."
"...Alchemist-dono. You are quite something."
Huh?
The General and Isaac-san were staring at me with wide eyes.
I had not thought I had said anything particularly strange.
The textbook—the 'Mail-Order Catalog'—was quite thick, after all. I had only made a few of the items in it.
I thought it would be a long time before I could feel confident in my alchemy.
"I understand."
In contrast, Grand Duke Charon nodded as though he found my answer perfectly reasonable.
"I understand very well. Alchemist Thor Kanan."
"You understand, Imperial Grand Duke?"
"I cannot yet feel confident in my own sword, either. As proof, I once suffered a defeat against a demon beast and was left with an injury to my left arm."
Grand Duke Charon rolled up his sleeve, baring his arm to the biceps.
Several marks resembling claw wounds remained on it.
"These are the result of youthful recklessness. I considered taking a disciple while still immature to have been my punishment, and since then I have devoted myself to sword training alone. I still have a long way to go before mastering my art."
"I have heard that Your Grace is one of the five strongest people in the Empire."
"There were countless Heroes stronger than I was. I must not become conceited."
"I understand."
"Indeed you do."
"I admire your determination to master a single art."
"Then come to the Grand Duchy—no, asking the same thing twice would be boorish."
"I apologize. I also wish to master a single art in the Demon Lord's territory."
"The Empire's loss in losing you cannot be helped."
With that, Grand Duke Charon turned toward General Raizenga and said,
"General of the Demon Lord's territory, you heard him. I, Grand Duke Charon, will take responsibility for investigating the culprit behind this incident. I will also share the results with the Demon Lord's territory. I will do everything in my power to ensure that this never happens again."
"I-I see. I will report those words to His Majesty the Demon Lord."
"I hope we will continue to communicate with your country in the future. Unit Commander Isaac, would you serve as the point of contact between the Grand Duchy and the Demon Lord's territory?"
"Y-yes, sir!"
Isaac-san straightened his back sharply.
"I will serve as the liaison between the Demon Lord's territory and the Grand Duchy. It is an honor to act as a bridge between the Demon Lord's territory and Grand Duke Charon-sama."
"Of course, I will also discuss this with your superior, Princess Sofia."
Finally, Grand Duke Charon looked at me and said,
"Alchemist Thor Kanan, I would like to speak with you at greater length."
──And with that, the discussion came to an end.
To summarize, three things had been decided.
From now on, the Grand Duke, General Raizenga, and Unit Commander Isaac would jointly interrogate the soldiers from the fortress.
The Demon Lord's territory and the Grand Duchy would communicate through Princess Sofia and Unit Commander Isaac.
They would also continue exchanging information about this incident as part of those communications.
Mabel, Agnis, and I would return to the Demon Lord's territory with some of the soldiers.
Princess Liana would apparently head to 'Noza Town' with her soldiers as well.
I had wanted to speak with Princess Liana, but she seemed exhausted, so it could not be helped.
I would send Princess Sofia a letter later and ask whether we could meet.
I wanted to discuss the 'Juwaaa,' 'Shuuu,' 'Zukyun,' 'Gyurun,' and 'Zubabaan' business, too.
Grand Duke Charon was... a surprisingly easy person to talk to.
The Demon Lord's territory and the Grand Duchy would be communicating from now on, so I would probably have opportunities to speak with him.
I hoped he would come to understand the Demon Lord's territory.
"Then, after a short rest, we shall head to the fortress, General."
"Understood. I hope the Demon Lord's territory, the Empire, and the Grand Duchy will continue to enjoy a good relationship."
General Raizenga and Grand Duke Charon shook hands, and the meeting came to an end.