Chapter 223
“N-nonsense. Just where did such an item come from…”
“A miracle, it’s truly a miraculous item. With this, we can really do anything.”
“Aren’t you curious about what would happen if we ate it…?”
“Should we grind up just a little bit and try eating it…?”
The orb Franz had brought out, or more accurately, the refined magic stone had thrown the Magic Tool Development Department into a veritable crucible of chaos.
Though they held the title of Researcher, their foundation was ultimately that of a Mage, so they couldn’t suppress their curiosity toward the unknown.
Even so, he hadn’t expected them to think about grinding it up and eating it.
‘…So what actually happens if you eat it?’
Would it show the same reaction as a normal magic stone? Or would a new reaction occur?
Franz was seriously pondering this.
“A flying vehicle - is that really possible?”
The department head of the Magic Tool Development Department asked with eyes full of curiosity. It seemed he was more interested in making things than in magic.
For a moment, the thought 'Is this guy a fake Mage?' crossed his mind, but he quickly erased it.
After all, it was a fact that he was making distinguished contributions in Magic Tool Development.
Anyway.
“I believe it is possible.”
Franz’s answer was filled with conviction.
The history of humans floating lumps of iron in the sky purely through science and technology spanned hundreds of years, from hot air balloons to airships and airplanes.
Therefore, floating a lump of iron in this world where magic exists should be more than possible.
“Could you perhaps share your detailed thoughts?”
“For now, my idea is…”
Franz began to draw a blueprint on the wide chalkboard hanging on the wall.
A streamlined body to reduce air resistance, long and elegantly extended wings, and even wheels attached to the bottom.
Although small in size, it looked exactly like a modern 21st-century airplane.
“This looks almost like… a bird.”
“It is merely a draft. For the details, we have no choice but to conduct experiments ourselves.”
“Whenever I look at you, Magic Tower Master, I realize that I am trapped in a mold. You are truly amazing.”
“Haha…, you flatter me.”
With his gaze full of respect, Franz awkwardly scratched his head.
Both the special carriage he had made earlier and this airplane were now nothing more than exact copies of things someone else had already created.
It felt somewhat uncomfortable, as if he were stealing their credit.
“Then we will build a model based on the Magic Tower Master’s draft and test it.”
“I hope it yields satisfactory results.”
While Franz conversed with the department head, the Researchers were already exchanging opinions as they stared at the airplane drawn on the chalkboard.
Was this what it meant to be the Magic Tool Development Department, after all?
Smiling warmly at the sight of the enthusiastic staff, Franz placed the neglected magic stone back into his bag.
“If you happen to have any questions, feel free to visit the Magic Tower Master’s Office at any time.”
With those final words, Franz left the Magic Tool Development Department.
He had handed over the draft, so the rest was their role.
* * *
The headquarters of the Goddess Church is Saint Seraphia Cathedral.
“Goddess Luan has spoken. A heart that heals the sick and comforts the weary…”
The Saintess, Yustia, was spreading God’s Teachings to the Followers.
It was something she had always done to the point where it could be called her daily routine.
But why was it? Today, of all days, she felt an unusual sense of skepticism.
No, that was a lie. It had always been like this since she became the Saintess. She was sick and tired of living a cookie-cutter life.
She had just briefly forgotten about it thanks to a certain someone.
‘Why did I do such a thing…’
If she had been just a little more level-headed, she could have ignored it and moved on.
No, she should have ignored it, even if Arian had blatantly provoked her.
What was the price she had to face for failing to endure that brief moment?
She tossed and turned at night, and her head was so full of those thoughts all day that she couldn’t do anything.
She even felt skeptical about the Saintess duties she used to perform silently…
Above all, her heart hurt too much.
His attitude of not even listening to her excuses, his cold gaze, and his voice slashed mercilessly at her heart.
‘Can I be forgiven…’
She could apologize as many times as needed. If she had to kneel and beg, she could do that too.
But what if she wasn’t even given the chance? What if he never came looking for her again?
She was anxious. She was terrified. The cause was that she might not be able to return to his side.
That night, unable to sleep, Yustia visited the confession room alone.
‘So this is what it felt like.’
The confession room she entered for the first time was small enough to barely fit one person, to the point where she felt a sense of pressure rather than comfort.
The small holes were visible right in front of her when she sat on the chair. Through those holes, Yustia had listened to the confession of the Followers.
Although there was no one to listen to her right now…
Since repentance wasn’t something done to be heard by someone else in the first place, a low voice began to echo in the confession room.
“I have committed a grave sin. Blinded by jealousy, I ended up throwing a punch. No, perhaps I have been committing a grave sin even before that. For a Saintess has harbored the heart of a woman and fallen in love with a man.”
Yes, this was a sin.
Despite being called a symbol of purity and all that, she ultimately couldn’t discard her womanly heart.
It was tantamount to betraying the expectations of many.
It was then.
Something that shouldn’t have happened, did.
“Who called that a sin? You are also a human. It is only natural to love and hate someone.”
A voice was heard from beyond the small holes, even though there definitely shouldn’t have been anyone there.
But Yustia wasn’t surprised. She merely stared blankly at the small holes.
It was a voice she had heard countless times.
“Denying evil does not make one good, and denying good does not make one evil. Only when you fully accept and understand both can you truly be called a saint.”
That meant jealousy was not a sin, so she shouldn’t deny herself.
To Yustia, who had been denying all of her own actions, those were quite poignant words.
“Raise your head, child. If you are a sinner, then everyone in the world is a sinner. And the cause of that surely lies with me. For I am the one who created humans that way.”
“But I hurt someone. That is definitely a sin, isn’t it?”
“Do you remember Book of Luan, Chapter 2, Verse 13?”
Of course she remembered. It was none other than what she had recited today.
“Making a mistake is not a sin. The action and heart that fail to correct it are the sin.”
“You remember it well.”
A sense of satisfaction could be felt in God’s Voice.
Yustia was a little glad about that. It felt as though her efforts were being recognized.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve realized what I need to do.”
“I haven’t done anything. You merely realized, reflected, and resolved on your own.”
Even Yustia, who usually disliked the Goddess, had no choice but to admit it today.
If it hadn’t been for the Goddess, she would have wandered lost for a long time.
“By the way, child, how long do you plan to remain in that kind of relationship with Franz?”
“Pardon…?”
“Just go ahead and pounce on him.”
She had better correct herself.
The Goddess was definitely not normal, to the point where it felt foolish to have even briefly thought otherwise.
Of course…
‘Should I try pouncing on him…?’
Like Goddess, like Saintess.
* * *
It has been three days since Arian and Yustia fought.
During that time, Franz had been incredibly busy.
He had to personally handle the work Arian usually did, and he also had to formulate a plan for the two Magic Associations that were like bitter enemies.
Not only that, but there were meetings with the Magic Tool Development Department, the provision of support to understaffed departments, and finally, the introduction of the Magic Tower and Ester to Levi.
He was so busy that the question, 'I can use teleportation, so why can’t I use cloning?' naturally came to mind.
It was a good thing Seria and Zenia helped out diligently; otherwise, it would have been truly exhausting.
In exchange, he had to listen to them call him a scrub every evening, but…
Well, he figured he got off cheap with just that. It was just a joke anyway.
“Levi, watch the house well.”
“Hah-, am I some kind of puppy? Watching the house?”
Leaving the grumbling Levi behind, Franz exited the Magic Tower Lord’s Office.
As he stepped outside, the sunset sky was beautifully dyed with the glow of twilight.
‘Giving her this much time should have cooled her head.’
Soon, the place Franz arrived at was in front of Arian’s House.
Tomorrow would be the day she returned to work, so he wanted to finally hear the story he had been putting off.
Of course, he could just hear it at the Magic Tower tomorrow, but…
It was better to see her with a smiling face in the morning if possible.
It would also be troublesome if she ended up tossing and turning in her sleep for no reason.
Ding-dong-.
When he pressed the doorbell, it wasn’t long before he felt a presence beyond the door.
The door opened immediately, revealing a servant.
The servant bowed respectfully toward Franz in greeting.
“I’ve come to see Arian.”
“Could you please wait a moment?”
Franz nodded his head in place of an answer.
The servant bowed again and walked deeper into the mansion, returning shortly after with an answer.
“She asks that you wait inside for a moment.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
Franz headed to the reception room, guided by the servant.
As he sat on the plush sofa, a teacup was placed on the table in front of him.
How long had he waited while sipping his tea?
“…Magic Tower Master.”
Arian appeared.
Unsurprisingly, she was not in a normal state.