NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49
Late at night, I stepped out of the mansion to soothe my tired body after prolonged research.
It was the time when Ariya and the Hero returned.
“Ah, Lady Rui.”
“You just arrived. What about the Hero…?”
“…I’ll go in and rest first.”
“…?”
“Goodnight, Hero. Lady Rui, should we talk over there?”
“…Yes.”
Did something go wrong?
Seeing the Hero divert his gaze, I was honestly flustered.
I followed Ariya to a corner of the mansion’s garden. It was so quiet that it felt like the entire world could hear me even if I spoke softly.
“Did something go wrong…?”
“Lady Rui…! I was so nervous…!”
“Eh.”
The grace Ariya maintained until just moments ago vanished as she suddenly hugged me and mumbled.
Watching the completely contrasting reactions of the two made me feel a growing confusion in my head.
“Seriously, my heart is racing, and I’m worried the Hero will find out…!”
“I-I see. Calm down.”
I tried to soothe her by patting her head.
Still, she lingered in my embrace for quite a while before pulling away.
To be precise, I had been the one hugging her.
“Then the Hero acted like that earlier because he felt embarrassed to see Lady Ariya.”
“…Yes! That’s right.”
Ariya glanced away shyly as she replied.
Despite that, the Hero avoided my gaze and turned away when our eyes met, but it felt a bit inappropriate to ask about it.
‘…He seems a bit too self-conscious.’
I shouldn’t entertain the thought that he would be concerned about me since I’m not even a heroine.
[No matter what happens, I’ll prioritize you.]
Thump.
‘…That was just a line to get Nia here.’
Well, if the person involved thinks it’s okay, isn’t that fine?
In that case, I had to move on to the next agenda.
“How did the investigation go?”
“Everyone agreed! There are even people who said they would convey it directly to the neighbors. It seems like it will end faster than expected.”
“I see.”
As expected, the combination of the Hero and the Saint.
In matters concerning public sentiment, they yield unrivaled power.
‘Then I need to move quickly as well.’
Maybe staying up late tonight wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
“Lady Rui.”
“Yes?”
“By the way, I hope you don’t stay up because of me…”
“…Did I just say that out loud?”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
It seemed like I thought that without saying it out loud.
But how did Ariya catch on?
“Wait, you don’t really plan to stay up, do you…?”
“Well…”
“Then please don’t! I don’t want to see you struggling because of my request!”
“Oh, I won’t stay up. I’ll just brush my teeth and go to bed.”
“Really?”
“Of course…”
If the Hero had asked, I would have just lied, but with the Saint Ariya asking, I couldn’t help but answer honestly.
If I stayed up as it was, my conscience would probably prick me, so I decided to sleep.
‘But I’ve done as much as I could…’
Preparation for the Lastok defense and the changes in the city.
Though burdened with two enormous tasks, I had came up with a vague idea.
‘Combining the two.’
It involves adding the spells needed for the Lastok defense to the magical tools required for city purification.
In fact, there’s one commonality between the two situations: the health of the citizens deteriorating.
For the city purification, I planned to use a special mineral that absorbs surrounding dust.
The broader the effect of the mineral, the better, so I intended to cram in as many related spells as possible.
As for Lastok, there are no cures.
But I obtained a hint from a line spoken by a priest in the original story.
[The elderly and the sick have already died…!]
Clearly, the less healthy they are, the more susceptible they are to the plague.
Interestingly, the priest who said that line was infected with the plague himself and collapsed a while later.
So, if I could enhance the citizens’ immunity as much as possible, many would be able to hold out until Lastok was defeated.
‘Using divine power directly would be best, but… that’s virtually impossible.’
The priests of the Church residing in Lakr and Ariya’s divine power alone couldn’t cover the entire Mine City.
Therefore, I needed to find the most efficient method, and I was considering herbs.
However, lacking extensive medical knowledge, I planned to consult with pharmacists or doctors through the Marquis.
“…It should be alright.”
This situation seems similar to Alphares, but worse.
Because unlike the stronghold of Gloom that influenced the area beyond the Western Gate, the entire city is the target this time.
Even if things went smoothly like in Alphares, there would certainly be deaths.
If I could share this story with someone, it would make preparations more certain.
“…That’s not possible.”
If that happens, I’d have to explain that this world is just a novel.
Who would want to know that their world was merely a constructed one?
Thus, this is a burden I must carry since I’ve reincarnated into this novel.
I fell asleep while imagining the plan until the moon began to sink slowly.
*
[Rui.]
Yes, Master.
[This magic you’ve created… It seems to be your unique magic.]
Really?
[Yes. Because… it’s a distant magic that even I can’t use.]
So I’ve obtained my own unique magic, just like you, Master.
[…Exactly.]
Kunder used to tease me all the time, but now I can tease him back.
[…Rui.]
Yes?
[It’s unfortunate that I have to say this to you. However, I must tell you.]
What is it?
[Don’t use your unique magic.]
…Huh?
[If you really, really must use it, promise me. That you will endure until there’s absolutely no other choice.]
…
“…Master.”
“Eh, sister. I mean, I’m technically your disciple…?”
When I opened my eyes, I saw Nia looking at me with a dazed expression.
“Nia?”
“Yes, sister.”
“Why are you in my room?”
“Ah, I was going to show you the results of my training, but you were still asleep…”
“Shouldn’t you come back later if I’m asleep?”
“Uh… Right?”
“But what’s that finger poking my cheek?”
“Ah. I tried because it looked soft… Hehe.”
This can’t be overlooked.
As an elder who joined the Hero party first and as a teacher of magic, I can’t let my dignity drop.
Just as I was about to say something to Nia, who was now openly caught, I felt all the strength leave my body.
‘…So warm.’
The gentle heat from Nia’s hand on my face made all my fatigue melt away.
“Isn’t it warm?”
“…What.”
“Every time I hear Rosene is tired, I give her massages. So I take pride in my skills.”
“…Then do my shoulders too.”
“Yes!”
A moment later, I felt my mind clear, and my body felt refreshed as if a storm had passed.
After sleeping early and waking up early, plus getting Nia’s special massage, it felt like all my fatigue had been annihilated.
Honestly, I wanted to get that every day.
“Should I do it for you again next time…?”
“Yes.”
So I immediately answered Nia’s question and left the room with her.
“Oh! Lady Rui! You’re awake!”
“Marquis.”
As I met Marquis Lakr in the hallway, he seemed to be looking healthier.
It seemed he found a proper treatment for his son’s illness; the stress built up in him must have diminished significantly.
‘Once my greeting with the Marquis is done, I need to get started on the development.’
Seeing his expectant face made it difficult to just sit still.
“I had people prepare after hearing what you said yesterday. When would be a good time for you?”
“People? What kind of people are you talking about?”
“Those who handle city materials, land assessment, and civil complaints… They’re those who work for the city.”
Ah.
It seems Marquis Lakr was trying to send more people to assist me.
“Well… It would be better to meet them as soon as possible.”
In fact, apart from the public opinion survey, I needed more people for resource procurement.
Still, I planned to create a prototype first and use it as a model to seek help, but this could speed things up.
“I understand. I’ll let them know to come to the mansion right away. Butler.”
“I’ll contact them at once.”
The servants seemed uplifted, likely due to the hope that their master would recover.
After parting from them, I turned to Nia, who was lingering behind me.
“Nia, could you help me today?”
“Yes! Anything!”
With Nia’s instinctive talent for magic, I could definitely make use of her somehow.
‘As for the Hero…’
I thought about asking for his help, but I shook my head.
Since he avoided my gaze so much yesterday, he might need time alone to think.
‘…’
The Hero was already gone from the mansion.
This meant I might not see the Hero at all today.
Just that thought made a corner of my heart feel a bit lonely.
“…Shall we go?”
“Yes!”
Even though there were people arriving, it didn’t mean my workload would lessen.
I began to prepare in my room to meet those people.