Volume 1, Act 06: The Encounter of an Incognito Noble Girl
The following afternoon, Cordelia hung a In the middle of an experimentwooden tag on the entrance of the greenhouse and secretly went to the city together with Ronnie.
The outfit that Ronnie had prepared for Cordelia was a magicians robe, used by children, and she used the hood to completely cover her head. There werent many town girls with platinum blonde hair, and them having red eyes was even rarer.
That was why, if anybody saw this combination of hair and eyes, they would know that she was a noble. Ronnie was concerned about that and seemed to have chosen the robe to hide as many of Cordelias features as possible.
Cordelia would have preferred the town girl clothes better, but she had no choice but to accept the robes since he had such reasons. That was because her objective wasnt to cosplay as a town girl, but a glass that would let her magic through.
The place that Ronnie guided her to was at the corner of a street that was two streets away from the main road. The foot traffic was sparse, and would sometimes stop completely. But sometimes the sounds of various artisans at work could be heard from around the street.
Every shop around this area make their goods on orders, so even the store owners dont go out in public much.
Is that right? Its fantastic that everyone has patronage, isnt it?
Oh, this way.
Along the street, Ronnie stopped in front of a shop that looked just like a blacksmith. He pulled the door open and led Cordelia inside. It seemed that their destination was there.
She took a step inside, and the sight of many tools arranged in a disorderly fashion greeted her eyes.
The next thing she saw was a single man gulping down alcohol from a bottle at the counter.
Welcome. The heck. Just when I thought it was a customer, its just Ronnie, huh. A fellow who wont bring in money, I see.
Thats cruel, Master!
Id think about serving you if you were a cute nee-chan. Business is already over for today. I was feeling good after delivering supplies to the castle, and I just had to have a drink, you know. And it became like this.
However, even while saying that, Master also said, Well, Im free anyway so Ill entertain you, while grinning. He was clearly toying with Ronnie.
In contrast to Master, Ronnie looked like he was tired from the bottom of his heart and whispered an introduction to Cordelia, Ojou-sama, this is the shops Master.
Whats this? Are you accompanying your kid today? When did you get married?
I didnt, and shes not my child! Furthermore, this child is 8, so if what Master is saying was true, then I would have had her when I was 11, you know! In the first place, todays customer is not me, but this child.
Hey, hey. I dont have any childrens introductory magic sets here, you know?
Thats not needed. What we want today isnt an introduction set, but an air-tight container made out of glass that can let this childs magic penetrate through.
Ronnie tried to cut him off and spoke disinterestedly as not to get carried away with the slightly drunk Maters pace, but he also did it out of slight concern for Cordelia. He must have been worried because Masters sharp tone was unfamiliar to a noble.
But in the first place, if she cared about such things, then she wouldnt have kept Ronnie by her side, and she wouldnt ask him to bring her to this kind of place.
Cordelia thought, he really fusses over the strangest things, as if it was someone elses problem while sending him a message with her eyes, dont mind it. Ronnie saw that and sighed.
Master looked Cordelia with interest while saying, Thats quite an extreme thing you want, huh. Then, he took out a crystal ball from the cupboard behind him.
Ojou-chan, try putting your magic into here in the same way you always use magic.
Like this?
Cordelia held her hands out and inserted power into the crystal in the same way as when she used magic on flowers and the crystal changed colours. White swirls appeared in the previously clear jewel, and several lights of different shades burst from within.
Ok, with this I know what your attributes are Hey there, this is unusual magic.
Can you do it?
Ronnie asked the slightly surprised Master.
Master skulled the remainder of the bottle.
Sorry, but I cant give it to you straight away. Its impossible with ready-made goods. I never thought that she would have such magic. Or rather, it didnt occur to me because Ive never seen it before.
Light attribute and The heck is this. Dark attribute is mixed in as well? Earth and water are also included Whoa, thats nasty magic. This kid, wheres she from?
Well, well, lets leave that aside. Is it also difficult to make a custom one? Even for Master?
Ha? Stop bullshitting, just who do you think I am? Ill make it. Its easy for me to make a hole that allows any type of magic to pass through.
Ronnie was pleased that his provocation had succeeded when he saw the Master put the bottle down onto the counter with a bang.
However, Cordelia, who was next to him, turned pale.
(Custom made?!)
It probably wouldnt be so expensive that I cant pay, but what should I do if my magic still cant penetrate through a custom made glass? I couldnt possibly buy a lot of glass. Would I still have to buy it if I cant use it?
I dont know what the price is, but I wonder if the money I saved up will all be gone from buying new experimental tools?
Ronnie whispered into Cordelias ears as she was feeling anxious, Its alright, Ojou-sama. Since its Masters principle not to hand over something that the other party doesnt approve off. Instead, its better that its custom made.
Hes a pro, isnt he?
A good Master, is he not?
Whatre you whispering all secretly about, you guys!? Since thats the case, Ronnie, youre helping me out!
Master pointed the empty bottle sternly at Ronnie, and he jumped.
Me?! Why me!?
Im going to make magic adjustments Ive never done before. It needs creativity. In short, Ill be bored if I do it silently by myself. So, tag along as my conversation partner.
Huh? Errr, isnt a pros work normally one where they have to concentrate on making things?
You, do you think Im normal? Youre so na?ve, even though youre a magician, arent you?
He retreated to the back of the shop as soon as hed said that.
Ah, Master! Can I bring this child with me?
Well, even if I say its not interesting It might be interesting for a magician kid. I dont mind.
Cordelia was guided Or rather was left behind, so she followed Ronnie to the back of the shop.
It seemed like the shop had depth; there was a warehouse in the middle and at the back of that was the workshop.
Inside was a single female artisan. She tilted her head in confusion as soon as she saw Master.
Huh? Werent we done for the day?
My bad, but weve got visitors. What were you planning on doing?
I was thinking of making the test tubes for stock right now But should I clean up?
Nah, thats convenient. Im gonna need glass, so hand me the place. You can leave the test tubes for tomorrow. Youre also done for the day.
Eh? Ok, I dont mind. Well then, Ill be excusing myself.
After that, Master occupied the place where she was and started working.
First, he plunged a ladle-like thing into an iron pot that was flaming on the inside; like the ones old witches in fairy-tales used. Then, in the next instant, just when she thought that hed pull it out, he poured molten glass onto the stand.
You guys, have a good look at the work of the great me!
Master said that and held his hands on top of the molten glass. Then, the shape of the glass began to change as if it was alive. When shed realised it, it had already formed into the shape of a great cube.
Wow
Amazing, she tried to continue, but Master had interrupted her.
This is bad Sorry, but could you get up from your seat, Ojou-san?
Huh?
My magic is being pulled towards yours, Ojou-san. So its not being transmitted to the glass very well. Ojou-sans magic is too powerful.
Master was serious unlike before and showed a solemn face. However, Ronnie, who saw that, said in interest.
Even though you were the one who told us to have a good look? My magic isnt being pulled by this child, you know?
Are you being sarcastic? You dont have to manipulate magic so you wouldnt know!
Well then, Ill be at the shop.
Cordelia thought that it was better not to think about whether Ronnie and Master got along well or not, and turned towards the shop. She wanted to see him work, but if she got in the way, then that was inevitable.
Ah, I strictly advise you not to leave the shop. You absolutely cant.
Yes, I know.
Cordelia answered the voice coming from behind her, rudely and without stopping, and closed the door.
She left the warehouse, and the shops bell rang with a jingle just as shed appeared in the shop.
Is it a customer? Would it be better for me to call Master? She thought, but she immediately dismissed the thought.
Sorry for intrud-ing! H-huh? If it isnt Dilly.
Eh?
Hey. Whatre you doing?
The one who appeared was Vernoux.
He didnt have blonde hair and blue eyes like when she last saw him, but brown hair and dark brown eyes, but his face was definitely Vernoux himself. In the first place, there shouldnt be anyone other than Vernoux who would call her Dilly after seeing her deeply hidden in a hood.
It seemed that even though Vernoux said that hed ditched his guards, they probably caught up to him, and it appeared that Vernoux, himself, understood that very well. Thats why he didnt panic until Gille jumped outside, Cordelia thought.
In that sort of situation, Gille talked to the girl outside.
Are you alright?
Huh, yes Thanks.
You should be careful.
Gille spoke eloquently, and the girl seemed to be mesmerised by him. In contrast to that shoujo manga like scene, Vernouxs face was extremely close to a Hannya.
Hes angry. Extremely angry.
After Vernoux grabbed Gille, who had returned to the front of the shop, by the scruff of his neck, back inside, Cordelia could predict that he would yell at Gille.
She took a step back and gently pressed on her ears. In the first place, Vernouxs voice wasnt something so soft that she wouldnt be able to hear, just by covering her ears.
Its not You should be careful, idiot!
Ouch!
Its good that it settle with only a little pain. You rushed out there without a plan; if things went badly, then you could have been seriously injured.
Of course, such a thing didnt happen , no, more like, Vernouxs escorts wouldnt have let it happened, but that wasnt the issue.
However, Gille seemed unsatisfied by Cordelias words and countered with a half-glare towards Cordelia and Vernoux.
But, I couldnt just leave it be, now could I?
No one said such a thing, did they?!
Thats right, I also didnt say that we should leave it be. I just wanted to express that it was necessary to consider the situation. Jumping out there is a courageous move, but its not like it couldnt be called reckless either. Courage and recklessness are two different things.
Cordelia rebuked in one breathe.
There was no need to jump in without a plan. Instead, if he had taken civil action, then Gille, himself, wouldnt have been exposed to danger.
It seemed that Gille had thought about it in some way, but he didnt feel like accepting it obediently.
He whispered.
I havent done anything wrong.
Cordelia heard those words and delivered the finishing blow.
Yes, you havent done anything wrong; but you also didnt do the best thing.
Di-Dilly, I think thats enough
Vernoux-sama, please remain silent. Gille-sama, people would get sad if you got hurt.
Cordelia ignored Vernoux, who was defending Gille, even though he should have been angry at him while staring at Gille and said.
After that, Gille was lost for an answer, he looked as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
It wasnt like he was at an age where she could forcibly make him answer. She could also imagine that, since he was at that age, he wouldnt obediently admit to something even if he understood it.
( Well, I wonder how I should follow this up.)
She wouldnt be able to convince him just by scolding him. She thought it was important to relay the reason, but unfortunately, she couldnt think of a way to follow her words up. Just as Gille insisted that hed done nothing wrong, she also didnt intend to say anything wrong.
Amid such an awkward silence, a surprisingly reluctant voice broke that equilibrium.
Say, I felt the presence of intense magic being discharged a while ago?
Eh? Ah, yes. There arent any big problems, Ronnie.
The one who opened the door to the inner part of the shop, and languidly spoke to Cordelia, was Ronnie.
Ronnie looked a little surprised to see two other children there besides Cordelia, but he didnt show any more significant reaction than that. However, it didnt seem like he believed Cordelias words.
Well then, please come with me to the back. Honestly, I feel uneasy about whatever happened.
Ronnies reproachful gaze of, I told you not to leave the shop didnt I? was too painful.
See you later. Ill be excusing myself.
Cordelia moved to the back workshop while desperately pretending that nothing had happened.
She thought that Ronnie had been helpful since they were caught in an awkward atmosphere.
However, Cordelias magic obstructed Masters smelting and, in the end, he couldnt finish the glass that day.
???????
As a result, the finished product would be delivered to her at a later date. As Cordelias magic composition was projected in the crystal ball, it seemed that she didnt need to visit the shop often.
Master assertively said to Cordelia, Ill be counting on you for verification when it reaches the final check-up stage, but until then I have no use for you.
Cordelia was depressed that shed lost her reason to go to the city, but Ronnie didnt hide his relieved look.
His reaction might have been understandable since he was in a situation where he had to keep it a secret from the Earl.
(I wanted to know more about the city, so this might be a little disappointing But, my project is definitely progressing.)
Cordelia returned to her own room at the mansion and pulled out a book from among the books which lined up on top of her desk.
It was an experiment record and diary; it was where Cordelia wrote her experiment plans, the medicinal herb types and effects she remembered, and information about the medicinal herbs that shed collected.
Today passed by like a storm, didnt it?
Cordelia muttered while writing in her diary.
She wanted to write about it before she forgot the feeling she had when she successfully cast remote magic. She ran her pen through the page based on that desire. She continued to write the feeling she had at that time; perhaps no one other than her could read what she wrote.
She tried to ask Ronnie about remote magic on their way back from the workshop.
He seemed surprised that she knew about remote magic and explained it briefly to her.
Well, simply put, you increase the magic within yourself and find a path within the atmosphere. Magic is not normally visible, but if someone with high mana concentrated, then its possible for them to perceive it.
Therefore, concentrate and choose a path where your magic wont be repelled by the magic in the atmosphere and fire it Its like a feeling of detachment. Afterwards, the magic will just fly off on its own.
Does that path look concrete?
I think its different depending on the persons magic, but in my case, I could see a lot of colourful small spheres in the atmosphere. Because the colour indicates attribute, its like youre finding a path that doesnt repel the magic youre using.
The power falls when you hit your magic with a strange attribute and the direction of the magic will also twist.
Cordelia didnt know if Ronnies explanation was complicated or if she had a hard time following what hed said, but at least she didnt remember doing such a profuse thing. However, the fact that she was able to successfully use the skill meant that what she saw was probably that path.
Well, if the magic one manipulates is different, then the path is different. So its impossible to express it in a single word.
Ronnie concluded, but for the time being, she was glad that she couldnt see what Ronnie did. I would have definitely been confused if I saw a lot of colourful spheres at that time, she thought. If she could see the road clearly, then there was nothing better than that.
The red world which was the same colour as her eyes. Is this the Pameradia Houses influence , shed also thought, but that was immediately countered by Ronnies words.
Which reminds me, it feels like the Master pushes his power through if there are some obstacles in the way. It seems that you can wrench open the atmospheres magic if a path doesnt exist. It might be because he has excess magic, nevertheless, is that the norm of the Pameradia House?
This is the first time Ive ever heard of it, ask my Onii-sama about those things.
She recalled it when shed stopped reminiscing.
At that time, I wonder if it would have been better if Id said a single, You were coolto Gille-sama.
She didnt intend to compliment him.
She thought that the actions taken by Gille werent praiseworthy. However, his dashing appearance which was just like a Prince from a fairy-tale was cool, even if he was young.
If shed been in the flower girls shoes then Gille would have definitely looked like a little hero.
However, it was a bit late to think about it at that point, and it was difficult to tell him that since some time had already passed; let alone after shed said words that sounded as if she was lecturing him.
(Maybe I was too harsh on him. I might have been immature. Ill reflect on it.)
Even though I shouldve known that a sound argument wasnt always the right one.
Cordelia thought that and closed her diary.
Then she made one resolution.
If I meet him again, then Ill find his good points and compliment on how amazing they are.
When she made that resolution towards someone whose real name she didnt know; she had a strange feeling that shed meet him again.
Gille-sama was a gentleman. Thats why Im sure hell become an even more amazing gentleman next time we meet.
The little gentleman will definitely grow up into a really cool adult, she thought, unable to suppress her laughter.
(I also have to become a proper lady for when that time comes.)
If they were to meet again, then she had to become someone that wouldnt lose to the imaginary him.
A small resolution was quietly lit within Cordelia.
Translator: Blushy
Editor: SenjiQ