The Misunderstanding Accelerates
Now that we’ve identified the cause of Connie’s poor health, we need to come up with a way to address it.
The key point is "sealing mana."
However, "sealing" might be misleading.
Rather than sealing it, we need to ensure she can control it properly.
That will be the most critical aspect.
The day after the truth was discovered.
Fortunately, it happened to be a holiday, so Lucina and I headed to the workshop early in the morning.
For some reason, Claire was also there.
When I asked why, she said she was interested in making magic tools.
She didn’t mention that yesterday… Well, whatever.
We need to finish this today.
Let’s get started right away.
"If we’re making an item that can regulate mana… we’ll need this."
"What’s that?"
"A Magic Sealing Stone. You’ve at least heard of it, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
As its name suggests, the Magic Sealing Stone has the power to suppress magical effects.
However, "suppress" might be an exaggeration.
In this case, "weakening mana" might be a more appropriate description.
Either way, it was the perfect item for Connie’s current condition.
"I-I know about the Magic Sealing Stone’s power, and as you say, it’s the ideal solution for Connie… but the problem is, who’s going to process it and how?"
"I’ve already planned for that.—Lucina."
"Leave it to me."
At my call, Lucina moved to the workbench.
Claire, watching her, seemed to sense a different aura from her compared to yesterday and whispered to me curiously.
Well, today she’s not wearing her maid uniform but work clothes, so maybe that already felt off to her.
"Hey, Lake… who is she, really?"
"My personal secretary, maid, and an invaluable blacksmith for the Gallard Company."
"That’s way too many titles…"
Claire whispered in disbelief.
Honestly, I felt the same way, but it was the truth, so it couldn’t be helped.
Besides, Lucina and I had already discussed how to process the Magic Sealing Stone.
If we made something too elaborate, it would take too long, and if its effect was too strong, it might completely nullify Connie’s natural talents.
So, the key here was "moderation."
Making sure the magic was controlled at just the right level—
It sounded simple when put into words, but actually crafting an item to achieve that was an incredibly difficult task.
But Lucina could do it.
Once a renowned craftsman in the royal capital, if she hadn’t been deceived by corrupt merchants, she would still be thriving there today.
Her skills hadn’t rusted in the slightest.
Quickly, yet precisely.
Bringing out the full potential of the materials, she crafted the item with impeccable finesse.
The smoothness of her technique was almost like a beautifully choreographed dance.
"A-Amazing…"
Claire was left utterly speechless.
And finally, the completed item—was a ring.
"Thank you for waiting, Master Lake."
"Good work."
This ring, with the Magic Sealing Stone set like a gemstone, could be worn at all times without issue.
Connie was known to like accessories like this, and apparently, she had continued buying from our affiliated trading company in Ganos even after our previous incident there.
"A-Are you giving that ring to Connie?"
"Of course. She needs it to lower her magic fever."
"… I feel like it’s going to raise a different kind of fever, though."
"? What do you mean?"
"Nothing at all."
What a strange girl, Claire is.
She’s always been quiet, but not quite like this.
… Well, whatever.
Since it was finished, I’d have Lucina deliver it to Connie right away.
Ideally, I’d give it to her myself, but I couldn’t enter the girls’ dormitory.
—However, an unexpected situation arose.
"Huh? A visitor?"
For a moment, I thought I saw a shadow flicker past the workshop window.
We had permission to use the workshop from early morning, so we wouldn’t be getting in trouble… but something felt off.
When I stepped outside to check, I was met with a surprising sight.
"!? C-Connie!?"
"Ah… Young master Lake"
There she stood, dressed in her uniform.
"Why are you here!? You’re supposed to be resting!"
"I just… wanted to be of help to you, Young master Lake"
Her condition shouldn’t have improved yet, but she pushed herself this far out of sheer loyalty to me?
Hah, she’s becoming more and more admirable.
"I was going to have Lucina deliver this later, but… I’m glad. Honestly, I wanted to hand it to you myself."
"Hand… what?"
"This."
I held out the ring with the Magic Sealing Stone.
"Eh!? A r-ring!?"
Her previously clouded eyes lit up instantly.
As expected, she was thrilled to receive an accessory she liked.
"(To stabilize your mana,) I want you to accept it."
"C-Can I really… take something like this…?"
"Of course. (It’s useless to anyone else,) I can’t imagine giving it to anyone but you."
"Young master Lake"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Connie put the ring on her left ring finger, tears in her eyes.
And the result—
"H-Huh? I suddenly feel so much better!"
"Looks like it worked."
"It… worked?"
Connie blinked in confusion, so I explained everything to her from the beginning—how we came up with the idea and created the ring.
"So… this ring… was made because you were worried about me…"
"Of course. You are (crucial to my business operations) an irreplaceable existence to me!"
"! Young master Lake! I will treasure this ring forever!!"
"You’re exaggerating, Connie."
Seeing her back to her usual self, I was quite pleased.
Claire, on the other hand, had a complicated expression.
Could it be… she wanted a ring too?
I suppose I could ask Lucina to make her one the next time we get a good magic ore.
Meanwhile, Lucina was nodding in satisfaction, looking immensely pleased with herself.
What do you think about this chapter?
