Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 93

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 93   Milhya’s true intention 2

“Well, I have two questions.”

“Go ahead, but if it drags on too much, I’ll cut it off,” the Queen said.

“Yes, of course. Then… my first question is about the duration of the lazy Syndrome treatment. Why was it two weeks? Given the circumstances, I think there was a bit more flexibility.”

Yesterday and today, I’ve been using for rest. In other words, there was at least 14 days, not just 12, and I had room for 16 days. If I had known from the beginning, I might have been able to get a bit more sleep.

“Firstly, we didn’t know how much time we could allocate to treatment. We didn’t know how many requests for lazy Syndrome patient treatments would come from other countries, when they would come, and it wasn’t clearly defined. There’s a limit to the number, but the timing is generally set a week before the training session. However, if you are among the chosen ones, it doesn’t apply. The father of that Adon noble was among the chosen ones, so he was given permission to undergo treatment earlier than a week before. By the way, the order of treatment is based on the order of application. I won’t go into details here. There are various restrictions, so not just anyone can apply. That’s why in this case, we maintain fairness. We have set the duration and number equally for each country. From the week before the training session, about two weeks after your arrival, is designated as the treatment period for our citizens. I felt bad about it, but things were quite busy, and I couldn’t talk to you earlier. It’s because of such circumstances that we created an opportunity for a discussion like this,” the Queen explained.

I see, even with this explanation, I can understand to some extent. However, in reality, I haven’t treated patients from other countries during these two days. How does that fit into the explanation?

“And I wanted to know how you were handling the lazy Syndrome treatment in Istria, as informed by Duke Balkh. It seems you initially tried to provide treatment to the limit of your physical strength. Considering late-night treatments and planning to cut down on sleep, I heard that you were stopped by those around you.”

“Uh, yes. Well, that’s true.”

At that time, there was no time constraint, so I recalled being persuaded by doctors, nurses, and friends to take proper sleep. I was strongly discouraged.

“I’m aware of the number of people and the duration of treatment in Istria. Around 3,000 people in a week. Considering that, two weeks wouldn’t be enough for the treatment of 10,000 people in the capital.

Although it won’t be life-threatening, some citizens have been struggling for many years. I hoped you could treat them if possible. So, I thought if I mentioned a period of two weeks and said there would be no further extension, you might come up with some method to treat everyone.”

The queen thought I might find some way to treat everyone if she had mentioned a two-week period and emphasized no extension. She didn’t expect to treat everyone rigorously for two weeks.

“Ah, well, but it’s already two days after that one-week period.

Is it okay for the treatment of nobles from other countries?”

“Oh, that. That had a strong implication of ‘just in case.’

In reality, apart from Adon’s noble, there were twenty people who applied in advance. Moreover, their arrival is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. So, you don’t need to worry about it.

It turned out this way, but the other party is an entire country. It was essential to exercise caution.

That’s why I pushed you beyond your limits, but…”

“No, no, I did it voluntarily.”

I have no regrets or resentment. Regardless of the queen’s intentions, I made the decision. If actions and choices are my own, blaming someone else would be misplaced. Well, it depends on the situation, but for this instance, there’s no issue.

Upon recollection, both in the capital and Istria, the number of noble patients with lazy syndrome was strangely low. Could that be the reason for the fewer treatment requests from nobles of other countries? No, it’s still too few, even though there were hundreds in the country. I had the desire to know why, but I endured it. The second question was more critical.

“May I ask the second question?”

“Yes, what is it?”

It was a question I’d held since the beginning of our conversation with the queen. I had to ask, no matter what.

“Why did you tell me all this?”

She might have anticipated that question, as she only slightly lowered her gaze.

“Even with the previous discussion, you could have simply given orders without telling me. I would have complied with the invitation to the capital without being threatened, even without a reward. If it weren’t too selfish, I might have obeyed. You could have waited to tell me, and if I resisted in the future, you could have disclosed it then. The previous conversation covered quite sensitive details. Why did you tell a child like me, who isn’t even a noble? Didn’t you consider it risky? Didn’t you think it could be spread or used against you?”

A person in the position of a queen should not casually reveal internal matters. If she were such a person, the country would likely have collapsed immediately. However, I didn’t get the impression that she was that kind of person. Her sincere attitude and genuine apology were favorable, but there was a sense of discomfort. Generally, those who do such things would be considered decent individuals, but can someone really function as a Queen with such actions?

Leaders of organizations, big or small, carry both positive and negative aspects, and they cannot remain entirely pure and upright. While a sincere ruler is an ideal for the people, it’s an impossible standard to maintain. Leading people without any flaws and remaining entirely righteous is unattainable. Anyone who has been a part of a school or company organization should understand that there is always some aspect of this nature.

So, why did she tell me? It’s only natural to ponder that. There was no immediate response. Perhaps it wasn’t something she wanted to discuss.

I patiently waited for the queen’s words. Eventually, Queen Milhya sighed softly and spoke.

“Not… a debt or ulterior motive, maybe. It’s the burden of entrusting the fate of our country to a single child. The burden of mandating the duty to save this world. And despite knowing all that, I have no intention of considering any other choice for myself—a burden towards me. I feel sorry for imposing such a tremendous burden on you. However, our country is in such a state of exhaustion. We don’t yet know if magic is the only means to counter the demons. But listening to Istria’s report, it’s likely that without you, the country would perish with nothing to be done. Not only our country but others as well. To seek cooperation in the future, there was a need to explain. Issuing orders unilaterally would only cause problems in the future.”

The words of someone carrying the weight of a nation resonate heavily. I cannot fully comprehend her conflicts and emotions. I can only imagine. So, I won’t pretend to understand. She is likely an honest person, but as a ruler, she must conceal that honesty. What was the reason for showing it to me? Am I special? No, even if I were, she wouldn’t do something that could be exploited as a weakness.

“I understand the debt part. What about the ulterior motive?”

“I thought that if I approached it this way, you wouldn’t be able to refuse. The power you exhibit when acting under orders and when acting with your own will is significantly different. Regardless of whether you like it or not, if you have a strong will to do something, it becomes a source of power. Additionally, in the future, if any problems arise, having received explanations in advance, you will likely make maximum efforts to resolve those issues. However, without explanations, you might compromise based on conditions, and the compromise point is determined by the sensibility of someone who doesn’t know the circumstances. In reality, whether it’s correct or not remains unknown to the person. A person who is to save our country and the world, without knowing anything, wouldn’t be capable of making accurate judgments in critical situations.”

“So, you told me to make me realize all that.”

The queen nodded casually.

“It’s also to make you feel it. Through the report from Duke Balkh, I got a sense of your character to some extent. I don’t think you’re the type to boast about it. You already know a lot of circumstances.”

The conversation flowed so smoothly that I couldn’t immediately grasp its meaning. However, a few seconds later, I realized it.

Ah, I see.

So that’s why there was an ulterior motive.

This was all part of the queen’s calculations.

I understood.

That’s how it was.

In other words, on this day, at this moment, in this place, the queen and I became collaborators, accomplices, and interconnected beings. In terms of saving the world, other countries have the same goal. So, cooperation is not such a simple matter. From the perspective of the country called Lystia, saving one’s own nation must come first; otherwise, even if the world is saved, it wouldn’t matter. The queen’s actions were for that purpose. To fully involve me and to get herself entangled in the process.

“Now then, are there any more questions for now?”

“None.”

I lowered my head, cradling it in my hands.

Oh, what a situation.

What a situation!

While the grand story of saving the world didn’t feel quite real to me, I found myself facing a more immediate problem than saving the world—a problem of saving a country.

To be honest, when talking about saving the world, I had considered it to be something as simple as treating lazy syndrome and defeating the demons when they appeared.

But in reality, it wasn’t such a straightforward matter.

Firstly, I didn’t know why Einzwerf appeared in Istria.

Was it a coincidence, or was it inevitable?

Either way, if demons were to appear in a distant location, in another country, I wouldn’t be able to defeat them.

There were such issues to consider.

The conversation had derailed.

Anyway.

Queen Milhya’s calculations were correct.

“I ended up feeling that I had to cooperate with the queen after hearing the inside story directly from her.”

Originally, I intended to follow the queen’s orders, but the meaning of ‘following’ had changed from what it was until just now.

Unless something significant happened, I probably wouldn’t defy the queen’s orders.

For the queen, that was likely the real aim of this conversation.

She chose the method that would make me most willing to cooperate, having heard about my personality and actions from Duke Balkh.

Without needing to ask, it was without a doubt that what she intended to say in the end was that.

While saying things like feeling indebted, Queen Milhya was currently smiling with an easygoing attitude.

I couldn’t understand her true feelings, but I had certainly been skillfully manipulated.

Originally, I had intended to lend a hand with treating lazy syndrome and subduing demons.

Looking at the conditions of both my country and others, it was clear that the challenges were more significant than I had anticipated.

After all, she was the queen.

It was all part of her calculated plan, wasn’t it?

And her calculations, indeed, brilliantly led to the correct answer.

“The questions are over. Now it’s my turn.”

Queen Milhya stood up and extended her right hand.

“Naturally, I’ll provide support and cooperation as much as possible. I’m willing to accept certain requests, and we can discuss the rewards as well. Will you be my ally, Shion Ornstein?”

She exuded the solemn air I had seen in the audience room, maintaining a dignified smile on her face. A smile that conveyed confidence in the correct answer.

I also stood up and looked at the queen’s right hand.

Ah, I see. So, that’s what it was.

I understood that ‘up to this moment’ was part of her plan.

I extended my right hand, initiating a ‘handshake with a meaning of cooperation.’ It was a gesture made of my own will.

Considering everything that had transpired, I couldn’t say anything, and rather, it was commendable.

The queen smiled satisfactorily.

As my right hand was gently shaken up and down, the mantle on one side continued to drape down.