Magic stone mining rights and flying boots

 
 I let out a really weird sound of surprise, coughed to clear my throat, and turned to face His Majesty.
 
 “So, it’s fine to freely mine in the Grimoire^[1] Mines, is what it means?”
 
 Hearing my question, His Majesty nodded.
 
 “Though there are a number of conditions. To put it simply, the details are that 『the sales amount and selling price will be restricted, but there’s no problem freely mining the portion for the use of both Ainsworth and Owleyes Families』.”
 
 “Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.”
 
 Otou-sama nodded, looking convinced.
 At the same time, I understood.
 
 I’m extremely grateful to use limitless magic stones at a low cost.
 Because from here on, I’m thinking of going ahead and developing various magic tools, which will need a corresponding amount of trial and error and a large amount of magic stones.
 
 Although, if those magic stones were to circulate freely, the other nobles would inevitably resist.
 Animosity from rival workshops would probably also be considerable.
 
 Considering a form in which it would be beneficial to me while suppressing their dissatisfaction, it can be said that the restriction proposal which His Majesty mentioned is the best solution.
 
 Well, the magic stones we sell are expensive to begin with due to the time and effort it takes to stabilise them, so even if material procurement becomes cheap, we wouldn’t be able to sell them at such a low price.
 
 For the Ainsworth Family, who competes not by selling the consumable magic stones but by developing innovative magic tools, this is 『something that suits us well』.
 
 
 
 “That’s a very welcome proposal! And also, I think you’ve made an excellent arrangement with regards to the conditions you just described.”
 
 I said that a bit excitedly, and His Majesty nodded in satisfaction.
 
 “Right, right. I’m glad the Lady is pleased. By the way, this idea of loaning magic stone mining rights with conditions attached was thought of by the young lady of the Westford Viscounty that I introduced a little while ago.”
 
 “Huh, that person suggested it?!”
 
 I stared in wonder.
 
 “Yeah, that’s right. When I asked in her interview, 『What else other than an administrative official and a pendant would be appropriate for Lady Ainsworth?』, she gave this proposal. It was a good idea, so I decided to adopt it along with her recommendation.”
 
 “So that’s how it was… Ah, perhaps, did Miss Sofia also draw up the draft for this document?”
 
 “Far from a draft, everything other than my signature was written by her.”
 
 Saying so, His Majesty made a 『Got you』 kind of face.
 
 “Huh, I see. This document…”
 
 I turn over the documents in my hand, skimming as I check over the contents.
 
 There’s nothing to complain about, both in terms of content and appearance.
 It’s as clear as day just how much of an excellent person Miss Sofia is.
 
 I raised my head.
 
 “She certainly is an extremely talented person, huh. But, is it fine for the country to let go of such an excellent person?”
 
 “It’s because she’s excellent. She can’t wield that power to its fullest in the current bureaucratic structure. ——— however, if she earned a noteworthy achievement serving under the Lady, it likely wouldn’t be a dream for her to possibly command 『from above the organisation』 in the future.^[2]”
 
 As His Majesty delightedly told me this, I smiled.
 
 “Nevertheless, I do not require anything of the Lady^[3] in this matter. Because it wouldn’t be a reward for you saving my friend’s child then. Just as I said a little while ago, it’s alright for the Lady to pick the person she wishes for.”
 
 Having spoken a couple of times with him recently, i’m beginning to slowly understand His Majesty’s character.
 
 There’s nothing strangely suspicious about this, so let’s just choose whoever I think is good.
 
 “Then I’ll take you up on your offer, but first I think I’d like to speak with Miss Sofia.”
 
 “Hm. Please contact me once you’ve decided on someone to employ.”
 
 And so, the talks of rewards from His Majesty to me settled down.
 
 
 
 After that, I went and reported to His Majesty regarding the magic stone found in the spider.
 
 Although I did think I should’ve spoken about this before the rewards, but well, the conversation was flowing so it can’t be helped.
 
 When His Majesty heard that the spider’s magic stone was probably identical to the one used in the magic communications device, after pondering for a while, he said
 
 “Alright. I’ll give information gathering on this matter a higher priority, and have it investigated.”,
 
 nodding his head.
 
 
 
 With this, the report to His Majesty was now complete.
 
 As the talks were about to end, I remembered the last thing I had to talk with His Majesty about.
 
 “Oh, Your Majesty.”
 
 “Hm? What is it?”
 
 His Majesty, who was just getting up, sat back down on the sofa.
 
 “There’s one thing I’d like to discuss with you… Theo-sama said he’d 『like a pair of flying boots once they’re complete』, is that alright?”
 
 “Furaing Buuts^[4]… oh, those shoes that fly in the sky, right?”
 
 “Yes. I’ve made progress on the safety side of things during this trip, and before long I think I’ll be able to unveil it, but…”
 
 “Fumu. As I recall, Gerald was considering adopting them for the knights order.”
 
 “Saying that it is 『extremely useful as military equipment』, the Armament Procurement Department has placed restrictions on its sale and transfer… Even though I worked really hard to make it.”
 
 Saying so, I showed my shoulders dropping dejectedly.
 
 Seeing me like that, His Majesty———
 
 “I understand the Lady’s feelings, but as expected, we can’t not place restrictions on that.”,
 
 said that, smiling wryly.
 
 It seems he saw right through my farce.
 Too bad.
 
 “Nonetheless, your efforts ought to be rewarded. ——— Right. If the safety issue has been settled, why don’t we arrange a contract for the country to buy a fixed amount each month?”
 
 “Are you serious?!”
 
 “Yeah, I’m serious. Though we of course need to have discussions regarding the price and quantity ordered.”
 
 “No problem. Then I’ll be looking forward to that matter.”
 
 When I smiled at him, His Majesty said,
 
 “Hmm. You really got me, huh”
 
 and once again smiled wryly.
 
 
 
 “Getting back to the topic, will you allow flying boots to be sent to Theo-sama?”
 
 “Let’s see…”
 
 Hearing my question, His Majesty pondered for a short while.
 
 “Can those flying shoes be easily imitated?”
 
 “Uhm… no. An Ainsworth-type magic circuit board is needed. Manufacturing them in that size elsewhere is probably difficult.”
 
 “Then, if you made them big enough for a person to get on, you’d be able to make it?”
 
 “Yes. The magic power consumption will become huge so you’ll probably need a considerable number of magic stones, but I think manufacturing itself would be possible.”
 
 “Hmm…”
 
 His Majesty ponders once again.
 
 To put it simply, the point is that the flying boots, as military equipment, are useful because they 『allow flight although for a brief moment』.
 
 From this, battle field observation and attack assaults^[5] become possible from the skies.
 
 Conversely, as long as they enable flight, it is 『usable』 even if it is somewhat large or uses a huge number of magic stones.
 
 If the flight controls and safety mechanisms were the core technologies, then it’d be useless when it inevitably falls into the hands of the enemy when they plunder it or something.
 
 
 
 “Uhm, Your Majesty.”
 
 “What is it?”
 
 His Majesty lifted his head, and looked this way.
 
 “Regarding these flying boots, for the sake of maintaining secrecy, I was thinking of putting in a switch with a 『self-destruct mechanism』 that turns on if you try disassembling it.”
 
 “Hmm. A mechanism like that in the magic communications device?”
 
 “Yes. In order to be incorporated in the magic rifle mass production preparations currently under way, the design for a miniature self-destruct device has already been completed. I’m thinking of making use of that.”
 
 “I understand. Then there shouldn’t be a problem…”
 
 His Majesty once again deliberated, then went 『alright』 and nodded his head.
 
 “Then, let’s go with that. I’ll get the flying boots sent to my friend 『secretly』. Could the Lady prepare a letter and flying boots to gift to the other party’s son?”
 
 “Understood. ——— Your Majesty, thank you for your thoughtfulness! Now I’ll be able to keep my promise with him.”
 
 “What, it’s not much trouble. Besides, this story will probably be something that gives us benefits in the future.”
 
 “?”
 
 Seeing me tilt my head in front of him, His Majesty cackled after saying so.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 The talks with His Majesty were over, and the chamberlain now guided us to a separate room.
 
 The waiting room for those awaiting their turn.
 
 When we opened the door, standing by the window in that spacious lounge-like room, a woman gazing somberly outside turned to face us.
 
 “Sorry to have kept you waiting for such a long time, Brixton Secretary-sama.”
 
 I gave a small curtsey, to which Sofia returned one similarly.
 
 “It was nothing. Thank you for taking the time to see me, Your Excellency, Count^[6] Ainsworth.”
 
 A stiff expression.
 A stiff voice.
 While keeping that expression which, at a glance, felt cold, she continued speaking.
 
 “However, I think it would be best if you gave up on employing me.”