Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 152

After revealing my secret to everyone, things became very busy for each of them.

First, I asked Ellen and Alex to improve the "Attribute Aptitude鉴定机" and handle the "Charcoal Production Work."

While I and the knights handle firing up the kilns and procuring the wood, the two of them are in charge of management afterward.

I've also asked them to compile the work processes and documentation so that anyone can do it in the future.

When I visited their shop and made this request, they both looked puzzled.

"Lord Ridd, is it really alright to compile the charcoal production method into documentation? This might be presumptuous of me, but I think it's better not to let this charcoal production technique get out to others."

"I agree. If we put this kind of technique into documentation, it will definitely be targeted. I think it's better to teach it through oral tradition."

Ellen and Alex both looked at me with worried expressions.

I understood what they were saying, but I smiled reassuringly.

"The charcoal production will be fine. If someone can imitate it, let them. More importantly, mass-producing charcoal is what matters, so documenting the process so anyone can do it is more important. So, I'm counting on you."

"Is that so? Well, if you say so, Lord Ridd, we don't mind..."

They looked at each other with puzzled expressions as they replied.

Seeing this, I chuckled softly and asked them about the other matter.

"By the way, how's the improvement of the 'Attribute Aptitude鉴定机' coming along?"

"The improvements are going well. We've asked Sandra for cooperation too, so it seems we can make it react with color changes just by touch, even without handling magical power."

"Oh!! That's really great!!"

I sent Ellen an amazed look at the progress of the improvements, my voice filled with excitement.

Seeing my expression, she smiled shyly, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked a question.

"But Lord Ridd, even just getting the 'Attribute Aptitude Checker' to the point where it can react when held up has cost quite a bit in development. Is that okay? Compared to the charcoal production and the goods you're handling with Chris, it doesn't seem like it will make much money?"

"...Don't make it sound like my only goal is making money. Besides, the use for the Attribute Aptitude鉴定机 is still a secret, but if it succeeds, we'll make back the development costs and more, right?"

"...So it really is about money."

Ellen had a slightly mischievous smile at my response.

To that, I shrugged and made an exasperated expression.

It's understandable that they have questions.

The reason is that in this world, "magic" is mostly only used by a select few: nobles, the military, adventurers, and so on.

The main reason it hasn't spread is that outside of nobles, there are almost no educational institutions or environments, so non-nobles mostly have to self-study.

Some countries apparently have institutions researching magic, but I don't think any country practices "magic education" regardless of status.

Moreover, even regarding noble education, I suspect there's considerable variation between magic users in their understanding of magic and the techniques they can handle.

According to what I heard from Sandra before, nobles learn magic but only to the level of self-defense.

Unless combat is a regular part of their lives, many don't seem to learn it in depth... what a waste.

That's the reason I had Ellen and the others make the "Attribute Aptitude鉴定机."

I plan to use the "Attribute Aptitude鉴定机" to identify people's attribute aptitudes and then put them through the magical education curriculum Sandra and I are developing.

After that, if I teach them the magic I've developed, we can handle public works, charcoal production, and various other things using magic.

If this succeeds, people's perception of magic will change.

Looking forward to that change in perception, I smiled and became lost in thought.

At that moment, Ellen said suspiciously.

"Lord Ridd... you're making an evil smile."

"Eh?! No, I'm not?"

Startled, I straightened my expression and replied while looking at Ellen, but she sighed in exasperation.

"Haa... Please don't do anything too reckless, okay? Lord Liner and Diana are always worried about you."

"U-uhn. I'll be careful."

After that, once the detailed discussion with Ellen and Alex concluded, I returned to the mansion that day.

◇

A few days after meeting with Ellen and the others, I was having a discussion with Sandra in the mansion's reception room.

Sandra sat across the table from me on the sofa, wearing a cheerful smile.

"Lord Ridd, I've mostly contacted the people you asked me to get in touch with, the ones from when I was director."

"Really?! So, how did it go? Do they seem likely to come to Baldia territory?"

Seeing my eyes filled with hope and anxiety, Sandra smirked with a confident, smug expression.

"Fufu, of course they'll all come!! With such a wonderful research... I mean environment here? And with research support offered, there's no reason to refuse."

"...I'm curious what you told them about me, but I'm relieved they'll come. I was worried inside because I heard they had unpleasant experiences with nobles in the imperial capital."

"Ah, about that, I gave them my personal guarantee that there would be no problems. Everyone said, 'If it's an environment where the director can do the research she loves, we definitely want to go.'"

...It's not like Sandra is doing research however she pleases, though.

Despite a faint sense of unease, I was relieved they would come.

Even if the "Attribute Aptitude鉴定机" reveals people's attribute aptitudes, we still need excellent teachers to instruct them in magic afterward.

It's already clear that Sandra and I alone won't be enough.

That's why I focused on Sandra's former subordinates from when she was director at the imperial capital research institute.

They were people gathered in the imperial capital for their high abilities regardless of status, but were forced to resign due to noble jealousy.

If they could research and teach for us, nothing could be more reassuring.

I sighed slightly in exasperation at Sandra's words.

"Haa... Let me be clear, I'm not approving just any 'research,' okay? Right now, matters concerning Mother's condition are the top priority, don't forget that?"

"Fufu, there's no problem there. The research I want to do is based on your instructions, so that's not a lie, is it? I intend to continue enjoying myself from now on."

She flashed a fearless smile in response to my pointed words.

Making an exasperated expression, I continued our discussion about the "magical education curriculum."

After some time, when our discussion reached a lull, Sandra unusually became serious and cleared her throat.

I wondered what was wrong.

"Ahem... Lord Ridd, speaking of which, regarding the trial version of the new medicine being administered to Lady Nanary, while detailed results aren't out yet, it seems to be showing some effect."

"...?! Really?!"

I couldn't help but lean forward at Sandra's words.

She nodded and continued explaining with a smile.

"Yes. However, it's not absolute. Until now, even with restorative medicine, her magical power continued to decrease. But since starting the trial medicine, the rate of decrease has slowed. If we continue administering both medicines, I think we can expect her magical power to recover."

"...!! I see... that's good..."

Upon hearing Sandra's words, all strength left my body, and I sank deeply into the sofa, murmuring softly in my heart.

"Finally... finally, I can see light..."

Would magical restorative medicine completely cure her? How long would its effects last?

There was always the possibility that Mother's condition could suddenly worsen like before.

I was always anxious, visiting Mother's room every day to chat about trivial things.

Even with Renarute grass, though I was confident it would work, I still harbored some unease deep down.

And now, finally, effects are beginning to show.

Nothing could make me happier. I felt my eyes grow warm and wiped them with my sleeve.

"Fufu... thank you, Sandra. This might be the best news I've ever received."

"Yes, I'm also happy to report this. When I have more detailed information, I'll report again, so please wait a little longer for the specifics."

"Uhn... thank you."

After our discussion ended, Sandra's good news was immediately delivered to Father as well.

Father listened with his usual stern expression, muttered "I see... we can be relieved for now..." and apparently asked everyone to leave his office as he wanted to be alone.

He probably didn't want anyone to see him lose his composure.

Imagining Father's reaction, I chuckled to myself alone in my room, thinking "That's so like Father."