novelraw Chapter 120 : Wings (1)
Chapter 120 : Wings (1)
Wings (1)
In a spring garden in full bloom.
Ian met Aris.
He had come to propose that they start a business together to extract magic power from the demon race.
'Honestly, if I wanted to monopolize the magic power, it would make sense for me to handle everything alone from start to finish...'
But Ian didn't devise this business to monopolize magic power.
He had conceived of it solely to lead humanity to victory in the war against the demon race.
All the magic power extracted would be widely distributed for humanity's war effort.
To distribute and circulate it efficiently, partnering with Aris was the wise choice.
And there was another reason.
Ian was, at the end of the day, just a knight.
He could confidently call himself an expert when it came to swordsmanship and enhanced energy, but that was all.
To construct the containment facilities to extract magic power from demons, one would need construction technology, specialized surveillance systems, mana engineering, magic knowledge, new materials science, biotechnology, demonology—truly a vast range of disciplines, technology, manpower, and expertise.
It was impossible for Ian to handle all of that alone.
In those areas as well, he needed the help of a powerful figure surrounded by talented people, like Aris.
'Aris does have a rather scheming and unsettling side to her, but...'
Still, having received her tutoring for three years and seeing her frequently, he'd come to know Aris wasn't simply a bad person.
Someone like Hector Goldhound was a clear villain, one who took pleasure and purpose in inflicting pain and despair upon others, but Aris wasn't driven by a sadistic urge for cruelty.
Aris simply prioritized power and efficiency above all.
If doing good proved more efficient in achieving her goals than evil, she would unhesitatingly walk the path of good.
Her loyalty to her father, the Heavenly Sword Lord, her support for Ian, and her roleplaying as a pitiful, upstanding young lady before most people—these were because they were the most efficient ways to pursue her goal of power.
Conversely, if evil acts became the most efficient means to her ends, she would commit them without hesitation.
She would oppress, torment, train, and even torture.
And she might even enjoy the process.
If she had to commit evil anyway, it was more efficient to enjoy it rather than feel guilt.
Aris was someone who even felt emotions for the sake of her own efficiency.
'She's definitely not what you'd call normal.'
Aris must have a different brain structure from that of ordinary humans.
But that didn't make her a thorough villain.
Of course, neither did it make her a saint.
'Still, I really did misunderstand Aris. She wasn't a complete monster.'
Frankly, it was only natural he'd misunderstood her.
The Ian who knew Aris had seen her mostly during the Hisperion civil war.
And in such a bloody conflict, evil deeds were generally the more efficient option.
That's why Aris's dark side had stood out to Ian so prominently.
It was only natural he'd mistaken her for a devil-like monster.
'But now...'
Over three years of tutoring, he'd seen so many new sides of Aris.
From the looks of her, he'd realized, 'Ah, she has this side as well.'
As a loving and devoted daughter to her father, as a swordswoman who seeks insight and enlightenment, and...
There was even a time when Ian had given Aris a birthday present.
He was grateful for her letting him choose the top student rewards at will, grateful for the huge help she'd given in raising his level through private lessons, and he felt he'd only been receiving, so he wanted to give something back.
He gifted her a golden butterfly-shaped hairpin imbued with protective and healing magic, but he hadn't expected her to like it that much.
Ever since then, Aris had worn Ian's gift—the hairpin—every single day.
During festivals, at banquets, in meetings.
Only during intense training or on the battlefield did she take it off.
Honestly, the fact that she cherished and used it with such care made him feel good as the giver.
For the first time, he saw Aris not as a monster but as a person.
Someone with whom, given the right circumstances, one could build a connection and relationship.
'That's why there's no better partner for this business than Aris.'
The business of extracting magic power from the demon race was an energy venture for humanity, but the process was so gruesome that it would easily be seen as inhumane and anti-humanitarian.
So no matter how good the ideology, it wasn't a venture that just anybody could be trusted to help with.
Worst-case scenario, someone might get involved and, out of misplaced compassion, meddle or advocate for the demons' freedom.
But with Aris, there was no such worry.
As long as it was rational and efficient for the objective, she could tolerate as much cruelty as necessary.
'And at the same time—'
Aris was someone with whom you could build trust and bonds given the right situations and conditions.
So long as Ian always offered the optimal efficiency, Aris wouldn't betray him.
'Someone who can be ruthless if necessary, yet can build trust at the same time.'
Where else could you find such an amazing partner?
That's why Ian chose to proceed with Aris as his business partner without hesitation.
― Clatter.
The garden's octagonal pavilion.
"To extract demonic energy from the demonic humans and demons... To purify it with the authority of Heliodin to produce magic power..."
Aris licked her lower lip as she reviewed Ian's business plan.
"Fascinating. Truly."
Today as well, Aris was wearing the golden butterfly hairpin Ian had gifted her.
"To think of something so terrifying... This girl's heart is racing."
"So, will you help?"
"Of course. It's not often the young master comes to me with a proposal first. I can't miss the chance to earn some points."
― Clatter.
Aris took a sip of tea and spoke.
"I actually thought you didn't want to get involved with me anymore. I invited you to join my order many times after graduation... No matter how favorable the terms, you refused every time. And in the end, you became Yuria's knight. I was honestly a bit disappointed."
"..."
Aris puffed out her cheeks a bit.
"Was it because you wanted guaranteed freedom that you went to Yuria? There's no one around her who would get in the young master's way or try to rein you in. ... If you'd come to me, I could have guaranteed you at least that much freedom. I suppose I hadn't given enough faith to the young master."
"... That's not it."
Ian pursed his lips bitterly.
"Lady Aris, you extended more than enough generosity to me during my time at the Sword Dragon Hall. It's just that... As a Hisperion swordsman, I wanted to serve wherever my skills were needed most."
"Hmph."
Aris curved her lips into a long smile.
"If someone else had said that, I wouldn't have believed them. But since it's you, young master, I'll trust you. And... seeing you again like this makes me feel like, even if you didn't become my knight, it's not like our relationship is over for good."
Aris quietly thought to herself.
Indeed, when it comes to having Ian by her side, persuasion and goodwill were much more effective than threats or coercion.
Aris tapped Ian's business proposal.
"To think you'd bring me such an interesting proposal just a few months after graduating from the Sword Dragon Hall. This girl is touched."
"Then I'd like to hear how you plan to help from now on."
"I'll provide everything you need. Whatever image young master has in mind, I'll make it a reality. However... let's talk frequently as we proceed. The more we talk, the better I'll understand your intentions. Then I'll be able to help you even more effectively."
"That's no problem. Written or face-to-face, I'll match your needs."
"Good. There are also a few things I'd like to ask right now."
"Yes, as much as you'd like."
"How long are you comfortable with the construction period?"
As she scanned the proposal, Aris continued.
"It's not impossible to realize your idea, but... it's going to take quite a bit of time."
"If it will take a lot of time... how much, specifically?"
"Hmm... At the very least, I think we should expect at least four to five years."
"... A minimum of four or five years..."
Four or five years was too late.
The invasion of the grand dukes of the demon realm would begin in merely seven or eight years.
"What's going to make it take that long?"
"Regrettably, money and materials. Getting specialized experts isn't much of a problem. My family can sponsor the technicians. But... to build facilities sturdy enough to contain powerful demons, you'd need a lot of rare minerals like adamantium or pure mithril. The artifacts for magic power extraction would require a fair amount of orichalcum as well. Even factoring in my family's output and all foreign imports... the funds and time required are..."
"Ah, if it's a materials problem, hold on."
When Ian raised his hand, Aris stopped speaking.
"Yes, please, young master."
"I think I can handle the materials side, somehow."
Ian had the Authority of Projection, after all.
"You just need to provide the technical expertise, lady Aris. Whether it's the artifact needed for the containment facility or a security door of adamantium, just make a single finished product and show it to me. I'll mass-produce the rest myself."
"... Excuse me?"
Aris, uncharacteristically, was taken aback.
"May I ask what your plan is?"
"No. That's not possible."
Ian flatly refused comment.
"I can only tell you that if I have just one completed product, I can mass-produce it."
"Hmm... Is that so?"
Aris narrowed her eyes.
"Young master Ian, do you have a stash of treasures hidden somewhere? They say a dragon's nest is stacked with all sorts of rare treasures and materials—could it be something like that?"
"Who knows."
Aris pouted her lips.
"It's about time you confided your secret in me. It's not like this girl is someone who'd go spreading it around."
"Everyone has their trump card. Honestly, telling you this much is already a lot."
"Hmph. I suppose so."
Aris smacked her lips before continuing.
"Then, does Yuria know? Some secret about you that I don't?"
"..."
Ian silently shook his head.
Even Yuria didn't know Ian had regressed, nor the Authority of Projection itself.
"Is that so."
Aris smiled contentedly.
"Then that's fine. I'll let it go as well. Can't approach the young master too hastily. If I did, you'd probably just fly away."
At that, Ian smiled wryly.
I'm not some cat or bird, you know.
But Aris was right.
If she'd persistently tried to pry into Ian's secrets in a burdensome way, he wouldn't have considered partnering with her for this business.
"Very well. Since you'll take charge of mass production, I'll focus on making the finished products first."
"Good. How long will that take?"
"Hmm... Let's see. It'll take much less time. Probably less than a few months. I doubt it'll even take four months. Before this summer's over, I'll have all the magic power extraction devices, containment facilities, control systems, and top-grade security golems ready... I'll pick out the components that are hard to mass-produce and send them all to you."
"Oh..."
Less than four months.
That brought the development timeframe down dramatically.
"If I immediately mass-produce and deliver them, how long will it take to actually complete the containment facility?"
Aris fiddled with her lower lip as she calculated before answering.
"Given the scale, it would normally take at least a year and a half. But—"
Aris carefully folded Ian's proposal and placed it in her handbag.
"Since you're handling the materials, I have more liquid capital. If I bring in a high-rank mage, we could finish in six months."
Ian nodded in satisfaction.
But there was one thing he had to request.
"If, by chance, this facility comes to public attention, people may interfere or object unnecessarily."
Saying things like, 'demonic humans and demons are living beings too.'
Hearing such nonsense would make him want to immediately split their heads open with Vladiark.
Maybe some would even argue that housing demonic humans and demons alive was too dangerous.
There was some truth to that, but it was a problem that could be anticipated and prepared for, so such interference was simply annoying.
"I hope you'll proceed with that in mind."
― Clatter.
Aris finished the remaining tea before calmly replying with steady eyes.
"Of course, young master Ian. The people building this containment facility won't even know its true purpose."
Aris gave a sly smile.
"Set aside any trivial worries and leave it all to me, young master Ian. There won't be any problems."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I'm guessing the main enemy from Hisperion would be the first young master that got exiled...
Kargon, Charlotte and even Aris are in a good to neutral relationship with Ian right now, so the first young master will probably the main enemy from Hisperion, and after beating him, Ian would be fighting the demons...
There's even a chance that the first young master will join hands with the demons....
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】