Episode 142: Research Department and Atenza
When I came to the research department and saw Naka's situation, I was taken aback.
"That's why you're saying that! With that folding method, the steel pattern you were aiming for won't emerge!"
“Since it’s a new folding method, I told you I knew I would make mistakes in order to figure out what kind of pattern it would be!”
"Can't you make the pattern of the chisel carved into the bronze more finely?"
"If you make it too fine, the pattern will be destroyed after one use. If you don't reconsider the material."
“There are still many candidates for new materials! Let’s try them one after another!”
"We're looking for a new metal to replace iron and bronze!"
All members of the research department are divided into groups and are enthusiastically discussing research policies.
If that was the case, I probably wouldn't have been surprised, but it was the words they said out of nowhere that left me dumbfounded.
"Let's stand up against the tyranny of the empire!"
"We'll show the Empire that magic technology isn't just ours!"
"Let's prove that the Empire's judgment of sticking to iron is wrong!"
Yes, everyone in the research department seemed to be passionate about research by making the Empire their enemy.
At this point, I wondered whether I should criticize their irreverent comments and throw cold water on their passion, or whether I should accept their comments and let them continue with their research.
Then, I decided to have him correct his statement.
"Um, everyone. I want you to listen to me."
We talked about the situation in the Rocha region - in other words, although the relationship with the Empire has become delicate, it doesn't mean there will be a war right away.
With this, the research department's rampage will stop.
I thought that, but I was wrong.
"That means that it wouldn't be strange if there was a war with the Empire."
"No. It means we can spend more time preparing. We need to revise our research policy."
``I was aiming to achieve results quickly, but I think it would be more constructive to aim for establishing a higher level of technology if you have the time.''
Even though I explained the current situation, it seems that the people in the research department have no intention of stopping their hostility towards the Empire no matter what.
I couldn't afford to ignore their feelings, so I decided to focus my attention on something else.
"I understand how you feel, so please stop criticizing the Empire out loud. We don't know where the Empire's agents are in the Rocha region."
"That's right."
“Then let’s use a secret word.”
“It’s a magical country that likes steel, so how about ‘Magic Steel’?”
"Then you can't expect it to be misunderstood as a blacksmith term. Alright, let's go with that!"
The blacksmiths got excited and began immersing themselves in their research, muttering "Magic steel! Magic steel!" as if they were their parents' enemies.
I have a lot of things to say, but if you think this will advance the magic technology in the Rocha region, it might be better to just turn a blind eye.
Since my work was done, there was no point in me staying in the research department, so I said, ``Good luck,'' and left the research department.
As I was walking down the hallway and heading back to my office, I bumped into Atenza.
No, judging from Atenza's behavior, she didn't just run into me, but was waiting for me to come.
"Prince Milimos. The promised time to meet you has already passed, hasn't it?"
“Well, I was away from the Rocha region due to the war and going to the Knights Kingdom.”
“Except for that.”
Hmm. Atenza--oh no, haven't you met Giberde?
As I tilted my head in worry, Atenza let out a sigh, as if saying she had no choice.
"Huh. Prince Milimos. Could you please give me your time now?"
"No, there's unfinished paperwork in the office-"
“It doesn’t matter if it’s only for a short time.”
Atenza's smiling face is exactly like my eldest sister, Solerina, except for her skin tone. In other words, I understood that she was thinking of taking me with her without any questions asked.
"--If only for a really short time."
“I believed that Prince Milimos would say that.”
I decided to head to the private room I had given to Atenza and Giverde, believing that I had no intention of making it happen.
When I met Giberde, surprisingly, he seemed depressed.
"What's wrong?"
When I asked him casually, Giberde let out a deep sigh.
"Huh~. So Prince Milimos was also a man after all."
“What’s this all of a sudden?”
When I didn't understand what it meant, Giberde turned his white eyes on me.
"I heard that you took a new mistress right after you got your wife from the Knight's Kingdom."
I felt like I was being accused of lack of discipline, and I felt offended.
"It's not that I wanted it, but my wife, Pulvera, took the initiative to send me a mistress -- or rather, a potential second wife."
"Well, there's no way a woman like that could exist. If that happened to Princess Palbella, there must be some reason behind it."
Giberde's words make sense.
If you think about it normally, Palvera's actions will seem strange.
However, although Palvera may have had intentions, I can't imagine that she has any secrets or secrets to hide from me.
"Giverde, you should try talking to Palvera once. You'll understand that the second princess of a superpowerful chivalry kingdom is not someone that can fit into your ideas."
I said this with the idea that he would change his mind once he learned about Palvera's personality, but it seems like I chose the wrong words, and Giverde suddenly became angry.
"I guess so! On the one hand, I'm the princess of a knightly kingdom who claims domination over the continent, and on the other hand, I'm the princess of a lost country whose country was destroyed because of my stupidity! It's only natural that we have different ways of thinking!"
Just as I was trying to figure out why he got angry, Atenza, who came to serve the tea, placed her hand on Giberde's shoulder and admonished him.
Then, Giberde comes to apologize to me.
"Prince Milimos. I have something to talk about internally with Atenza, so would you mind if we both leave our seats for a little while?"
"I don't mind, though?"
At this moment, Atenza and Giverde headed to a corner of the room, leaving me alone with my secrets and questions. Then, I lower my voice and start talking in private.
"Listen, Giverde. You are--and--Prince Milimos--"
“Sister Atenza! Because!”
"Lower your voice. And listen --- Opportunity ---, right?"
“But it’s because it’s Milimos.”
Judging from the voices that were leaking out, it seemed like they were talking about me.
My guess is that since Giberde is here as a hostage, he might be saying that it should be a special victory. Or maybe he's saying we should talk about something else.
While I was thinking like that, the discussion seemed to be over and Giberde and Atenza returned.
“Nakaza, please excuse me.”
"I'm sorry for leaving your seat midway."
When I accepted their apologies, Giberde started talking without taking any time.
"Prince Milimos. How is your married life with Princess Palvera going?"
It was clear that Atenza had taught him, and his voice had an intonation similar to that of a simple reader.
I glanced at Atenza, and she gave me a look that said, ``Please let me talk to you,'' so I decided to do as she requested.
"Even though we're talking about married life, there aren't any such frivolous topics..."
I will talk about my relationship with Pulvera. Without knowing what this means.
After the conversation was over, Atenza was waiting to see what her reaction would be, but Giberde interrupted.
"Due to some paperwork remaining, this meeting was promised to be short. Prince Milimos."
“Eh, ah, yeah.”
"Then, thank you very much for your time today. Atenza seems satisfied, so I will take you to my office."
I felt something strange when Atenza told me to separate Giberde and me.
However, it is also true that there is some paperwork waiting for me in the office, and if I come back too late, Honneth might be in a bad mood. Even if I put the paperwork aside, it would be a bad idea since I had just made up with Honneth.
So, even though I had my doubts about the strangeness, I decided to follow Atenza's instructions and leave Giberde's room.
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