Guikyung (4)
It took a few moments for Kleio to understand the words on the letters Fran laid out. He needed to use the multilingual interpretation function of Understanding.
“Is this… Brunnen? Can you speak Brunnen too?”
“In the field of manufacturing gunpowder weapons, Brunnen is by far ahead of any other. Anyone who has attended the science academy will learn Brunnen.”
Fran admitted he could speak the foreign language at the level of a native speaker with a bit of embarrassment. Kleio bent over with laughter at his response.
‘It’s great to have Fran on my side. He’s a talent among talented people.’
“Fran, you’re really awesome. It’s an honor to be able to help you.”
“I just did what I had to.”
“No, no one else could’ve done this.”
It wasn’t just his usefulness that oddly touched him, but rather because he reminded Kleio of some of the faces he had known in the previous world. Initially, in the department of history, there were a few members who believed in transforming the world. Regardless of their background, such people tried to practice what they thought to be right by devoting all their time and well-being.
Of course, he couldn’t build personal acquaintances with those colleagues; he hadn’t the will or chance to do so. Kleio had been too worried about having a meal to eat the next day, so he had never been able to consider the realization of such abstracts. Yet, a vague memory of walking the lane in front of the school as he listened to his young colleagues talk about universal values emerged in his mind. While Kleio was immersed in those thoughts, Fran picked up the papers and began imbuing ether into the mana stone copper plate.
He copied the documents and photos one by one as Kleio joined in, piling up the evidence Fran collected. As they repeated the simple work, his mind grew more comfortable. Suddenly, the setting sun crossed past the narrow window, shedding light on the floor where the two men were sitting.
“You and your friends suffered a lot given what happened in Kision. Did your father say anything?”
Kleio’s looked up at Fran’s question.
“Well. I rejected his order to stay at home and left, but after a few days,…well, he didn’t say anything more.”
“Gideon Asel seems to be concerned about you.”
“That’s what it is.”
Fran still hadn’t contacted Count Werner, so it was awkward for Kleio to tell him of his father.
‘From Mrs. Canton’s reaction, it seemed that Lady Thelma’s will is what is affecting him.’
He had vaguely guessed that the act of forcing his weak youngest son into the Defense Force’s school was related to her.
‘It was said that the power of foreknowledge that the goddess granted the world was originally only given to women.’
Arthur’s mother had been the same, and it was rumored that Melchior’s mother had some odd premonition.
‘There is a possibility some revelation came to Thelma.’
.
.
.
The two wizards finished their work in the early evening. Fran handed a piece of paper over to Kleio.
“It’s all finished.”
It had been collected through blood, sweat, and tears, but the data would shake the Dernier continent for years to come. Kleio accepted the paper politely, and Fran immediately looked more at ease.
“The Brunnen officer who raided the Kision estate was scheduled to be taken to the capital by the crown prince’s order. Do you know any further news?”
“Behind the scenes, they are negotiating for repatriation.”
“The prince played his hand.”
“Right.”
“Is he trying to get rid of the witnesses to cover up the poison’s existence?”
“No way. It won’t be easy to tell people the truth because of it. It was possible this time using a third-class gossip paper.”
“Don’t act defeated. We have to find a way from now on.”
Fran’s face was filled with a strong determination. After making the copies, Kleio quietly pushed an Aurum gold coin to the bottom of his bag.
‘Even revolutionaries must eat.’
Fran opened his bag and looked at its contents for a long time with a raised eyebrow. He thought he might grow angry, but instead, Kleio received a short but severe thank you. He tied the opening of the bag again with a string, then, with odd eyes, looked at Kleio.
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“These Aurum gold coins have different production dates, and the ancient one has a carved seal cast by Queen Carmela. What have you been doing?”
Mietsu had inspired the use of gold coins. He couldn’t cut a personal check for these kinds of expenses.
“Something happened to me, but it’s nothing compared to your hardships.”
“At this point, I know for sure who filled Bartleby’s print shop’s mailbox with 3,000 dinars worth of gold coins.”
“I added a little reward.”
When the first transport unions trike was planned earlier this year, Mr. Bartley, the head of the Flag’s branch, had helped provide a meeting place. Kleio’s bestseller was taken as a dedicated job, so the situation at the print shop had improved, but nonetheless, it hadn’t granted them a huge surplus, so he had given them a little extra for funding.
“It’s deceptive as you are a principal force behind one of the princes.”
“Just because I want a king doesn’t mean I want the Flags broken. Even the gods who give the king authority can die or be forgotten, so there is no need to regard it as unique or absolute.”
“It’s a time when God has left the continent, but even so, that’s quite the bold argument. You’re a weird guy. If I were a conservative, I’d be screaming heretic.”
Fran’s eyes clearly softened despite his words.
‘Our Fran is also an atheist….’
However, Fran became serious and hard-faced once more a moment later.
“…The reason you show me this undeserved favor is probably because of that.”
Fran picked up his ale, tapping the floor a couple of times with his right hand as he drank.
‘Fran is using his stigma incredibly well. There are a few posters and pamphlets that have spread so far.’
It meant nothing to deny it, so Kleio admitted to it softly.
“I can’t say no.”
“I’m grateful for your assistance and support. But as long as I feel personally dear to you, using this skill is a separate matter.”
A slight smile spread to Kleio’s face. He had never thought he could be moved at his own convenience.
“You do what you believe and want, and I’m doing my job. So, while our roads overlap, why not help each other?”
“I’ve no intention of picking up the pen for the third prince.”
“Hey, would I want that from you? That’s another point we’ll agree on. They want to avoid military conflict, no?”
Albion wasn’t a country that had chosen the national reform system, but if the war at the turn of the century was prolonged, those at the bottom of society would suffer more.
“If they pass the Hydra’s Poison to Brunnen and fulfill Emperor Ferdinand’s wish… from there, it won’t just be a political fight.”
Ferdinand longed for the restoration of the territory taken by Absalom II.
Kleio met Fran’s gaze as the two thought about the same thing: war.
“Did you investigate the Hydra’s Poison because of that? Is that also your prediction?”
“To some extent.”
“War always profits the capitalists. If your family handles mana stones, you can gain enormous wealth.”
Kleio could see Fran was clearly shaken without even needing Perception.
“Fran, I guess you can’t remember since you left a while ago, but all the students of the academy are forced to serve. Of course, I could get out of it, but my friends would be on the frontlines. No matter how money-obsessed I might be, I don’t want to leave my friends alone on the battlefield. Is that weird?”
Fran didn’t answer, but he could see the mental distance had decreased.
Well, it was the first step.
‘Now there’s everything else to be put in order.’
Brunnen’s invasion was expected to occur as per the predestined course of history. But what if they use Hydra’s Poison? The war might completely deviate from the outline of the previous manuscript.
To counter Hydra’s Poison, he had to obtain the finished product and figure out its structure.
A hazy plan began to form in Kleio’s mind.