Introduction to History (1)

“I decided to do the series of excerpts once a week for the weekend edition of -Presentia- for four weeks! The book is on the thin side, so I think that is enough.”

Dione’s voice was lively as the project came to a conclusion.

“It’s a gentle medium, and it seems to have a good audience.”

“We’re doing publicity with posters, and also in newspapers and magazines. Do you have any more ideas?”

Kleio threw in his opinion.

“Well, it’s probably a promotional method used when planning a lighter book, but how about putting a voucher into it?”

“Huh, you’re giving a prize to a magic theory book?”

“Apart from sewing machines or train tickets, how about a mana stone according to the purpose of the book? The main family accidentally sent me a fair amount of rubies. I think I can spare a couple of prizes.”

“Ha, by chance… do you know the market price of a ruby when you say that?”

“I don’t know, but if I release that right away, people will bite.”

After explaining to Dione what had happened with Vlad, Kleio briefly explained what had happened during the practice. Dione had read about Tristein’s work through the newspapers and heard rumors, but it was obvious she was unaware of Kleio’s role. Even though he considerably reduced the size of his own part, she let out a deep sigh.

“No, you were the magician? It was a really big deal! How did you do it?”

“Well, thanks to that, I learned that the crown prince isn’t invincible and that he is a human who suffers when he abuses his unique skill.”

“Is that your conclusion from the uproar? I can’t tell if you’re timid or bold. I was looking at the trend of mana stone prices.”

“Even if demons come out, it is expected there will be no drop in their price. Its recommended to purchase them whenever possible. If demons appear, the amount consumed during battle will increase. It’s at a lull right now, but it won’t stay that way.”

Currently, only the weakest of the sleeping demons were awakening, which had less precious stones.

‘Mietsu also grumbled that he didn’t save any stones. That seems to be consistent with the last manuscript.’

“Has your unique prediction skill worked after so long? This is unofficial information, but the Defense Force’s magic team has published similar findings. It’s a disaster so that they won’t announce the results right away.”

Compared to humanity, perhaps the demon’s fierceness was less cruel.

“If they did, the citizens would become agitated, so their position is understandable.”

“The vice-captain of the magic team was excited. Such a guy was treated as an honorable officer, in the end.”

He knew Dione’s source for that unofficial information well. It seemed it was Ezra Sergey, the vice-captain himself.

‘Seeing that disdainful partner when she needs to… Lady Dione is a hard-worker.’

Dione’s eyes narrowed as they focused once more on Kleio.

“By the way, in the midst of this, if you use your excellent double loading, you will weave a magic stone ruby that can match a fireball… what did you say, you would like to make a heated blanket?”

Dione shook the schematic drawing that Kleio had shown her. Kleio’s painting ability was precisely zilch, so it looked like an elementary school student’s homework, but it was a functional magical tool design.

“It’s closer to a heating plate.”

“What the hell is that?! Is it a heating device used with tiplaum? Using tiplaum wire?”

“If you are unwilling, let’s check another workshop. It’s a pity that I couldn’t entrust it to Grayer company’s best technicians, but if I pay the fee with mana stone rubies, it’s unlikely many workshops would reject it.”

Dione raised her eyes.

“Oh, no, when did I say that? So, how much do you plan to pay for the rubies?”

“I will pay a four-carat for each piece I make.”

“Thank you as always for using our services, customer. To satisfy your request, Grayer will always do their best.”

“How can you say all that without twisting your tongue once? Awesome…”

As the two’s conversation began to stabilize finally…

“What are you talking about? I’ll guess: It’s about money!”

The third prince, who always arrived without warning, walked into the parlor.

“Can you tell me if I got it?”

“Oh, you did! I guess you can use your reasoning skills.”

“You don’t know how to keep in touch politely.”

“Ah, there is no fun in always being polite. Besides, telegrams and telephones are public channels.”

Telegrams could be disclosed to the sender and the postman, and telephones to the operator. Arthur remained alert even though Aslan hadn’t sent any more assassins as of recent.

‘…If you think about it, Isiel always sent a short greeting from Kision’s territory without any problems.’

Kleio, realizing Arthur was more thorough than he thought, was fascinated at the same time he was slightly angry.

“You’re right. Then, there are still a few more days left until the start of school, but I came to the capital to do something.”

Kleio’s keen gaze passed over Arthur. In just a few weeks, Arthur seemed to have matured so much. That growth wasn’t natural, but artificial, and the results of his hard training. His hands were tattered and full of calluses, which made Kleio recall Isiel’s letter saying that Arthur was busy with training.

‘Isiel wrote to me, but I had half-expected Arthur might not come back given the extreme challenges he was facing every day at the Tristein estate.’

It was obvious the cause was his excessive practice.

‘He must be upset he couldn’t stop Tasserton. Plus, does he remember Melchior trying to kill me? Ah.’

He was a level 6 knight without a title. His title wasn’t visible yet, so that prince was doing his best to prove himself.

‘Sometimes a person needs to relax so they aren’t worn out, but what about this one?’

This time was Kleio’s turn to cool off. Lady Dione looked down at Mrs. Canton’s masterpiece dessert as the battle between the prince and the bum unfolded.

“Look, I’m here to tell you the good news! Look at this!”

“What?”

“A formal invitation from the Archbishop!”

Acting like an elementary school student boasting of a certificate, Arthur waved around a letter that was stamped with the address and crest of the Archbishop.

“You can finally meet the Archbishop Istoria! I was on the next train as soon as I saw this letter!”

Kleio folded his arms, his eyes wide in surprise.

“Meoooow? (Wasn’t she asleep?)”

Only Behemoth responded a beat later.

***

The next day.

Kleio woke up at 4:30 in the morning, feeling incredibly nervous. His heart had been going haywire, so he wasn’t able to sleep much. Archbishop Regina Istoria; a mysterious priest who had survived a century with a face that resembled Minsun. Suddenly, he was more aware of the fact this world was a story created by an author more than he had been in a while. Who was she to the author, and who was the author? What was the relationship between them and the Muses? Could today’s meeting solve those questions? Behemoth rubbed his snout against Kleio, who had been pacing around his bedroom since early in the morning. He would be heading out with Arthur around eleven and meet with the Archbishop at noon.

“Uh, you’re already up! Hey, it’s the first time you’ve let me in. It feels nice to be welcomed.”

“I didn’t welcome you, but the invitation.”

“Wow, it’s too much. Look! The invitation was requested by me, so I have to go with you.”

“Yes, yes.”

.

.

.

They were at the west bank, six blocks away from the palace at the cathedral. It was the location where all royal weddings and funerals were held, fit with a high bell tower and splendid stained glass windows that recorded the Goddess and her nine daughters. Originally, it was said Mount Helicon was there, but it was said that when Leonid the First settled in, the first wizard, Queen Isolt, flattened the mountain by tapping her staff down, and the word of the Goddess came down.

Behind the cathedral were the ancient buildings of the monastery, which was where the Archbishop’s residence was located as well. After getting out of the carriage and checking the invitation, they moved to a quiet three-story building after passing several doors, walls, buildings, and courtyards. It felt like the security was stricter than that of the royal palace. When they finally arrived at the parlor, the young knight guiding them withdrew, and an older woman with white hair wrapped in a hood approached. Her first words were aimed at Arthur.

“Your Majesty hasn’t been invited. Only those invited can enter the boudoir. Please wait in the reception room.”

“Even though the invitation was sent to me?”

“Isn’t it Sir Kleio Asel who was designated? Her Holiness is waiting for only one guest.”

What could he do? Arthur shrugged and waved his hands playfully before mouthing something silently to Kleio.

“Whew, that’s tricky. Have a good date, and come back.”

.

.

.

He had to pass through a couple more long corridors before he arrived at a heavy mahogany door. Pushing the door open, he came out into a small room with a sink and towel where the senior priest carefully cautioned him.

“Wash your hands here first. After that, I will open the door. The first time you pay homage to Her Holiness, if she extends her right hand, you must hold it with your left hand. After that, you can kiss the back of her hand, but you shouldn’t really do it, just pretend to.”

Looking closely, the old priest’s uniform had a colorful instrument-shaped brooch on his collar, and the color of his waistband was purple. He seemed like a high-ranking priest.

‘The Archbishop is so noble to be attended to by a high-ranking priest?’

.

.

.

Archbishop Regina Istoria was a figure made out of ice. The woman, who sat up in a bed with a canopy, was wrapped in a white room coat. She was a person who looked like she had no vitality.

‘But she’s over a hundred-years old…it’s really a fantasy world setting.’

Her complexion was pale, like a person who had suffered for a long time. Her atmosphere didn’t match her youthful face, which would fit a thirty-year-old. The Archbishop, who still didn’t age after losing all her divine powers, had a sense of pressure that made people kneel with her gaze alone. She waved off the priest that had guided Kleio into the room.

“Sir Kleio is a knight of the dynasty. What harm will he do to me?”

“Your Holiness…”

“Isn’t he asking for a meeting because he has earnest questions that only I can answer? Others cannot hear them, but I will listen.”