Book 1: Chapter 12 (1/2)

*Keith Grand Federation capital, Valhalla*

The towering white-walled castle was called art.

The “King” of Valhalla, the capital of the vast Keith Grand Federation, was also the leader of the federation.

The name of the king is Geffert. He resided in the artistic white-walled castle.

「Your Majesty. There is an urgent magic transmission from Daniel Achenbach, son of the Duke of Achenbach.」

The exterior of the castle resembled that of a good old-fashioned fort, but the interior was somewhat different.

The reception halls and banquets where guests and audiences are welcomed were furnished with luxurious furniture with respect to the exterior, but in the area where official duties were conducted, all sorts of latest magic tools were lined up.

A pot which produces hot water at the touch of a button, which ​King Geffert uses to brew his favourite tea, is also a magic tool. This is operated by a “magic stone” obtained by defeating a monster.

It is magic stone that moves magic tools.

It is no different from the fact that electricity moves various tools in modern Japan.

The difference is that a magic tool is too expensive and only a select portion of people can use them.

「Urgent…? Daniel is the eldest son of the Duke, right?」

「Yes.」

「Was the Duke’s son authorized to use emergency communications?」

A skinny old man replied. His totally white hair was combed down smoothly to the back, and his stunning long beard was almost reaching his navel. The old man, who seemed as though being crushed under the weight of the jewel studded crown on his head and his crimson mantle, was King Geffert.

「That is… His Excellency has died.」

As the chamberlain’s voice lowered as he reported, Geffert’s eyebrows twitched.

「Then, I have to speak to the New Duke.」

The cane that reflects a deep silver was thin enough that the skinny old man can lift it up easily. The old man left the room, nudging the cane on the floor.

The legs that walked through the long corridor were surprisingly strong, contrary to what it looks like. Sunlight poured in through the polished windowpane which looked completely transparent.

The place where the old man arrived was a room of the same size as before. However, a number of metal panels were attached to the walls of the room, and chairs were lined up in front of them. Operators writing down the message in the transmissions sent to them.

This is the place where you are connected to various parts of the Keith Grand Federation by magic communication.

The most necessary thing to control the vast Keith Grand Federation is “information”, Geffert stated, and spent 10 years building a magic communication network.

25 years have passed since then. Even now, information from various places reaches the ear of Geffert.

Geffert passed through the room where you can hear only the sound of pen writing, and entered a neighbouring small room. When the chamberlain turned on a switch, the air almost felt like shaking, and the sound muffling magic tool was activated.

In the center of the small room, there was a chair for Geffert, and a crystal ball facing the chair, and a stand that supported it.

「New Duke. I heard you made an emergency call.」

The crystal ball showed a fat man wiping the sweat on his forehead. The slant eyes were exactly like his father, Duke Achenbach – Former Duke Achenbach.

『I am grateful to be graced by Your Majesty’s presence…』

「Did you make an emergency call for a silly greeting?」

『I-I apologize…』

Daniel Achenbach wiped his forehead again with a handkerchief. Until now, his father had done all the work, so he didn’t know what to do.

Geffert clicked his tongue internally. Is this the successor? The dukedom is over, he thought.

「So? If you’re in contact, then I suppose it’s related to Six Mine?」

『T-That is right, Your Majesty. Your discernment is indeed most true.』

「I don’t need your flattery. Get to the point.」

Geffert let out an irritated voice without thinking. The New Duke wiped his sweat again. Time passed.

However, even Geffert could not have predicticted the next words spoken by the Duke.

『That is, Six Mine has collapsed.』

「I see. Collapsed, huh… What?」

『Literally, it sank under the debris. It seems that my father was also involved in it and died.』

The duke explained as the old man blinked incessantly.

The slave riot. The appearance of a giant “dragon”. The collapse of the mine. And his father’s death.

(The sequence is reversed. Slaves are bound by contract magic and can’t riot. Perhaps the Duke died first… Did someone kill him? No, I don’t care about that now.)

Geffert’s voice, understandably, became rough.

「So, how is the mine operating?」

『We can’t get inside because there seems to be a “dragon” staying there. We are still trying to confirm whether it is a real “dragon”, but we are unable to contact the adventurers who were sent in.』

「I don’t care about the adventurers! Can’t you do anything with the soldiers?!」

『Y-Yes. Currently, we are using all our troops to carry out activities to recapture the mine.』

「Gnu…」

That is the only thing that can be given a passing mark, Geffert thought.

「A “dragon”…? There was such a disaster-class monster in the mine? Oi, investigate right away if something similar happened in the past. It’s our top priority.」

「Yes!」one of the servants responded, and rushed out of the room.

「New Duke. I want all the information about the “dragon”. Like its appearance, size, and everything.」

『O-Of course.』

「”Dragon”– “Dragon”, huh. In that case, throwing adventurers should take care of it quicker.」Geffert said, as though talking to himself.「New Duke. I will send in one of Valhalla’s best adventurers on a state-of-the-art magic airship. Keep the docks open and ready for use.」

『Understood! B-But… about the adventurers?』