Published: July 5, 2025
This is the room borrowed by Doge Pietro's Ryo.
Inside, an old man had been invited in.
"Lord Barley, please have a seat over there."
"Excuse me."
Lord Barley, now eighty years old, still had sharp eyes.
His long white hair was tied back, and his face radiated intelligence, with a large cane always by his side...
"Lord Barley, you are a mage, aren't you?"
Ryo said with a smile while looking at Lord Barley's cane.
It was a conversation starter.
Although Ryo himself did not use a cane, he knew that many mages in both the Central Nations and the Western Nations carried canes as tall as themselves.
"Yes, I use earth magic."
"Oh!"
Lord Barley answered with a smile, and Ryo seemed pleased to recognize him as a fellow mage.
Even though their attributes differed, just being mages brought a sense of closeness.
"I've heard that your grace is also a mage..."
"Yes, a water attribute mage."
"However, there is no magical power leaking from your body at all."
"That's right. I trained during the time I lived in the forest."
"Trained?"
"When magical power leaks, monsters can detect it, making hunting difficult. So, I trained to prevent that from happening."
Ryo answered with a smile.
He had put quite a bit of effort into his training to prevent leaks, so being pointed out made him a little happy.
(I think that would be impossible... But seeing it in practice makes me wonder if the common knowledge I have about magic is incorrect.)
Lord Barley chuckled inwardly.
Lord Barley took a deep breath.
He stood up straight and bowed deeply.
"What is the matter?"
Ryo was surprised.
"I apologize to Duke Rondo and the Naitorei Kingdom. This is a formal apology from the Chief Advisor of the Republic of Mafalda, Barley Acherubi, acting as the full authority of Head of State Columbano della Russo."
"What on earth happened?"
"Actually, last night, the Head of State's Third Warehouse was attacked, and all the Mitril Ore stored there was stolen."
"Wha...?"
Ryo was at a loss for words.
The three standing behind Ryo in Room 10 were also astonished and exchanged glances.
Lord Barley sensed the movements of the three.
"I recognize that those standing behind his grace the duke are connected to the Western Church. Understanding that information may flow from your side, I would like to ask a question."
After the apology, Lord Barley cut to the front.
However, Ryo tilted his head.
"Connected to the church?"
Of course, the "three standing behind" mentioned by Lord Barley referred to the three in Room 10.
They were Ryo's former roommates and should have no particular connection to the church.
"It seems there is a misunderstanding, but these three are my former roommates, and sometimes we form parties together. They are friends and comrades, so they do not have much relation to the Western Church."
"However, I heard you possess a Holy Sword officially bestowed by the church."
"Ah, that."
Ryo realized why Lord Barley misunderstood.
"At the papal inauguration a year ago... At that time, these two used the Holy Sword to quell the chaos. That was recognized, and Pope Graham bestowed it upon them."
"Is that so?"
Lord Barley nodded.
"So... What is it you want to ask?"
"Actually, it has been revealed that the attackers who raided the warehouse were the same ones who attacked our comprehensive research institute before."
"Oh?"
"At that time, they stole a Bracelet of Concealment and a brooch that allows for fusion magic."
"Huh? That’s...?"
"Yes, it is something your grace the duke once bestowed upon us."
Lord Barley spoke honestly.
Telling the truth is the most effective.
"I believe Bangaan from the Special Agency mentioned wanting to purchase Mitril Ore for alchemy tools. Is that perhaps...?"
"Yes, it is for the Bracelet of Concealment and the brooch for fusion magic."
Ryo decided to answer honestly to Lord Barley's question.
This was also considering the developments that would follow.
Currently, they had been stolen and were lost, so they could not acquire the Mitril Ore.
Ryo glanced at Nils, who stood behind him.
The three immediately understood the meaning and nodded.