How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 128

140. Those on the Battlefield (4)

It’s been almost a month since I started frequenting the Falgentania Duchy’s library.

Nothing special happened.

If there’s any news, it’s that I turned eighteen a few days ago.

Eighteen, Aileen! Aileen, one year older!

It felt quite strange.

But I don’t have time to dwell on these things.

‘It’s about time.’

I haven’t been neglecting gathering rumors lately.

Fortunately, the news of the battlefield where the Archduke and the protagonist are fighting doesn’t deviate much from what I already knew.

‘Then, the next development will happen soon, right?’

Also, I don’t forget to search for necessary information while visiting the library.

Thanks to that, I can be sure.

That is what to do next.

‘As I knew, the Falgentania Archduchy must be racking their brains over some problem left by their ancestors, just like in the original story…….’

And there will be no solution for it right now.

‘The acquisition and interpretation event of the Archduchy’s secret treasure will remain the same.’

In the original story, it was the role of the protagonist, Sylvester, but he went to the battlefield early.

Then, what will happen to the acquisition event?

‘I don’t think it will just happen on its own.’

Above all, I was bothered by the fact that Influence Points kept generating even when I was doing nothing.

If it were just this, I would have thought it was happening because of my actions.

An unsettling message was additionally displayed.

‘Ugh…… I have a bad feeling about this.’

It’s reasonable to assume that someone is showing movements outside of the original story that I know.

Am I going to get caught up in an incident if I stay still?

Or should I think of it as meaning that an incident I don’t know about might happen?

‘Should I intervene, even though it’s early……? Either way, I need to guide it in advance for the sake of being prepared.’

That would be the right choice for me too.

‘Let’s do it!’

Having made a decision, I immediately requested to see Princess Elenia.

I had already made a few appointments to ask for trivial things, so it wasn’t difficult.

Perhaps this time too, she thought it was another trivial matter.

Or maybe she thought I was here to sell something.

And then.

As soon as I was granted an audience, I immediately brought up the matter.

And unlike before, as soon as I said those words, I could see the Princess’s face distorting terribly and becoming wary.

“……Aileen. ……I can’t listen to this with a smile this time.”

It was a reaction I expected.

“Are you serious? Say it again.”

“It’s not a slip of the tongue, nor anything else. The problem that the Falgentania Archduchy is currently facing—I mean that I can help with that.”

“……Are you talking about the invasion of Marquis Celrond?”

“Doesn’t he already have an excellent helper?”

The protagonist, that is.

Depend on him for fighting; that’s what the protagonist is good at.

“Above all, I am clumsy and weak at fighting. There’s nothing I can do to help in a war.”

“Wow…… this guy is lying without a care.”

Lucell, who was listening from the side, became serious.

He seemed genuinely dumbfounded to hear someone who had contracted with an Upper-Level Spirit say they couldn’t fight.

But I just shrugged it off with a sly smile.

I really think I’m clumsy.

“……Aileen, then tell me. I want to know if you really understand.”

“Then, I will first tell you what I know.”

First, I have to persuade her.

“Recently, I started paying attention to various materials while frequenting the library.”

“Wait. There shouldn’t be such detailed materials in the library you’ve been visiting, right? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Aren’t there geographical data and simple records left? There’s even a novel made in another country based on this place, right?”

Only simple chronicles, records, and fiction that can be revealed outwardly.

But that’s enough for me to be sure.

Because there is an original story.

The answer already exists, so it’s just a matter of verifying whether it’s correct.

In other words, it’s an excuse to cover up the source of the information.

“In addition, I heard that the Falgentania Archduchy has a secret treasure passed down from ancient times. Isn’t that anecdote quite famous?”

“……Hmm.”

A gesture to keep talking.

Up to this point, it’s just rumors that anyone knows.

Above all, many people already know that Marquis Celrond declared war, aiming for that secret treasure.

The important thing is the reason.

“We must go back in time and mention the reason why the Archduchy was granted this territory.”

“……You know even that much?”

“It’s just a bit of hearsay.”

I lightly added and continued.

“The characteristic of this land is that there are many different minerals under the ground. That’s why high-quality iron is always mined here.”

“That’s right.”

“But before Falgentania’s flag was raised, this place was called this.”

I put the words in my mouth as if it were a joke.

“The Mine of Death.”

“…….”

“The Iron Hell that even sinners who don’t fear God are afraid to go to.”

“……Wow, that’s harsh.”

Lucell, who couldn’t know anything, spat out a carefree impression.

The Princess’s side was silent, as if telling me to say more.

Good, I’ll keep talking.

“The reason is that although this place is a rich mine, the ground is extremely unstable. There’s even a strange air flowing.”

Commonly referred to as toxic gas.

Due to such characteristics, even if there is high-quality iron, mining it is bound to involve great risks.

Those who originally owned this had no choice but to have a headache.

‘Because the iron is too tempting to ignore.’

Naturally, the only people working here were criminals or slaves.

Even veteran technicians are reluctant to come here.

What happens if only slaves and criminals are put into a dangerous place?

Security will be a mess.

It is said that this place was almost hell.

“In the past, it is said that the number of living and dead here was almost equal.”

The number of slaves dying every day due to continuous accidents cannot even be counted.

Nevertheless, they greedily urge the mining of iron and continue to bring slaves as sacrifices.

It was such a terrible land.

“It is said that even serious criminals would cry and beg for forgiveness if they were told to be sent as slaves here like young children.”

“Certainly, there are such anecdotes. It seems that the guys from other countries have been making up fairy tales and novels as they please.”

Princess Elenia smiled bitterly.

“But it was the Falgentania Archduchy that changed that.”

The Falgentania family, which was only a rising noble family at the time, actively wanted to get their hands on this place.

At first, there were those who condemned them as people without blood or tears.

There were those who belittled them, saying that they were vicious people who wanted wealth by shedding blood.

However.

“After your Highness’s ancestors settled here. Surprisingly, the number of victims began to decrease.”

Now, the accident rate is almost zero.

Faced with that amazing miracle, the nobles who had criticized them couldn’t close their mouths.

“I know that they were recognized for their contribution and wealth, gradually increased their rank and territory, and now they have reached the Archduchy.”

“……Hmm.”

“I will correct it immediately if there is anything wrong.”

What I’m saying is only the description mentioned in the original story.

It’s just a setting that Sylvester heard from Duke Nilphas in Volume 4 of the original story.

Princess Elenia looked a little surprised and said that there was no need to correct it.

“Rather, I’m surprised. ……Did you really hear that just from rumors?”

“It’s also thanks to the fact that I’ve traveled around here and there. Other merchants probably wouldn’t be able to do it. I have more experience than others.”

“Yes, I understand up to that point. So keep talking.”

“I heard that the Falgentania Archduchy goes around each mine four times a year, and the direct line of the family uses a certain artifact held by the Archduchy to make mining plans.”

Now it is almost treated like an event.

It is said that they even give food and alcohol to the people of the territory at that time.

“I heard that the artifact used at that time is the treasure managed by the Archduchy.”

“Yes…… but that’s a well-known fact. And.”

“And it’s a lie.”

Her eyes flashed menacingly at the remark.

“From here on, it is a conclusion based only on the combination of data and rumors. If it is wrong, I will apologize for the rudeness and correct it. I will also take responsibility for it.”

I can put my neck on the line. That’s how confident I am.

“At least it’s not a geomantic artifact [an artifact related to earth divination].”

“…….”

“Of course, I heard that there is a theory of exploring the earth’s veins to measure the state of the mine.”

Of course, there are those who make a living using magic in that way.

At least as far as I know.

“But even so, you can’t follow the secret of the Archduchy’s success.”

“Then can you tell me what it is?”

“……For example, prophecy.”

There is no reaction.

“If it’s a means to predict all accidents, that’s the only thing.”

It’s surprisingly quiet.

“In other words, a powerful ability equivalent to prophecy.”

But it was as if I could hear a ringing bell that it was the correct answer.

“……You guessed that just from records and rumors?”

“The decisive evidence is the current actions of Marquis Celrond. He wouldn’t start a fight with unreasonable justification just to aim for a geomantic artifact.”

Their actions are the ultimate proof.

Princess Elenia was completely silent.

The Princess soon let out a long sigh.

“I admit it.”

She understood faster than I thought.

“Aileen, your guess is correct.”

She readily admitted and didn’t hide it anymore.

“Certainly, the secret to the Falgentania Archduchy’s settlement here is not just a geomantic artifact.”

“……As expected.”

“In addition, is it a prophecy? Your analogy may be similar.”

Princess Elenia muttered so and soon called a maid to bring something.

The maid soon took out an artifact in an iron box.

Inside was a staff with a large disc.

But it’s different from what wizards use. It’s not practical either.

“This is the artifact used to measure the mine.”

Holding it, Princess Elenia took a light breath and concentrated.

And at that moment, the mana flowing from the staff reacted to the cup I was drinking from.

“Well, for example, that cup will probably be accidentally broken by a maid in about 5 days. ……Well, it might not be if I warn them from now on. The information observed is ambiguous because it is roughly used.”

At first glance, it feels like she’s just saying it casually, but those who have the ability to sense mana will feel the principle and be horrified.

The mana that the artifact sent to the cup was truly complex.

The mana itself felt like it was interfering with something beyond space.

Clearly, it’s a remnant of borrowing a more complex ability than my space control or gravity control.

“……Is that how you make plans?”

“If you plug this into the earth’s veins and borrow a large amount of magic power from wizards, you can record all the cases of accidents that will occur in the mine for several months.”

Where and how will the accident happen?

What will happen?

What are the weather conditions at that time, etc…….

It is said that they know everything.

Then, it is not impossible to lead even the most dangerous mine without accidents.

That is the secret of the Falgentania Archduchy and the treasure they possess.

“Well. What do you think, Aileen? It’s a great artifact, isn’t it?”

Princess Elenia smiled, holding out the staff as if asking if I was tempted.

But I’m not fooled because I know.

“That’s only part of it, right? That’s not the main body of the artifact, is it?”

What Princess Elenia showed was just a simple remote terminal.

Borrowing only a small part of the power of the main body hidden somewhere from a distance.

It’s just a trick.

“You know even that much? Amazing talent.”

“In addition, this has little to do with the sense trained in commerce. It’s just experience.”

I decided to reveal one thing at this point.

When revealing the other side’s circumstances, it’s honest to reveal as much on this side.

“I had a small opportunity in the past and was lucky enough to conquer a dungeon.”

“……Come to think of it, you used a strange power. Don’t tell me that’s not Spiritism [magic that involves communication with spirits].”

“Yes. It’s an ability I learned in the dungeon.”

Princess Elenia and Lucell’s eyes changed.

They must have started to see me as a useful person rather than just a skilled merchant.

They must have been guessing it from before anyway.

It would have been too strange to say that my abilities were achieved only with Spiritism.

“That’s why it was easy to infer the ability of the Archduchy’s secret treasure. I judged that what they were using couldn’t be just this much based on my past experience.”

What they are using is only a small part.

The power residing in the artifact itself is even stronger.

Bloodline Ability .

The highest level ability that even the protagonist Sylvester mentioned as extremely dangerous in the original story.

An artifact that embodies the core of that ability and reproduces some of its effects.

So it’s worth being greedy.

Even the protagonist wants it, so it’s all said and done.

In the first place, Volume 4 is originally a fight over that artifact.