Chapter 10: Learning Rune Magic
"That's Gwendolyn Lou. She is the eldest daughter of Baron Helson and is sixteen years old. She is now Setanta Lou's wife. She is married."
When Christo explained this, Netzel looked up as if searching his memory, "Helson...... Helson".
"Your Excellency, it's the Baron who rules the [Desolate Zone] in the east."
"Ah! I remember. That ugly-looking family! Baron Helson. I can't believe that that ugly man would give birth to a baby fox like that."
"Frontier Count Netzel, did you come here to discuss your taste in women with me?"
"N-no, it's not like that. I'm sorry."
But the pig's little eyes were still staring at Gwendolyn. To be precise, they were looking back and forth between Gwendolyn's face and her chest, which could be described as steep.
Patricia, who is equally beautiful and has ample breasts, was standing right next to her, but he would not look at her at all.
(Come to think of it, the old man said that Count Netzel has pedophile tendencies.)
The old man―― Baron Ixel had been forced to go along with Netzel's hobbies, his own superior, on several occasions. This has been the case since Christo was at Söderholm's castle. Even after he was transferred to the monastery, he lamented the pain of having to keep up with Netzel's hobbies whenever Christo received a letter.
Netzel's hobby was watching a ballet.
The young girls on the stage in their beautiful dresses bounced around like little birds and kittens.
Netzel would watch them from behind the curtains or in the audience with a wicked smile on his face.
When the performance was over, he would go to the head of the company and say, "Today's performance was wonderful. I'll be back to see it again the next time you come to do a show. By the way, what was the name of the girl who played the leading role today? If you don't mind, can I borrow her for a night?"
(The old man just wants to enjoy the performance, but Netzel seems to have been whispering his obscene fantasies throughout the performance. That girl is cute, that girl is like a goddess, etc.)
It is an expensive hobby.
He would donate large sums of money to the company and buy their dancers.
If he had bought a prostitute, he would have used silver coins at most, but this man used gold coins.
His wives knew of the Frontier Count's hobby, but they kept it a secret, apparently out of concern for appearances. His relationship with his own wives was also deteriorating, so the Count was in a negative cycle of seeking women's love again and again. Netzel cannot escape his karma until he was in the grave.
"Is Gwendolyn, your concern?"
Christo puts his fingers together on the table.
Netzel looked into Christo's dark eyes and shivered.
Perhaps he instinctively sensed something akin to fear.
He looked away and shook his head.
Laranoa, unable to bear it, leaned forward and interrupted Christo's gaze.
"Your Excellency, the [Desolate Zone] is one of the poorest areas in the kingdom. I don't think it would do you any good to get involved."
"Ah――, u-umu. That's right. That's right!"
“Frontier Count, can I see that decree?”
“――――!? You'll accept my offer!?”
"No, I'll just use it to write something."
"Oh, I see……"
Netzel hands him a piece of sweat-soaked paper.
Christo takes a pen and inkwell out of his coat pocket and begins to scribble on the back of the paper.
"What are you writing? People's names......?"
"The name of the private tax collectors in the Söderholm territory."
Next to each name, Christo writes a detailed description of their personalities, secrets, and behavioral tendencies.
"Please lower the tax rate in the Soderholm territory. Combine all the church taxes and set it so that it does not exceed half of the harvest. Their wish is not for me to rule, but to continue Baron Ixel's good government."
“Half of the harvest!? What nonsense, that would put us in the red!"
“The reason there is a deficit is because of the private tax collectors. They are embezzling taxes. You know that, right? Because of their embezzlement, no matter how high you raise the tax rate, the amount of taxes coming to you will never exceed a certain level."
"B-but, if there are no tax collectors, we cannot collect taxes. I wouldn't know where the people live in the frontier forests."
"That's the problem. What are you going to do without knowing where the people live in your own territory? Take this opportunity to take control of everything. Since it's impossible to cover your entire territory, we'll start with the Söderholm territory. ――We will use the church to make a ledger. And use the skills, experience, and knowledge accumulated by private tax collectors."
Christo pointed to the names of private tax collectors in Söderholm in the memo.
“We can use this man. He has the character of a strong man who will help you to make a ledger if you persuade him directly. This man is greedy and devious, but very capable. He takes a large share of his own money in secret from the other tax collectors. He puts his friends' money in his own pocket. The documentary evidence is in a file in my suitcase. I will give them to you after this and you can use them to threaten him and help you build a ledger. He will choose to follow you rather than be beaten to death by his own people."
"H-how am I going to persuade the church?"
"I'll go. I'll write a letter and send it to each monastery in the north. I'm on good terms with Priest Yohn, so I know everyone."
During his time in the northern monasteries, he attended secret sex parties with the nuns.
He knew their tastes and preferences very well.
He was even aware of their physical health.
“In addition, I will go directly to the monastery and ask for their cooperation. I know they think I'm a cocky greenhorn, so I'll have to convince them in person.
"This information... where did you get it? Can you trust it?"
Laranoa looks at him suspiciously.
Christo shrugged.
"Believe it or not, it's up to you. It was written in various documents I found when I was organizing my father's study."
"Wait a minute. By documents in his study, do you mean those piles of papers? Did you read them all in the short time between when the demon was defeated and when I came to get you?"
"Not all of it. I skimmed through it. I think your officials have already read through it. Have you heard what they have to say?"
"N-no, umu, um..."
"And you remember the information about the tax collectors? That's a lot of information."
"Instead of praising me, praise the dead demon. What I'm talking about now is what the demon worked so hard to gather before it died."
"――――"
"――――"
Netzel and Laranoa looked at each other dumbfounded.
Christo continues, putting away the pen and inkwell.
“Please treat the tax reform in the Soderholm territory as a model. If the reform is successful, a disparity will be created in your territory, which will bring about various changes. There will be both positive and negative changes. However, please listen to the ever-changing public opinion and come up with an appropriate countermeasure. Don't worry, your civil servants can do it."
"Is that so? I am afraid that the ministers will scold me again."
"Please set aside discrimination in the treatment of tax collectors. Also, when using them, let them concentrate on paperwork so that they do not hold the real power. Give them plenty of money and women."
"I understand. I will take it back and talk to the ministers."
“If I were to go around the monastery, I would like to do so during the weekend."
"I'll have them draw up a request for approval as soon as possible."
Netzel stood up.
Seeing that, Christo and Laranoa also stood up.
"After this, I will give you the documentary evidence and an accurate map of the Soderholm territory. Please wait a moment."
"Umu. I'll be waiting outside the cafeteria!"
“Once the resident register is completed, it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as the collection of taxes, the emergency collection of troops, and almsgiving in times of famine. It will take time and cost a lot to complete, but once completed, it can be used until the country dies. It will also benefit your lovely children."
"Thank you, Christo! I'll be sure to fill out the officer's papers to our executive branch on your behalf!"
"Don't, please."
"Don't be shy! There are still some of your blank checks left over from Ixel's butler. I'll take care of everything, you have nothing to worry about! Keep up the good work!"
(Was it this pig, after all, who put my name in the lottery box for the holy sword seed? He has caused me a lot of trouble. I should have killed him in the carriage. Damn, did I miss my timing?)
Christo then made Netzel promise to destroy all the power of attorney, and in exchange, he gave him the documentary evidence and the map.
Netzel went back with a smile on his face.
Christo hoped that he would never come to the academy again.
In addition, it seems that the story of handing over the seed of the holy sword has completely fallen out of his head. Despite being a Count, he was a man who was missing something in the head.
× × ×
There was actually a reason why Christo offered to spend the weekend touring the monasteries in the north.
Rune magic――.
Rune magic is a kind of magic that uses special stones to produce various magical effects, and there were books on it for sale in the "Magic Street". In fact, he had found this book when he came to the "Magic Street" before his duel with Setanta, but he had decided not to buy it because it was very expensive (40 gold coins per book) and the title was "Study of the Magic of the Secret Stones in the Northern Lands".
Magic works by enforcing a contract with the god of the land where the magic is practiced.
For example, if magic in the northern lands is practiced in the royal capital, it is unlikely to produce the desired magical effect. Most of the time, nothing happens and it fails, and if you are unlucky, dangerous effects will occur.
However, if a catalyst is made in the northern lands using materials collected in the north, it is possible to use northern runes elsewhere, although the effect will be weakened.
Rune magic is the carving of specific runes on specific stones, staining them, praying over them, and pronouncing powerful words―― the runes make the concepts contained in the stones a reality.
Because of the nature of magic, most of the process is completed when the stone is stained and prayed for, so it is not susceptible to the attenuation of the magic effect when it goes to another land.
As long as one carries a rune stone, it is, in principle, a convenient magic that can be invoked anytime and anywhere.
He thought that that was the reason why he couldn't find a rune magic book unique to the royal capital.
The rune magic of the northern lands, the magic can be used anywhere as long as rune stones are made in the northern lands, so there is little need to go to the trouble of making a contract with a god near the royal capital.
It is highly likely that ancient magicians also thought so.
(In the northern part of the country, they collected stones to be used as catalysts while visiting monasteries. They would even finish the process of grinding the stones and praying to them while on the move or in the middle of the night.)
The old man said.
Stagnation is a gradual degeneration.
Because each demon race had powerful abilities, they were content with their status and technological prowess and slowly degenerated.
Directly, this was caused by the killing of the Demon King by the "Hero of Light," but the remote cause had been inherent for a long time. In order not to be like the demons of the past, Christo must constantly evolve.
(However, magic costs too much money....... Mainly magic books. Then catalysts. Even the rune stones this time, if not for Netzel's case, I would have had to come up with the money for the trip.)
Magic and money are inseparable――.
Christo thanked the shopkeeper who sold him a copy of the book and pushed open the fine mahogany door and walked out.
“Ara, Christo-san?”
As he stepped out from the short staircase of the store onto the cobblestones of the "Magic Street," a hooded woman, who was walking quickly past him, stopped in her tracks.
Her black hooded cape seemed to melt into the afternoon darkness of the "Magic Street".
From the edge of the hood, the tips of her curly red hair were visible.
"Is it, Patricia?"
“Yes. It's a strange coincidence."
Patricia, the red-haired woman, smiles softly as she takes the hood off her head with one hand.
In her arms, she held items that seemed to be used for extracurricular activities, such as leather bags and water bottles. And it's not just for her. It's probably for four people, including Setanta's share.
The items were placed in a cloth bag, which Patricia was holding in her arms, but the fabric of the bag was soft and seemed difficult to hold.
"What happened to Setanta and the others?"
"He and Kat are sparing at the training grounds. I think Gwendolyn is training with them."
"So you went shopping alone?"
"Yes."
"I can carry some if you like. Let me walk you on the way."
When Christo said this, Patricia's gaze wandered.
She must have been thinking that if Setanta found out that she had been talking to Christo, there would be a complication.
“If you want to go back through the west district, I can help you until we reach the west district, otherwise, I can help until we get through the [Magic Street]. I can't stand by and watch a frail lady carry a heavy load."
"Um, what to do."
“Just a little. It'll make it a little bit easier. Setanta and the blue holy tree are not watching.
"Then, just a bit..."
He received the cloth bag from her.
The moment Patricia took her hand away, Christo almost plunged to the ground.
“Wait, Christo-san!? Are you okay!?”
"N-no. I'm fine. I made you see something unsightly."
Christo manages to hold it up by releasing a bit of his natural―― demon strength.
He was inwardly puzzled―― didn't she hold this weight in one hand when she took the hood off earlier?
Patricia looked down at Christo as she pulled back the red ends of her hair from her plump breasts behind her ears.
"It's enough for four people. It's too heavy for one person to carry, isn't it?"
"Well, let's divide it by two. I have a leather bag, too."
“Sorry. I apologize for the trouble."
"No, no."
They divided the contents of the baggage and carried it together.
Half of the weight could be carried with no problem with human strength.
"Thank you, Christo-san. I thought it was a little heavy."
“A little? Ah no―― Is this equipment for extracurricular activities?"
“Yes. I couldn't buy it yesterday. My husband wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I was taking care of him."
“I am sorry about Setanta-dono’s case. But he was coming at me with such a fierceness that I had to seriously go for it or I would have risked my own life. I was desperate."
"Well, it didn't look that way to me."
Patricia continued, maintaining her soft smile.
“Christo-san, didn’t you have a relaxed expression the whole time? Just before Mel interrupted, you're planning to kill my husband under the guise of a duel, right?”
"There's no way I'd think of such a terrible thing. I was just thinking about protecting myself."
"Fufu. Don't get me wrong. I'm not angry. In a duel, it is only natural that they will take each other's lives. It was more than that, it was a brilliant fight. I have never seen a warrior like you before. I think it was a battle that overturned the common belief that magic is weak against the holy arts. I have nothing but admiration for you."
"Do you really mean that?"
"Yes... I am also grateful to you for trying to defend Mel's honor in the end."
Patricia frowned sadly.
Her eyes are distorted.
"I couldn't stop my husband. I stood by and watched as my dear sister-in-law was gambled away. I am a terrible woman......"
"Melvina doesn't think so. She talks about you at home every chance she get. If Patricia think you had done something terrible to her, why don't you come and see her? You can care for her to see if she is missing something, or make her a cup of herbal tea and tell her a pleasant story. Nothing good will come from feeling it alone and punishing yourself."
"Ye... yes. I think you're right. I think I'll go apologize to her next time."
Patricia looked at Christo and smiled again.
"Thank you."
"No, no."
She has red hair in vertical rolls and radiant good looks. She also has large breasts. Her breasts are squashed into a cloth bag, and the shape of her milk flesh shows through the fabric of her clothes. She is definitely the type of person who wears a lot of clothes.
Sixteen years old now.
And she has a three-year-old child――
While Christo was agonizing over his thoughts, Patricia's eyes suddenly fall on a stall on the side of the road.
Her steps slow down.
"Are you interested in painting?"
"Eh?"
The one Patricia was looking at―― The stalls were selling dyes and paintbrushes for painting. However, not many customers seemed to be checking it. The owner of the store was dozing with his chin resting on his worn coat.
Since only painters would buy paints, he was probably less likely to be a victim of robbery. If magic books were sold in a stall and the shopkeeper dozed off, the shelves would be empty by evening.
"It's odd, isn't it?"
Patricia nodded. "How can a daughter of the Lowell family be interested in painting?"
“Is the Lowell family your parent’s house?”
"Yes. My ancestors were given the land south of the [Frozen Plains] by His Majesty the King, where it is the frontlines against the dragon race. The apples in Count Lowell's territory are excellent."
"Hoh."
“We have been friends with the Hero Territory for a long time. It’s like comrades-in-arms who fought together. My father was also a friend of the previous hero.”
"It's a noble knight's house, huh?"
"Yes."
Patricia tried to take her gaze away from the store, but it soon returned again. Her feet had come to a complete stop. The noise in the surroundings grows louder.
"We all hold swords by the time we are five. I was to be Setanta's wife, so I was training with the knight apprentices in swordsmanship in order to be with him on the battlefield. The training was hard, but I couldn't run away for the sake of our country...... I first became interested in painting when I saw a boy who was a knight's apprentice who was a painter, and I watched him paint in between training sessions. I started to paint too, and before I knew it, it had become my heart's support."
"It is important to have a place in our hearts and minds. Why don't you go and see the store while I carry your stuff too? I'll be waiting for you on the side."
"But I don't want to be rude to Christo-san."
"I've come this far, I'll stay with you as long as I have to. Come on, don't hold back."
"But."
“I've always been interested in dyes, too. I'd like to see what kind of colors they have here before I go north to buy them."
"In the north? Why don't you buy it here?"
"Yes. I need dyes made in the northern lands."
"I see."
Patricia looked at the thick magic book Christo was holding under his arm.
She looked as if she wanted to ask something, but in the end, she said nothing and smiled.
"Then, let me stop by the store! Thank you, Christo-san."
"Ah, it's dazzling. It's like light coming through the clouds."
"Eh?"
Christo smiled as he picked up Patricia's luggage.
"I'm talking about your lovely smile. After all, women are best when they are smiling."
"...!?!? C-Christo-san!?"
"Oh!! E-excuse me. What a thing to do with a married woman! I'll preach this unprincipled mouth later."
"S-seriously."
Patricia, caught completely off guard, turned away, fiddling with the ends of her hair.
He couldn't tell what color her cheeks were because of the sunset light.
"You have Mel, right? Are you dissatisfied with Mel?"
“Melvina is my goddess. Even if the sacred tree withers, my love for her will not wither. I would never have any complaints."
"If so, please stop speaking light-heartedly. As her future husband, you should behave in an unashamed manner."
"That angry look is just like Melvina. Maybe the reason why I'm attracted to you is because of your cuteness."
"――Christo-san."
Patricia turned around and a big smile appeared on her face.
"I'm going to get really angry."
"I'm sorry. I won't say it again.
This is probably the limit that must not be crossed.
Christo turned away from all ulterior motives and waited quietly for her to choose the paint.
Patricia seemed to already have a paintbrush and quickly bought only the colors she wanted.
The red-haired girl's shopping was done in about ten minutes, and then they walked together to the West District.
"We, in the Crown Keter class, seem to be exterminating bandits in the wilderness. That said, we are basically in charge of logistical support."
"Bina class is similar. The subjugation of wild dogs and support. It may be easier than dealing with bandits."
“If it is a wild dog in this area, it must have the blood of a military dog in it. Don't let your guard down. ......You, who defeated Setanta, will be preached by the archbishop."
"No, no. I'll prepare properly. That's why I bought a book today."
"――Thank you very much for the help today."
Patricia stopped in front of the narrow street leading to the "Muma's Cradle" on the way to the West District and said so. He had just told her that at the end of this narrow street was where Melvina and he was staying.
"Aren't you going to see Melvina?"
"I'm going home today. My husband may be waiting for me at the training grounds. I will visit her some other time―― maybe on a weekend."
“Before that, you will pass each other at the academy.”
"Then, at that time, I have to apologize to Mel."
Patricia smiled beautifully and dexterously held her luggage with one hand and gave a small wave.
"Goodbye, Christo-san. See you at the academy!"
"Yes, goodbye."
When the girl showed no sign of moving, Christo turned his back to her.
He walked along the narrow street for a while, and when he looked back at the corner, she had vanished as if she were a phantom in the evening darkness.
Christo thought.
That one, Gwendolyn can't win――
× × ×
"ᚠ, Fefu. Meaning, livestock, wealth, property. It means something that accumulates and multiplies through continuous effort. Not something that rapidly increases in number, but requires effort and perseverance.
ᚢ, Ur. Wild cattle. Power, healing, speed. Representing an abundance of life force. A transitory thing, such as a shower of rain――"
After returning home, he studied rune magic in his room.
He misses the days when he thought a single [Rock spear] would be enough for magic.
Christo was reading the book as if something was rushing him.
"ᚱ, Raido. Wheels, journey, travel, safety.
ᚲ, Kenaz. The fire of a torch, hope, the opening of a world that could not be seen. Illuminates darkness and fog.
ᚺ, Haglaz. Hail. Collapse. An image of an unexpected event.
ᛇ, Eihwaz. A yew tree planted in a grave. death and rebirth.
ᛉ, Algiz. Friendship, shelter. Used for protection. When pronounced as Eolhx, it has a more protective connotation. Combined with black salt, lavender, and clove, it can produce charms or wards against evil. Details are described below......"
In the previous duel with Setanta, the tables were almost turned because of Melvina's intrusion.
The cause was due to Christo's inability to support the golem's movements using the [Divine Roar]. Setanta, which had been pushed back by the thunderbolts approaching from all directions, began to move freely the moment the obstruction was gone. Christo, on the other hand, was left without any other direct means of attack.
The [Divine Roar] is powerful, but it cannot be activated unless a formation is set up in advance, and the range within which it can be activated is limited to the interior of the formation. It is difficult to use when the area of the battle is not specified, as in the case of extracurricular activities. Then, as it is now, Christo has no direct means of setting it up.
(Making meaning by combining runes, huh? As in the stone-making stage, there must be a set procedure for the exercise of magic. The exact understanding of what the runes mean, the exact pronunciation, the exact gestures, etc.)
However, once this is mastered, Christo can continue to cast magic as long as he does not run out of rune stones. Moreover, the chanting speed is fast. To make it powerful and meaningful, it can be as long as the chanting he used to make a golem, but the basic principle is one word, one action―― single action activation.
(If it is done in my own style, the stone will explode and it will be dangerous. This book's detail of strings and the effects of their manifestation as examples of rune magic activation. Successes and failures, and why, are also documented, along with the author's personal observations.)
Although it was originally a technique of the demon race, some people are studying rune magic to the extent that such a book is being written――.
It was strange that he, a demon, was learning magic from the human race, but it was even stranger that this book was being sold in the [Magic Street].
“Christo-san, I made some herbal tea. Would you like some?”
Melvina's voice came from behind the door.
Christo looked up.
It was already dark in the room.
"Yes, I'll have some. Thank you."
"Excuse me."
A girl with her hair untied came in wearing a negligee.
It seemed that she is ready to go to bed.
Come to think of it, the bell had just rung to signal the end of the day.
"Good luck."
Melvina leaves the cup on the table and goes out.
She did not look at the desk, but only smiled at Christo.
As Christo looked after her, a question suddenly arose in his mind.
(Come to think of it, how is she going to fight if she can't use the holy arts?)
Tftc
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