.jpg)
IBP 68
Ignoring us, she stubbornly stared only at the people around her as she spoke.
“I would like to tell you about the results of my new business venture. As a result of investing the funds from my previous business into mine development, I have discovered a mana crystal mine.”
Exclamations of surprise erupted from the surrounding crowd.
“That’s incredible. There are only a few mana crystal mines in the entire Empire.”
“A mana crystal mine?”
I tilted my head in curiosity.
“Twenty mana crystals were produced. They will be mined in limited quantities every year moving forward.”
She spoke while gazing at the people, whose expressions were flushed with excitement.
“I am told that when used, a mana crystal temporarily amplifies one's existing supernatural ability by up to two times. Once purchased, it can be used for three months.”
“.......”
“It stands in contrast to buff-type ability users, who cannot continue providing buffs if they run out of mana.”
Dahlia gave a proud little smile and continued.
“In particular, these mana crystals will be supplied exclusively to a few families. Only to the Melomande family, or those who maintain a good relationship with me.”
As she said this, Dahlia’s gaze pierced exactly toward my sister.
This was the current standing of the two in social circles.
Sister Chloe, the villainess whom people avoided due to rumors of her going berserk.
Dahlia, who was succeeding in business and had even discovered a mana crystal mine.
Everyone secretly knew that they had become antagonistic toward one another.
But my sister is a direct descendant of Duke Ardos's family; did Dahlia not consider that my sister could crush her with her status?
“Ah! One more thing. Lady Lucrezia of the Duke Ardos household also invested in me generously.”
The question was resolved more easily than expected.
Come to think of it, Lucrezia was still here.
Constantly eyeing my sister.
“Hey, are mana crystals really that special? I mean, it's only twenty of them a year, right?”
At my words, which sounded like a monologue, Lady Miru kindly answered.
“Yes.... These days, there are territorial wars, and magical beasts occasionally appear in each territory. Thus, possessing a great ability has become a mark of family rank, and abilities have become as important as noble status... In such a situation, even having twenty mana crystals is enormous.”
“So they're like jewels. Something you use for special occasions.”
“Yes, that's right.”
I looked at Lady Miru, who was explaining in detail, with a worried face.
“Then they must be really great; is it okay for Lady Miru to be talking with us?”
“......As for me, it doesn't matter if I don't have mana crystals. I am a painter, after all.”
‘She really is a kind person; she's just like Sister Cherry.’
The people who had been hovering around us until a moment ago had all gone to flatter Dahlia.
I think she's staying by my side because she's afraid I'll be hurt since I looked so excited.
Regardless, separate from the look on Dahlia's face—which seemed like she'd been dealt a blow by my sister's words—my sister, Ruth, and I seemed to be effectively isolated.
‘Now truly no one is talking to us.’
The only thing lingering around us was the elegant melody of the orchestra.
‘But it was fun because Sister and Ruth kept putting delicious things in my mouth.’
And so, the social party ended haphazardly, but....
I let out a little laugh, um-hwa-hwa.
Enjoy it while you can, Dahlia.
‘Because we have much better things at our house.’
* * *
Meanwhile, after the social party ended and she returned to the mansion with Coco and Ruth.
Left alone, Chloe calmly took out a letter-type magic tool.
“Since I couldn't use detection today, I could only confirm my suspicions....”
If she used her detection ability, she could tell whether the opponent had killed a spirit beast or not.
However, unless it was used on an inanimate object, the opponent would inevitably notice when such an ability was used.
‘Should I knock Dahlia unconscious and bring her here?’
The destructive thought lasted only a moment.
She wrote down the concern she had been chewing over ever since facing Dahlia today into the magic tool.
[I plan to investigate Dahlia Melomande in detail soon.]
There were several reasons why she was focusing on Dahlia.
Dahlia's ability was <Distortion>.
However, it was ambiguous to even call it an ability.
At most, it was at a level where she could make a handkerchief wrinkle without touching it.
But this time was different.
People were easily persuaded by her words.
‘It is certainly strange, given the circumstances, that Dahlia insulted me and stole my fiancé.’
Of course, many people would harbor doubts about Dahlia.
‘But the looks in the eyes of those beside her....’
It looked as if they had been hit by an ability.
<Distortion> was an ability that could simultaneously distort tangible and intangible things.
‘Perhaps she used ‘cognitive distortion’ while speaking.’
Of course, it wouldn't work on someone with a higher grade of ability than her own. And because it was weak, it was easy to break free from.
But....
‘It is an ability far too powerful for someone like Dahlia to possess.’
The most important thing was... thinking about it, she had been able to maintain close contact with the puppy, Coco.
Since she was someone who entered her mansion frequently.
That was why she decided to investigate Dahlia.
Only after writing this far did it finally feel real.
The fact that Coco might have actually been murdered.
After Coco left, there were times when she felt the urge to grab a stranger and cry.
There were times when she ran as if her heart would burst, unable to help the piercing longing.
It had been a long stretch of time where her fingertips tingled, and upon waking, her entire body hurt as if it were bruised, leaving her gasping.
But her own pain mattered not.
“I want to split my life in half and give it to you.”
“Woof....”
“Why is that not possible? Why do we have to part so quickly....”
We are family.
Why is only one side's lifespan so short?
This is too unfair.
To me, you're still a baby, yet your body—which felt as if it were dying of old age, a body that felt like a piece of dead wood.
While stroking the cooling body with trembling hands....
“I love you.”
She recalled the memories of a long time, having uttered the words "I love you" dozens, hundreds of times.
She saw new letters appearing on the letter-type magic tool.
[I hear a ball will be held at the Imperial Palace in a few days.
As it is a major event attended by all nobles, there is a high probability that spirit creature hunters and their traders will meet without hesitation.
I would like you to check carefully.
And as for the Dahlia Melomande you mentioned, there is a way to properly verify her.]
After hearing the method of verification.
That night, she tossed and turned for quite a while.
* * *
“Um, Master, Master!”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Upon arriving at Belief's office, located in one part of the Duke Ardos estate, Belief barely lifted his head from the desk, looking as if he had been overworked all night.
The dark circles under his eyes were incredibly deep.
Looking at Master now, it was obvious to anyone that he was severely overworked, and a wave of guilt washed over me....
‘I'll fix those dark circles starting today.’
Vowing inwardly, I spoke to Master.
“You know, I saw something really amazing at the social party today. They called it a mana crystal.”
“Ah, your passion for learning is overflowing, my disciple. Are you curious about mana crystals?”
“No. About the Loki mine that you have, Lord Belief.”
“Hmm?”
“I think I've seen something similar there!”
.jpg)