On this day, Lisha was called to her father Joshua's first office in the house of Raytheft.


　This room has been used by the head of the Raytheft family for generations for business work.
　Behind the desk, the military flag of the House of Raytheft flew crosswise over the desk.
　The carpets and curtains are in muted colors.
　A leather sofa and a glass table are also placed in the room, making it a reception room as well.


　Since the rise of the aristocracy, the interior of the Raytheft family has been based on the principle of quality and solidity.
　This is because it has been the creed since the first generation of the family that if you want to spend money on luxuries such as furniture and furnishings that do not need to be spent, you should spend it on war and serve the royal family.
　There are other ways to show the family's economic power, so the only new things we've introduced are lights and tables made of [glittering glass] and frosted glass impostors.


　But now, he is sitting with his father Joshua on the sofa in front of his office desk.
　Sitting across the glass table from them is Joshua's brother, Clive Arbent.
　He is the pride of the kingdom, one of the national mages, and a kind uncle who takes care of him like a daughter.


"Thank you, brother, for accepting my call.

"Yes. But what the hell is going on with you today?　Why so formal?


　It was Joshua's demeanor that caused Crabbe to look at him strangely.
　Joshua's usual manner with Crabbe was not as formal as this.
　There is a certain amount of coiled tension between them, but they still have the closeness of brothers.
　But today, Joshua was a little different.
　Is he angry?
　Or maybe he's frustrated.
　He seemed to be in a bad mood.


　Joshua doesn't answer Crabbe's question, but pulls something out of a package he has at his side.
　It is a glass tube in a wooden frame.
　At the bottom of the clear glass tube is a pool of what looks like red liquid.
　The wooden frame is marked with scales with nervous precision.
　At first glance, Joshua had no idea what it was for.


　But then Joshua put it on the table.


I'd like to ask you something straightforward.


　When Joshua asked in a stern tone, Crabbe first exhaled the smoke from the cigar he was smoking toward the ceiling.
　And then.


"But first, as a national mage, I have to ask. How did you get this into my house?


　Crabbe's tone and demeanor were even harsher than Joshua's.
　It was as if he was strongly condemning Joshua for violating a strict rule.


I know you have strict control over this. I was given this as a special loan.

"So you've used some of your leverage, huh?　You're an a**h*le.

That's what you're supposed to do.


　That's what I have to do.
　I could tell from their conversation that the tools on the table were quite important.
　But then...


"Father, what is it?

It's a tool to measure the amount of ...... magic power.

You mean, measure the amount of magic?

Yes. When you release your magic in this way, ......


　When Joshua releases his magic power out of his body, the red liquid at the bottom of the glass tube grows upward.
　The crate has a scale on it, so it probably corresponds to that.
　I know this because I have studied magic.
　This is a tremendous invention.
　I'm surprised, too.
　I'm a mage myself.
　I'm tempted to try it right away, but I'm too afraid to reach for it.


　Then, in a rather stern voice, Crabbe said.


"Lisha, this is a national secret that has yet to be officially released. You are not to tell anyone what you've just seen or what is being said here. Do you understand?

"Yes, sir. ......


　As a military officer, Crabbe's words had been met with approval.


"And my brother?

...... Yes.

Well, ......


　It's a shame.
　If I had told him about the existence of this place, I'm sure he would have loved it.
　Every time I visit him, he tells me many things, but I can't tell him such an important thing.
　It's frustrating.
　When I asked about my brother, I thought I got a stern look from my father Joshua.
　I think Joshua was more concerned about this tool that measures the amount of magic power.


　He calls out to Crabbe to encourage him to answer the question.


"Brother.

Why are you asking me about this in the first place?

"I've eliminated the possibilities one by one. My search for the source led me to you, brother.

Huh?

Did you make this?

No. No, I didn't.

You're not going to tell me?

It's true. Because I can't make that shit up.



"Then where the hell did they come from?


　Joshua's tone grew stronger.
　Joshua's voice is strong, and his shoulders cower for a moment at the sudden outcry.
　Crabbe, on the other hand, has the presence of mind to even smile thinly.


"Where did you come from?　What's with that tone?　You're making it sound as if there's another source.

"Don't try to smoke me out!　That's who you are!

All right, all right. I'm sorry about that.


　Crabbe shushes Joshua and starts smoking again.
　As an awkward silence prevails, he suddenly summons up the courage to hold the tool in his hand.


　The tool to measure the amount of magic power is small enough to hold in your hand, and not too heavy.
　When you release magic power, the liquid in the bottom of the tool expands to show the change in the amount of magic power.
　The scale is well-defined.
　In order to show the amount of magic power at a glance, the part of the number that is well-defined is made to stand out.
　In some places, there are letters that are neither the letters of the kingdom nor [arts glyphs].
　Is it a signature of some kind?
　But there is something familiar about these letters.


(......)


　So, now I know.
　I know who made this.
　This meticulous detail.
　Nervously embedded engraving.
　Definitely.
　That's who made this.
　That explains why Crabbe insists he didn't make it.


(Brother ......)


　He was a man who did many things, but I never thought he would make something like this.
　Then I suddenly realized.
　Yes, that's why Gastarkus said those words to me that day.
　Perhaps there was some kind of important meeting that day, and the existence and creator of this thing was announced.
　Gastarkus heard that he made it.
　He gave himself a pep talk.
　Joshua's pursuit was met with a curt response.


　...... He had always been neglected by his father and mother and treated coldly by his servants.
　He had been treated poorly, but now he had finally achieved something worthy of recognition.
　It was pure joy.


"...... Joshua. Return it properly. I'll pretend I didn't see it this time.

I know.

Are you sure?　It's already a royal gift. I have the word of the king. If you try anything, he'll destroy Raytheft immediately.

"But I am!　I'm .......


　Joshua frowned, but then he swallowed his anger.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.


"...... I understand how you feel. It's not that. If I had made it, I would have told you.


　Why did Joshua droop in disappointment?
　Was it because Crabbe had stopped him from asking?
　No, no, no.
　Joshua wanted Crabbe to tell him what he had made.


　Joshua was sometimes harsh with Crabbe.
　Crabbe, on the other hand, has a mischievous attitude toward Joshua.
　They both have mixed feelings.
　But it's not that they hate each other.
　Otherwise, why do they allow each other free access to the main family and why do they call each other out on everything?
　If they really disliked each other, they wouldn't even want to see each other.
　If they really disliked each other, they wouldn't want to see each other, and their behavior would be more overt.
　It's a coiled but solid bond.


　That's why Joshua was upset that Crabbe hadn't said anything.
　Joshua is Crabbe's brother.


　It's ......, but he made it.
　That's why Crabbe never told Joshua who made it.
　Never.
　Never.


　As Joshua rewraps his tools, Crabbe places a bag on the table.
　And out of it he pulls.


"And, Lisha. It's for you.

For me?

Yeah.


　What Crabbe took out was what Joshua had just put back in the package.
　It was a tool to measure the amount of magic power.


　Joshua gives me a startled look.


"Are you sure?

It's what the guy who made it wants. You have to control it. Don't let anyone else use it, don't let it fall into the wrong hands.

I'm aware of that.

And don't take it away.

I'm not gonna do that!

Fine. Now, remember, this is a royal deposit. That's all I'm saying.

"......, I see.


　Joshua said, and gave up the pursuit.
　You can't help but be convinced of the royal family's involvement.


　But if you think about it, you'll know right away that it's him who made this.
　But Joshua doesn't see how simple it is.
　No, it's not.
　Joshua doesn't want to find out.
　That's why he's trying so hard to make the person who did this out to be someone else.
　Because he believes he's incompetent, because he wants to believe he's incompetent.
　He's so good at magic.
　All these great achievements.
　They'll never lead to him.


　And Crabbe knows it, and he's using it to his advantage.
　Joshua will never believe anything unless it's put to him head on.
　That's why he doesn't give any answers, and why he's trying to make it seem like the royal family is involved.
　Or maybe this is his idea too.


　--People will believe what they want to believe.


　That's what he often says when he reflects on the Marquis' case.
　The subject is the mercenary head.
　Once it was imprinted in his head that Arx was incompetent, the mercenary head never stopped insulting him.
　This is the same thing.
　I'm sure Joshua will continue to call his brother incompetent.
　Because he must be incompetent.


　...... Maybe in the future he'll be more strict with his magical instruction.
　But that's to be expected.
　Otherwise, I'm sure I'll be left behind by him.