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Chapter 58
Arvel Thomson.
My gaze froze on the name written in the document.
A familiar name — no, one burned so deeply into my memory that I could never forget it.
The pioneer who introduced a new paradigm to magi-engineering.
A genius who appeared like a comet one day and was said to have elevated the Empire’s magical technology to an entirely new level.
In the original story, every single magic device the heroine used came from his hands.
I’d always thought those devices didn’t exist yet because they were future inventions…
‘…So that Arvel was originally here?’
My fingers instinctively tightened around the paper.
I slowly scanned the line next to his name again.
Arvel Thomson – 3rd Workshop, Magic Circuit Design
‘Maybe his technology isn’t complete yet. That’s why he’s still here.’
My mind raced.
‘This is… an opportunity.’
If I could establish a connection with him at this point — if I could somehow tie him to this territory —
then Luciano would gain an enormous advantage.
But how?
He hadn’t invented anything notable yet.
If I suddenly tried to sponsor him now, with no achievements to his name, it would look strange.
Yet the moment he unveiled his first invention, people would line up with blank checks, desperate to recruit him.
That was how it went in the original story.
We — the Lucianos — had to secure him before that happened.
‘There has to be a way… But first, I need to figure out what his current situation is.’
I frowned without realizing it, a quiet sigh escaping me.
“Is something the matter?”
When I looked up, Denok was studying my expression quietly.
His gaze lingered briefly between my brows.
“You’ve been frowning for a while.”
I tried to relax my face, but it was already too late.
“Is there something bothering you?”
At that moment, an idea flashed through my mind —
a natural way to approach Arvel without arousing suspicion.
I spoke carefully.
“…Rather than just reviewing these reports, how about we visit in person?”
“In person?” he repeated, his tone oddly reluctant.
‘Why does he sound like that…?’
But I had to persuade him somehow, so I nodded.
After all, the people who remained in the district of Marcana — not just Arvel — were all once renowned engineers or mages.
Other territories had surely tried to lure them away with handsome offers.
“There must’ve been plenty of good opportunities for them… but they stayed, didn’t they?
At the very least, we should meet them and thank them face-to-face.”
And besides—
“It’s important for our future projects too. We need skilled craftsmen who’ll stay loyal.
If we find out what they need and support them properly, they’ll become far more cooperative.”
When I finished speaking, Denok gazed down at the papers, lost in thought.
After a long pause, he nodded slowly.
“You’re right, Madam. It’s about time we checked in on them.”
He slipped on the gloves resting on his desk and turned to me.
“Will you be accompanying me?”
A short while later, seated inside the carriage, I couldn’t hide my smile.
“You’re taking me along so easily this time. I thought you might leave me behind again.”
“You didn’t look like someone who would listen even if I told you not to.”
At his reply, I awkwardly touched my cheek.
I’d gotten used to him — but it seemed he’d gotten used to me as well.
‘Though… maybe I’m the only one embarrassed here.’
He’d been calling me “Madam” so naturally lately…
Just hearing it made my face feel warm.
I tried to stay composed, but that night’s memory suddenly resurfaced—
“Were you waiting for me?”
“I missed you, Edith…”
“Please… show me more, Madam.”
“Madam?”
“Y–yes?!”
I startled, answering too loudly before realizing it.
Across from me, Denok tilted his head, concern flickering in his amethyst eyes.
“Your face is flushed… Are you feverish again?”
“Ah, n-no! I’m fine. I guess I’m just… excited.”
“Excited?”
“Yes. I’ve heard Marcana is a really magnificent and mysterious place.”
“Mysterious, hm… Not quite as glorious as it once was, but I hope it meets your expectations.”
Barely made it through that one.
I quickly turned to the window, pretending to admire the scenery.
‘…Why do I keep remembering that night?’
Every time I let my guard down, the memories came flooding back —
his voice,
the strength of his arm around my waist,
the warmth of his touch.
All of it was etched too vividly in my mind.
When I’d been sick, it was easier to forget — the pain demanded all my attention.
But the more I recovered, and the more gently he spoke to me…
The harder it became to push those memories away.
‘Honestly, being sick was easier.’
I tugged at the blanket on my lap, even though it was one he had draped over me before we left.
‘Focus. You don’t need to act anymore. Just forget it already.’
I closed my eyes, repeating that silently — until the carriage began to slow down.
Outside the window, low rooftops and smoke rising from chimneys came into view.
We’d arrived at Marcana’s Workshop District.
“Shall we?”
I took Denok’s outstretched hand and stepped down from the carriage.
The moment my feet touched the ground, the air felt different.
Was it because so many people here manipulated mana,
or was I simply sensitive to it?
A current of magic brushed against my cheek like a soft breeze.
If Denok’s mana was like a quiet, heavy pressure filling the air,
then the magic here was light and lively — like bouncing droplets of water.
It made me smile involuntarily.
“Are you all right? Tell me if you feel uncomfortable,” Denok said, noticing me pause.
So he could feel it too.
“No, I’m fine. It’s just… fascinating. The mana, and the scenery.”
I looked around with bright eyes.
The narrow street was lined with small, colorful buildings — blue, violet, yellow —
each with a uniquely designed signboard.
Some letters shimmered and moved; some glowed with tiny magic circles or glass beads.
Every shop radiated its own vivid charm, and together they formed a strangely perfect harmony.
It was just like the “Street of Mages” I used to imagine as a child.
‘But… there aren’t any customers.’
For such a lively place, the streets were oddly quiet.
Then suddenly—
A door nearby burst open with a loud bang!
“Who in their right mind installs a fire spell in their house just to kill bugs?!”
“Tch! You’ve no sense at all! Do you think nobles want to see insects crawling around?
If they can watch them burn to ash instantly, they’ll all want one installed!”
“Are you out of your mind? You’ll burn the whole house down trying to kill one bug!”
Two elderly wizards with long, white beards stood in front of a shop, arguing heatedly.
‘What kind of… bizarre debate is this?’
I blinked at them.
They were definitely not like the scholarly, philosophical mages I’d read about in books —
those who studied the laws of the world through symbols and equations.
No, these were obsessive, eccentric tinkerers.
“If we just add your detection spell, it’ll be perfect—hm?”
One of them suddenly stopped mid-sentence, having noticed us.
He squinted, staring hard in our direction —
no, at Denok.
Then his eyes widened.
“Black hair, amethyst eyes… just like the great Duke Eclipse…”
And then, in a startled voice—
“Your Grace Denok Luciano?!”
“What—who?!”
At once, the previously quiet street came alive —
clack! bang! thud!
Every workshop door flew open in unison.
