“As for why... I can only say that we’ve always been this way,” Bell replied with a slightly troubled look.
“That’s right, Lady Adriana. We aren’t doing anything special,” Bashako added.
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
Having calmed her nerves a bit, Adriana stopped her questioning.
“I’m sorry. I got a bit carried away.”
Bell responded to Adriana’s apology with a silent shake of his head.
“By the way, I’ve had a look at the general magic tools here. Could you show me something a bit more advanced?”
At those words, Bell gave a bright smile.
“Yes, of course. This room only holds items that are accessible to any of our researchers.”
“Is that so? As I thought, the standards here are very high.”
(Though no one else can finish a full analysis in just a few hours like you can,) Bell added under his breath.
Bell guided her to a room even further inside.
“This is where our golem-related materials are kept.”
“Wonderful!”
Adriana’s face flushed with excitement as she saw the rows of golems.
“May I take a look immediately?”
“Yes, please.”
Bell realized by this point that warning her not to break them was unnecessary.
“Let’s see, I’ll start with this one.”
As Bell watched her, he expected her to start with the golem at the very front, but she instead began inspecting the unit one row back.
(I see. So there’s no need to look at those of that caliber anymore.)
He glanced at the golems Adriana had brought—now on Stand Still at the entrance—and recognized that they were quite advanced.
(To think that the residents of the south had perfected endoskeleton golems... It’s surprising.)
As someone from the Northern Continent, Bell had his own sense of pride.
Unaware of Bell’s thoughts, Adriana joyfully proceeded with her analysis.
“...Oh, this isn't an ether converter. This is...?”
“Ah, it stores mana to use later. It’s a mana tank model. But the operating time must be short...”
“This one... the magi-nerves are thin. It seems inefficient.”
Bell groaned as he watched Adriana already move on to her second unit.
(Umu, incredible... She is undoubtedly superior to our engineers...)
Aside from her lack of experience, her comprehension was peerless. While she might lack specific technical knowledge, she more than made up for it with her flashes of insight and deductive reasoning.
(The Magi Craft Meister, was it? Whoever gave her that title... it certainly wasn't an exaggeration.)
Adriana continued her work, finishing five golems before lunchtime.
“Lady Adriana, you are remarkable!” Bell praised her unreservedly as they headed for lunch.
“Thank you?”
Adriana wasn't quite sure why he was so impressed. The golems she had been analyzing were advanced models that only the most skilled engineers in the Gospel clan could maintain.
“Umu, Lady Adriana, it seems I underestimated you.”
Harkiller groaned after hearing the report from his grandson and engineer, Bell.
“This afternoon, we shall guide you to the repository for our most advanced magic tools. Bell, see to it.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Thus, after lunch, Adriana was led to the deepest part of the cave. Bell accompanied her, while Bashako stayed behind.
“I believe my presence is no longer required there,” Bashako said.
He had his own business to attend to since he had finally reached the Gospel clan territory.
Adriana later learned that there was virtually no interaction between the clans. Exceptionally, the All-Creation and Gospel clans only exchanged information about once or twice a year.
Setting that aside, Adriana stepped into the repository where the Gospel clan's most precious magic tools slept.
The light turned on automatically.
“It has a sensor. This could be a good reference.”
Adriana immediately began analyzing the mechanism, much to Bell’s fascination.
“If I tweak this slightly, it could probably detect ordinary people who lack mana, too.”
“...What would you use such a thing for?”
“Wait, what!?”
“...Sister?”
While Adriana was muttering her analysis, a woman had appeared beside her. She was Bell’s older sister.
She had gray hair and yellow eyes, just like her brother. However, her hair reached her shoulders, and she had a distinctly feminine silhouette.
“So, what would you use it for?”
Adriana was startled by the interruption but quickly regained her composure.
“Well, there are many potential uses.”
“I’m asking for specifics.”
“Let’s see... a security device that sounds an alarm when someone approaches. Or, even for non-humans, it could be applied to traps for catching animals.”
“...Hoh.”
The woman seemed satisfied with the answer.
“Hmm. Adriana, was it? I am Hasalith, Bell’s older sister.”
“Ah, pleased to meet you.”
“Sister, what are you doing here?” Bell interjected.
“What do you think? I heard the warehouse for our clan’s secret techniques was opened, so I came to take a look.”
“I see. Then you can observe with me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. As an engineer, I’m not letting this opportunity slip by.”
Unlike the reserved Bell, Hasalith was quite lively and spoke her mind bluntly.
“Adriana, do you know why this magi-formula is structured this way?”
She was already omitting honorifics, but Adriana didn’t seem to mind.
“Yes. I believe it’s a buffer for when you connect this element to that link board over there.”
“I see...”
Hasalith became even more engrossed than Adriana in the rapid-fire exchange of ideas. Bell watched them and let out a small sigh.
The collaboration between Adriana and Hasalith continued until evening.
“Well, Adriana, that was a very fulfilling time.”
“I enjoyed it too.”
The two had clearly bonded through their work.
＊ ＊ ＊
Where there are meetings, there are also partings.
“Lady Adriana, my duty is complete. Tomorrow morning, I shall return to the All-Creation clan territory.”
Bashako announced his departure.
“Thank you for everything, Bashako-san.”
“I should be the one saying that. As a clan, we cannot thank you enough. If the opportunity arises, we would be happy to host you again on your journey back.”
“I’ll be sure to stop by.”
Following that conversation, Bashako left the Gospel clan territory the next morning.
Meanwhile, Adriana would end up staying in the Gospel settlement for nearly a year.