After reading the letter quickly, I gave everyone the short version.
“Yep, the letter is from Gwendolyn herself, and… I’m not sure how to begin. Mandi, how close were you to Gaston?”
“Just about as close as the bottom of the ocean and the sun,” she said, eyes full of hate and disgust. “I know what you’re thinking, but just say it here. I don’t need privacy for anything pertaining to that insufferable boy.”
Chenzu winced. “Ssss, he’s not even a man in your eyes.” He looked at me. “That should tell you everything you need to know.”
“Well, here’s the dry version,” I began. “He and all of his bodyguards were murdered.” That silenced the entire room. “His head was found in the middle of the street, not too far from his home.”
Mandi shook her head. “He may have angered a rogue among the adventurers. But even I wouldn’t wish a fate like that on anyone.”
“The adventurers were suspected first, actually, along with any visitors in town,” I said, passing the letter along for the others to silently read. “But not a single one of them were found guilty. Unfortunately, that means the murderer’s long gone and the only way they’d be able to dig up the truth is by contacting an investigation team from the Inquisition, as your mother wrote. She said that comes with a lot of risk, but most commonly, the request being rejected due to higher priority matters. If that wasn’t enough to worry you, then try this out. Word is rapidly spreading about Gaston and the bodyguard deaths.” I felt the frown deepening on my face. “His father will no doubt be pissed off, turning this whole thing into a political nightmare. Gwendolyn meant this as a heads up for the hero’s party, expecting the capital to get involved eventually to appease the empire.”
“Is the hero’s party expected to solve this crime?” Harmony asked. “Because that—”
“No,” Mandi interrupted. “It’s impossible for a small party like theirs to be everywhere at once.”
“You’re right,” Harmony said. “There’s a reason why we have guards, and even they have specialists tasked to handle such things.”
“It’s odd,” I said. “I’m almost certain that everyone in your town knows Gaston’s from the Astral Empire, right? Why would someone kill him, knowing it would cause a political catastrophe? Unless, of course, that’s their goal.”
Alexander stood. “Why don’t you just consult a witch or a shaman to ask the spirits?”
Everyone except Milia and I gave him a strange or disbelieving look.
“Unless you want to be branded as a heretic along with them by the church, I wouldn’t suggest things like that aloud,” Chenzu said. “Besides, even if they were legally allowed in the kingdom, they’re exceedingly rare.” He sighed, adjusting his position in his chair. “You’re ridiculously sharp for a kid, but rare deviants from standard magicians, like witches and shamans, have been a bane of not just this kingdom, but of the world for centuries now. Just look at the Peace Spawner.”
Alexander shrugged. “That was only a suggestion, mostly in case this Gwendolyn has no options. I’m not sure if the spirits’ reports would make things better, but at least they’d have the truth, since lying is impossible for them. Not that they’d want to lie after getting murdered. Every spirit wants to be justified, right?”
“So the implication beneath your explanation is for the Red Star to contact a witch or a shaman in secret.”
Harmony and Milia glanced at Lucas before turning away, clearly not wanting to burden the boy with this. Though he didn’t have a problem telling us his blacksmithing master, Nia, had a friend that was a witch, which indicated that she lived in another kingdom.
Uh oh. Oh the fuck no—but I needed to confirm this.
“Lucas, let me talk to you for a bit outside,” I said, gaining everyone’s curious stares. I waved away any incoming comments. “We’ll be back in a bit.”
“So… this could be strange, but is your master’s witch friend from the Kingdom of Cremlin?” I asked.
His eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“Oh goddammit,” I said. “No wonder why you didn’t mind mentioning the witch. They don’t have to worry about the church or any fanatics.”
“No,” Lucas confirmed. “What does that have to do with the current situation?”
“Well, it means we’re not about to be sneaking any witches over here to solve the murder, that’s for sure,” I replied, gesturing for him to follow me back into the shop.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Lucas said, “but you’re obviously not telling me something. What do you have in mind?”
“It’s nothing,” I said simply. “Just needed to confirm something.”
I sat back down, briefly staring blankly at Alexander before shaking my head.
“In any case, it’s best that we don’t get involved,” I said. “We’re not professional investigators, not Mystery Incorporated, just civilians. We’ll warn the hero’s party and wait for any updates if Gwendolyn feels like giving any.”
“Nate… what if this letter’s a silent cry for help?” Mandi asked, uncertainty in her voice and in her eyes.
“I’m going to have to hard disagree,” I said, shaking my head. “I understand your desire to help, but tell me, what exactly will we bring to the table that your mother’s investigators had not?”
“But—”
“No,” I interrupted the redhead. “It’s time for a new life lesson. Let me make it clear that if I was capable of helping, even a little, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I think my fight with the Black Knight is proof enough.”
Alexander choked on his water, eyes wide. “You fought the Black Knight!? And you’re… you’re alive and he’s missing.”
“Well, now that I let that out of the bag, all of my apprentices know, but unfortunately, I’ll have to let one more thing slip in exchange,” I told the kid, causing him to pale. “Not that. We’re getting sidetracked, so I’ll start with the lesson first. Never bite off more than you could chew is a saying from my homeland. If you’re in something way over your head, something that you simply cannot handle, it is okay to step back. Perhaps let others handle it? You shouldn’t try to lift a giant boulder if you simply can’t. In our case, the only thing we’ll be doing is getting in the way. Unless, of course, you invented something miraculous already, in which case, I’d like to know.”
Mandi deflated, shaking her head. Milia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. In short, the redhead wanted to seize an opportunity to impress her mother.
“Your mother also isn’t the type to cry for help,” I said. “I doubt this is the first murder investigation she had to deal with as a city leader, though it’s probably the first of this scale. You know my stance on politics already. Leave it to the professionals.”
“But why? You’re one of the most powerful people in the area. Why not just take over everything?” Mandi asked, the words coming out as if she’d held them for a long time. I couldn’t hold that against her, given that she was simply a native of this world. This world didn’t operate like Earth.
“It’s simple,” I said. “I don’t know a thing about politics, very little of the outside world, and would certainly make a terrible politician. I hope you can see where I’m going here. And the problem with letting people rule based on magic and muscle alone, it’s utter nonsense. Do the buff rulers actually know what they’re doing? Are they willing to delegate tasks out to the proper people? Do they truly know the world, how it works, how other kingdoms’ or tribes’ politics work? One thing that bugs me about the outside world, as I’ll call it, is how things operate on might is right. Apparently, having a brain doesn’t mean anything.”
Everyone stared at me, expressions thoughtful. They weren’t awed or anything. No, they agreed with the commonsense statement. After all, many of them had bad experiences with magicians.
“See, that’s why I like you, Sir Nate!” Opal said, nearly smashing into my face as she flew up to me. She landed on my shoulder, barely weighing a thing. “I said something like that in my lands, but they laughed at me! They mocked me! I told them idiots should never be in power, but they’re too stupid to comprehend even a concept that basic.” She flew back to Mandi, taking a seat on her arm. “I think my luck of getting selected for the summon is a bit too lucky. I feel like I’m not worthy.”
I chuckled, waving off her statement. “Considering what you taught Mandi to build, you’re the best we could’ve asked for. D-ranked, my ass. You’re clearly an S-ranked genius.”
“Oh stop it, Sir Nate, you’re making me blush,” Opal said, smug. “Besides, Mandi’s own genius and abnormal ability to comprehend even my most complicated explanations puts her at a league beyond even me. She’s my greatest gadget partner. Not that I ever had a partner, you know, not being liked.” She chuckled. “But that’s how it is for all who prefer using their heads and not brute strength or flashy magic.”
I looked at Alexander, nodding, before speaking again. “I’m not a fan of breaking people’s confidentiality, but this is important. It turns out the friend of Lucas’s blacksmithing master, Nia, is Alexander’s mom. Small world, isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not a good thing and I’ll leave it at that. Alexander can tell you the details on his own.”
The room sliced into silence.
“Your Master is… my mom’s best friend,” Alexander said, pale. “Wanda’s bubbly bounce, this isn’t good.”
“Master Nia’s friend is nice… Can you explain what’s going on?” Lucas asked, taken aback by the tone of the room. Without the full story, he wouldn’t be able to grasp Alexander’s situation.
“Well, the main point is that we will not be inviting a witch to investigate that murder,” I intervened. “Alexander had a bad dispute with his family and had to leave. Don’t tip off Nia, alright?” I looked at the boy. “Will she recognize you?”
He shook his head. “I’ve never met her.”
I thought of the cauldron Alexander’s mother helped Nia create. What went wrong?
[Nature’s Heart Magic Cauldron. Item rank: S. Item quality: Superior. Owner: Nate Sullivan. A cauldron capable of handling and reshaping even the most stubborn ingredients. This is also perfect for pill creation. Effects may rise beyond expectations for the items used in here.]
In fact, I pulled it out of my storage ring. Alexander’s eyes widened and that was it to confirm everything. He recognized his mother’s handiwork.
“It seems like we’re all connected somehow,” Milia said. Then narrowed her eyes. “Except Chenzu.”
“Good,” Chenzu said. “I’m not interested in getting caught up into whatever trouble that would come for someone as strong as Nate.”
“It’s kind of late for that,” Harmony said with a giggle. “Remember the Black Knight? Your recounting of it made it sound quite fantastical.”
Chenzu grimaced. “Don’t remind me.”
“For now, Mandi, you’ll be in charge of keeping us up-to-date on the situation in Wingston, if you want,” I said as I stood. “I’m going to do some reading and meditating before starting dinner. Alexander, it is up to you to explain anything, but no one’s making you. Family situations can be complicated, and sometimes it’s best to take extra time to think on things.”
“Thanks, I will,” Alexander said, gratefully accepting the lifeline I threw him, which doused out Lucas’s questions.
“I want to feed Wolverine and the others,” Mandi said cheerfully, changing the subject. She wanted her mind off the political mess, that much I could tell.
“Try not to overdo it this time,” Harmony said, her voice almost in a deadpan.
“I do not overdo it,” Mandi said.
In the lab, I sat in a lotus position and closed my eyes, mind contemplating the crafter’s Dao, a concept known as the Dao of Creation. It wasn’t just a modifier to my abilities, but something beyond my understanding. Something beyond that endless ocean of golden mana. If one could call that sea in the vision mana.
An hour later with just small gains of insight, I opened my eyes and manifested the Legend of the Philosopher’s Stone Book; however, no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find anything in regard to any magic circles or diagrams.
This felt like a history book with mostly useless recipes, some concepts, and a heavy focus on everything regarding the Philosopher’s Stone.
I already knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid the cursed item no matter what I did, so I took what the book said seriously, but also with a grain of salt.
Feeling fed up with getting nowhere for the day, I stood and stretched. The apprentices were still around, including Alexander, which I took as a sign that they were interested in dinner. Chenzu was still around too, which gave me an idea.
“Anyone interested in fishing?” I asked. “I’ve seen some interesting things in the river, and I’ll need people to tell me what’s safe to eat.”
I was just making an excuse for everyone to hang out, of course. Being someone who loved fishing, even if I didn’t get to do it much, I had done my research. It felt a little odd not needing to get a fishing license. “Bring drinks, of course. We could grill by the river. If you’d like something on the grill, just bring it.”
“They have Hyland sweet kernels in stock now at the grocer,” Harmony said.
“I don’t know what that is, but bring it,” I said. “What about you, Milia?”
“Hmm. I like the idea of sweet kernels, but pair that up with properly roasted spice-eggplant, with the right amount of butter and Astral seasoning and we’ll have a proper meal.”
“Again, I don’t know what that is, but I can’t wait to try it,” I said. While eggplant wasn’t at the top of my eating list, I made it plenty of times at home with specific seasonings or as a part of a dish. What exactly was spice-eggplant?
“I do have some higher quality ale in my house,” Chenzu said. “Thanks again for the ice crystals and cold storage, by the way. They’ve been a serious game-changer. It feels like getting twenty years of pay all at once without earning it.”
“Don’t sweat it,” I said. “I’m glad to actually put the main body ice crystal to use, instead of letting it sit in my storage ring, collecting dust.”
And so an hour later, we were all at the river with chairs and drinks, the pets playing around, and just having a good time fishing. We had used bamboo poles and fishing string purchased from the general store. They worked quite well too. Fishing was roughly ten times easier here than on Earth, due to elements that I had no intention of trying to understand.
We even summoned Yukihara to fly around with Opal and while she pretended to be indifferent to pixies, the fairy eventually warmed up to her. Her stuck-up façade had no effect whatsoever on the oblivious Opal.
“Say, Yukihara, do you ever get bored being stuck inside Nate’s book?” Mandi asked.
The fairy descended from a tree branch she shared with Opal.
“I may have the form of a fairy, a spiritual shape my creator made for me, but I am still just a book,” Yukihara said. “I do not feel boredom, nor do I have a true sense of time. When I return to dormancy, I rest. I can also enter the dreamscape.” She shook her head. “Maintaining a spiritual shape consumes a lot of energy and so when Nate dismisses me, it’s a welcome sleep. I could sleep happily for months if he allowed it. But it is also important for a spell book to actually be used.” She folded her arms, pouting. “My previous owner rarely used me, so I virtually lived in the dreamscape.”
“What’s the dreamscape?” Lucas asked.
“It’s a space in the spiritual world that is highly protected by powerful, authoritative forces,” Yukihara replied. “I have some friends I chat with there every now and then. It’s also the perfect place to cultivate mana while not summoned.”
“I see,” I said, glad she had somewhere to go other than being pure energy. Even if she was just a book, I considered letting her remain permanently summoned as a fairy.
Deciding it was best not to question why a freaking book looked like a woman or had specific mannerisms, I checked on the grill. Milia had already set up the table, with Harmony assisting her with a few things, such as a long cloth, plates, forks, and drinks.
I chatted with everyone as I downed a mug of nice cold and tasty ale.
“You were right. The quality of this is so much better. It tastes amazing! Not like that piss water in the tavern.”
“Exactly!” Chenzu said, laughing. The beastkin held up his mug and even Milia grabbed hers to join in on the toast. Harmony, despite being eighteen, wasn’t a fan of ale, and Mandi simply didn’t want to drink. She wanted her mind to be as clear as possible to work on her devices later.
I awarded every apprentice a contribution point.
“Just ask me whatever you need, and I’ll name a price for the points,” I said, knowing they received the prompt. “Of course, no claims on all of my dungeon loot. Don’t think I won’t give you a big fat no.”
Milia was the first to burst into laughter, before everyone joined in. I was being serious, of course. Sometimes the most serious words appeared to garner the most laughter.
Hopefully, I could find something better than leftover dungeon loot to give them for contribution points. Oh, who am I kidding? Leftovers from an A-ranked dungeon they were unable to enter due to the power level would likely boost the brats leagues beyond what was possible at their level. I wanted that sweet, sweet passive spirit coin income.
“Seriously,” I continued. “If you need something, make sure to ask me. Milia and I actually enjoy teaching you magic.”
“You do?” Harmony asked, her eyes starry, and I wished I would’ve kept my damn mouth shut. She worked way too hard already. If she pushed herself too hard, who the hell knew what the consequences would be?
“Yes, but make sure you take care of yourselves,” I said. “Injuries could have unforeseen consequences, if you know what I mean.”
The apprentices nodded.
“I can’t wait to form a core,” Alexander said. His eyes stared longingly at the ale. I wasn’t sure if this kingdom had a drinking age, but even Yomi knew his ten-year-old body needed to develop healthily. So he resisted, despite potentially being older than me, at least spiritually.
“Hey, do they sell alchemy books in the big city?” I asked.
