Chapter 13 Callosal Crystal

Helen and Olivia greeted us with warm smiles as we entered her quarters.  

"Ah! Welcome, Lumi, Alitia, and the wonder boy whose name I didn't catch the last time we met."

"Ara ara, Lumi, you should have informed me of your arrival. I would have loved to personally pick you up. There was no need to bring Alitia along."

I watched how Alitia walked closer to Olivia and started to playfully taunt her.

"Ara ara? What is this? Are you trying to avoid me, Olivia? Perhaps you fear challenging me to a duel and losing your position? Hu hu!" 

  "Ha! I see you're as delusional as ever, Alitia. There is no challenge in fighting you. We both know how it ends - with me as the winner, as always. Ha ha ha!"

"Well then, how about we put that thought to the test?"

As the situation escalated, Lumi tried to intervene between the two rivals. Wanting to avoid unnecessary attention, I allowed Lumi to handle them.

"Uwa wa wa, please, big sister Alitia! Let's not start a fight with Olivia. We're here to discuss important matters," Lumi pleaded.

The constant antagonism between the two seemed to test Helen's patience, prompting her to join the conversation.

"Olivia, please. Stop your provocations every time you cross paths with her. Can't the two of you... I don't know, be more friendly?"

Alitia and Olivia turned towards Helen, their voices merging in unison.

 "What, friendly? With her?" 

"Yes, who else is there? You two have been at each other's throats since you first met. As the top two captains under my command, I would greatly appreciate it if you two could at least attempt to get along, please."

With a flirtatious tone, Olivia responded, "I apologize, my love, but that is one thing I cannot do."

Alitia nodded in agreement, stating, "Well, that makes two of us. There is no way I will be friendly towards her."

For me, it didn't seem like they were on bad terms; in fact, they seemed to get along too well. I sensed no ill intention in their words; it sounded more like playful banter.

Lumi slowly backed away from them, moving closer to Helen. I couldn't help but wonder why, but the reason soon became apparent as Alitia and Olivia turned their attention towards Lumi.

The moment their eyes met, she burst into a sprint toward Helen. I watched as her adorable, petite figure darted across the room as if fleeing from two predators. A comical sound of fright escaped her lips, followed by a startled "Eek!" before she swiftly turned and ran.

She hid behind Helen and started to yell at them, "Don't you dare to cuddle me, I know what you two were going to do! I am a grown woman, not your little plaything, sheee! Sheee!"

Olivia started to act as if she was deeply hurt, "Aww! But I was hoping to hold you for a little bit, your big sister was so mean to me. I need some comfort now, uwu." 

Lumi poked her head from behind Helen and said, "If you want cuddles so much then you can hug Alitia, baka baka."

Before anyone else could say a word Helen looked my way and spoke, "I'm sorry for such a disgraceful sight, my captains may excel in battle but they are not well-versed in manners."

I felt uneasy speaking with such a powerful and important person, my voice was a bit strained, "Ah, no need for apologies. The one who should apologize is me for my late introduction. I am Kazuki, Kazuki Silvercrest, I am nothing but a humble nobleman."

Helen looked at me with a beautiful smile and said, "No need to apologize, I know your name, I called you a wonder boy because of other reasons. But let's walk while Alitia and Olivia settle their rivalry."

And so I, Helen, and Lumi went to check on the monster-warding crystal of Luminecia. As we walked Lumi asked Helen, "Say, would it be a big favor to ask if Kazuki could use one of the magic boxes? He can become a five-star magic box power user, he also has a good mana pool. So he could be a great magic user. And I am asking you because I don't want to deal with Valerius."

I felt chills run down my spine as Helen's tone suddenly shifted, her words carrying a more serious undertone. "First of all, Valerius is responsible for overseeing all magic-related matters. I merely provide my stamp of approval or denial. And secondly, shouldn't he be the one asking for a favor, rather than you?"

"Yes, I understand that, but..." Lumi began, only to be interrupted by my interjection.

"Helen is right, Lumi. Thank you for bringing up the subject, but it is I who needs a favor, so allow me to speak for myself."

I turned towards Helen, a sense of sincerity coloring my words. "I understand the weight of my request, Helen. The power within the magic box is not to be taken lightly. It carries immense responsibility. I am fully aware that in the wrong hands, it could bring destruction. However, I seek to use this power for benevolent purposes. To confront the lurking monsters that threaten our peaceful existence and safeguard the people I hold dear, as well as all the residents of Luminecia. Should you grant me permission to wield the magic box, I swear my unwavering loyalty to you. I will employ its power solely for the purpose of preserving the peace we cherish."

"Well, Kazuki. I must say, your words of loyalty and willingness to safeguard Luminecia are commendable. However, the decision lies not only with me but with the Council of Luminecia. Sure, my word is final but I can't just pick favorites. But you don't need to worry, I am sure they will approve. But I still think Valerius would be a faster option, he knows his way around papers better than me."

Lumi interrupted our conversation with a proud voice as we arrived at the room containing the crystal. As I stepped through the towering double doors, I found myself astonished.

The room stretched out before me, the walls, crafted from polished stone. Rays of sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting vibrant hues across the chamber and illuminating the surroundings with a kaleidoscope of colors.

My gaze was immediately drawn to the center of the room, where, suspended in mid-air by golden chains, a massive translucent crystal floated.

 Its pristine surface shimmered with an otherworldly glow, captivating me as I laid eyes upon it. The crystal, like a mesmerizing celestial orb, seemed to radiate an inner light, casting a soft illumination throughout the chamber.

Surrounding the crystal, a gracefully curved staircase spiraled upwards, ascending toward its enchanting core. The staircase, meticulously crafted from ornate marble, displayed intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures and fantastical landscapes. Each step was illustrated with delicate rune letters and decorated with glistening gemstones, reflecting the illumination of the crystal above.

As I looked around I marveled at the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the room's design. Golden accents intertwined with the stone, embellishing the banisters and railings, further accentuating the regal allure of the space. The air was tinged with the sweet fragrance of exotic flowers, adding to the room's ethereal ambiance.

Walking deeper into the room, I found myself in close proximity to the breathtaking crystal. Its sheer size and pristine transparency revealed a mesmerizing network of rune letters that radiated energy contained within. A gentle hum filled the air, resonating with a tranquil power that seemed to pulsate from the crystal's core.

As I stood in the presence of the majestic crystal, surrounded by its enchanting aura, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of wonder. 

 "Hehe! Look at this crystal, Kazuki! It is I who made it possible for all the races to live within one town, alongside the monsters. My fine-tuning of this crystal and rune coding has proven its capability. No other town possesses such a crystal, only Luminecia."

The crystal looked impressive; I had never seen such a massive crystal in my own world, not even in textbooks. Filled with curiosity, I asked, "How did you manage to bring such a colossal object in here?"

Lumi, wearing a smug expression and standing with her hands on her hips, proudly exclaimed with her head held high, "Hehe! I developed it right here. When I began, it was no bigger than me. But just look at it now, Kazuki! It's a masterpiece! By feeding it crystal dust, it gradually grew into this colossal crystal. Can you grasp the extent of my awesomeness? Hmph!"

"Yes, yes, Lumi. We all know how awesome you are. How could we ever forget? You constantly remind us of your greatness. What would we possibly do without you?" Helen said, her tone laced with playful sarcasm.

"Exactly," she said, her voice filled with pride. "Now, I think I should go check on the crystal and perform some maintenance. I'll be right back. Don't wander too far, okay? I wouldn't want to be caught off guard by Olivia or Alitia," her tone tinged with worry.

I turned to Helen, resuming our previous conversation. "After careful consideration, I would greatly appreciate your assistance in the matter of the magic box, if that is agreeable to you."

"Very well, Kazuki," Helen replied. "I will collect the council's votes, but I can assure you that they will all be in favor of your cause. Following the recent incident with the assassin and your courageous act, it is highly unlikely that anyone will oppose you. Now, let us delve into the specifics. Are we discussing a magic box located within the town's boundaries, or will you require a group to accompany you as an escort?"