For several days, we had been engrossed in research at the royal palace.
The kingdoms magicians, undoubtedly talented individuals, were producing results much faster than I had anticipated.
By nature, magicians have an intense intellectual curiosity towards the unknown. Consequently, without any prompting, they constantly stayed late in the laboratory, as if working overti was as natural as eating.
Separate from the satisfaction of exploring the unknown, the promise made by King Orpheusthat there would be a grand reward for resolving this matterundoubtedly fueled their passion.
I too was mostly confined to the lab, spending ti with them. It was a valuable opportunity to naturally absorb knowledge from such high-level magicians.
How about we conceptualize it this way for now?
In the center of the lab, an image of a Mack made of massive mana floated.
It had the trunk of an elephant, and its body was sturdy like that of a bear. Its claws were as sharp as a tigers, and its eyes seed to be greedily searching for sothing.
Excellent. Lets proceed this way.
I nodded, for Macks concept closely resembled the one I was familiar with.
This research wasnt solely dependent on logical outcos. The entire research team needed to share a unified concept, envisioning the sa creature to bring it to life.
At my response, several magicians cheered and resud their tasks. It was ti to dive into the specifics of creating a detailed setup for Mack.
How would the trunk, used to seek out nightmares, work? What thod would it use to consu dreams? What happens to the dreams once consud?
This endeavor was akin to the very act of creation. And while the magicians were tense, they couldnt hide their exhilaration.
Deus!
The laboratory door swung open, and in walked Princess Eleanor. As she often did, she approached with determined strides, casting a slightly displeased glance at .
The magicians, who were preparing for a new eting, familiarly seized this interruption as a break, rubbing their tired eyes or taking a gulp of coffee.
Is it real?
Ive been posed this question nurous tis and have gathered much from it. Most strikingly, I ca to understand the princesss particular areas of interest.
There is this character called Crong. Its the green-bodied dinosaur - a friend of the penguin I ntioned before.
Hmm? Isnt the green-bodied dinosaur youre referring to the one nad Dooly?
Its similar but not the sa.
Ive shared a plethora of information with the princess. From historical figures to complex theories. I even touched upon tools taken for granted in Earthly daily life and internet-related s.
However, in the end, what intrigued the princess the most were the characters from the animations.
In fact, when she dismissively pushed aside what she considered tedious theories to inquire about characters, I admit I was a tad irritated.
Similar yet different? Co out for a mont! Explain it to !
I cant shake off the feeling that she now seeks out not because of nightmares but due to sheer curiosity about new knowledge.
As I stood silently in slight defiance, the princess raised her voice to address the other magicians behind us.
Everyones been working hard. Take a break.
Yes, understood!
They were as obedient as ever. Seeing that, the princess, wielding her authority to enforce a break, promptly grabbed my wrist and began pulling outside.
The place she led to was the palace garden. Seated on a bench before the vast flower bed, Eleanor handed a notebook and pen.
Draw it for .
Ive lost count of how many tis this has already happened.
Starting with the penguin, characters like an eternally mischievous five-year-old, and a cat robot that produces anything from its pocket were drawn - Nurous well-known characters filled the rest of the pages.
As I moved the pen with familiarity, a whispered voice from Dark Sage beside cautiously remarked,
[The princess isnt even looking at the drawing, shes just staring at you.]
Im aware. I wish shed just keep it to herself.
At first, Princess Eleanor would sneak occasional glances, but now she openly and intently gazed at . Lately, I suspected that even her requests for the drawings might be just an excuse.
How have your nightmares been lately?
While continuing to draw, I subtly steered the conversation. Princess Eleanor, caught off guard, hastily responded.
Oh? Uh, yeah. Thanks to Deus, Ive been recognizing it easily. You see, Ive discovered another distinction between the reality I know and dreams. Thanks to that, the nightmares cant deceive anymore.
Hmm?
With her new insight, she no longer had to differentiate between dreams and reality, leaving the nightmares stuck, unable to blur that line.
Dont you ask the question?
Well, I do. But it either tells sothing Ive already heard or spouts jumbled nonsense. Those are, of course, based on what I know.
She bead, clearly pleased with herself, I guess it cant co up with sothing novel and unheard of, like Deus does.
Having roughly sketched the character, Crong, I handed the notebook to her. Upon seeing Crong, Princess Eleanor lit up with a bright smile, clearly delighted.
I... I like this.
Seeing the princess more pleased than usual, I venture a hypothesis.
It doesnt seem to share all of your experiences.
If it listened to Eleanors every thought and word, it wouldnt need to ask Eleanor what the dream lacked to make it more real.
Its also ignorant. It cant even grasp the basic frawork of the world.
For instance, the fact that it initially didnt reproduce scent and mana in dreams showed that such fundantal but invisible aspects were unknown to it.
Its creativity is quite lacking too. It can mimic, but it cant reinvent or create sothing new on its own.
...
Princess Eleanor seems sowhat displeased, but I continue.
It must be feeling anxious now. So, it will likely reveal its desires easily. Did you notice sothing peculiar? Did you see any distinct goals or principles in its actions?
Mmm.
After pondering with her arms crossed, Eleanor, carefully considering her thoughts, shares an observation.
It seems to enjoy imitating - Following etiquette, mimicking how I talk to people around , and even the way I walk.
...
[It clearly wants to take over Eleanor.]
I agree with Dark Sages assessnt.
But
Sothing felt different.
It does want to possess Eleanor, but there seems to be a crucial difference.
In any case, one thing beca clear.
The Eleanor I t in the ga had already been possessed.
The Princess Eleanor I see now and the one in the ga had similarities, but also stark differences.
Seeing that Eleanor might not prefer this line of conversation, I smoothly steer the topic elsewhere.
Have you been having trouble sleeping lately?
Ive grown accustod to it now. Thanks to that, I can study continuously without rest. Maybe its not so bad.
She said, but shadows lingered beneath her eyes. However, catching my gaze, she gives a reassuring smile, as if to say not to worry.
Lucky, right? When I return to Robern Academy, I wont need to catch up on lessons. With my thorough preparation, I might even rank first this ti?
......
As a princess, it would be embarrassing if your grades lagged behind, right?
I chose not to respond.
I may not think it matters, but her royal duties seed to encompass maintaining stellar grades.
And Deus. Arent you going to keep your promise?
Promise?
Questioning what she ant, I looked at Eleanor, who pouted in response.
The code. If you see first, youre supposed to ntion it before I ask.
Apparently, this had been the cause of her earlier displeasure.
You always co to , Princess.
So naturally, I never have the chance to say it first. With that, she folded her arms, sulking.
Tsk, I even prepared my response.
Haah.
Seeing her puff her cheeks, I couldnt help but wonder if this was really the sa princess I knew. While the protagonist, Aria Rias, seed too mature compared to her in-ga character, one of the gas bosses, Eleanor, acted too childishly.
I decided to share a story I thought Princess Eleanor might like.
Theres sothing called a magical girl. Ordinary girls, when coming across creatures with mysterious powers, don magical dresses, and vanquish evil.
!
Before she even asked, I proactively shared the information. When I subtly looked at her, suggesting Isnt this what you wanted? Eleanor cleared her throat awkwardly.
Then triumphantly, she delivered the line she had prepared.
Of course, this is reality!
Thats... all you wanted to say?
Yep! I wanted to be the one to declare it confidently, not Deus.
Pleased, Eleanor imdiately handed the notebook again.
But magical girls? Whats that about? It sounds really fun!
I ntioned it because it seed exactly like sothing the princess would be interested in. When I was younger, I watched a lot of TV at my grandmothers house, so I knew about magical girls.
Honestly, it wasnt really my taste, but I did appreciate the idea of them defeating villains.
Often, magical girls would fend off beings like ghosts, and through that, I felt a kind of vicarious satisfaction.
Tell about it!
...I cant give you all the details.
Its a mory from childhood.
I began describing what ca to mind.
Eleanor, finding it incredibly intriguing, hopped around in excitent. Then, she suddenly stopped and looked at , asking,
But Deus, do you like stuff like this?
...
I instantly regretted ntioning it.
--- End of The Chapter ---
[TL: Firstly, I apologize for not releasing chapters; I was unwell. But now, I'm already feeling better and have started translating again.
Thank you for your patience,
George
Join Patreon to support the translation and to read 5 chaptersahead of the release: /George227]
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