Chapter 54: The Calm Before the Storm


    For several days, we had been engrossed in research at the royal pce.


    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 stayedte in theboratory, as if working overtime 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 theb, spending time 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 theb, 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 ws were as sharp as a tigers, and its eyes seemed to be greedily searching for something.


    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 oues. The entire research team needed to share a unified concept, envisioning the same creature to bring it to life.


    At my response, several magicians cheered and resumed their tasks. It was time to dive into the specifics of creating a detailed setup for Mack.


    How would the trunk, used to seek out nightmares, work? What method would it use to consume dreams? What happens to the dreams once consumed?


    This endeavor was akin to the very act of creation. And while the magicians were tense, they couldnt hide their exhration.


    Deus!


    Theboratory door swung open, and in walked Princess Eleanor. As she often did, she approached with determined strides, casting a slightly displeased nce at me.


    The magicians, who were preparing for a new meeting, 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 numerous times and have gathered much from it. Most strikingly, I came to understand the princesss particr areas of interest.


    There is this character called Crong. Its the green-bodied dinosaur - a friend of the penguin I mentioned before.


    Hmm? Isnt the green-bodied dinosaur youre referring to the one named Dooly?


    Its simr but not the same.


    Ive shared a plethora of information with the princess. From historical figures toplex theories. I even touched upon tools taken for granted in Earthly daily life and inte-rted memes.


    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.


    Simr yet different? Come out for a moment! Exin it to me!


    I cant shake off the feeling that she now seeks me 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 me outside.


    The ce she led me to was the pce garden. Seated on a bench before the vast flower bed, Eleanor handed me a notebook and pen.


    Draw it for me.


    Ive lost count of how many times 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 - Numerous well-known characters filled the rest of the pages.


    As I moved the pen with familiarity, a whispered voice from Dark Sage beside me 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 asional nces, but now she openly and intently gazed at me. Lately, I suspected that even her requests for the drawings might be just an excuse.


    How have your nightmares beentely?


    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 me 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 me something Ive already heard or spouts jumbled nonsense. Those are, of course, based on what I know.


    She beamed, clearly pleased with herself, I guess it cante up with something 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 dreamcked to make it more real.


    Its also ignorant. It cant even grasp the basic framework of the world.


    For instance, the fact that it initially didnt reproduce scent and mana in dreams showed that such fundamental but invisible aspects were unknown to it.


    Its creativity is quitecking too. It can mimic, but it cant reinvent or create something new on its own.


    ...


    Princess Eleanor seems somewhat displeased, but I continue.


    It must be feeling anxious now. So, it will likely reveal its desires easily. Did you notice something 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 me - Following etiquette, mimicking how I talk to people around me, and even the way I walk.


    ...


    [It clearly wants to take over Eleanor.]


    I agree with Dark Sages assessment.


    But


    Something felt different.


    It does want to possess Eleanor, but there seems to be a crucial difference.


    In any case, one thing became clear.


    The Eleanor I met in the game had already been possessed.


    The Princess Eleanor I see now and the one in the game had simrities, 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 sleepingtely?


    Ive grown ustomed 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 time?


    ......


    As a princess, it would be embarrassing if your gradesgged behind, right?


    I chose not to respond.


    I may not think it matters, but her royal duties seemed to epass maintaining ster grades.


    And Deus. Arent you going to keep your promise?


    Promise?


    Questioning what she meant, I looked at Eleanor, who pouted in response.


    The code. If you see me first, youre supposed to mention it before I ask.


    Apparently, this had been the cause of her earlier displeasure.


    You alwayse to me, 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 same princess I knew. While the protagonist, Aria Rias, seemed too maturepared to her in-game character, one of the games bosses, Eleanor, acted too childishly.


    I decided to share a story I thought Princess Eleanor might like.


    Theres something called a magical girl. Ordinary girls, whening 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 dere it confidently, not Deus.


    Pleased, Eleanor immediately handed me the notebook again.


    But magical girls? Whats that about? It sounds really fun!


    I mentioned it because it seemed exactly like something 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 viins.


    Often, magical girls would fend off beings like ghosts, and through that, I felt a kind of vicarious satisfaction.


    Tell me about it!


    ...I cant give you all the details.


    Its a memory from childhood.


    I began describing what came to mind.


    Eleanor, finding it incredibly intriguing, hopped around in excitement. Then, she suddenly stopped and looked at me, asking,


    But Deus, do you like stuff like this?


    ...


    I instantly regretted mentioning it.


    <strong>--- End of The Chapter ---</strong>


    [TL: Firstly, I apologize for not releasing chapters; I was unwell. But now, I''m already feeling better and have started tranting again.


    Thank you for your patience,


    George


    Join Patreon to <strong>support the trantion and to read 5 chapters</strong><strong>ahead</strong> of the release: /George227]