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When honesty is the standard of manliness, no government agency is less manly than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

People who have hurt each other’s feelings can hurl insults and complaints at each other all they want, but at least a diplomat couldn’t afford to do that.

So, no matter how ridiculous the conversation was, the diplomat used to gloss over it in front of journalists with phrases like, “We had an honest conversation.” (which basically meant they spoke around the main issue).

(Of course, they didn’t have absurd conversations inside the meeting room either.)

Anyway!

This exhausting and unmanly way of conversing is called “diplomatic rhetoric” or “euphemism.”

Due to its characteristics of not hurting the other party’s feelings and leaving room for various interpretations, it is often used in the international arena, where interests sharply collide.

Of course, if someone used such speech in everyday conversation, they’d better be prepared to face the consequences! Engaging in power struggles, deviating from the point, and avoiding responsibility are not manly actions.

Naturally, diplomats also didn’t spout ridiculous phrases like “We had an honest conversation” in front of their families, especially in front of their wives.

However, there are times in international settings where such euphemistic language doesn’t work.

There were moments when an honest, manly conversation needed to be had!

When a call came in from the ambassador of the Kingdom of Abas to the Kien Empire, the director of Section 1 in the Kien Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (responsible for Abas and others) concluded with an animalistic diplomat’s intuition.

“…Uh, senpai? Could you say that again?”

“The Duke has kidnapped their military attaché! Right from the embassy!”

“So… you’re telling me that you’ve taken a foreign military attaché who entered our embassy… is that right?”

“No! Why can’t you understand?! The Duke kidnapped a diplomat who was sleeping in the embassy’s duty room!”

“So you didn’t take a diplomat who entered our embassy? You broke into a foreign embassy and dragged a diplomat out?”

“Exactly!”

“Well, this is a disaster.”

And so it is now.

Episode 18 – Manly Club

The military attaché has been kidnapped!

And this time, it was abroad, and during their slumber at the embassy.

Setting aside the fact that they were a defense attaché or an intelligence agency worker, the very fact that the ‘embassy’—a sacred and inviolable territory—was breached made many people clutch their necks in shock.

“Director Leoni! We have an urgent report from the Mauritania Continent!”

“You say one of our staff at the embassy has been kidnapped by the Archmage?”

“Colonel Frederick’s been kidnapped? But the embassy security should have been on duty during the day!”

“Yes, Director Clevenz. It seems the incident occurred in the early hours when the embassy was vacant.”

The commanders of the Military Intelligence Agency were in utter chaos over an unimaginable huge incident (the Archmage’s raid on the embassy + an intelligence agency worker being abducted).

What kind of insane person would break into another country’s embassy? Sure, embassies can be breached.

However, if they went through the trouble of breaking in, they should at least steal confidential documents (like codebooks or diplomatic reports), right? Why on earth would they abduct a mere employee?

The high-ranking officials of the Abas Information Agency could only wrack their brains in confusion.

What is this? A new form of provocation?

Does the Duke have a sick and depraved hobby of collecting young men?

I’ve heard they took someone before; it seems they’ve done it again.

Did they sweet-talk him or something?

What if our staff accidentally committed a faux pas that led to this?

But what do we do now, among other thoughts.

Of course, the most unjust and bewildered agency was not the Information Department but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Ambassador! The Duke has invaded our embassy in the Jamria Federation and kidnapped the military attaché sent by the Ministry of Defense, what is going on here?”

“…What?”

“Duke Alexandra Petrovna, who is the Archmage of the Empire’s royal family! You’ve taken our military attaché from the Abas embassy, a place where no government can interfere, not even the host nation’s police! Does the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs know about this incident?”

“Um… well, I just heard about it…”

“Then did the royal family know? We need to clarify whether this act reflects the Duke’s unilateral decision or if it was coordinated with the royal family or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“……”

“Please ensure our attaché is returned promptly!”

The Kien Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was on the verge of fainting.

With the Abas Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding an immediate explanation—or else threatening to sever diplomatic ties—it was a complete disaster. (After all, if an embassy is breached, it’s not unreasonable to break diplomatic relations; there are actual cases where police entered embassies in Latin America and diplomatic ties were subsequently severed.)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Jamria Federation was currently having a meltdown, crying out in shock, “Why is this happening in our country, humans?” and demanding an apology.

And apparently, the Dukes had caused quite a commotion everywhere. They were receiving calls from numerous countries.

Your Majesty, what on earth have you done? I thought we were only getting calls from Abas! But now it seems complaints are coming from cults, magic towers, Al-Yabd, and everywhere else.

The head of the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sitting in his office, sipping alcohol and seriously contemplating, “Should I submit my resignation?”

At that moment, even the mild-mannered Clevenz was getting enraged, and the commanders of the Military Intelligence Agency gathered to discuss accountability for this grievous failure.

It’s a glorious joint scrutiny!

Brigadier insignias might fly, and the storm of torn uniforms was about to unleash!

“Senpai, you must have already heard the news… Did you report to the Information Director?”

“I just did. It’s already gone up through the Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office. I’ve also informed the Royal Intelligence Department through a junior.”

“I’ve sent the contacts domestically. I’ve even dispatched people to family members… What are we going to do about the security personnel who were on duty at the embassy?”

“Those bastards, drag them by the hair to report to the security chief immediately!”

“Let’s do that.”

Tears flowed like rivers and seas from the numerous heads of household who were about to be stripped of their uniforms and civil servants who wanted to submit their resignations.

In an attempt to drown the sorrows and bitterness, their alcohol-soaked livers simply cried out in silent anguish, “Just kill me…”

“Is there anyone who can reach the Duke?”

“No one can. The Magic Department, royal family, and Ministry of Defense are all out of commission.”

“The state is in ruins! How can it be that none of the ministers know where the Duke is?!”

Fortunately, as they waited anxiously for an explanation from the missing Duke, the officials in the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs could only stamp their feet in frustration.

*

The officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who cast aside their diplomatic rhetoric, were finally able to share honest and manly conversations after a long while.

(??? : Clarify this and restore everything before I send a tank through your embassy. / ?-??? : If something blows up right in the middle of the imperial capital, just think of it as fate. / ?? : What were you thinking without stopping the Archmage? You guys pulling this on us isn’t even permissible, you bastards! / ?? : I feel like a crusade is needed….)

Of course, the imperial government had done nothing wrong. Not as a joke, that was the truth.

No parent would remain idle if a teacher burst into their house at an unholy hour and kidnapped their sleeping child, no matter how much they had requested for some mental schooling for their kids.

To note, the Abas government was in the most aggrieved position. Initially, Abas had never entrusted Frederick to the Duke. The Duke simply took him by force (or rather 4+1).

It was truly a bolt from the blue! As the imperial officials, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, automatically uttered, “The nation is doomed!” at that moment.

The Duke, who was utterly indifferent to the chaos he had caused, was deeply engrossed in a passionate lesson on the nature of magic.

“What you are wearing is a type of magical tool called ‘Barbara.’ It was the armor and weapon granted to mages during the war.”

The Duke casually pointed to the magical tool while slowly pacing, with one hand shoved into a pocket.

“The characteristic of ‘Barbara’ is that all its elements are tailored to its owner. It may have difficulties in mass production and maintenance, but it is made specially for individuals, allowing ‘Barbara’ to compensate for the owner’s flaws and highlight their strengths.”

“Ah… it bears a resemblance to a tailored suit.”

“Correct. The difference between regular magical armor and ‘Barbara’ can indeed be likened to that between a ready-made suit and a tailored one.”

While it effectively served as armor, ‘Barbara’s true worth manifested in its weaponry aspect.

“When the owner uses magic, ‘Barbara’ records it. When this process is repeated, ‘Barbara’ can manifest complete magic with only a small amount of magic power, just like modern magical tools.”

“This property of being able to remember is the essence and core of ‘Barbara.’ This is why the Holy See regarded ‘Barbara,’ which recorded both defensive and offensive magic, not merely as a handy tool, but as a weapon of war.”

If defensive magic is recorded, it becomes armor; if offensive magic is recorded, it becomes a weapon. A mage can record a variety of spells in ‘Barbara’ according to their preferences.

It’s like saving skills that are often used in games. I wonder if the recorded spells can later be erased.

As I compared the angel’s (I promised to stop calling them ‘Hosseins’) armor with ‘Barbara,’ I raised my eyebrows in interest.

“It’s an original of memory-type magic tools. There are those magic tools that come out blank, right? The ones that aren’t etched with any magic and can be customized by the buyer as they wish.”

“On some level, that does make sense. Anyway, since ‘Barbara’ was made through home industry….”

“Were there more like this?”

The Archmage nodded readily in affirmation.

“There were more. Although we’ve collectively referred to them as ‘Barbara,’ similar magical tools have been quite commonly used among comrades since the war. Of course, the only remaining items today are the one you are wearing.”

“They were all destroyed, I take it?”

“During the war, yes.”

And could the Holy See just leave such items unattended? It must have considered them monstrous weapons of war in its own right.

Hence, every time it saw a mage clad in such attire, it likely lunged to destroy it with all its might. The Archmage added more context about the war.

“So before we get into the main subject… there are a few key points I need to inform you about.”

The Duke prepared to give detailed instructions on how to use ‘Barbara’ but first revealed some critical information I needed to know before using it.

With a serious expression, she raised her finger.

“First, remember that ‘Barbara’ has a time limit for use. This is an item created by mages to protect themselves, it is not meant for those who cannot use magic.”

Hmm, that makes sense…

If I were a mage, this wouldn’t be a significant concern.

However, since I am not a mage, I would need to utilize a little ‘trick’ to wear ‘Barbara.’

“The movement part can be managed without any issue for you without magic. I’ve connected a magic power reservoir to enable you to use the magic stored in ‘Barbara,’ so if the need arises to use magic, you should consider the remaining magic power while fighting.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“It’s essential to do so. As you know, resources tend to deplete much faster during battles, be it ammunition, stamina, or magic power.”

Next.

The Duke’s expression softened as she spread her palm and continued her explanation.

“Second, maintenance and adjustment are challenging. As you also know, all armaments are consumables, and ‘Barbara’ is no exception. If it breaks or has issues, repairs will be necessary. However, even the finest mages from the Magic Tower and the Ivory Tower won’t be able to maintain ‘Barbara,’ so ultimately, you will need to rely on my assistance.”

I tilted my head slightly and squinted.

“Do I need to ask the Duke for help every time?”

“Why? Do you dislike me?”

“Uh, um….”

It’s not that I dislike you, but I feel a bit dismissive about assigning intricate, delicate tasks to a hundred-year-old retiree.

After all, asking someone who’s reached retirement age for complicated work might feel like elder abuse. Even a completely shameless person might feel some hesitation. Unlike Camila, who lacks conscience… (??? : What have I ever done!?)

I voiced my concerns, but the Duke appeared unfazed.

“I consider it a hobby. I’m not creating something new, I’m just managing something that already exists, so how hard can that be?”

Finally, the third point.

This was somewhat unexpected.

“Third, only use it for activities that ensure public safety.”

Unfolding the blank paper, the Duke began speaking as if stating an obvious fact, the discussion being more of an advice than an explanation.

“I know you are a public servant of the nation. I care about your nationality and profession, but…”

“I’m not saying that. I just hope you won’t use ‘Barbara’ for anything but public good.”

In short, for the benefit of the nation. So it was a warning not to use it for the Government of Abas either. Moreover, using it for personal gain was off-limits as well.

Given my status as a soldier, I understood the Duke’s concerns, but to be honest, I had no intentions of using ‘Barbara’ for my main occupation whatsoever.

I knew it was a good item, but… it was just too eye-catching.

I nodded. There was no need to worry since I had no intention of using it for anything dubious in the first place.

“Understood. But what happens if I break that promise?”

“If you break your promise, I will reclaim ‘Barbara.'”

“So you think I’m not fit to hold it then?”

“Trust is the most important thing.”

Hmm. Fit. I stroked my chin and pondered.

Do I really deserve this? Is it a matter of whether I do or not? Such philosophical debates weren’t important to me because I wasn’t a philosophy major; ownership concerns fell under legal studies, not philosophy.

The question was, “Does the Duke have the right to it?”

“By the way, Your Grace…”

“Speak.”

“This is indeed your Grace’s item? I saw another name written inside.”

When I pointed to ‘Giovanni Ranieri’ inscribed near the neck, the Duke blinked in surprise, as if he didn’t know that was there.

“Oh. Have you seen Ranieri’s name by any chance?”

I confirmed, and the Duke let out a chuckle.

His delight at hearing such an old name was evident.

After laughing for a while, the Duke nodded, acknowledging that he didn’t create it personally. Nonetheless, he firmly asserted the ownership belonged to him.

“Right… ‘Barbara’ is Ranieri’s creation. He was the most skilled among my colleagues. He was immensely helpful even when other mages crafted armor following ‘Barbara’… Of course, it’s in my possession now.”

“Why does Your Grace possess such an artifact?”

If it was made by Giovanni Ranieri, it should strictly belong to the Ranieri family. There was no need to think hard about it.

Francesca’s ‘Rune Sword’ was a masterpiece of Giovanni Ranieri, after all.

True, she stole it from the family vault (she claims to exercise her rightful claim as a descendant without unnecessary permission), but nonetheless, Francesca is a direct heir of Giovanni Ranieri. Legally, there might be issues, but according to the unspoken rules of the mage society, there would be no problem.

“A master’s legacy goes to the disciple, and an ancestor’s legacy goes to the descendants.”

This was the unwritten rule among mages that had not been broken for the past century.

If someone denied this and refused to return a Great Mage’s relic, that person’s descendants would forcibly reclaim it, even to the point of murder. (There have been such cases in the past, after all.)

But why does Alexandra Petrovna own ‘Barbara’? No matter how you slice it, isn’t that a bit much, even for a Grand Mage? Where’s the sense of ethics?

I questioned this, but surprisingly, the Duke confidently rebutted that there was nothing problematic about it.

The reason was simple.

He obtained it through gambling!

“It is a legitimate item gained through fair wagers, so is there really a need to question ownership?”

“…?”

“If necessary, I can even show you the handwritten agreement from back then.”

As the Duke searched for the agreement, I found myself at a loss for words, completely dumbfounded.

“No. What…?”

What is a Great Mage’s relic? It’s a cultural asset of the mage society. It’s something you’d proudly store and preserve in a museum, not something to lose in a gamble!

Not just one or two items, either!

“So, Giovanni Ranieri would have only lost ‘Barbara,’ right?”

“Hah. Do you even know what kind of person Ranieri was? If it came to alcohol and gambling, he couldn’t hold back at all. Naturally, he would’ve gambled away everything in his pockets.”

“Why did you keep playing when you had a stack of cash?”

“Why would I stack heavy coins for no reason? Just selling one magical tool would leave plenty of money to buy a whole castle.”

So, he meant to say that heavy cash was inconvenient, so he opted for magical tools instead.

For reference, the gambling session included many Great Mages, and since the Duke was less skilled compared to his colleagues at making magical tools, he decided to bet property deeds instead.

Those crazy gambling addicts! How much did they burn away in just a single round? Well, the amount doesn’t matter, but why bet land? Isn’t that government property?

I couldn’t help but suspect Alexandra Petrovna’s gambling addiction. At this point, even Saint Veronica, who swiped relics from the Cathedral to use in bets, might look virtuous (factually speaking).

“No….”

After being lost in thought, I finally gathered my scattered thoughts and managed to express my concerns.

“So, you’re saying you’ve given me stolen goods…?”

“What did you say?”

His mystical silver hair whipped around, and the Duke’s head spun at a terrifying speed. It was so fast that I thought he might sprain his neck.

His azure eyes flared with a fierce red glow. I couldn’t quite grasp why he was glaring at me like that.

“Get ready.”

“I’ll accept whatever it is! Be it a magical duel or a street brawl.”

“Get ready right now!”

A Great Mage was suddenly demanding a duel!

Frederick was completely baffled by the unexpected challenge. He couldn’t fathom why the old lady was acting this way.

“Uh… Your Grace? You only mentioned the precautions, but you haven’t explained how to use it at all.”

“Such details are of no importance. Words can become anything and achieve anything. Only experience and practice can train a person and lead to great accomplishments.”

The enlightened realization delivered from my celestial-like master! Though it was a minor issue that Frederick wasn’t one of his disciples, that didn’t matter in the least to the Duke.

Right as he appeared ready to engage in battle. Frederick suddenly jumped up and screamed in despair!

“No, at the very least, do you read the user manual before using your appliances?!”

Even a rice cooker deserves to have its manual read first. How am I expected to use a relic from a century ago without instructions? Is my life supposed to have nine lives?

“These days, even the impatient old folks read the manual for magical tools before using them!”

It was an unreasonable request in terms of common sense. Hence, Frederick had no choice but to retort aggressively.

Unfortunately, he remained oblivious to one crucial fact.

From the ‘stolen goods’ jab to the ‘user manual’, even the reference to ‘old folks’—each of those statements flickered through his memories like lightning, scraping the Duke’s temper thinly.

Especially the stolen goods comment struck a chord. There wasn’t a specific reason; it simply reminded him of the scolding he received from his older brother.

“Little sister, I’m fine with whatever you do with your friends. But this is a bridge too far, isn’t it? According to imperial law, though goods obtained from gambling are— An agreement duel? Did you just gift to your nephews the spoils you seized through force from your friend? …Wait, wait. Sasha! That’s not what I meant…!”

“Zuuuuaaaah -! At this rate, the palace is going to burn down! Please, take back your magic…!”

“Think positively. I’ll make sure to save on heating costs this winter.”

“It’s summer right now!”

“Then let’s just count it as saved.”

It was over seventy years ago, but the Duke was still aggrieved.

(Of course, he’d have to hear his older brother—the last Emperor—out too. But thanks to his little sister, he surely wouldn’t be bothered this time—probably.)

But to hear ‘that comment’ from a young guy again…

“This brat.”

It was like shoving a 96-year-old Jewish grandfather (born in Poland) into a shower while locking him up. And turning the faucet to let gas leak instead of water!

In simpler terms, Frederick was dancing joyfully above mines, completely unaware of the danger below. Poor guy…

Thus, the tables turned.

Just as Frederick was prepping for a ‘nation-saving decision’ following the Duke’s earlier remark, it was now the Duke’s turn to unleash ‘the vengeful thunder.’

“I thought you had a decent personality and considered you positively, but upon closer inspection, your tongue is as audacious as a disciple’s.”

Had she been close enough, Camila would’ve lifted a question mark over her head at this statement.

Francesca too would possibly have fainted at hearing, “Your ancestor gambled away magical tools?”

Frederick, nearby, was no different.

“What have I done to deserve this…?”

“Your provocative behavior is akin to the prelude of destruction.”

“…What?”

Provocative behavior? Prelude of destruction? Why was the Duke using language that sounded like it came from the North Korean red faction?

As I felt my head spinning in confusion, the Duke began murmuring the activation phrase in a low voice.

“-Fulgor.”

-…Pzzzt.

Gleaming against the silver hair, it passed across the face, ripping through as if it were tearing apart.

Purple lightning bolts rushed toward ‘Barbara.’

*

And then, nothing happened.

“Huh?”

“…?”

Both the Great Mage who unleashed ‘Fulgor’ and Frederick, who had donned ‘Barbara’ in defense, were surprised.

No matter how much you say you wore ‘Barbara’ and set the output to low, shouldn’t you have fallen down after receiving ancient magic right on? At the very least, feeling a little dizzy should’ve been normal, but here you are standing just fine?

The Duke blinked multiple times before murmuring.

“Is my vision finally failing me…?”

He was so flustered that even he doubted his own sight, but it paled in comparison to how stunned Frederick looked.

Frederick was examining his arms in disbelief. His arms, which he raised to shield against the purple lightning, had no injuries whatsoever.

Rather…

-Pzzzt…!

-Pzzzt, pzzzt…!

On ‘Barbara,’ purple lightning shimmered as if etched into it.

“……”

Dumbfounded, he swung his arms around a bit. Suddenly, the purple lightning shot out like a spear into the empty space nearby.

No one dared to say a word during that moment. Not even the Duke, who had been firmly angry.

After shooting lightning a few times, Frederick looked down at his arms in wonder. He seemed unable to believe it yet, struggling to determine whether it was a dream or reality.

Then, inadvertently, his gaze met with Camila’s from afar.

“……”

She silently raised her hands, and he nodded as if to say he understood her.

Finally.

Deeply inhaling, he stretched both arms toward the sky, and a pair of purple lightning bolts pierced through the atmosphere, searing off toward the clear desert.

The onlookers pulled back, and while the Duke was blocking the strong winds with his lifted arms, the only one in the crowd who raised her arms high to the sky, Camila, shouted with all her might.

“Ramsi Thunder!”

*

While Frederick and Camila rejoiced at the miracle of barely connecting with Ramsi Thunder.

“…Oh ho.”

Amid all this spectacle, the Great Mage watched with intrigue, snorting as he clenched his fists.

“You’ve shown a wondrous display, even without being taught.”

Alexandra Petrovna nodded with a satisfied expression like never before.

“It seems it’s okay to roll with my disciple after all.”

Red pig & Ramsi Thunder.

1+1 Special discount event winner!

 

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