Chapter 92: Interlude – Magic Depletion and Embroidery
[space_man][space_man]Summoned by King Balza, Eld followed behind Inicia, trembling with fear about how much scolding he would receive this time. However, the only thing confirmed was the situation at the Central Temple, which he had already explained to Inicia. There was no sermon, and by the time the conversation ended, he and Marie, who had been summoned together, breathed a sigh of relief.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Now, I believe you’ve heard from others, but regarding this matter, you must remain in the central capital until a conclusion is reached. It shouldn’t be too long.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I understand. In that case, I’ll go find an inn right away……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld tries to leave, thinking there’s no point in staying in such a place and being nervous forever.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”No, if you’d like, you can stay at this mansion. Most of my sons have moved out, and the only ones left are Inicia, my grandchildren, and my youngest son, who is still a minor. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear more about your engagement……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira had a happy expression, but Eld and Marie declined, as they were not comfortable with Balza. Hearing that, Balza looked a little sad, but he said it couldn’t be helped and arranged for an inn through the royal family.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]It wasn’t as luxurious as the previous inn, and it wasn’t fully paid for by the royal family, but they were able to stay at a decent inn for about half the market price.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As soon as they entered the inn room, Eld collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”He was stifling yawns the whole time he was talking to His Majesty.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie rolled Eld over onto his back, and Moira covered him with a blanket.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is this magic depletion? Does this happen to you two often?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Marie shakes her head.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s not very common. I think it’s because he poured magic into Tempera endlessly this time. The blade of Tempera that Eld made served as an output regulator.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Moira was at the Afdedi Church, she only used healing magic on the people who came to the church, so she had never experienced magic depletion before. That’s why she wondered if it was normal for an adventurer.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie reaches into subspace and takes out a sewing kit and tanned magic beast leather. She spreads them out on the table, then unfolds a gossip magazine she found at the shop when they checked in, and sits down in a chair.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Are you making something?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira also sits in a chair and watches Marie work.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Gloves. I think he pushed himself a little too hard in the lead earlier, and they were fraying, so I thought I’d make new ones.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie places her hand on the magic beast hide and begins to draw lines. Moira’s eyes widen at the sight. What’s amazing is that her eyes are on the gossip magazine while she’s working. By the time Moira is stunned, she has finished cutting out the leather.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Marie, you can do anything……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Don’t be silly.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie reaches for the sewing kit, but after thinking for a moment, she reaches into subspace again and takes out paper and a pen. Moira watches to see what she’s going to do, and she starts drawing a circle.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s that?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s a design for a magic circle to embroider on the gloves. I thought I’d put in something a little more robust.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Besides chanting spells, magic can also be activated by drawing a magic circle and pouring magic power into it. This is the main method used to activate magic tools. Many spells can be activated simultaneously by writing magic characters in the magic circle. However, the more you write, the larger the magic circle becomes, so in order to fit it into the size of a glove, you have to carefully select only the necessary magic, which makes designing the magic circle quite difficult.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie writes, twists her head, erases details, and rewrites them over and over again. Moira watches her without getting bored.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Are you enjoying watching?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah…… it’s like…… watching a craftsman at work……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira doesn’t quite understand why she keeps watching, but she’s captivated.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie takes out another piece of paper and makes a clean copy of the magic circle, then reaches for the sewing kit. She takes out a fine needle and thread, threads the needle, and begins to embroider the magic circle onto the hand-shaped piece of magic beast hide. And her eyes are on the gossip magazine, not the embroidery in her hands.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I think embroidery is usually done while looking at your hands……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira says with a wry smile. Marie’s work has started to slow down, so Moira thinks about doing something herself. However, she can’t use spatial magic like Eld and Marie, so she only has the bare necessities for her journey, and she didn’t buy a gossip magazine because she was going to borrow Marie’s when she was done reading it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]She realizes that even when she was at the Afdedi Church, she didn’t spend much time alone because she would have tea with someone if they were there. Moira sighs as she realizes she didn’t have any real hobbies.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”What’s wrong?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie stops her hands and looks at Moira.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that I haven’t really had any hobbies.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Really? I guess nuns are busy.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm…… I don’t think so, but I’ve never been alone much, so I’ve never really had the chance to do anything I like.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Hearing that, Marie stops her hands.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I don’t have any hobbies either. I learned this from my grandmother, and I only use it practically.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]She says, reaching into subspace.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But if you’re bored, do you want to try embroidering with me? I don’t think you can do magic beast leather from scratch, so start around here.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie takes out a slightly worn book and a sewing kit. Moira accepts them.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Can I borrow this?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s what I used to use. I learned it from my grandmother with this book.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie says nostalgically. Moira opens the book. It smells of slightly old paper.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Thank you. I’ll try it right away.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira says and starts embroidering.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Eld wakes up a few hours later, he is simply astonished to see the two of them embroidering in silence.