Chapter 6

“Thank you for everything so far.”

“I hope only good things happen to you from now on.”

“You too, sir. Always be happy.”

Those ordinary greetings touched her deeply. Only good things should happen. Resolving herself with that thought, she stepped outside and saw a carriage stamped with the Duke family crest standing right in front of the inn’s alley.

“Is this all the luggage?”

“Yes.”

It was a three-hour ride by carriage to the Malakar territory. Once she got in, the scenery outside the window began to change. Melody fell into thought inside the rattling carriage.

The novel’s setting is a later concern.

The problem she had to solve immediately was not whether the novel mentioned Dionys as a magician, but that even if she made the magic nullification device right away, it wouldn’t ease his suffering.

The novel mentioned that just before I died, Dionys’s desired magical tool was completed.

The Melody in the novel created a new magical tool just for him. That meant the current magic nullification device was useless to him.

Why, she had to find out now.

It must be completed before Dionys leads the rebellion.

Thankfully, several magic formulas used in that magical tool were described.

They were definitely spells not used in the original magic nullification device.

Not all, but that alone would allow her to solve the problem faster than the author of the novel. Probably.

No, I must absolutely succeed.

Because that was the only way to survive. Repeating the magic formulas to herself to strengthen her will, she looked out the window. On the mist-covered hill, a gray spire rose sharply. The large castle, with its gray bricks, looked like an ancient ruin.

Malakar Castle.

The castle where Melody in the novel died.

“Welcome.”

Melody was greeted by a white-haired butler. Behind his monocle, his gray eyes showed the stubbornness carved by years.

“The butler, William. He is the maker of magical tools.”

“I’m Melody. If possible, I want to create magical tools that can also be used by those living in the Duke’s mansion.”

“I heard you intend to make something for the Duke. Unfortunately, I doubt others will get to use it.”

That was a polite refusal. It made sense since nobles usually avoided magical tools because they were made using parts from magical beasts. But good things are always eventually recognized. Melody shrugged and said,

“Then I’ll work hard to make magical tools for the Duke!”

“Please do.”

Despite the gloomy exterior, the inside was neat and old-fashioned. The decorations were slightly worn but looked dignified.

“Is the kitchen that way?”

Before she finished, the butler abruptly stopped walking.

“The Duke ordered that Miss Melody be treated as a guest. If you need anything, ring the bell to call someone. The servants will bring it.”

How many times a day could she ring the bell? She was about to ask when, as if reading her mind, the butler continued,

“Any number of times. It is our duty to serve guests visiting the territory without inconvenience.”

Two times, no, just once then. Seeing the same faces every time she wanted a drink would be more awkward.

As she climbed the stairs, a knight stood at the landing. Dark brown short hair and thick eyebrows. A manly yet strong face.

“Miss Melody. I am Rohan Delvira, the Duke’s knight. I will guide you from here.”

The familiar name reminded Melody of the novel.

Rohan Delvira. The Duke family’s knight and the one who answered “Yes, sir” whenever Dionys ordered. In the novel, it was always Rohan who carried out Dionys’s commands.

Feeling like she had just entered the first chapter of the novel, Melody gazed at his face and sighed.

“Where is the Duke?”

“He is in his office. Except when he goes to the training ground, he rarely leaves his room. Due to a chronic illness.”

Chronic illness. It probably referred to magic. Rohan studied Melody’s expression for a moment before continuing.

“Please be careful not to get too close to the Duke. Even if you see him collapse… do not touch him and call me.”

She wondered if the Duke, though seemingly holding up well within the barrier, often collapsed due to pain.

“What about moving him with a magical tool?”

Rohan looked surprised.

“It’s better to ask the Duke about that.”

Rohan then led her to the room at the end of the third floor.

“This is my workshop?”

“The Duke told me to prepare it carefully. Do you like it?”

Melody was surprised at the room he showed her. It was filled with books and magical tool-making equipment that all looked brand new.

“Wow, wow, wow.”

She didn’t know where to look first. Everything sparkled. Magical cores were arranged by the size of the monsters, and thick stacks of high-quality monster leather, rarely seen even in temples, were piled up.

The scent of wealth filled the air, and Melody took a deep breath, looking around again.

“Monster gargoyle claws! Can the shape really be preserved so cleanly?”

“The Duke regularly goes out to exterminate monsters. Most are sent to the temples, but some remains are kept separately.”

It was certain Dionys wouldn’t spare money on this. Holding a hammer, the delicately carved handle fit perfectly in her hand. The magical core, bigger than a fist, was on a whole different level than the scraps sold in the black market. It must be worth a fortune.

“If you need anything else, just say.”

“How much can I spend? I heard there’s a set budget for the Duke family.”

Melody mentioned something she had overheard somewhere. Rohan shrugged and said,

“If it’s something you can buy, don’t worry about the price.”

Unlimited budget? Amazing. Melody said excitedly,

“Please get me eight spirit feathers sold on Kadien Street and a protective tree.”

“Yes, I will order them.”

Maybe the reason the Melody in the novel didn’t run away even when the rebellion broke out was because of the workshop. She nodded at the thought that suddenly came to her.

Or perhaps she didn’t even know the rebellion had started. If she was so absorbed in making magical tools, it was normal not to leave the room for a month.

When making the magic nullification device, the year had already changed.

But hiding away was absolutely not an option. She had to know when Dionys would rebel.

If I can’t finish it in time, I’ll have to find a way to escape.

She had to watch him closely so she wouldn’t die right after finishing it, as in the novel.

Soon after, Rohan introduced a maid.

“This is a maid assigned to assist Miss Melody’s convenience. She will be responsible for your meals and errands from now on.”

“This is Anna. Please take care of me.”

Anna had brown hair and a youthful face but a strong body. If not introduced as a maid, one might mistake her for a trainee knight.

“I’m Melody.”

“Since you’re the Duke’s guest, please speak comfortably.”

“Uh… sure? Nice to meet you.”