Chapter: 788
Trixie handed me something unexpected.
Wait a second… can I even call this just an item? Shouldn’t I use a more noble and mysterious word instead?
“Hey, Trixie?”
“Speak up.”
“What is this?”
Before deciding what word to use, I first needed to figure out what the heck this thing actually was.
To exaggerate a little, it was a massive pile of paper, a solid inch thick. Even without exaggeration, I could tell that if someone got whacked with this, it wouldn’t just sting—it would completely take them out.
Not to mention, the pages were densely packed with writing. And not just any writing but a flowy, cursive mess—definitely not the neat print style.
“This is a collection of my thesis and assignments from my academy days, along with research materials from when I was newly affiliated with the Magic Tower. Aside from the originals at the ducal estate, this is the only copy.”
“Uh?”
That was such a response I couldn’t help but blankly blurt out.
“The United Kingdom of Yuben is known as the Magic Powerhouse. They have a strong passion for magic. If you compare the average level of wizards to the Empire, it’s definitely on par. Prince Lather, being a member of such a royal family, will surely be delighted to receive this as a gift.”
Delighted? More like he’d probably prostrate himself in gratitude.
For a moment, those words turned over in my mouth but then evaporated. No matter how much it’s just Trixie and me here, and even though Prince Lather apparently has a personal connection with me, talking about bowing down to royalty feels like a huge weight on my shoulders.
“And…”
While I was dazedly staring at the pile of papers, I lifted my gaze again.
“There are copies of papers my father never got to present while he was alive. I made several copies and added them in.”
“What?! Why would you give away something so valuable?”
Suddenly, the haze lifted from my mind.
Even if it’s a gift, that seems excessive. Although they’re just copies, they bear the passion and years of my second father-in-law. And you’re gonna give those as a gift?
“Actually, this is more of a decision for me and my father than a pure congratulatory gesture.”
As if she understood my thoughts, Trixie gently smiled and continued.
“In time, theories that have evolved and newly proven concepts have been integrated, and I plan to publish them under my father’s name soon.”
As she said this, Trixie carefully stroked the pile I was holding—as if handling a genuine relic rather than mere copies.
“Maybe by the time you present it to Prince Lather.”
“Oh.”
In that moment, I finally understood Trixie’s intent.
My second father-in-law’s unpresented thesis, which Trixie has put her heart into completing. A piece of academic work designated to be published under the name of someone who passed away a century ago, presented as a gift to a prince of the Magic Powerhouse like Prince Lather? Of course, this would capture the attention of all wizards across the continent.
Plus, members of the Yuben Magic Council would be clamoring for my father-in-law’s thesis. At one end of the continent, the Magic Tower would be waiting, while the other end would see the Magic Council elevating the name of my father-in-law in their quest for glory.
“I’ll make sure to deliver it. Even if they say it’s too precious to accept, I’ll shove it down their throats if I have to.”
“Haha, no need to go that far. Just leaving it with the Magic Council will be more than enough.”
Chuckling, Trixie closed her eyes for a moment and then gently hugged me.
“You’re fulfilling a dream that wasn’t realized by my father. I’m sure he would be pleased.”
“It’s an honor. I’ve felt embarrassed living as a thief who stole his daughter away, but now I can face my second father-in-law with some dignity.”
Trixie’s body lightly trembled at my not-so-joking joke.
She must have been laughing at my lacking sense of humor. I decided to think of it that way.
Trixie and her father-in-law’s thesis.
Even as I hugged Trixie tight, I couldn’t let go of the memory of Trixie and her father-in-law. The thickness of the papers was a bit much for one hand, but I held on tightly.
Metaphorically speaking, this pile of papers was like the combined work of Einstein and von Neumann in the realm of science, filled to the brim with the beauty of the in-laws.
‘It’s such an extravagant gift for Lather though.’
For a brief moment, that thought crossed my mind. If it was something I had made myself, I wouldn’t have thought twice about handing it over, but giving something this precious to Prince Lather? The same guy who had chipped away at my sanity during season 77?
‘But I probably should give it anyway.’
For the sake of honoring my father-in-law’s name, there’s no helping it. Regardless of Lather’s misgivings, being a prince of Yuben grants him undue importance.
Plus, this isn’t the original, just a copy. The true memories still remain with Trixie, so I can chalk it up to a small sacrifice for the greater good.
*
We entered the United Kingdom of Yuben not by sea, but through teleportation.
Normally, I would think of the travel process as part of the journey, but Yuben is just too far away. It’s not exactly next door—it’s across the continent! If we were to sail the whole way, we’d end up eating half of our honeymoon time on travel alone.
Sure, we could go faster using Jiz’s light-speed flight or Leviathan’s aerial maneuvers, but that would turn the trip into a show of force. Who wants a wedding marred by a bloodbath?
“I’m kinda bummed. I missed out on the chance to see what the eastern sea looks like.”
But for the sake of convenience, I felt guilty for stealing away one of Lynn’s memories. Maybe we should’ve sailed at least until Balkros before using teleportation.
“It’s fine! Yuben is huge, so we need to cut down on travel time to see even more stuff!”
“Is that so?”
Still, contrary to my worries, Lynn showed no regrets about missing out on the ocean.
Thank goodness. If Lynn had expressed some disappointment, she would have been hell-bent on making a winter trip across the sea upon our return.
‘Good thing she doesn’t have a strong affinity for the ocean.’
I know it’s a rude thought, but Lynn isn’t the best of friends with large bodies of water…
“Oppa? What’s wrong?”
And possibly sensing my rude thoughts, Lynn tilted her head curiously.
What the hell am I thinking about in front of my wife?
“Oh, just pondering which place to hit first.”
“Why not start in the west? Most of the unique animals native to Yuben are said to be in the west!”
“Really?”
Despite my flimsy excuse, she graciously let it slide, deciding where we should go first instead.
How could I casually recall such blatant black history of a sweet wife like that? I need to reflect on myself.
“The west is known for decorations made from elephant tusks and buffalo horns. Additionally, buffalo horns can be used for making bows.”
“Uh, seriously? They’re quite resourceful.”
In a world where buffaloes are put to good use, I silently wished them good tidings. I never expected animals across the globe would have their horns harvested.
But if they’re openly harvested, Yuben must be working hard to manage populations of those creatures; they wouldn’t let them face extinction due to rampant hunting. Letting them yield their horns while ensuring their species thrives must be a win-win situation.
Let’s just roll with that. If I don’t think this way, I’ll feel too sorry for the buffalo.
‘Buffaloes.’
As I walked side by side with Lynn, my mind suddenly filled with thoughts about buffalo.
I’d completely forgotten this until Lynn mentioned buffalo, but I remember hearing that the Imperial army makes bows from their horns too.
However, the buffalo is a species that only exists in Yuben and must rely entirely on imports for its horns. As a result, every year, the Empire’s Foreign Affairs and Industry Ministries go through a tug-of-war with Yuben.
‘Honestly, I wish we could produce them domestically rather than relying on imports.’
But animals flourish only in their own specific regions for good reason. Throwing polar bears to Australia would get me called insane, and tossing a giraffe to Antarctica would guarantee someone choosing death. Sure, you could manage a few in a zoo, but mass breeding? Impossible…
…
‘But maybe it’s doable?’
Suddenly, images of the behemoth lounging casually in Kroita popped into my head.
Back in the days when the behemoth was a god, it was known as the god of livestock. Even now, the livestock it tends are healthier than the average animals, which means some of its divine power lingers on.
What if we tossed some buffaloes to the behemoth? Would its divine ability cover the environmental shortcomings?
‘This could really work.’
No matter how sensitive buffaloes are, could they resist the power of a god?
It’s definitely feasible. The Empire could farm buffaloes.
“Lynn.”
“Yes?”
“How many buffaloes can we probably purchase?”
I abruptly declared my plans for importing buffalo, causing Lynn’s eyes to widen in surprise.
“…Oh.”
Before long, her voice filled with awe indicated that she too had realized something from the behemoth’s past.
Seeing that reaction filled me with relief. It isn’t just me thinking this wild idea of breeding buffalo is viable; even my merchant-blooded wife finds it plausible.
“The import procedures for manufactured goods are easier than for foods, and when it comes to foods versus luxury goods, living creatures fall into stricter categories. Especially something considered strategic like buffalo—”
With a bright smile, Lynn continued firmly, “If we beg the royal family, we should be able to get a few, maybe even more!”
“Networking really is key.”
Hearing that it’d be possible if we asked Lather brought a smile to my face and a nod to my head.
Honestly, even if Lather and Yuben threw a fit, it wouldn’t matter. If they have any sense of morality, once they lay eyes on Trixie’s gift, they’d happily hand over hundreds without charging a dime. A few buffaloes would pale in comparison to the combined works of the Duke of Magic and the Duke of Tannian.
“Since we’re heading west, shall we check out the local goods too?”
“Sounds great! We should search for sturdy ones!”
Lynn’s already sparkling eyes sparkled even brighter.
Importing and localizing strategically significant goods only produced in Yuben—this event was enough to pique her interest to its peak.
I feel like I’m acting more like an industrial spy than enjoying a honeymoon, but if it makes my wife happy, that’s all that truly matters.
*
Once we entered the United Kingdom of Yuben, the Minister reported in through the communication tunnel.
[It seems feasible to raise buffaloes through the behemoth. When contacting Prince Lather, I’ll request a buffalo export, so please specify an appropriate number, Your Majesty.]
As expected, my immediate reaction upon seeing the report was a bemused chuckle.
‘What the heck is he doing?’
Why would he be doing work on a honeymoon that I didn’t even ask him to?
This guy, who’ll complain with all sorts of expressions when I give him work.
‘Should I just keep him on permanent vacation?’
In that moment, that thought crossed my mind. It would make more sense for him to be stuck in the Cabinet, but as a private individual, he can cruise about the continent like this.
But really, that’s just wishful thinking. It’s absurd for the head of a department to just vanish for long periods.
‘Raising buffaloes, huh?’
First things first, I should discuss this in detail with my father-in-law. If we can raise buffaloes in the Empire, it’d be a boon for the Imperial army.
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