The Economics of Prophecy

"It's okay, Ricardo. Because I have a slight headache. It's been a long time, so you must have been surprised."

Alfina got herself out of bed and smiled at me.

It has been three days since the day the spectrum analyzer was completed, the day Alfina was called to the diocese. The next morning, returning from the diocese in a state of flutter, Alfina is resting for two days in his own room in the Grand Duke's residence.

"If you do, you can eat Ricardo's French toast."

Alfina smiled mischievously. There is an empty plate at the table next to the bed. Compared to the blue face of the day I came back, the blood color is certainly back.

◇ ◇

"There is no fever. I'm getting my appetite back."

Claudia said when I left the room I arrived. I guess Alfina isn't lying, that she's just resting today just in case Euphiria tells her to, if it's true, want to go to college as well.

After touching the crystal, I have never pulled back even if I felt sick. But I'm also concerned about the ancient dragon's eye that Mathilde said. Even if not, guess the mechanism of the crystal of prophecy......

"But it's never been so burdensome as to affect your health from this early age, has it?"

"Right. I'm pretty sure things are different this time because of the crystal reaction."

The interval between crystals sending signals is wide.

"You don't know what Alfina looks like when she's actually against the crystal."

"Between the crystals, they are isolated from the surroundings, a place you cannot enter except the witch princess. Well, the exception is...... Anyway, I often guard in front of the aisle that leads to the room."

……

The measurement of crystals is not a glimmer. I'm in the mood for a later discussion. We get to Euphoria's office. There's always a butler waiting in front of the room. The butler pointed further back at me. Is that the room?

"Ask for the princess"

"... I know"

Claudia turns back to Alfina. I'm not really a person involved in this either. For a moment, such a safekeeping floats.

"It's ridiculous. It's the result of my own decision in that library"

I snapped like that in my mouth.

Proceed to the back about the butler's back as if it were a wall. The door to the room that entered only once can be opened.

◇ ◇

There are two men and women in the candle-only room. It's like a secret meeting between a man and a woman. It is a joke that my aunt and nephew are disloyal because of their relationship...... There are three seats at the circular table. I got to an empty seat in silence. Craig and Euphiria's eyes are on me.

"There are two things I want to say. The first is to start analyzing crystals using a newly completed analyzer as soon as possible. The other is to stop Alfina's contact with the crystal until the result"

I tried to be calm.

"Calm down a little"

Euphiria becomes a troubled face. No, no, you can tell by the voice. I'm calm.

"It's time to sort things out."

Craig said. Wouldn't that be now?

"Signals come out in a different pattern than previous crystals, and a greater burden is on Alfina than ever before. This is the situation."

I told the facts objectively.

"An unprecedented reaction can mean a disaster of unprecedented magnitude or nature."

Craig said.

"Against prophecy...... high expectations too. Still no clear statue has emerged, but there has already been a meeting convened by royal decree to respond to the Chancellery."

Considering the time of the first prophecy, there is a sense of seclusion.

"Certainly prophecy is a great force. But that's why we should push our limits so that we can operate in a stable manner. If you rely on one person, what if the next person with the qualities doesn't show up?

Situations like counteracting disaster and hanging Alfina's health on the scale have to be crushed from the ground up.

"I have no objection to that. That's what I've been claiming since the beginning. We know."

Euphilia said. Craig nodded too.

"Alfie's body comes first. That is why the health of the historical witch princess would have been examined"

"Wasn't it Ricardo's conclusion that, as a result, there was at least no significant impact"

"It is...... It would be a story if previous patterns were observed. And a new message called Kolong Eye..."

"The report has arrived. I certainly can't ignore it. But we can't just swallow without verification, thinking from sources. Didn't you..."

"It's..."

That's right. I'm basically a verifier, whether I believe in them or not. Because there are as many people who convey the wrong information in good faith.

"Whatever, if you mean to say you're not feeling well, I'll force you to rest even as a guardian. Like today. But Alfie himself wouldn't be willing to give up his role in the first place."

Euphilia said. I remember how Alfina was before I got here. She puts an important parent's honor on her role. That won't change if that relief is repaired.

"In my opinion, maintain the status quo until the image of the next prophecy appears. When it shows up, hypothesize it and do your utmost to test it, reducing the burden of disaster and witch princess."

"Bye..."

I cut the word. I can see that it is a reasonable line, derived from the information we are getting at the moment and from the information we are not getting. My priorities are different. And that difference in priorities doesn't go beyond the downside of me rejecting it.

I opened the fist I held under the table.

"Then two to deal with prophecy. One wants to rush the measurement of the crystal I said first."

"... um"

"... right"

That's a dull reaction.

"Is there a problem?

"No, some people are wary of Ricardo approaching the power of the crystal. Just leave it to us."

"... right"

Prince Wang and the Grand Duke nodded.

"You two care... Oh, I see."

A king. Well, I wouldn't call it unjust. But then I have a better hand.

"There's an easy and fundamental way to solve it"

"What?

"Destroy the crystal. Now no one can occupy it. Wouldn't your majesty be relieved?

"Calm down. The story is rewinding. We'll take care of your measurements in the diocese. I can't keep you waiting for Alfie."

"... excuse me"

I see, you certainly weren't a bit calm about that one right now. Because if these two undertook, I can trust them.

"What's the other one?

Craig asked.

"Dealing with a disaster, or a possible cause of massive demonic vein fluctuations, to hasten the investigation of the Blood Mountains. I mean..."

"It's a study being conducted at the Great Sage's lab."

"You were talking about being able to enhance that flaming magic..."

Craig erased his expression and Euphilia turned into a tough face.

"With new measuring devices and magic catalysts, improvements to existing surgical formulas shouldn't be that difficult. For the Empire as it stands…"

"Is that the technology you need? It takes the form of stepping into a kind of alliance that makes the Warcraft a common enemy. To be honest, it's premature... All right. I'll also suggest negotiations with the Empire at the next meeting."

I must speak to Lord Yeverg, who is in charge of diplomacy with the Empire.

I feel in a hurry because I expect it to take time. But I can't say it's complete, but the fact that you two undertook it made me feel a little easier.

After that, I'll have to do what I can. Firstly, a review of the lab's research policy. We need to rush the measurement of the demonic pulse at the magic spectrum level......