(It's finally happening.)

Luna looks up at the sky over the royal capital.

The brilliant darkness covers the entire sky, and the moonlight is beautiful.

Enjoying the scenery outside, Luna headed towards the Grand Auditorium of the Magic Academy.

There were already many people gathered there.

The kingdom's high-ranking mages, influential nobles, and domestic reporters interested in the advancement of magic were all packed together.

The press conference will begin shortly. Luna had been waiting behind the stage as she took a small breath.

Today is the completion ceremony for the Great Magical Furnace developed by Luna, and that's why the reporters are gathered here now.

(...Yeah, with this many people, it should be fine.)

Luna secretly checked the venue and breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason is simple.

Because she will be mentioning Darius's name here today.

The secret plan the three sisters are hatching to allow Darius to operate inside the barrier.

One of them is this. She also heard that Aria, having completed her triumphant return as the Grand Knight Commander, recently showed Darius's weapon before the King.

(Thanks to Aria, his reputation is steadily increasing among the knights and some nobles. But it's still just a bit of a rumor, and this time, it will surely...)

She heard Sofia is also active in various places. Luna couldn't lose to them either.

As she was thinking about that again, one of her subordinates came over to Luna.

"Director Luna, it's almost time."

"Yes, I understand."

Luna walked to the center of the stage in the auditorium. Soon, everyone's attention was drawn to her.

Reporters with magical tools to record the situation on the spot all aimed at Luna at once, and the shooting continued repeatedly.

Among them, Luna didn't seem to mind and picked up the magic tool placed beside her that amplified sound, slowly opening her mouth.

"Everyone, thank you very much for gathering here today for the completion ceremony of the Great Magical Furnace 'Lunarius'."

Luna's voice echoed throughout the auditorium.

The Great Magical Furnace 'Lunarius'. Initially, it was named the Great Magical Furnace 'Luna'. It was very common for developers' names to be used, but for Luna, that was too straightforward and embarrassing, so she had the name changed, and it settled on Lunarius.

The origin of the name. It's because it's a combination of Luna and Darius's names. Luna secretly really liked the name. It felt like their two children, she thought.

"This Magical Furnace will enable the generation of stable magical power at several times the efficiency of conventional methods, bringing abundant magical power to all the people of the royal capital."

As Luna declared that, a murmur of excitement and the sound of magical devices recording echoed through the venue.

Next, questions from the reporters began to pour in.

"Director Luna! How will life in the royal capital change with the operation of this Great Magical Furnace?!"

"That's right. Until now, magical power was only supplied to nobles, but it will now become widespread in ordinary households as well. The equipment itself is already in place, so life will become even easier in the future."

"Director Luna, are you considering exporting this technology to other countries as well?"

"Regarding that, I will need to consult with someone from another department later on."

"Director Luna―"

Luna answered each question smoothly and carefully.

While answering questions not only from reporters but also from other wizards...

An old man pushed his way through the crowd and stepped forward in front of Luna. He was Aldo Vincent, once known as the highest-ranking mage in the country.

He is the one who created countless magic items and is also the person who developed the Magical Furnace Aldo, which was located within the royal capital. The reporters, who had noticed that he, who rarely appears in public, was present at this event as they immediately turned their magic items towards him this time and began taking photos.

Aldo was seemingly unconcerned by the surrounding gazes as he calmly opened his mouth.

"Director Luna, the completion of the Great Magical Furnace 'Lunarius' is truly remarkable. However, as a fellow magic tool developer, there's something that's been bothering me. To maintain a furnace of this scale stably, the 'core,' which is the heart of the furnace, should require a staff with excellent durability... With a scale of that magnitude, immense durability and extremely advanced magic control ability would be necessary."

Aldo Vincent's words were filled with genuine curiosity.

"You are absolutely right."

"...Currently, even with our nation's highest technology, each construction is considered impossible. Even though I have dreamed of a magical furnace of this scale, I have been unable to overcome the challenges in that area. If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me what kind of staff was adopted as the 'core'? ...Could it be that it was obtained from that evil nation?"

The evil nation. It is a very closed-off country, currently almost completely isolated, and no one knows the current situation within its borders.

Aldo Vincent's question hit the nail on the head. The kingdom's magic toolmakers knew it was impossible to create a "core" capable of supporting a Magical Furnace of this scale.

Everyone in the venue held their breath, waiting for Luna's answer.

However, Luna answers that question without the slightest hesitation.

She answered immediately and decisively.

"No, that's not right. Regarding that 'core,' it was the easiest problem to solve in this magical reactor."

At Luna's words, the entire venue fell silent as if a spell had been cast. Aldo Vincent, too, widened his eyes in shock, staring at Luna with an expression of disbelief, and involuntarily exclaimed.

"Wh-what are you saying, Director Luna!? That heart, which could withstand such immense magical power, was easily resolved!? That means our country has a magical blacksmith who can create staves comparable to those of a magical nation...?!"

"Yes, that's right."

"Wh-where...?"

"It's outside the barrier."

Luna's words once again sent a wave of surprise through the entire venue.

Chapter 7