Laurent had no idea what Justeaze had been doing behind his back.
"A Holy Grail?" Sitting with Justeaze in the carriage and listening to her explanation, Laurent found himself intrigued—no, intensely so.
He'd never even heard of something like that.
"You're saying that if we go to Fuyuki City and gather enough magical energy, we can store it in something called a Holy Grail… and that thing can bore a path to the ROOT? And the ROOT can grant any wish?"
"In theory, yes."
Justeaze wore her usual gentle smile. If Zolgen Makiri were here, he'd probably be dumbfounded.
In fact, everyone in the Einzbern family had long since grown used to their head's demeanor. Except when she was with Laurent, she was unfailingly composed—an icy, refined lady.
If it was really possible, Laurent would absolutely try. Even if the odds were slim, if there was even a chance, he wouldn't give up.
"Then can we use my power?" Laurent raised a hand, golden light flickering in his palm. His power was practically inexhaustible. If the Holy Grail needed magical energy, and his could be used… then maybe they could pull it off right now.
"No. Laurent, your magical energy—your divine power—is far too special. It can't be applied properly. We still need a magus's magical energy."
In truth, she had lied about many things.
Because she'd already made progress in her research, Justeaze knew the so-called Outside of the World was a real place.
It didn't need to be "bored through." You needed to bring something from the Outside in—then trace it back.
And she had known how from the very beginning.
Summon Heroic Spirits, and use their souls to satisfy the condition.
Sorry, Laurent. I'm going to have to deceive all of you for a while.
"I see." Laurent scratched his cheek. "Makes sense. Magecraft's magical energy has a few major categories, and mine doesn't fit any of them."
"But still—grant any wish? I wonder if that's actually real."
His face lit with anticipation. Even if Justeaze's theory was wrong, what harm was there in trying? It had been centuries. How many times had he found hope, only to watch it shatter?
And this time, at least, her theory was built on a genuine hypothesis.
"Laurent, this time it'll work," Justeaze said, trying to steady him.
"Heh. Then I'll do my part too." He let out a quiet laugh.
"What's so funny?" Justeaze looked a little annoyed. "I'm working really hard to help you, you know!"
"No," Laurent said, "I just suddenly remembered how weird wishing is as a concept."
"Weird?"
"Yeah. Look—if you can only make one wish, I'd just wish for the ability to have an unlimited number of wishes. Then you can loop it forever."
Laurent spread his hands. He'd run into that kind of logic a long time ago—like those old stories with wish-granting spheres. It should work, right?
Justeaze giggled. "Heehee. That's true."
"Right?" Laurent nodded. "So if it really can grant wishes, you make the first one."
He turned to look at her, voice casual. "Wish for that. And after that—if you want a proper human life, you can have one too. I mean, you've always seemed like you wanted to be human… though honestly, your body already is."
At his words, Justeaze froze.
Her nose stung for no reason, as if something inside her had been tugged—one fine thread plucked too hard.
She covered her nose with both hands and forced a smile, trying to press the feeling down.
"No. My life is already full enough. Even if I kept living…" She looked at him. "…would you stay with me?"
Laurent's smile softened. "I can stay with you. Anything beyond that is a no. Sorry."
Justeaze shook her head. "That's enough."
It would be nice if that wish could really come true.
But the Greater Grail needed a vessel—something that could serve as both container and link. And among all the Einzbern homunculi, only one had realized the Third Magic strongly enough to do it.
Her.
It was fine. In these ten years, she'd do everything she wanted to do.
That would be enough.
"Still," Laurent said, "I'm curious—how are you going to stockpile enough magical energy to summon them? If it takes that much, and even the Einzberns can't manage it, where do you collect it from?"
"That's why we're going to Fuyuki City," Justeaze said. "If we stay in the mansion, there's no way we'll succeed. Besides, the leylines here aren't great to begin with. We need land with exceptionally strong leylines."
"I see."
"And gathering magical energy is the biggest problem we're facing right now. That's why I plan to ask other families once we get there—see if we can research a solution together."
"Then I'll help too," Laurent said. "I know a bit about magecraft theory. I might not be as skilled as you professional magi when it comes to actually applying it, though."
"You can help," Justeaze said, then immediately added, "but I still wish you'd pay a little more attention to me."
"Hah, is that so?" Laurent glanced at her. "But if this hope starts looking real, I'm going to go all-in on the research."
"I'll find a solution as fast as I can!" Justeaze said with confidence.
"Good. That's what I want to hear."
"Hmph! I brought tons of clothes this time. I'm going to wear every single one for you!"
"Should I thank you?"
"Of course!"
"Though… I guess you're right," Laurent said. "Even if I've traveled all over the world before—"
"Exactly! Japan may not be big, but there are tons of places to visit. And more than that, Laurent—you only know Einzbern, right? I can take you to other mage families too. There are lots of interesting things."
"Magical energy can be used in so many ways, you know. It's not just for fighting and research."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Laurent said dryly. "I'm not completely ignorant."
"Hehe. By the way, do you speak Japanese?"
"I do. I've learned most languages over the years. I might be a bit rusty, though, since I haven't used it in so long."
"Good. I was going to have to be your interpreter."
"And I'm your bodyguard?" Laurent asked.
"Obviously."
"Oh, right!" Justeaze suddenly remembered. "I still don't know how strong you are. You've never shown me, not even once."
Laurent rubbed his chin. That was true. The past centuries had been peaceful—he hadn't fought in so long he'd lost count.
"Because of the Counter Force, I returned to my body by incarnating again, so this body's current strength is… how do I put it? I could probably destroy a city in a single blow."
"T-That strong?!"
"Feels like if your magical energy could be used, we wouldn't need to figure out how to collect it at all," Justeaze said, deflating a little.
"If that were the case," Laurent said, "why would I need you to open this 'ROOT' at all? I could do it myself."
"That's true…" Justeaze thought. Yeah. Figuring out how to fool him is going to be a real problem.