Chapter 26.2

“However, I could produce bags with lower performance. Using mid- to low-tier magic stones, I could create bags with only a spatial enchantment. Those could be made in decent numbers.”

Noticing Arina’s slight disappointment, Arad offered a suggestion.

“Really? I’ll provide any support you need. What materials are required?”

Her face brightened at his words.

“However, I’d like to work with witches and Northern craftsmen rather than doing it alone. If I do this by myself, it will consume too much of my time. I can’t spend an entire year just making these bags.”

“Hmm… so you mean to pass on your knowledge to them?”

However, Arad’s next words caused Arina’s expression to grow somewhat serious.

“…? Yes, that’s correct.”

Arad responded, puzzled by her change in demeanor.

“Now that I think about it, there are more complications to consider than I initially thought.”

“Complications?”

“I’m sorry, but let’s postpone mass production for now. The High Tower and the North are still crawling with rats, which could be troublesome. Then there’s also the matter of the witches.”

“Ah… I understand.”

Arad nodded immediately, accepting her reasoning.

The only area where the North was currently ahead of the Empire was Arad’s knowledge and magical engineering. If even a fraction of that knowledge leaked to the Empire, it could spell real danger.

‘But what does she mean by “the witches’ circumstances”? It doesn’t seem like just a matter of pride.’

Arad’s curiosity didn’t last long, as Arina continued speaking.

“Then… this bag will be the only one of its kind for the time being, won’t it?”

“That’s correct. I wouldn’t make such a labor-intensive bag again.”

“I see. So, what do you intend to do with it? Considering its value, it could fetch a fortune…”

“No, Your Highness. I’m not going to sell it.”

“…What? Is it because you’re worried about reverse-engineering? Now that I think about it, even if we did sell it, we couldn’t allow just anyone to own it.”

“There’s no need to worry about reverse-engineering. The bag is equipped with a safeguard that destroys all magical circuits if unauthorized disassembly is attempted.”

“…?”

If he wasn’t going to sell it, why had he shown it in the first place?

Arina’s gaze lingered on Arad as she silently pondered the question. She decided to wait until he finished explaining to resolve her doubts.

“Now, Your Highness—please imprint your signature on it.”

Smiling, Arad held the bag out to her.

“Here, just place your finger on the white magic stone.”

“Me…?”

Arina’s eyes widened as she finally grasped Arad’s intention.

No, to be precise, she had vaguely suspected it ever since Arad first introduced the bag.

But she had pushed the thought aside, not wanting to get her hopes up only to be disappointed.

“Is this… mine?”

“Yes, it’s a gift, Your Highness.”

“A… gift? Why…?”

As the beautiful, elegant, and miraculous bag became a reality before her eyes, Arina felt both joy and bewilderment.

“No particular reason. I just wanted to. Now, please place your hand here.”

“J-Just because…?”

“Yes. May I have your hand for a moment?”

Without waiting, he gently grasped her right wrist.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

As a flustered Arina stammered, Arad guided her index finger to the bag’s magic stone.

“For reference, this bag’s name is… ‘Arad’s Devotion.’”

“D-Devotion?!”

Hearing the whispered name of the bag while having her wrist held by Arad, Arina’s face turned red, right up to her ears.

‘Oh my… oh my… Is this a dream? Or reality?’

‘I must tell Lady Isabelle about this!’

‘Spring has come… True spring has finally come to the North!’

Even if Arad was the benefactor of the North, grabbing the Grand Duchess’s wrist so boldly was unthinkable.

Yet, neither the maids nor the knights—nor even Arina herself—dared to intervene in this fateful(?) moment.

***

Commonly referred to as the High Tower, Renslet Castle stood at the heart of the Great Northern Wall, serving as the guardian of the North.

The name Northern Grand Duchy originally referred to this very castle. That was the distinction between the North and the Northern Grand Duchy.

From the polar orcs crossing glaciers and ice fields to the countless monsters and barbarian tribes descending from the edge of the Manus Mountain Range, the High Tower and the Great Northern Wall had always been a steadfast shield against these savage foes.

Renslet Castle and its adjoining wall were the lifeline of the Northern people, the roof of the Empire, and the helmet of the Arcadian Continent.

“A letter from Zune has arrived.”

Standing atop one of the towering spires of the Great Northern Wall, Arina spoke as she perched a white hawk on her left shoulder.

The hawk, a winter messenger used for communication in the North, bore a brief report tied to its ankle. It was from Zune, the leader of the Frost Shield Legion currently hunting polar orcs.

“Judging by the white ribbon on the message, the news isn’t bad.”

As Arina read the letter, the high-ranking knights and officials gathered on the spire showed interest.

“It says we won’t have to deal with their invasions as much for the next three years.”

Arina nodded with a faint, soft smile after reading the report.

“That’s great news…!”

“Hahaha, truly a relief.”

The atmosphere on the spire and the wall became noticeably lighter.

“Paper and a quill.”

Having finished reading the letter, Arina burned it in the spire’s torch and requested writing tools to draft a reply.

“As the administrative officer, I can handle this task for you, Your Highness.”

“No, Zune recognizes my handwriting.”

“Understood.”

Administrator Haita quickly handed over a quill dipped in ink and a sheet of white paper clipped to a small board.

Arina wrote a brief reply.

“All is well with me and the North. Focus on your return, but do not overexert yourself and minimize the soldiers’ sacrifices. I wish you a safe return and will prepare a grand feast in your honor.”

Notably, Zune was unaware of Arina’s recent ordeals.

If he found out, he would likely push himself to the limit to return to the High Tower as quickly as possible.

“Off you go!”

After attaching the letter to the hawk’s ankle, the trained winter bird let out a shrill cry and soared powerfully into the sky.

Having completed the exchange, Arina resumed her inspection.

“It feels good to go on an inspection like this after so long.”

“Please don’t overexert yourself, Your Highness.”

“Of course not. Let’s head down now—I need to check on the commoners’ lives as well.”

As Arina walked along the wall, a peculiar bag hung at her waist like an extension of herself.

The palm-sized bag, its unique design unmistakable, stood out even against her Northern-style coat and armor.

She often ran her fingers over its surface as if confirming its presence.

‘The Grand Duchess seems quite fond of the bag Arad gifted her.’

‘Well, it’s certainly a masterpiece.’

‘It even boasts four miraculous enchantments! I’d carry it everywhere, too.’

‘If we could make just five more of those bags, we wouldn’t have to worry about funding the North for at least two years…’

The officials watched their liege’s subtle changes with keen eyes.

Since receiving the bag from Arad, Arina had rarely parted with it.

Whether eating, wielding her sword, or attending to her duties, the bag remained at her side.

Rumor even had it that she kept “Arad’s Devotion” close by while bathing—and some claimed she even slept with it.

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