A month from now, I was scheduled to attend an official ceremony, so Harty increased my manner lessons.
My studies on the history and current state of the Kingdom of Lukiusaria—our counterpart nation—had also intensified.
Lukiusaria, also known as the Academy Kingdom, was apparently a nation that developed around an academy city.
They gathered people to teach them, and by letting them pursue knowledge, they gathered more people.
It was a human nation established through its role as a place where people came and went and knowledge accumulated.
Located south of the imperial territory, in the central part of the continent, it was a place where the children of imperial nobles—regardless of gender—would spend a year studying to add prestige to their names.
"I see. Come to think of it, these alchemy tools were brought over from Lukiusaria, weren't they?"
I was currently in the Emerald Room, which had served as my laboratory for the past two years.
The Emerald Room consisted of multiple chambers—experiment rooms, storage rooms, and others with different purposes—but all were filled with alchemy tools.
Apparently, they were originally discarded items from the academy in Lukiusaria.
The good thing about this world is that magic power can substitute for electricity.
In other words, as long as you store magic power, the experimental equipment will operate even without me present, and the devices also come with safety mechanisms based on that premise.
"Distillation equipment and such are scary because they involve heating, and they take time too. The person who thought this up was amazing."
Yet for some reason, this technology didn't seem to be in general circulation, treated strictly as specialized equipment.
The multiple furnaces, whether for handling metals or distillation, came with deodorizing and exhaust mechanisms using magic.
As I was thinking about such things with commoner sensibilities, there was a knock, and when I responded, Werel showed his face.
"Lord Asha, I've brought new books."
"Thank you."
I had previously said I would refrain from borrowing books to avoid standing out, but alchemy-related books were different—apparently borrowing them was seen merely as a hobby, so I continued to borrow them.
They were difficult to understand and not widespread, and because of the image of making gold, they were unpopular among royalty and nobility who considered it inelegant.
It was truly a waste that humans had created this technical system.
"Do you have any idea what that might be?"
Werel was referring to a single round-bottomed flask.
With its short neck and round bottom, it was set in a three-legged stand.
Inside, something faintly glowing was drifting.
Though the inside was nearly a vacuum with no air currents, it swayed, which was odd for smoke.
For now, it was an object of unknown identity.
"I was just trying to break down air. But as I separated it, this was left behind. If you ask what it is, I suppose it's the residue left after breaking air down into finer and finer components."
It should have been a simple scientific experiment, but perhaps something remained at the end because this is a world with magic.
I conducted further experiments on that something—putting it in water, placing it in a near-vacuum flask like this.
The result was phenomena that physics could hardly explain—almost no change in reaction.
"Well, first of all, I must say I'm impressed by Your Highness's keen insight in noticing something was strange."
"Rather than that, the brilliance of the idea to try breaking down air is what is truly extraordinary."
Herukofu and Ikuto were also here, watching over my experiments.
Harty was temporarily absent, having returned home.
I was currently taking a break from cramming studies for the official ceremony, but because I was concerned about this, I had asked Werel to bring me books.
"Hmm, I was thinking it might be magic essence, but..."
"Magic essence. I see. It is said to exist, but there has never been a successful case of visualizing it. If it is an incorporeal substance remaining after breaking down air, then certainly there is a possibility."
Werel understood, but Herukofu and Ikuto, who could use magic but weren't specialists, looked somewhat confused.
I tried explaining while flipping through the book.
"Even when we say 'magic power' generally, there are different types. It's said that in the world, there are sources of magic called magic essence and mana. It's said that elves and dwarves prefer to live in regions with high concentrations of this magic essence, and there the power of magic increases dramatically. At the same time, because it's filled with magic essence, many unexpected phenomena occur, the book said."
Werel, who was half-elf, had previously taught me detailed examples as supplementary information.
Apparently remembering that time, his tail covered in green fur wagged happily.
"Lands of mana are also said to bring good fortune. The elves say that if you can handle mana well, you can even control the weather."
"Yeah, and what living creatures are born with is called magic power or od. This is considered a power that all life possesses to varying degrees, generated within the physical body. They say you can learn to perceive magic power through magical training, right?"
Ikuto, who could use water magic, nodded.
"That's right. When using magic, you start by perceiving your own magic power. Depending on aptitude, some people can even sense others' magic power."
"Right. Mana is only perceived when it affects that od and something transforms."
When I answered Ikuto, Werel clenched both hands.
"In other words! If this is truly magic essence! It would be a tremendous discovery!"
"Calm down. Did you forget what His Highness said? Keep a low profile and stay quiet."
Herukofu began patting Werel with his hand covered in thick paw pads, perhaps to soothe him.
"Yeah, I want to know what it is, but I don't feel like announcing it. If it's this easy to find, someone will discover it eventually even if I don't say anything."
I flipped through the book, scanning the descriptions about magic essence.
But the content shifted to discussions of spirit and soul, treating them as invisible but existent things.
The physical body is material, and the spirit dwelling within it is also invisible but belongs to the material.
However, the soul, though dwelling in the physical body, belongs to another dimension, and that other dimension leads to gods or religious matters.
"Even if he hoards his talents like this, they won't go to waste. His Highness showed interest in alchemy on his own before we said anything."
Ikuto was saying something in a lowered voice.
When I pretended to read while looking, my attendants were huddled together.
"His attitude of not fighting shows remarkable self-control, but depending on the situation, taking a step forward to establish one's position might be necessary. For self-defense, too."
Werel nodded at Herukofu, who was saying something rather extreme.
"Even though he is capable, Lord Asha is still only seven years old. It's too early for him to be independent. There were also movements to hasten his adulthood to get him out of the palace quickly."
There are movements like that?
Then it might be worth asserting that I'm actually pretty amazing.
If that would make them leave me alone even more than now, that is.
Political strategies move forward regardless of my will.
That's a bit unacceptable.
If I'm told that I was born a prince so I must [accept it], I can only stay silent, but it's troublesome to be burdened with responsibility when I'm not being treated as a prince.
No, first of all, is it bad that I don't have that awareness?
But even though it's unrelated to my current position, I can't abandon my previous life.
Why am I even a prince in the first place?
Huh, did I just happen to be the prince? Ah, this is about the physical body.
Thinking about it, how is my spirit different from my previous life? Or is it not different at all?
"...Cogito ergo sum, I suppose."
There was such a philosophy.
It says that even if you deny it, because there is a self that is thinking, you cannot completely deny yourself.
In that case, even if the physical body is different, if there is continuity as a spirit, then the current me is the same me as in the previous life.
(It is so.)
"Huh!?"
"Is something wrong?"
When I jumped in surprise, Ikuto immediately gripped his sword and approached.
I was surprised by the voice that sounded like mishearing, but also inwardly surprised by Ikuto's reaction.
Moreover, it seemed no one else could hear it.
(I think, therefore I am. I am here.)
A voice that was neither clearly someone's voice nor a murmur was audible to me.
Looking at my attendants, there was no reaction.
It seemed I could conclude that only I could hear this.
"Who?"
When I asked while restraining my attendants with one hand, an answer came from an unexpected place.
(Affirming the self called 'I,' interpreting it as 'I exist.' Therefore I am. The one trapped within the flask.)
Having been told this, I noticed the smoke swaying along with the voice.
Yeah, no matter how I look at it, this is it.
"...Huh? Did I catch a ghost or something?"
I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
After all, if there's a ghost in a room where royalty lived, it could only be a relative.
More importantly, I had been using it for experiments thinking it was magic essence, but I would hesitate to use a sentient being as experimental material without permission.
Daily updates
Next: The Lost Princess 3
One final check on "エメラルドの間" - "Emerald Room" or "Emerald Chamber". "Room" is fine.
"二年" - for two years / past two years
"錬金術道具" - alchemy tools/equipment/apparatus. "Tools" is fine.
"蒸留装置" - distillation apparatus/equipment.
"庶民感覚" - commoner sensibilities/commoner's perspective.
"箔付け" - adding prestige/gilding one's credentials.
"被毛" - fur.
"肉球" - paw pads.
"死蔵" - hoarding/keeping hidden.
"迷子の姫君" - The Lost Princess / The Missing Princess. "Lost" is better.
The tone should be slightly formal but accessible, fitting for a young prince with adult memories.
I think the translation is ready. A month from now, I was scheduled to attend an official ceremony, so Harty increased my manner lessons.
My studies on the history and current state of the Kingdom of Lukiusaria—our counterpart nation—had also intensified.
Lukiusaria, also called the Academy Kingdom, was apparently a nation that had developed around an academy city.
They gathered people to teach them, and by letting them pursue knowledge, they gathered more people.
It was a human nation established through its role as a place where people came and went and knowledge accumulated.
Located south of the imperial territory, in the central part of the continent, it was a place where the children of imperial nobles—regardless of gender—would spend a year studying to add prestige to their names.
"I see. Come to think of it, these alchemy tools were brought over from Lukiusaria, weren't they?"
I was currently in the Emerald Room, which had become my laboratory for the past two years.
The Emerald Room consisted of multiple chambers—experiment rooms, storage rooms, and others with different purposes—but all were filled with alchemy tools.
Apparently, they were originally discarded items from the academy in Lukiusaria.
The good thing about this world is that magic power can substitute for electricity.
In other words, as long as you store magic power, the experimental equipment will operate even without me present, and the devices also come with safety mechanisms based on that premise.
"Distillation equipment and such are scary because they involve heating, and they take time too. The person who thought this up was amazing."
Yet for some reason, this technology didn't seem to be in general circulation, treated strictly as specialized equipment.
The multiple furnaces, whether for handling metals or distillation, came with deodorizing and exhaust mechanisms using magic.
As I was thinking about such things with commoner sensibilities, there was a knock, and when I responded, Werel showed his face.
"Lord Asha, I've brought new books."
"Thank you."
I had previously said I would refrain from borrowing books to avoid standing out, but alchemy-related books were different—apparently borrowing them was seen merely as a hobby, so I continued to borrow them.
They were difficult to understand and not widespread, and because of the image of making gold, they were unpopular among royalty and nobility who considered it inelegant.
It was truly a waste that humans had created this technical system.
"Do you have any idea what that might be?"
Werel was referring to a single round-bottomed flask.
With its short neck and round bottom, it was set in a three-legged stand.
Inside, something faintly glowing was drifting.
Though the inside was nearly a vacuum with no air currents, it swayed, which was odd for smoke.
For now, it was an object of unknown identity.
"I was just trying to break down air. But as I separated it, this was left behind. If you ask what it is, I suppose it's the residue left after breaking air down into finer and finer components."
It should have been a simple scientific experiment, but perhaps something remained at the end because this is a world with magic.
I conducted further experiments on that something—putting it in water, placing it in a near-vacuum flask like this.
The result was phenomena that physics could hardly explain—almost no change in reaction.
"Well, first of all, I must say I'm impressed by Your Highness's keen insight in noticing something was strange."
"Rather than that, the brilliance of the idea to try breaking down air is what is truly extraordinary."
Herukofu and Ikto were also here, watching over my experiments.
Harty was temporarily absent, having returned home.
I was currently taking a break from cramming studies for the official ceremony, but because I was concerned about this, I had asked Werel to bring me books.
"Hmm, I was thinking it might be magic essence, but..."
"Magic essence. I see. It is said to exist, but there has never been a successful case of visualizing it. If it is an incorporeal substance remaining after breaking down air, then certainly there is a possibility."
Werel understood, but Herukofu and Ikto, who could use magic but weren't specialists, looked somewhat confused.
I tried explaining while flipping through the book.
"Even when we say 'magic power' generally, there are different types. It's said that in the world, there are sources of magic called magic essence and mana. It's said that elves and dwarves prefer to live in regions with high concentrations of this magic essence, and there the power of magic increases dramatically. At the same time, because it's filled with magic essence, many unexpected phenomena occur, the book said."
Werel, who was half-elf, had previously taught me detailed examples as supplementary information.
Apparently remembering that time, his tail covered in green fur wagged happily.
"Lands of mana are also said to bring good fortune. The elves say that if you can handle mana well, you can even control the weather."
"Yeah, and what living creatures are born with is called magic power or od. This is considered a power that all life possesses to varying degrees, generated within the physical body. They say you can learn to perceive magic power through magical training, right?"
Ikto, who could use water magic, nodded.
"That's right. When using magic, you start by perceiving your own magic power. Depending on aptitude, some people can even sense others' magic power."
"Right. Mana is only perceived when it affects that od and something transforms."
When I answered Ikto, Werel clenched both hands.
"In other words! If this is truly magic essence! It would be a tremendous discovery!"
"Calm down. Did you forget what His Highness said? Keep a low profile and stay quiet."
Herukofu began patting Werel with his hand covered in thick paw pads, perhaps to soothe him.
"Yeah, I want to know what it is, but I don't feel like announcing it. If it's this easy to find, someone will discover it eventually even if I don't say anything."
I flipped through the book, scanning the descriptions about magic essence.
But the content shifted to discussions of spirit and soul, treating them as invisible but existent things.
The physical body is material, and the spirit dwelling within it is also invisible but belongs to the material.
However, the soul, though dwelling in the physical body, belongs to another dimension, and that other dimension leads to gods or religious matters.
"Even if he hoards his talents like this, they won't go to waste. His Highness showed interest in alchemy on his own before we said anything."
Ikto was saying something in a lowered voice.
When I pretended to read while looking, my attendants were huddled together.
"His attitude of not fighting shows remarkable self-control, but depending on the situation, taking a step forward to establish one's position might be necessary. For self-defense, too."
Werel nodded at Herukofu, who was saying something rather extreme.
"Even though he is capable, Lord Asha is still only seven years old. It's too early for him to be independent. There were also movements to hasten his adulthood to get him out of the palace quickly."
There are movements like that?
Then it might be worth asserting that I'm actually pretty amazing.
If that would make them leave me alone even more than now, that is.
Political strategies move forward regardless of my will.
That's a bit unacceptable.
If I'm told that I was born a prince so I must [accept it], I can only stay silent, but it's troublesome to be burdened with responsibility when I'm not being treated as a prince.
No, first of all, is it bad that I don't have that awareness?
But even though it's unrelated to my current position, I can't abandon my previous life.
Why am I even a prince in the first place?
Huh, did I just happen to be the prince? Ah, this is about the physical body.
Thinking about it, how is my spirit different from my previous life? Or is it not different at all?
"...Cogito ergo sum, I suppose."
There was such a philosophy.
It says that even if you deny it, since there is a self that is thinking, you cannot completely deny yourself.
In that case, even if the physical body is different, if there is continuity as a spirit, then the current me is the same me as in the previous life.
(It is so.)
"Huh!?"
"Is something wrong?"
When I jumped in surprise, Ikto immediately gripped his sword and approached.
I was surprised by the voice that sounded like mishearing, but also inwardly surprised by Ikto's reaction.
Moreover, it seemed no one else could hear it.
(I think, therefore I am. I am here.)
A voice that was neither clearly someone's voice nor a murmur was audible to me.
Looking at my attendants, there was no reaction.
It seemed I could conclude that only I could hear this.
"Who?"
When I asked while restraining my attendants with one hand, an answer came from an unexpected place.
(Affirming the self called 'I,' interpreting it as 'I exist.' Therefore I am. The one trapped within the flask.)
Having been told this, I noticed the smoke swaying along with the voice.
Yeah, no matter how I look at it, this is it.
"...Huh? Did I catch a ghost or something?"
I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
After all, if there's a ghost in a room where royalty lived, it could only be a relative.
More importantly, I had been using it for experiments thinking it was magic essence, but I would hesitate to use a sentient being as experimental material without permission.
Daily updates
Next: The Lost Princess 3