Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

I’ll leave matters related to modifications to Lucco.
As for me, I’ll use the information gained from the analysis for something else.
Both the Magiarm Staff and the Magiarm Book were developed by Princess Eleora.
According to the soldiers of the Magiarm Brigade, it seems Eleora was desperate to distance herself from the struggle for the imperial throne.

“It seems Princess Eleora aspired to a life of scholarship from an early age.”

I gathered the key members, and we held a meeting while sipping tea together. It was a mixed group, including Council officials and members of the Demon Lord’s Army.

Princess Eleora enrolled in the juvenile division of the Rolmund Imperial University as a child. She followed the typical path of a researcher, continuing her studies at the university even after reaching adulthood.
This was an implicit yet clear statement: “I’m giving up the imperial throne, so please leave me alone.”
Even so, the risk of assassination continues to loom, but it seems her priority as a target has dropped significantly.

“However, her competence ended up working against her.”
“What do you mean?”

Technical Officer Kurtze voiced his question as he picked up the recovered communication device and night-vision goggles to examine them.
I flipped through my interview notes and explained to everyone.

“The things she developed are far too useful.”

A communication device utilizing the phenomenon of mana resonance, a night-vision device using a light-gathering spell, and a simple optical camouflage system.
Eleora herself had developed all of these out of fear of assassination, but they caught the attention of the military and other organizations. All research results from the Rolmund Imperial University become state property.

“The worst part of all is that she ended up developing the Magiarm Staff. That’s what really got the Rolmund military moving in earnest.”
“Why would she make something like that?”

Since Technical Officer Kurtze looked puzzled, I explained.

“The destructive magic that Eleora specializes in is really hard to use. That’s why, whether in Rolmund or Miraldia, destructive mages weren’t held in high regard.”

Parker nodded at my words.

“Whether it’s fire or lightning, the caster gets hit the moment they create it. Controlling your spell to hit your target is a constant battle, but our Veit here has—”

To stop him from finishing his sentence, I shoved a rusk-like cookie into his mouth.

“Please enjoy, my dear senior brother.”
“Ahdownteadhfhood!!”

Whatdidyousay?

Now that I’d managed to cover up that inconvenient part of my past, I continued my explanation.

“She created a device to effectively project destructive magic in order to elevate the status of the Destruction Mages—that’s the Magiarms Staff.”

According to Lucco’s explanation, the structure itself is apparently as simple as a water gun.
However, he said that extremely sophisticated technology is used to improve its power, safety, and productivity.

“The destructive mages of Rolmund became skilled users of this new weapon, and their standing improved dramatically. They possess stronger mana than mages of other disciplines, but they can only manipulate that power in destructive ways.”

Then Parker interrupted again.

“But give them a Magiarms Staff, and that mana becomes a powerful projectile! That makes them the stars of the battlefield in an instant!”

Just as I was wondering what had happened to the rusk I’d stuffed into my mouth, I saw it sitting on Kait’s teacup saucer.
Kait looked annoyed.
Sorry.

After hearing the explanation, Technical Officer Kurtze nodded as if convinced.

“So that’s why the military wouldn’t leave her alone. And that dragged her back into the world of politics?”
“Yes. As long as a Princess holds military status, there’s no escaping the political world.”

The guys in the Magiarms Battalion don’t seem to know the details of this situation, but the military holds strong authority over the Imperial University. I suppose there were all sorts of behind-the-scenes developments.
Eleora transitioned from student to technical officer, and after racking up military merits in suppressing rebellions and the like, she rose all the way to battalion commander.

“What’s so unfortunate is that, not only is she a capable researcher, she is an excellent commander too. On top of that, she cared deeply for her subordinates, which made her very popular.”

Upon hearing this, the group let out sighs mixed with sympathy.

“That makes sense why others are wary of her.”

Murmured Commander Baltze of the Azure Scale Knights, and everyone nodded in agreement.
With a gloomy expression, Kait spoke as he ate his rusks.

“She’s a princess who excels as a researcher and can handle military duties, right? If she’s also well-liked by her subordinates, that could be a bit problematic.”
“Ah, but if it were me, I’d respect her.”

Rasie tried her best to defend Eleora, but such kind-hearted people are rarely found at the heart of politics.

Aylia muttered.

“If she were just a talented individual who lacked ambition, it would be best for her to belong to a faction and receive their protection. But since she holds the right to the imperial throne…”
“That makes her a walking powder keg, so that’s difficult too. If anything happened to her, everyone in that faction would be dragged down with her, and if she were to develop her own ambition, it would split the faction apart. That’s why no faction would accept her.”

In the end, she had no choice but to build her own faction. Eleora’s supporters consist of the intellectual class with little religious affiliation—scholars, military engineers, and mages.
However, Eleora, who was clumsy at navigating the political world, was shunned by her cousin princes and saddled with the task of “conquering Miraldia”—a mission that was troublesome yet seemed to hold little promise for the future.
To avoid punishment for herself and those around her, she threw herself into that mission with all her might.
And it all backfired.

“The rest, as you all know, is history. And now she’s being held captive by usl.”

Everyone gathered there wore expressions of sympathy.
I recalled something I’d heard somewhere in my past life: “I’d be S-rank if I really tried, but I’m C-rank because I don’t want to stand out.”
That might actually have been a pretty realistic way to navigate the world.
If Eleora had just kept making useless magical gadgets in her lab, she probably would still be at the university.

I brought up the same story at the Council meeting, and sure enough, everyone looked sympathetic. The governors in our rank had all struggled with the Senate before, so they could understand Eleora’s plight.

“That lass don’t know the word moderation to avoid bein a nuisance. She’s for a rough time. Aram, you’d better remember this too.”

When Old Man Petore gave a wry smile, Aram flustered.

“W-why me!?”
“You gotta learn how to relax or you’re going to be in some harsh water.”

Everyone laughed.

I came to Aram’s defense.

“It was thanks to Lord Aram’s quick thinking that we were able to drive back the mercenary unit approaching the East Gate. Thank you.”
“No, I’ve finally become able to be of some use.”

Seeing Aram’s smile, Petore let out a sigh.

“Thanks to you, the real Lotzo Army didn’t even have to step in. From now on, perhaps we’ll station the Lotzo Army in Lüenheit as well. A hundred or so should suffice.”

Hearing this, Garsche, the governor of the pirate city of Belrüsa, shrugged.

“Only a hundred, old fart? Make sure they ain’t becoming a burden to the Belrüsa Land Force.”
“Ha! That’s exactly why you’re still a novice. Just having the Lotzo Army there will keep those mercenaries from making a move.”

It certainly seems that way.
The scary thing about Lotzo is that he wields influence behind the scenes.

But the Belrüsa Land Forces fought with their lives on the line to protect the demons. This is the first time in history that’s happened.
I bring that up and express my gratitude to Garsche.
Garsche looks a little embarrassed and shrugs his shoulders.

“Fellowship without action is meaningless. That’s all there is to it. I hear you went out of your way to erect a memorial for the fallen, too. Thanks.”
“It’s only natural.”

At the council meeting, we also discussed the merger with the North.
Since we have no particular hard feelings toward the Governors of the North, we plan to welcome them as council members.
It’s clear that Rolmund in the North is attempting to conquer Miraldia, but the general sentiment in the North seems to be that they’ve had more than enough of Rolmund rule.

Given that, the only option left for the utterly exhausted North is a policy of cooperation with the South.
The Alliance of the Seventeen Cities of Miraldia has dissolved, but it looks like we’ll be starting anew as the Federation of the Seventeen Cities of Miraldia.
Future students will likely struggle when studying this period of history.

“So, in the end, only the Senate disappeared, and everything went back to the way it was, right?”

As Shatina, the Governor of the Labyrinth City of Zaria, said this, Filnier nudged her cheek.

“Haven’t you forgotten about me? Things have gotten livelier now that demons have joined your ranks.”

Senior Marlene nodded in agreement and murmured thoughtfully.

“The Senate has existed since I was human, so it feels a bit strange. Well, I don’t think its disappearance will be a problem, though.”

I agreed with her, so I replied:

“Yes. Their historical role had long since come to an end.”

It was only natural that slaves who had escaped a feudal state would adopt a republican form of government to build a new nation.
Although the Senate gradually became corrupt afterward, I do want to give them credit for never recognizing slavery until the very end.
That said, the burden fell on the people of the South, so I can’t really praise them all that much.

As we were talking about this, Forne, the governor of the artisan city of Viera, clapped his hands twice.

“Well, enough of the serious talk—let’s watch a play. We’re premiering the latest installment in the Lord Black Wolf series, The Eternal Maiden.”
“You’re still making those?”

You’d think they wouldn’t be necessary anymore.
Come to think of it, does that mean Master will be appearing?

Forne then laughed cheerfully.

“Well, you see, there were so many requests for more. The Demon Lord’s Army even asked us for a play featuring Her Majesty the Demon Lord. The next one will be Guardian of the Labyrinth, with Shatina as the heroine.”

Are they really going to turn that into a play?
I felt embarrassed and instinctively looked away.

“Lord Forne, aren’t you getting a little too carried away with your hobbies?”
“Well, the thing is, this is actually quite profitable… The performances themselves aren’t that lucrative, but the paintings and such sell surprisingly well. There are plenty of talented artists in Viera these days, after all.”

Ah, I get it. I totally get the feeling. You just end up buying merchandise, don’t you?
Everyone really is shrewd, after all.