A few minutes later.
After Serie had listened carefully to her disciple Gut's plan, she nodded slightly.
She pushed aside the now-empty dessert dish and signaled the nearby waiter that she had finished the strawberry-flavored ice cream ball.
While waiting for the new flavor to arrive, Serie said to her disciple:
"Gut, although I don't know where you got the information saying that Ewig the Sage mastered a magic that could purify the puppets of Obedience Scale, according to my knowledge, his research didn't include that."
"How can that be?"
Gut frowned. Could it be that Ewig the Sage never published this spell and took it with him to his grave?
Hagesh... you rascal...
Looks like your grave is about to be dug up!
Just as Gut was rolling up his sleeves, ready to fully unleash his innate talent Natural Grave-Robbing Marshal Physique and partner with Strahl's High Priest Heiter on a grand excavation adventure, Serie's voice chimed in again after a long pause.
The reason for the pause? The waiter had just brought her a tiramisu-flavored ice cream ball, and the "Ancient One" needed three solid spoonfuls before she could reply:
"It's because none of the past wielders of Obedience Scale ever dared to use it on me, so I've never directly experienced the spell. But from your descriptions of its effects, Ewig did have a research result that might resolve the spell cast on the controlled warrior corpses."
"That result is the method of guiding the souls of the deceased to the Sanctuary of Resting Souls."
"Sanctuary of Resting Souls?"
Miles echoed the phrase, murmuring: "Isn't that the Heaven ruled by the Goddess?"
Serie shrugged and replied nonchalantly, "Sanctuary of Resting Souls means exactly what it says—where all departed souls go. If you must see it as Heaven, that's fine."
Unlike Miles, Gut had no religious belief and didn't care about what Sanctuary of Resting Souls meant. What mattered was the "guiding method" Serie had mentioned.
"Master, can you turn Ewig the Sage's result into a teachable spell for other magic users?"
"After all, this spell would be a massive threat to one of the Seven Sages of Destruction, Aura the Guillotine, and would be invaluable to the people of the Countdom of Granat."
"To turn it into a spell..."
While savoring the ice cream slowly melting on her tongue, Serie dived into long-past memories.
"That was a long time ago. I'll need to properly recall the details of Ewig's research result."
"Honestly, before you brought it up, I had never thought about using that principle to purify the spell from Obedience Scale."
"So yes, it might take some time."
"That's totally fine... totally fine..."
Miles trembled with emotion, "Lady Serie, even if it takes ten years, thirty years, or a hundred years, we'll wait."
"As long as we can defeat Aura and avenge the fallen, and give peace to the manipulated souls of our loved ones, that's enough."
"If this spell comes to fruition, the Countdom of Granat and the villages nearby will forever remember your kindness."
"Heh."
Serie smiled meaningfully. "I think you've misunderstood something."
"When I said it would take time, I meant tomorrow or the day after."
"That principle was the result of a discussion between Ewig and me. I only need to recall it and put it into words today's mages can understand."
"And also... the 'forever' humans promise doesn't quite mean the same thing to long-lived elves."
As Serie spoke, she glanced at the slogan on the ice cream cart—"Sweet coolness, forever for you."
"Just some empty advertising, really."
...
Serie's words left Miles a little embarrassed, but the promise of such a short development time was too good to ignore.
"Respected Great Mage Lady Serie, may I ask... would you be willing to stay in the Countdom for two more days? I'll report to Lord Count Granat and have him receive you with the finest hospitality and the greatest reward we can offer!"
"No need."
Serie waved him off. "You don't need to host me. I'll stay in the nearby inn until the conversion is done, then leave the city."
"As for the reward..."
Serie pointed at the empty plate with her spoon. "You've already paid. Just make sure to cover the bill like we agreed."
"Rest assured, Lady Serie. You give us safety, and we will return you sweetness."
"For us humans, 'forever' might be short, but it will be the span of our lives."
"As long as I draw breath, whenever you visit the Countdom of Granat, you'll always have my deepest respect and the best dessert in the city."
After saying that, Miles took a few gold coins from his pocket and handed them to the waiter to pay for their meal, leaving a bit extra as a tip, requesting the staff take good care of Lady Serie.
Afterward, Miles bowed deeply and excused himself, explaining he needed to inform the Count and begin organizing local mages for the training.
Serie nodded, and Gut walked him out.
Once his junior's steward was gone, Gut returned to the café to accompany his master for a little more dessert.
Eventually, after night had completely fallen, Serie stood up, satisfied, and prepared to return to the inn.
Unexpectedly, Gut said he had something to do and would return a bit later.
Serie, who never interfered in her disciple's personal matters, simply reminded him not to stay out too late before leaving alone.
Watching Serie's figure disappear around the corner, Gut quickly reentered the café to begin his plan.
"Kid, you said you want to buy my ice cream recipe?"
"Yes, Granny. Name your price."
"My companion really loves your shop's flavors. I want her to be able to enjoy this taste no matter where she is."
"Oh, I remember."
"Your companion... that elf lady, right?"
"Yeah."
Gut nodded. After all, it wasn't surprising that the shop owner remembered a customer who had devoured so many ice cream balls in one afternoon.
"Well then, no problem, kid."
The elderly shopkeeper agreed happily, "You don't even have to pay me. Just come by early tomorrow and help me make ice cream. Watch and learn the recipes as we go."
"My child has their own dreams. No one's inheriting this ice cream craft. Might as well pass it to you."
"Oh! Right—wait a moment, kid. I have something important to give you."
Saying this, the elderly lady turned around and began rummaging through a cupboard.
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Powerstones?
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