The Scorned Noble Lady Picks Up The Path of Alchemy in Her Second Life
The Wholesale Grumpy Old Lady 2
Translated by: S3
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*****
After handing the requested potion to the Obaba-sama, I wandered around the shop, checking the inventory.
With such a rich selection, I was tempted by many things, but I couldn't buy anything extra. Still, fresh and rare items often appeared, so I made sure to check everything with my own eyes.
The Obaba-sama was a free spirit who would drink the delivered potion right there in the shop, so I also took my time to carefully select the items without holding back.
「Kaaaah! As tasteless a potion as ever!」
「That's just how potions are.」
「Tell him to make it taste a little better.」
「Impossible is impossible. Please don't be selfish.」
「What is it now? Treating me like an old woman, and now a child?」
「No, it's been treating you like an elderly person from the start.」
「Kch. You’ve lost your charm, haven't you.」
「I'll take that as you're happy to have someone to talk to.」
The Obaba-sama loved to talk, one way or another, and would call out to me like this.
However, I had to be careful because she sometimes shadowed me closely and subtly tried to hand over strange or stale medicinal herbs.
This was one of the Obaba-sama's rip-off techniques: 'Forced Inventory Clearance.'
「Obaba-sama, please put down the medicinal herbs in your right hand.」
「What are you saying? I specifically saved those for you.」
「I'll buy them if you sell them for a throwaway price.」
「Tch, things never go as planned.」
Frowning, the Obaba-sama gave up on selling them to me and started bundling both fresh and stale herbs together.
This was the rip-off technique of 'Set-Selling.' Hiding the stale herbs in inconspicuous places definitely made her a habitual offender.
「Speaking of which, did you hear about it? Apparently, there's a noble who cheated just before his wedding.」
Having my own topic abruptly brought up, I couldn't help but flinch.
Naturally, it was hard to say, That's me. The Obaba-sama probably had no idea she was talking to the person involved.
It's probably safer to pretend it's about someone else and navigate this smoothly.
「You're quite knowledgeable about noble rumors.」
「It sounds interesting, you see. A man who cheats and then gets dumped by his fiancée—how utterly disgraceful.」
It seemed that the rumor of me becoming the Court Alchemist's assistant had influenced the original engagement rumors.
When I was being given pitying looks at the Adventurers Guild, I was clearly the one who had been dumped.
To think the positions had reversed without my knowing.
「I hadn't heard the details of the rumor, but the woman was the one who did the dumping, then?」
「Ee hee hee. That's the funny part. A noble man dumped by a woman, especially! If only I could see his face just once.」
You already saw him, I thought. That cheating scoundrel became a victim of your intensely stink bug-smelling Stink Bomb.
Thank you for vanquishing him...!
「And on top of that, there isn't a single good rumor about the man circulating. Don't you think there must be something behind it?」
「Hmm, I actually don't think there's a hidden motive.」
Knowing Lord Zeel, he must be intentionally spreading good rumors about himself... but I wonder if it's backfiring. I have a feeling it's being taken as a desperate struggle, only worsening his image.
I couldn't say that, so instead, I'd give the Obaba-sama some interesting information.
「To the best of my knowledge, the woman apparently quickly finalized the annulment in exchange for giving up the claim for compensation.」
「Oh, you have fast information. That’s news to me.」
「It's the latest information, I just 'happen' to heard it this morning. Her stance seems to be that since the tie is cut, she wants no further involvement.」
This was also an act of providing information with the hope that the Obaba-sama would help spread the rumor.
「The young people these days are too soft. Stupid nobles should be knocked down until they’re ruined.」
「That's just how noble society works, isn't it?」
「Such boring creatures. What's fun about a life like that?」
「Well, I think it's enough if you're happy now. I'm sure that lady is also delighted to have annulled the engagement.」
As if to prove my point, I spotted a glittering mineral in my peripheral vision and dashed toward it.
What I found was a magic-infused mineral: Magic Ore.
While it is a common mineral used in alchemy, the amount of magical power contained within it varies. Because of the inconsistent quality, it is rare to find valuable Magic Ore circulating unless you are near a mining region.
However, the one in the Obaba-sama’s store was beautifully clean. Magic Ore this rich in magical power would fetch a high price.
「You really have an eye, don't you? It's rare for someone to be able to judge the presence of magic just by looking at it.」
「I thought it was just a matter of practice, but Lord Clein also complimented me on something similar.」
Speaking of which, Lord Clein told me to think about what I wanted to create. Since I found such high-quality Magic Ore, maybe I should buy it and make something.
I could make various items with minerals, but perhaps I should start with the safe choice: a necklace. If I'm going to do it, maybe I should give it to Alice, who I was close with at the Adventurers Guild.
If I'm making it for personal use, I don't think I can claim it under the budget.
「What are you agonizing over? This is the good quality Magic Ore.」
「Don't try to hand me a defective product. Since this might be out of my own pocket, I want to check it thoroughly.」
「Hmm. Surely there's no such thing as paying out of your own pocket when buying for the Court Alchemist. You can do whatever you want with the national budget.」
「Even so, I won't buy too much. This is for my personal use.」
「Oh? I recall you weren't an alchemist...」
「Ah, I only reported that I became his assistant, didn't I? I also became an apprentice alchemist under Lord Clein.」
The moment I told her that, the Obaba-sama's body began to tremble, and a fearless grin spread across her face.
「Ee hee hee. So you finally became an alchemist. That was a long time coming, wasn't it.」
「Huh? Did I ever mention that I wanted to become an alchemist?」
「You should really take a look at your face sometime. It would be stranger if I hadn't noticed.」
So, I'm the type whose emotions show on her face... I feel incredibly embarrassed thinking about all the times I must have been grinning while selecting ingredients.
As I was thinking that, the Obaba-sama, in a rare turn, handed me some good quality Magic Ore.
「Here, take this as a reward for making things interesting. Take whatever you like.」
「Eh? Is this a new type of rip-off scheme?」
「Don't be ridiculous. Didn't your father teach you to accept people’s kindness?」
「Wha-what is it? It's terrifying that the Obaba-sama is forcing high-quality goods onto me.」
「Ee hee hee. You remind me so much of my younger self. First, acquire the [Formation] skill and learn to manipulate minerals freely.」
「W-wait a minute. Were you even listening to me?」
「You should make an initial investment in interesting prospects. I'm not that stingy. Take it.」
I will never forget this day when the notoriously eccentric Obaba-sama became so generous.
Expensive Magic Ore was continuously placed into the basket, with all the inferior products carefully removed.
Since the Obaba-sama said, 'Take it,' should I assume this is a gift and not something I have to purchase?
「Um... Obaba-sama? Did something good happen to you?」
「Ee hee hee. Sometimes you have days like this.」
The sight of the notoriously eccentric Obaba-sama smiling kindly, unlike her usual self, confused me even more.
*****
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