The King's Request
Translated by: ME
-Horizontal.jpg)
*****
Thanks to the King, the bickering finally subsided, but a lingering tension hung in the air.
「Segrus. How fares the Bracelet of Power?」
「Sire. Observing the knights in action, it is clear that control is not yet where I would like it to be. However, as a means of obtaining a temporary surge of strength, I believe it has reached the point of practical utility.」
Hearing Master Segrus’s assessment, I cast a glance at the training knights and saw a sight quite different from before.
The smaller knights, who had been clashing with such intensity that they seemed to ignore their physical disadvantage, were already heaving for breath and losing ground.
It didn't look like they were simply unaccustomed to using the Bracelet of Power; rather, the mana consumption appeared so extreme that exhaustion was rapidly setting in.
「Hmm. Depending on its application, it seems to have reached a practical stage, yet a definitive judgment remains elusive. We shall hear the opinions of the knights who used the bracelets and defer our final evaluation until then.」
Master Segrus slightly grimaced, apparently dissatisfied with the King’s decision.
It seemed he couldn't harmonize with the King’s desire to incorporate frontline feedback for a comprehensive judgment.
I couldn't tell if he was simply that desperate for credit, or if he had some other motive for wanting the Bracelet of Power deployed. Regardless, I felt a tiny bit of "moya-moya"—that nagging frustration—on behalf of Leon, whose name hadn't even come up as the creator.
(I suppose the achievements of an assistant belong to the Court Alchemist. In my case, Master Clein gave me the credit for the EX-Potion, but that might have been a complete anomaly.)
If Leon was fine with it, it wasn't my place to interfere.
Once the discussion regarding the bracelets concluded, the King turned his gaze toward Master Clein.
「I intended to speak with you on another matter, Clein. Give me a moment of your time.」
「...As you wish, Sire. Though I don't have a particularly good feeling about this.」
Master Clein averted his eyes from the King, clearly sensing what was coming.
「Do not say that. This is a task that can be entrusted only to you.」
「I have no intention of refusing. However, I have only just hired an assistant. To be perfectly honest, I am loath to accept any requests that are overly dangerous.」
My name suddenly entered the conversation, and the King’s gaze shifted toward me.
For a moment, I was seized by the urge to look away with all my might... but I couldn't be that rude to royalty, so I managed to get through it with a small, polite bow.
「I cannot make promises on that front. I need you to investigate the monster breeding that caused the recent uproar.」
The King, however, seemed far too preoccupied with the gravity of the situation to pay much mind to me. He addressed Master Clein with a dead-serious expression.
On the other hand, the topic seemed to be different from what Master Clein had expected, as he tilted his head in confusion.
「I heard the Order of Knights was already conducting an investigation.」
「Indeed they are, but they have hit a wall. Considering the need for miasma purification as well, I judged it best to commission you.」
「...Understood. I shall begin crafting purification potions immediately, but as for the investigation—」
「There is no need to say more. You will be headed toward land deemed dangerous. The knights shall accompany you for the investigation and serve as your escort.」
「I am grateful for that.」
「Good. I am counting on you.」
(A truly daunting request just landed in our laps,) I thought with a sense of detachment, as if it were someone else’s problem. Then, the King faced Master Segrus once more.
「Segrus. What is the status of the capital’s barrier?」
(The capital’s barrier...?) Come to think of it, I remember hearing as a child that a barrier had been erected to make it harder for monsters to approach the Royal Capital.
Apparently, it had been effective in a small test village, significantly reducing monster damage...
So that was Master Segrus’s achievement. It didn't quite fit the image I had of him.
「There are currently no abnormalities in the barrier. As a precaution, we are in the middle of a re-enchantment process.」
「I see. Should any abnormality be found, report to me at once.」
「By your command.」
Once the King concluded the discussion and departed, Master Clein approached me.
「A troublesome job has come in, but we should have enough time. We’ll aim to reach a certain milestone before potion trading resumes.」
「I don't mind, but... I didn't realize the work of a Court Alchemist involved things like this.」
「It's a matter of differing roles. The knights investigate whether high-threat monsters have moved in or if they’re breeding to the point of disrupting the ecosystem. However, once miasma is discovered, the job is usually passed to a Court Alchemist who can deal with it.」
Now that he mentioned it, back when I was at the reception desk of the Adventurers Guild, Master Clein often issued escort requests.
They were listed under the guise of "geological surveys," but it seemed they had nothing to do with potion research after all.
「I won't push you too hard, Mia, but this is a good opportunity to learn the ropes. With the knights accompanying us, the danger should be minimal. First, we craft the purification potions.」
「Understood.」
Just as we decided to begin preparations for the King's request, I saw Leon stagger forward, seemingly pushed from behind by Master Segrus.
「Leon. You're to help them out for a while.」
「W-why? I still need to make adjustments to the Bracelet of Power—」
「Despite the barrier around the capital, we have an abnormal situation with monsters breeding nearby. If I don't send someone from my side, there's no telling what these 'runts' will start claiming later.」
With that, Master Segrus turned his back and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Having heard the King's orders, it was clearly a case of "if I have to..." The aura he radiated didn't leave a great impression.
「He certainly has a disagreeable attitude.」
「I wholeheartedly agree... but in his own way, Segrus likely saw the gravity of the situation and decided to be considerate. In his willingness to act for the sake of the country, he is, at the very least, a Court Alchemist.」
「Hmm? What do you mean?」
「To craft purification potions, one must include an enchantment process. With Leon lending a hand, the King’s request should proceed much more smoothly.」
If Master Clein, who had been bickering with him so fiercely, was willing to defend Master Segrus’s actions, then I suppose he was a Court Alchemist after all, for better or worse.
By sending Leon—who was already on friendly terms with Master Clein—to help, he might actually be the type who is surprisingly thoughtful despite his sharp tongue.
Even if my impression of him as an unpleasant person remained unchanged.
「I’m loath to owe that man a favor, though.」
「I can imagine. He seems like the type to follow up with a barrage of snide remarks.」
Leon, however, seemed to have accepted the situation quickly and offered Master Clein a bright smile.
「I’m sorry for the sudden commotion. I’ll be in your care, Master Clein.」
「It’s no trouble. There are things I want to ask of you as well. Is that alright with you, Mia?」
「Oh, yes! I look forward to working with you, Leon.」
「L-likewise! I'll do my best, Mia-sama.」
Even if it was only temporary, having more people in our vast, quiet workshop was a good thing.
Since he already had a connection with Master Clein, I had no reason to object.
Above all, I thought to myself that a wonderful environment had been created, now that I could work alongside Leon, who specialized in Enchantment.
*****
Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.
OR
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
-Horizontal.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment