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Discussion with His Majesty the King 3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

Obaba-sama really had that Zeniba feel to her.

*****

Obaba-sama’s sudden intrusion into the King’s private study had created a situation so bizarre it left the knights guarding the door in a state of stunned silence.

Normally, one would expect the guards to intervene. However, considering she is the only person who knows how to stop Ancient Alchemy—and that the King has been reduced to sending her grass mochi just to stay on her good side—taking action against her was a tall order.

Master Clein’s groan was perfectly understandable; this discussion was becoming complicated in more ways than one. The knight’s decision to slowly, silently close the door as if he hadn't seen a thing was probably the most sensible reaction in the room.

After all, we now had the overbearing Master Segrus and the prickly, eccentric Obaba-sama in the same space. It was a volatile mix. I realized then that silence was golden; if I dared to interject, I’d likely be buried under a mountain of verbal abuse from both of them.

「Alchemist Barbaril. I ask that you listen to me,」 the King said, bravely cutting into the tension. He was clearly desperate to stop the threat of Ancient Alchemy.

「Stop trying to box this old hag into your definition of an alchemist.」

「I understand your feelings, but the situation is dire. Unless we borrow your strength, this kingdom could very well face ruin.」

「I couldn't care less. Your stories are never any fun.」

The sheer rebelliousness Obaba-sama showed toward the King was enough to make my spine go stiff just listening to it. "Consistent regardless of the audience" is a nice way to put it, but I really wished she’d show a little more discretion given who she was talking to.

The King, however, seemed to know exactly what kind of person she was and didn't appear bothered in the slightest.

「The evil hand of Ancient Alchemy is reaching for us once more. You, above all others, understand the magnitude of this threat.」

「What’s impossible is impossible. If I overexert myself at my age, my life will give out before the job is done.」

「I am not asking you to craft it yourself. At the very least, tell us of a countermeasure. Please, I am begging you.」

The King bowed his head deeply. He was willing to do whatever it took to bring Obaba-sama over to his side.

Who could have predicted a scene like this? The air in the room froze; everyone stood paralyzed as if time itself had stopped. We, who had only just learned of Ancient Alchemy, didn't yet fully grasp its terror. Yet, seeing this, it was clear that it was something far more dangerous than we imagined—something that required immediate action.

Because of that, everyone slowly turned to look at Obaba-sama, gauging her reaction.

「Kaaaah! To think you’ve become such a pathetic King that you’d stoop to appealing to my emotions. Fine. If you want to stop it that badly, make this girl do it.」

It seemed that even Obaba-sama couldn't refuse after the King had bowed his head to her. Even as she continued to spit venom, she offered a way out—

Tap.

Suddenly, something warm rested on my shoulder, and my brain instantly ground to a halt.

Was I imagining things, or was everyone in the room suddenly staring directly at me? As a cold sweat broke out across my entire body, a desperate feeling rose up within me: Please, let this be some kind of mistake.

My neck moved with the jerky, mechanical rhythm of a rusted hinge as I looked at the hand on my shoulder.

「Obaba-sama... was there a bug on my shoulder?」

「Ee-hee-hee-hee! You’ve certainly learned how to crack a joke, haven't you?」

「Thank you. Well then, I’ll be taking my leave for today.」

「What’s the rush? Usually, guests stay a bit longer. Now then, shall we talk about the Magic Item that can counter Ancient Alchemy?」

Looking at Obaba-sama’s grinning face, I screamed at the top of my lungs—internally.

(WHAOOOOOOOOO! Why was I, a mere apprentice, chosen over two perfectly good Court Alchemists?! This is a massive lapse in judgment! A total hiring error!!!!!!!)

「Obaba-sama, you know this, right? I’ve only just started studying Enchantment!」

「You’ll never make a good Magic Item if you’re shackled by common sense. In a case like this, your only choice is to pierce through it with an Arrow of Banishing.」

「Please don't just casually move the conversation forward. Master Clein, say something!」

This was a national emergency so severe the King was bowing his head, yet I never expected the sparks to fly in my direction. I looked toward Master Clein, hoping that he—who usually looked out for me in his own way—would step in. Surely, he would—

「Mia, I have some unfortunate news. Obaba is the Supreme Authority of the Court Alchemists and holds every imaginable right. To put it bluntly, you have no right of refusal.」

(Wh-whaaaaaaat?! Obaba-sama is the Supreme Authority over the Court Alchemists?!)

You’re joking, right? Please tell me you’re joking, Obaba-sama!!

「Speaking of 'every imaginable,' the Arrow of Banishing has the effect of destroying every imaginable form of magic,」 she added helpfully.

(Don't just slip in information about the arrow like that!)

Unable to hide my agitation, I grabbed Leon’s shoulders and looked at him with a face of pure, desperate pleading.

「Leon-kun, you research Magic Items, so you understand, right? It’s absolutely impossible for me when I’ve only just learned how to use Enchantment!」

「Um... S-sorry! I feel like if Lady Barbaril says it, there's no stopping her...」

「My, my. Speaking of 'no stopping,' a magic circle activated by Ancient Alchemy won't stop until it's destroyed. If you choose anything other than the Arrow of Banishing, things might get much grimmer.」

(Stop casually dropping info about Ancient Alchemy too! And finding out that a Magic Item was the "compromise" result is the one thing I didn't want to know!)

Just as I was clutching my head, wondering how it had come to this, a single ray of hope appeared.

The eyes of Master Segrus—a man with a stronger sense of justice than anyone, a man who looks reality in the face and hungers for the achievements necessary to change this country—were burning.

As a Court Alchemist who mentored Leon and had ties to Vanessa (the woman who crafted things near the level of Magic Items), it was highly likely that Enchantment was his specialty. Master Segrus, his face full of confidence, faced Obaba-sama with a dignified air.

「The one in this room most well-versed in Enchantment is my workshop. Regardless of Lady Barbaril’s opinion, I should be the one at the center of crafting the Arrow of Banishing—」

「A pipsqueak like you should just go take a dump and go to bed! Come back and complain after you’ve adjusted a ward or two on the fly!」

(Gyaaah! A 'pipsqueak' counter-attack out of nowhere!!)

Master Segrus’s logic was sound, yet Obaba-sama didn't have the slightest intention of listening. There was no longer anyone in this room who could stop her.

The King seemed to realize this as well, as a deep frown creased his brow.

「Hmm... it cannot be helped. Until this matter is settled, I shall issue a Special Commission to Mia Hopewell. I want you to craft the Arrow of Banishing and devote yourself to the destruction of the magic circle.」

「Y-Your Majesty...? With all due respect, are you serious?」

「I do not wish to oppose Barbaril by rejecting her countermeasure. However, remember that this is only one of many countermeasures. I am reaching out to others who possess different means as well.」

「Oh, that’s right...! Then I’ll put all my hopes and expectations on them!」

「...Since Barbaril has acknowledged your potential, if it is possible—」

「Wait just a minute! Your Majesty, you're starting to get your hopes up too, aren't you?! ...Ah, sorry.」

I had accidentally talked back to the King, but I really don't think it was my fault. The King was the one to blame for making it sound like I didn't have to do it, only to change his mind. Though, I wouldn't say that out loud for all the tea in the kingdom.

Of course, the biggest culprit was Obaba-sama.

「Well then, good luck with the rest.」

「W-wait! At least tell me how to make it!」

「Place your hand on your heart and ask yourself. Whether you can make it or not depends entirely on you. Ee-hee-hee-hee!」

(She still won't tell me the important parts...) I thought, but since the King refused to antagonize her, I couldn't press her any further.

Having been saddled with a Special Commission, I watched Obaba-sama’s retreating back with a very complicated heart as she left, looking entirely satisfied with herself.

*****

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