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Demon-Slaying Arrows 4

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*****

As the mist with its magical properties cleared, I stood there in a daze, fully realizing just how terrifying the effects of Ancient Alchemy really were.

「So the entire mist really was under a magical influence...」

「If we had left it alone, the whole surrounding area would have become a breeding ground for monsters. I never imagined it would be such a massive threat.」

「Now I clearly understand why the King was in such a panic. Using the mist as a hiding place while generating miasma and breeding monsters... that's definitely not the kind of information they can just go public with.」

To think that a single magic circle created by an alchemist could put the very survival of the kingdom at risk.

If this fact were made public, given how strongly alchemy is associated with saving lives through potions, tons of people would start distrusting it. Considering how much it would throw people all over the world into a panic, it wasn't something our kingdom could just decide on its own.

But it was also true that this incident was completely unforgivable.

We didn't know whose doing it was, but a man-made disaster disguised as a natural one could only be seen as a hostile act.

If it was another country's doing, it would qualify as an explicit act of aggression and could escalate into war. If it was a criminal organization, it would develop into an international terrorism issue that drags in other nations.

Since it's the kind of stuff that can't be brought to light, I have no clue how they'll handle it... but I'll leave thinking about those complicated things to the higher-ups.

While I was mulling that over, Master Clein's longbow suddenly started making splintering sounds and breaking apart.

It looked like it just couldn't handle the strain of the Arrow of Banishing.

「Ancient Alchemy is one thing, but the performance of this Arrow of Banishing is insane too. Destroying a magical effect large enough to alter the environment in just a single shot.」

「Maybe Sacred Alchemy was born as a means to counter Ancient Alchemy.」

「Ancient Alchemy that breeds monsters, and Sacred Alchemy that creates Magic Equipment... I see.」

Lost in thought, Master Clein stared at the broken longbow with a serious expression.

Even though he had put it together in just a few days, considering it withstood that crazy load, it must have been a really great weapon.

「I'm sorry. You went through all the trouble of making that longbow, and now it's broken.」

「Don't worry about it. It successfully shot the Arrow of Banishing and fulfilled its purpose. You could say it was my mistake for not fully anticipating the strain the arrow would inflict.」

I understood what Master Clein meant, and I didn't think I was at fault for making the Magic Equipment either.

Still, I couldn't help but feel a bit down about the fact that something Master Clein made ended up broken.

Since I've been working as an alchemist and know firsthand how much hard work goes into crafting things, it made me feel guilty.

Well, there was something else that caught my attention even more, though.

「Is your hand injured?」

For some reason, Master Clein's hands were trembling slightly. Since nothing like this had ever happened before, it felt weirdly concerning.

「……. I am not injured.」

「There was a weird pause just now. Super suspicious.」

「I'm just tired from shooting the Arrow of Banishing.」

「Then spread both your hands and show me. You're not hurt, right?」

「Unfortunately, I don't make a habit of showing my hands to people. Unless I see an absolute need for it, I have no intention of showing them to anyone.」

Wow, he's a terrible liar. Maybe it was the influence of arguing with Master Segrus, but he was coming up with the most childish excuses.

At this point, he might as well have just admitted he was hurt.

Master Clein flat-out refused to listen, but I had a plan. After all, there was someone else right here who was basically like another version of me when it came to sharing the same vibe.

If I got the help of the boy who was left speechless and stunned by the power of the Arrow of Banishing more than anyone else, we could corner him in no time.

「Leon-kun, apprehend him!」

「Right!」

「H-Hey! Hold on a second!」

The moment Leon-kun circled behind him and touched his wrist, Master Clein grimaced in pain and dropped what was left of the bow.

And then—

「Yikes, that looks painful...」

「This is... a mana burn. It might take some time to heal.」

His hands were injured so badly that I involuntarily looked away.

So this was what my father meant when he said you can't handle Magic Equipment without magic aptitude. If your mana control slips up, it actively corrodes the wielder's body.

Master Clein probably knew exactly what state his hands were in, which is why he was trying to be considerate and hide them from me.

But as an alchemist, I needed to know what kind of effects my creations had.

It wasn't something I really wanted to stare at, and as an apprentice alchemist, all I could do was panic anyway, so I'd leave the rest to Leon-kun, who likely knew how to treat it.

「Don't worry. A mana burn of this level is nothing major.」

「No lying allowed! When Lady Vanessa got a mana burn, she took a whole month off from work!」

「I'm pretty sure more than half of that was just her playing hooky, though.」

「A change of pace is part of the job! Why don't you take this opportunity to get some rest too, Master Clein?」

...Why is that? Once again, these two look way more like a master and apprentice than we do.

I kind of want to head in that direction too, though. Is there anything I can do to help?

「If you just give me the recipe, I can whip up a potion that works on mana burns, you know?」

「I totally get how you feel, Mia-san, but you can only let mana burns heal naturally. Potions won't cure them.」

Realizing there was absolutely nothing I could do, I gave Master Clein a cold stare.

「For someone who scolded me and told me not to push myself, you sure push yourself a lot.」

Back when I was mass-producing EX-Potions during the monster breeding incident, he had strictly warned me not to overdo it. For the master himself to break that rule was simply outrageous.

I'll have to make sure he properly reflects on this and gets plenty of rest.

While I was thinking about that, for some reason, Leon-kun proudly puffed out his chest.

「I'm taking Master Clein's side on this one.」

「That's rare for us to disagree. Why's that?」

「It's a matter of a man's pride, I guess. I'm a guy too, so I get it. When it's something you just have to do, your body moves on its own even if you know you shouldn't~」

This might be that mysterious pride Alice was talking about—the one women will absolutely never understand, also known as a man's romance.

Having his feelings spelled out like that made Master Clein bite his lower lip in embarrassment, so they must have some sort of mutual understanding as guys.

But... somehow, I feel like it's still a bit too early for Leon-kun.

「Hearing about a man's pride from Leon-kun just isn't very convincing.」

「Eh?! Is this really something only men can understand?」

「Hmm. Honestly, I just completely forgot that Leon-kun was a guy.」

「M-Mia-san?! Isn't that a bit too cruel? What exactly do you think I am?!」

「The younger brother position, or maybe the workshop's pet puppy slot fits you perfectly.」

「There is no such slot! I'll have you know I can step up when the time comes too! Even this time, I worked super hard on the Enchantment—」

Yapping away in that high-pitched voice, he really might belong in the puppy category. It was a fact that he worked hard, though, so I'll be sure to praise him properly later.

I wonder if he'd be happy if I patted his head? Yeah, yeah, I'm sure he would.

*****

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