*****

About a week had passed since the destruction of the magic circle. The Order of Knights had finished purifying the miasma, and the number of monsters around the Royal Capital was finally starting to drop.

The temporary security measures co-organized with the Adventurers Guild had wrapped up, and things were completely back to normal now. No one seemed to have a single worry left, and the streets were bustling with lively chatter.

A big reason for this was that herb cultivation had finally gotten back on track, and they were finally flowing into the market again.

I heard the Alchemists Guild was flooded with inquiries and was actively putting out commissions for potion crafting.

The day the potion shortage would be completely solved was right around the corner.

My own deadlines for potions were creeping up too, so it looked like I was in for some busy days ahead, but...

The most important person was nowhere to be seen in the Court Alchemist's workshop. Master Clein's hands, which had suffered severe mana burns, were in terrible shape, forcing him to take a medical leave.

Since recovery is bound to take some time, I really wanted him to just focus on resting up for now. He used to come in early every single day just to shut himself away for research, so this would be a perfect opportunity to rest both his mind and body.

For his sake too, I had to firmly hold down the fort at the workshop until his return... Or so I'd hyped myself up thinking just a few days ago.

Cut to right now, and I wanted nothing more than for Master Clein to hurry back as fast as humanly possible.

Because at this exact moment, I was—

「Mia Hopewell. Your performance in this matter was truly splendid.」

In recognition of my achievement in crafting the Arrow of Banishing, I was currently standing face-to-face with the King in the audience chamber.

It would be one thing if we were in his private quarters with that relaxed atmosphere from before, but this place was packed with powerful nobles and ministers, wrapping the entire room in an insane amount of tension.

But what was giving me the biggest headache of all was the person who had attended as a proxy instead of my resting boss, Master Clein.

「What a boring ceremony, as usual. Nobody actually enjoys these things, honestly.」

(Why did the completely oblivious Obaba-sama have to be his proxy?! I knew for a fact she'd say something uncalled for, so I really wished they'd picked literally anyone else!)

She's usually the type who wouldn't be caught dead at an official ceremony like this... Ughhh. Talk about an unwanted favor. Not like there was anyone else to ask, and I certainly wasn't in a position to complain, though.

As the surrounding nobles rained down icy glares, cold sweat was already pouring down my back. I felt like my entire body was being pricked by needles, and my throat went bone-dry.

Amidst all this, the King proceeded without paying them any mind, and my turn finally came.

Slowly approaching the King, I knelt on one knee and held out the Arrow of Banishing.

「This is the Arrow of Banishing we used this time. Although its original power has been spent, its enchanted effects still linger, so I humbly present it to Your Majesty.」

「Umu. I accept it gladly.」

Thinking my part was finally over, I still didn't dare let my guard down. Remaining deeply conscious of my noble etiquette, I bowed to the King and slowly stepped back.

Since I'd been making so many clumsy blunders lately, I'd resolved to behave like a proper noble for today at least. And I should have successfully fulfilled my duty without a single mistake, but...

Glancing at the Arrow of Banishing that had lost its power, the surrounding nobles began to stir.

「Lost its power? Sounds suspicious. I highly doubt it was ever a real piece of Magic Equipment to begin with.」

「Hmph. An apprentice alchemist crafting Magic Equipment? Nothing but a fairy tale.」

「On the off chance that it actually *was* Magic Equipment, the real creator must be someone else. She's just a decoy.」

They weren't about to accept it at face value. Some people even started reading way too deep into it, but I'd already expected things to turn out like this.

An apprentice alchemist wasn't supposed to be making things like this. To be precise, it was more like something you *shouldn't* make.

If people got the misconception that it was easy enough for an apprentice to craft, they'd start wondering what all the other alchemists had been doing all this time.

That's why I was fully prepared to take a bit of criticism.

However, this room also contained people I'd worked with back during my days at the Adventurers Guild, as well as clients I traded potions with—

「The ones who can't bring themselves to praise her are simply the most envious. To behave so shamefully right in front of the King.」

A fiery argument erupted completely unprompted, instantly creating an atmosphere that felt like we'd been sucked into a faction feud.

Granted, given the location, it hadn't heated up quite as much as the bickering between Master Clein and Master Segrus, but having a troublemaker right next to me only made things trickier.

「Every single one of these nobles has turned into such a boring bunch.」

(Please don't go joining the argument, Obaba-sama...) Just as I was thinking that, the King let out a loud cough, plunging the audience chamber back into silence.

「I shall grant you a reward for crafting this Magic Equipment. Mia Hopewell, what is it that you desire?」

Human psychology is a funny thing. Just hearing the King's words completely blew away all the anxiety I'd been feeling a second ago.

Because finally, my golden opportunity to legally get the kingdom to back me up had arrived! The long-awaited bonus stage was here!

Firmly tightening my cheeks, which felt like they were about to break into a massive grin, I looked up at the King.

「I am still just an apprentice alchemist. I would be deeply grateful if I could continue to remain in an environment where I can fully focus on my alchemy.」

「Is that so? Very well, you may continue to devote yourself to alchemy under Clein Augusta. I look forward to you achieving great things once again.」

「Thank you very much...!」

Having secured a completely safe and stable alchemical life, I reflexively pressed a handkerchief to my mouth.

This meant no weird marriage proposals would be coming my way. Just that thought alone made it impossible to keep the smile off my face.

*****

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