*****

Since the King had already told me not to fuss over etiquette, I decided to ask directly about the unfamiliar term he’d used.

「Um... Your Majesty, what exactly is Ancient Alchemy?」

「It is a forbidden form of alchemy, crafted by a nation that perished in the distant past. It is whispered that this art birthed miasma and monsters into the world, creating a chaotic era where savage beasts ruled the earth.」

「Alchemy... created miasma and monsters?」

The idea sounded like a fairy tale, but I had no reason to doubt the King’s words. After all, I had seen with my own eyes a magic circle spewing miasma and beginning to mold it into the shape of a monster.

「Since mankind brought monsters into existence, mankind was forced to create the means to oppose them. The results of those efforts are the 'Magic Items' you know so well. The truly exceptional pieces used during the Great War of antiquity are enshrined by nations as Divine Artifacts.」

Before the King—who spoke with such solemn gravity—even the haughty Master Segrus was left speechless. Naturally, Leon, who practically worshipped the idea of Magic Items, was listening with a look of pure awe.

「From what you're saying, it sounds like something entirely different from modern alchemy,」 I remarked.

「Ancient Alchemy was said to drive the latent power within materials into a state of rampage, leading to ruin. Since the underlying philosophy differs from our own, the very nature of the alchemy itself is likely distinct.」

「I had no idea such a terrifying branch of alchemy existed. Master Clein, you didn't know either, did you?」

「Of course not. It’s not the sort of thing one learns in everyday life.」

I glanced at Leon to see if he knew anything, but he simply shook his head in silence.

「Clein is correct,」 the King continued. 「This is a history from before this kingdom was even founded; it is a chronicle not shared with the general public. It is only natural you would be ignorant of it. In truth, I had hoped the next generation could live their lives without ever knowing... but it seems fate has other plans.」

「Does this mean someone has appeared who can use Ancient Alchemy again?」

「The possibility is not zero. However, it is said that no such practitioner has been born for several centuries. It is far more likely that someone unearthed an unused relic of Ancient Alchemy and is using it for ill intent.」

「Which is why my father called it a 'Relic of the Past.'」

「The formal term for such things is an 'Artifact.' Normally, they should be sealed away immediately, but some nations still employ them as weapons of war.」

So, the fact that my father knew about Ancient Alchemy and the fact that Obaba-sama had been conscripted for war were all connected to these hidden circumstances. Perhaps the prototype exhibition for the Bracelet of Power being held around this time was also a countermeasure against this Ancient Alchemy.

As the scattered events began to connect into a single line in my head, Master Segrus suddenly looked away.

「You should have just destroyed the magic circle while you were there.」

He was as pugnacious as ever, but I doubted Master Segrus was merely provoking us with a thoughtless comment. He had admitted before that he respected Master Clein’s skills, so he was likely questioning why they had returned without neutralizing the threat. In other words, he wanted to know if the circle was so formidable that even the Court Alchemist Clein couldn't break it.

「It was a circle capable of interfering with space itself,」 Master Clein countered, missing the underlying point of the question and assuming it was a pure insult. 「Tampering with it recklessly would have been far more dangerous.」

「So you got scared and came crawling back? Exactly what I’d expect from a pipsqueak like you.」

「Since it was a survey request, bringing back information was the priority. Returning to assess the situation was the most logical choice.」

「Nonsense. You should have contributed more to the kingdom.」

「Fine then, why don't you go destroy it in our place and contribute to the kingdom yourself?」

「Regrettably, I have my own duties. I am not as idle as you lot.」

Master Segrus, who couldn't bring himself to just say "I'm glad you made it back safe," and Master Clein, who took every word at face value, were practically shooting sparks at each other. Leon started fussing about, trying to mediate, but it wasn't something that could be easily stopped.

(Is mediating a fight even part of an assistant's job description? They're both grown adults; maybe I should just watch...)

Then again, we were right in front of the King. The atmosphere was getting terrible. Just as I was worrying about it, a thunderous 「Ahem!」 from the King silenced the room.

「We must not underestimate Ancient Alchemy. This is no time for bickering.」

Spoken like a true King. He was exactly right.

They really needed to be more mindful of where they were. It felt completely wrong that I, a mere assistant, was the one talking most seriously with the King. Even if I was the one who found the magic circle, I really wished my mentor wouldn't let our roles reverse in a place like this.

Leaving the two sulking Court Alchemists aside, I faced the King with a serious expression.

「Regarding this matter, I would like to ask for your continued cooperation.」

「It seems this isn't something that can be made public, and since we're the ones who found it, I want to take responsibility. But how should we help?」

「The methods to suppress Ancient Alchemy are limited. I have already reached out to those who possess the means to counter it, but they are all... shall we say, quite eccentric.」

I was thinking to myself, (Wow, I wonder what kind of amazing people they are?) when suddenly—BAM! The door was thrown open with incredible force.

In stomped Obaba-sama, her face flushed beet-red with rage!

「Don't you dare send me such measly grass mochi, you King of a two-bit country!」

Obaba-sama stomped into the King's private study and slammed a box of grass mochi onto the desk. Looking at the box, I guessed it was from a famous confectioner in the Capital. However, that shop had recently changed its ingredient suppliers, and the taste of the red bean paste had definitely gone downhill.

Obaba-sama loves her sweets, so she probably couldn't forgive the drop in quality, but still...

(This is the King! Taking such a disrespectful tone should be a capital offense... wait, why isn't the King angry?)

「You've arrived at a good time, Barbaril.」

「Don't talk nonsense! I only came here to lodge a complaint. As if I'd ever want to get mixed up in some incident involving Ancient Alchemy again!」

(You were definitely eavesdropping!) I wanted to shout, but now was not the time.

A person with the means to counter Ancient Alchemy who is also "quite eccentric"... Could it be...?

*****

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