The Novice Alchemist’s Store

Unfortunately, Iris doesn't have such a good timing.

I didn't hear the store door open.

Damn right. I guess I'll have to...

"Your Highness, the soldiers of South Strag were only ordered..."

"I'm not stupid enough to hold a soldier responsible for a commander."

His Highness assured me that he would never be afraid to block my words.

In the event of a conflict, it is unlikely that soldiers will be executed just for following orders from their superiors.

But this time, it's like you tried to assassinate me or Iris.

If it is an assassination, the perpetrator will be executed if nothing remains.

... ah, are you trying to handle this as a dispute?

His Highness smiles badly when he looks at me as I admire him.

"I am going to crush Baron Kirk completely this time. But if it's not possible, I'm not going to do it. I don't like halfway through."

So he stared at me as if he were trying me.

Um... maybe you want me to think about that path?

I don't have much information, what a terrible shame.

If a boss like this were at work, he'd be thinking about resigning.

Is it the lives of Madisons that are at stake to save us, not ours?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"... we can provide witnesses to the assault."

Then you're weak. Unless it's a warrant, is the witness a civilian?

I knew that would be a problem.

No matter how suspicious you may be, you cannot punish a nobleman just for testifying against a civilian.

If it is strongly argued that 'I did it on my own', the question is about the supervisory responsibility.

Then, on the contrary, Madisons' position will be tighter.

Iris is noble... but her testimony admits that she was attacked, but it doesn't prove to be Baron Kirk's order.

"It looks like the Alchemist was working together, but how about attacking from there?

"Joseph? That is also a nobleman. It won't be easy."

"I'm sorry. I don't even know his name."

I think it's the alchemist who was doing business in South Strag, but I'm not sure, and I don't know his name in the first place.

I think Leonora knows, but I didn't care after the store collapsed.

When I answer honestly, His Highness raises one cheek funny.

"Hmm. You don't think he doesn't even know his name when he smashed up his shop? You seem to have a lot of resentment for you?

"It's a resentment. I did it to alert you."

Yes, I did.

I don't know what Leonora did.

"Fufu, it certainly seemed like a store that should have been crushed. --The Alchemist Training School is also doing well overall, but is it inevitable that a certain number of bad people will be born?"

Well, I don't care about personality or collaboration. In the exam.

Even if you were competent in the wrong direction, you could graduate.

When it comes to coordination in the first place, I can't say anything about people either.

"Hopefully Joseph's Alchemy's License will expire."

"We have the potion that he made."

If I say so, His Highness nods satisfactorily as to whether evidence is necessary to do so.

"Excellent. What about the Baron Kirk himself?

"I hate this raid. For now, I have research on other problematic behaviors, but no clear evidence...."

I tried to compile the information I received from Leonora the other day and make some materials for myself, but most of them were easy to grasp if they were aristocrats, and there was nothing that could be said to be a decision.

But His Highness listened to me and put out his hand with nickel.

I told you to show it to me. I understand.

"Here."

If you hurry to get the documents and hand them over to His Highness, His Highness looks at them paralytically and says, "Huh?" I heard an impressive voice.

"Have you checked this far? You're better than I thought, right?

"I'm sorry. But I didn't look into it."

"It doesn't matter who investigates. It makes sense that you got this information."

I'm glad you appreciate it.

But is it like you're trying something?

Eliminating Baron Kirk is in my best interest, but you don't need to ask me for evidence or information if your Highness is concerned, do you?

"... you already knew about this kind of information, Your Highness?

"That's not true. Local raw information is valuable enough."

Is that true?

You may be disrespectful, but your smile is suspicious.

"All we have to do is catch him."

You're not telling me to do it until then, are you?

As before, if you come to my shop with me, it will be easy to catch, but it will definitely be troublesome, and if you try to catch me in South Strag, there may be a battle against a large number of people.

Whatever you think, it's not what an alchemist does.

The Rotze family... can't rely on military power, even if it's personal.

"Don't worry, I have a plan. Well... long story, I'm thirsty."

Feeling confused about me, His Highness shrugged his shoulders and slowly sat back on the sofa demanding a drink.

- Get out of here!

Even if I think about it, I can't say it, and I use a slightly detached expression.

"Because of the countryside, we can only serve raw hate and crude tea."

"I don't mind. Even if it doesn't suit me a little, I'm happy to eat local food."

--That's what a prince looks like!

But think about who you're offering!

I didn't dare to give it to anyone because they didn't have a poisonous taste.

But if you ask me, I have to.

"... yes."

"Ah, and I want something to pick. There's nothing to say if it's sweet."

--That's a prince, isn't it?

What do you expect from a country village!?

Do you understand that there is no confectionery shop!?

Shall I serve you the honey of a rotten fruit bee?

... if you do that, I won't do it because my neck is pinched.

"I'm sorry, but in places like this, I can't get you ready right away...."

"I don't mind. I have time."

I'm not free.

They didn't tell me to drink only tea and go home soon.

If you're a prince, read the back of your words!

--It is possible to ignore it after reading it, but

Now, please wait a moment.

Feeling the sadness at the bottom, I took a seat.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Hey, Lorea. Didn't you have enough cookies?

"Eh, cookies? I left what I made yesterday during tea time... but you haven't come home yet, have you?

I asked Lorea about the kitchen, and when I looked at the store, Lorea looked back strangely.

"Yeah, I need some tea."

"Eh? - Wow, (You're going to serve my sweets to the prince!?)"

For a moment, I couldn't understand what I was saying, and Pocahontas and Lorea opened their mouths and immediately returned to me, showcasing the technique of screaming in a small voice.

"I can't help it. There's no place in this neighborhood where you can buy sweets, right? I could go to Daruna-san's place....."

"What's in Dad's shop is even worse!

Too bad, but I'm sure it's closer to saying something like preserved food or emergency food than to saying something sweet, because it's bought and transported in South Strag.

"Yeah, so, the rest of yesterday..."

"Well, wait! Let me at least give you a fresh one!

Lorea said so and turned the sign in front of her to "during the break" and ran to the kitchen.

"Ah, that just takes time - well, let's see. I told you it would take time."

I think the remainder of yesterday will be enough for someone who carelessly requests sweets, but if you go home with a numbness, I'd appreciate it.

Please wait a little longer.

Or you can go home.

And I followed Lorea to prepare the tea.