Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 218

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Chapter Two Hundred and Eighteen: Anniversary Date 8

“Since you’ve come to a party with dancing, I would like you to dance with at least the young ladies I introduce. You needn’t dance with so many—just one or two young ladies from families I’m quite close with… if possible, about three would be fine. There are such manners in aristocratic social circles, Ms. Karen.”

While persuading Julius, Viscountess Capel also explained the matter in a way Karen could understand. Karen nodded at that. It was etiquette that she herself had learned in general.

Karen had been taught that even if the invited young ladies were not especially beautiful or from wealthy families, it was the host’s job to show consideration so they could dance at least one song since they were invited, and the invited male guests who were given a place to enjoy also had obligations.

While men had the right to invite women they liked to dance, if the host requested they dance with a young lady, they basically shouldn’t be choosy and refuse. Unless there was an extreme disparity in status, the host would take care to introduce someone of suitable rank, and such occasions often became opportunities to broaden one’s connections.

However, Julius sighed and shook his head.

“I understand the etiquette, but I have no intention of dancing with a young lady who whispers insults about the woman I love behind her back.”

Karen looked at Julius with a start, then glanced at the young lady.

She appeared to be nothing more than a charming young girl, but according to Julius, she had already been guilty of badmouthing Karen.

“I-I did no such thing…!”

“I am a conqueror of the twentieth floor of the dungeon. I have ascended to steps equivalent to a B-rank adventurer, young lady. I can hear all the conversations of those in this hall. Would you like me to repeat in front of Viscountess Capel what you called my partner?”

The young lady paled instantly. She must have uttered quite improper words.

Seeing off the young lady who hurriedly fled, Viscountess Capel sighed and apologized to Julius.

“To think such a thing happened… I apologize, Master Julius, Ms. Karen. That child has admired you for a long time, Master Julius, so she probably said something improper in a moment of weakness. That said, I cannot ask you to forgive her for that reason.”

“I brought my partner here knowing such things would happen. I wanted it widely known that I love her as she is now, that I love Karen. I don’t intend to blame you, Viscountess Capel.”

Julius sighed with sad eyes. Because he could hear various things that Karen couldn’t, Julius seemed to be additionally exhausted by it.

Karen had also ascended steps, but she had only just reached the level of magical power common among nobles; when they lowered their voices by their standards, she could not hear them.

Nobles had the duty to fight, but heirs and young ladies destined for marriage—those in the royal capital without combat experience—likely failed to grasp Julius’s strength or keen hearing.

“To be honest, I intended to dance with a few women. If any seemed likely to become Karen’s ally, I meant to win them over. Women who dance with me often grant my requests.”

“That’s a somewhat… difficult plan, is it not?”

“I agree, any woman who would grant his wish after a single dance would hardly become my ally.”

When Viscountess Capel and Karen nodded to each other, Julius drooped his shoulders, looking increasingly dejected.

“I am sorry. My shallowness has hurt you even more, Karen.”

“Not at all, I can’t hear anything, and you’re looking out for me, Mr. Julius, so I don’t mind at all.”

“Even if you say you don’t mind, you are still hurt, aren’t you?”

Julius gazed at Karen with wavering eyes.

Karen smiled wryly, wondering which of them was truly hurt, then resolved herself and decided to act. Surely Julius would love her no matter what side of her he witnessed.

Karen placed a hand on her cheek and sighed.

“If I said I didn’t mind, that might be a lie.”

“I knew it.”

“Actually—I feel incredibly good.”

“…Huh?”

Julius’s eyes widened in bewilderment.

Karen received wine from a waiter in the tea room and gulped it down to lift her spirits.

What Karen was about to say was the true feelings of a woman with quite a wicked personality.

“The finest man in the three kingdoms is crazy about me. About me, a commoner woman, you know? Of course, the noble ladies would be frustrated. Every time they glare at me, I can’t help but feel so proud.”

Julius wore the expression of a man who had been completely left in the dust. While hoping he would somehow keep up, Karen pressed the accelerator all the way down.

“The young ladies who received a refined education are so frustrated and envious that they can’t help but speak ill of me despite that. They’re unbearably jealous of me, you know? I’m incredibly pleased about this. I might lean back so far in pride that I’ll fall over backward.”

Viscountess Capel smiled wryly. Normally, even if one thought such things, they were the kind of inner feelings one kept in one’s heart without voicing.

“I almost want to laugh at how pitiful they look when they glare at me because they don’t like me, only to be glared at by you in return, Mr. Julius. How unfortunate for them—pardon me for saying so, but it serves them right, I feel so refreshed. Far from being hurt, I feel wonderful!”

“…I… see?”

“If I said I didn’t mind, that would be a lie. I’m thoroughly enjoying this situation! It’s like a romance novel!”

As Julius stood there dumbfounded, Karen figured he would accept it—but she decided to check just in case:

“I do think it’s wicked of me… do you hate me for thinking such things?”

“Not at all.”

Julius showed an overflowing smile with genuine relief.

“I’m relieved from the bottom of my heart that you’re a strong person.”

“This is love.”

Viscountess Capel, who had been watching from the side, murmured with deep emotion.

Karen nodded inwardly. It might have been a rather dreadful way to take pleasure in things, yet Julius felt relieved seeing her enjoy herself instead of being hurt—and still loved her. That, surely, was love. And Karen, who wanted to lighten Julius’ heart even by confessing her ugly feelings, also—just as she thought that, Karen became embarrassed and cut off her thoughts.

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Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 217

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Chapter Two Hundred and Seventeen: Anniversary Date 7

“I never thought I’d meet you in a place like this, Sir Julius!”

“I’m honored to see you, Master Julius.”

“By the way, who might the person beside you be? She stands rather close for a mere attendant—”

The man chuckled and attempted to mock Karen’s supposed mediocrity; Julius’s eyes became menacing.

Fortunately, the nobleman quickly noticed the shift in Julius’s demeanor and cut himself off mid-sentence, and Karen clung to Julius’s arm to restrain him as he was about to lean forward.

“She is Karen, my partner, an alchemist. Can’t you see that our attire has been prepared as a matching set?”

“M-My apologies, I was blind and said something rude.”

“He’s apologized, Mr. Julius! It can’t be helped that we don’t look well-matched to outsiders! It is only natural for people to make that mistake, right?”

It was clear the man had only intended to laugh at Karen as a light joke. And he was clearly surprised by the excessive reaction Julius showed to just that—one could even say he was taken aback. An ill-judged joke might sour the mood, but normally it would not provoke someone to lunge at the offender, let alone challenge him to a duel, as Julius nearly did.

At Karen’s words, Julius furrowed his brow tightly, stopped trying to grab the man, and turned back to Karen.

“There has never been a single moment when you weren’t suitable for me, Karen, not even when you were an F-rank alchemist.”

At Julius, who spoke loudly enough for others to hear, the nobleman who had tried to tease Karen widened his eyes.

“Th-Thank you, Mr. Julius.”

“Rather, I question daily whether I am suitable for you.”

“Yes, really, I’m honored that you say so.”

The people within range of hearing Karen and Julius’s words looked at them as if seeing something bizarre, but Karen focused on dealing with Julius.

She had been exposed to people’s criticism plenty of times before. Yet in those instances, Julius had never reacted so excessively. However, it seemed Julius deeply feared that Karen would be further belittled simply for standing at his side.

As he spoke unusually sweet words, his golden eyes wavered with anxiety. Without time to indulge in that sweetness, Karen smiled to reassure Julius and said:

“Let us continue like this and show everyone how much you cherish me, Mr. Julius. Our goal is for rumors to spread that you’re head over heels for a commoner alchemist!”

“Indeed. That’s one reason I chose Viscountess Capel’s party—so such rumors would spread.”

Viscountess Capel, who was said to have loose lips.

As Karen searched for this party’s host out of the corner of her eye, Julius lightly embraced Karen from behind. This was clearly not something one did at a party. The atmosphere in the venue immediately began to stir.

At that moment, Viscountess Capel was in the direction from which shrill screams were heard.

Even from afar, Karen could see her squealing with delight as she watched them, and Karen smiled wryly. It seemed rumors would spread without effort.

Before feeling embarrassed by this situation, Karen was concerned about Julius’s state and said:

“The plan is progressing steadily, Mr. Julius. It’s all right.”

“…But there are young ladies glaring at you.”

Julius brought his lips close to Karen’s ear and spoke.

While laughing softly at the ticklish sensation, Karen glanced at the young ladies Julius mentioned. Here and there were groups of young ladies hiding their mouths with fans while looking at Karen with cold eyes.

“Well, that can’t be helped.”

Julius was immensely popular. Just as Karen, a commoner, had admired him, so too had the noble young ladies longed for him.

If anything, the noble young ladies must have envisioned marriage to Julius far more realistically. And yet he had been snatched away by an upstart commoner out of nowhere; considering that, it would not have been strange for resentment to drip from them, but aside from their icy stares, they appeared more composed than expected.

“You are so popular, after all.”

And that popular man was utterly captivated by her. Karen didn’t dislike this kind of situation. It was a beloved development that often appeared in the romance novels she enjoyed reading. However, admitting that their jealousy felt pleasant would have been terribly ill-natured, so Karen cleared her throat and modestly voiced her request:

“Any girl would be happy to be asked to dance by such a popular Mr. Julius.”

Julius, receiving Karen’s request, separated from Karen, then stood in front of her, took her hand, and bowed gracefully.

“Karen, would you grant me this dance?”

“With pleasure. Though dancing before the nobility made me rather nervous…!”

At the school reunion, Karen had actually been among the better dancers amid everyone’s mediocre dancing skills. But this was an aristocratic dance floor.

“As long as I’m here, there’s not even the slightest possibility you’ll fall, but even if you were to fall, it wouldn’t change that you’re the one I love.”

“…Yes, that is true. We’re here to show that off, after all!”

Karen stepped onto the dance floor with Julius for the next piece of music.

Though somewhat nervous, Julius’s lead was skillful, so she finished the dance without particular danger while having enough composure to enjoy it.

However, as Karen let out a breath of relief, Julius was glaring toward the wall.

“Is something the matter, Mr. Julius?”

“Nothing at all, Karen.”

Julius answered Karen with a smile.

Looking in the direction he had been glaring at earlier, some young ladies had turned pale and were trembling. Most likely, they had spoken ill of Karen or something.

Even if it didn’t reach Karen’s ears, it most likely reached Julius’s sharp hearing, strengthened by ascending the steps and gaining physical enhancement.

If she alone had caught their spiteful whispers, even scathing remarks about her dancing would have simply stroked her pride as jealousy toward Julius’s beloved. Alas, luck was not on her side. Seeing that Julius was even more sensitive to malice than she was, Karen found herself with enough composure to almost enjoy it.

“Mr. Julius, I really don’t mind. So please go easy on them.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

Julius smiled sweetly.

Though Karen could not entirely view the romance-obsessed young ladies as strangers, she had no desire to press Julius when he feigned ignorance. Karen wouldn’t be able to show a pleasant face to people who spoke ill of Julius if the positions were reversed, either.

For now, to avoid stimulating him further, Karen decided to stick close to Julius. Karen not being hurt was the best defense against hurting Julius.

However, Viscountess Capel approached Karen and Julius, who had moved to the tea room, and said:

“Master Julius, might you dance with this young lady next?”

It was part of proper etiquette for invited gentlemen to ask women to dance, so none were left as wallflowers. Especially when introduced by the hostess, the Viscountess Capel, it was courteous to accept.

But Julius said decisively:

“I’m sorry, but I must decline.”

Karen wondered doubtfully whether that was acceptable manner-wise, and her perception seemed correct, as Viscountess Capel looked dumbfounded, and the young lady behind her looked on the verge of tears.

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Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 216

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Chapter Two Hundred and Sixteen: Anniversary Date 6

Sara had been waiting inside the carriage that came to pick them up. Once she finished tidying Karen’s appearance again, Karen pushed open the carriage door.

“Karen, your hand.”

“Thank you, Mr. Julius.”

Karen took Julius’s hand and stepped down from the carriage, then walked forward, escorted by Julius.

The party’s host, Viscountess Rosie Capel, was apparently one of the people with whom Alise had social connections. She was married and had one son. If it had been a daughter, Karen wouldn’t have been able to remain quite so calm.

“She’s fond of parties and holds them frequently. I’ve received invitations many times before, but this will be my first time attending.”

“She must be delighted to hear that you’re participating this time, Mr. Julius.”

“…I suppose so.”

Julius gave a vague smile. His expression, which had been so soft until just moments ago, gradually stiffened as the time for the party drew near.

Karen looked up at him and said:

“Mr. Julius, if you wish, we can still cancel it even now.”

“What’s the matter, Karen?”

“You can blame me for the reason, whether it’s poor health or whatever. If I’m not enough of a reason, I think Lady Waltride would forgive us if we used her as an excuse. She’d cover for us even if we said without permission that she suddenly summoned us. So—”

“Viscountess Capel must be very pleased to hear of my attendance, and having come this far, I’m not going to cancel now.”

“…I see.”

Since Julius said so, Karen nodded.

“If you said you wished to leave, Karen, we would go home—but you’re just worried about me, right?”

Julius said this with a troubled smile.

“I’m sorry for making you worry. I just can’t help but feel unsettled when I think that you might be hurt. But it’s simply a matter of me protecting you so that you won’t be hurt.”

Julius spoke as if convincing himself.

Even if recognized by no one, Karen was here to show herself at Julius’s side. From the beginning, Karen had never expected to remain unscathed, yet she refrained from saying so, unwilling to interrupt his words and his resolve. Instead, she clung to Julius’s arm.

“Well then, let us show aristocratic society our relationship!”

Karen declared brightly.

Whatever Julius felt, Karen made it clear with her whole being that she held no hesitation. Julius relaxed his cheeks just a little and narrowed his eyes.

Upon entering the mansion, they were greeted by a woman who appeared to be the host.

She was a plump, dignified woman, likely around Alise’s parents’ generation or perhaps a bit younger.

“Oh my, welcome, Master Julius! I’m so delighted you truly came.”

“I’m grateful for the invitation, Viscountess Capel.”

“By the way, who might that person be…?”

Viscountess Rosie Capel looked at Karen with a well-mannered smile.

There was nothing overtly rude in her manner thus far, yet the unspoken implication of her unfinished words lingered.

She was probably being judged unfit to stand beside Julius, Karen thought that wryly while smiling back cheerfully.

“This is my partner, Karen. She’s a C-rank alchemist.”

“My, C-rank. …A C-rank alchemist named Karen—I’ve heard about you. You’re Her Highness Waltride’s alchemist, aren’t you? The one behind those cosmetics bearing Her Highness’s seal!”

Once she understood who Karen was, Rosie’s eyes suddenly sparkled.

While taken aback, Karen curtsied, thinking how fortunate it was that she had pursued the cosmetics business.

“Yes. I’m honored that you know of me.”

“A friend of mine once had the chance to use only the powder. It was quite marvelous, and I have dearly wished to obtain some myself, but it has been so difficult to acquire.”

“I participated in the dungeon investigation, so I apologize that supply hasn’t kept up.”

“Yes, of course, participation in the dungeon investigation is quite an honor. Still, I’m looking forward to your return to society!”

Once a connection was made, her behavior became rather high-spirited and full of charm.

Seen off with smiles, Karen and Julius headed toward the venue.

“She seems like a nice person.”

“Viscountess Capel’s parties are always prosperous, apparently due to her personal virtue. Even Sister-in-law Alise says that if she has any troubles at a party, she consults with the Viscountess. However, her lips are somewhat loose.”

“I see?”

“You’re not Her Highness’ alchemist, though.”

At Julius’s disgruntled whisper, Karen giggled.

“I’m not exclusive to her, but I am close to that. We’re friends, after all!”

Tonight’s party was in soirée format, and though not on the scale of a ball, there would be musical performances, and dancing was possible.

When Karen and Julius entered the hall that served as the venue, gazes immediately converged on them. Not only in commoner social circles but in aristocratic ones as well, Julius apparently remained someone who drew attention.

And what had changed were the gazes directed at Karen. Blatant cold stares pierced from here and there, questioning why someone like Karen was standing in such a place, at Julius’s side.

To her own surprise, Karen found herself unbothered, and she felt relieved.

“Karen, are you all right?”

“I’m perfectly fine. It’s just as I expected—if anything, I’m rather reassured.”

It was far better than having something incomprehensible happen—like being cast down from the rank she had nearly climbed in front of a crowd.

To Julius, who asked worriedly, Karen answered truthfully.

“Mr. Julius, are you not embarrassed to be with me?”

“Not in the slightest. There’s no way I could be embarrassed being with you.”

Julius’s words sounded sincere.

Even so, he remained tense and vigilant.

Perhaps it would have been better for Julius if she had perfected her etiquette and at least become a B-rank alchemist before coming. Perhaps she should not have selfishly wished that he would not feel embarrassed to be with her as she was now.

Seeing Julius’s taut profile—as he feared her being hurt far more than she did herself—Karen felt her heart squeeze painfully.

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Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 215

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Chapter Two Hundred and Fifteen: Anniversary Date 5

“Mr. Julius, thank you for such a wonderful gift.”

“If it makes you happy, that’s all that matters, Karen.”

After Karen had decided on the World Tree ladle as her present from Julius, and during the payment, Karen once again thanked Julius and timidly looked up at him.

Although she had declined the orichalcum alchemy cauldron, Julius wore a cheerful expression even under the sunlight. Since she hadn’t wanted to disappoint him, Karen breathed a sigh of relief.

Besides, it truly was a gift she was grateful for and happy to receive. Karen gently stroked the glossy, smooth wood grain with the pad of her finger.

“I’d been thinking for a while now that I wanted a dedicated ladle. I knew about the World Tree ladle, and I thought that if I were to get one, the sooner the better, but I just couldn’t bring myself to purchase it…”

As Urgo had said, materials from the World Tree needed to be attuned to the user’s magical power, but once properly acclimated, they became irreplaceable, invaluable tools. That was precisely why she had wanted to acquire one as early as possible and grow accustomed to using it.

“You can carry a ladle wherever you go, right? It’s lighter than mithril, but given the World Tree’s toughness, it could function as a weapon stronger than a mediocre blade. It might even shield you in a pinch. I want you to carry it with you at all times.”

“Yes, I will. How should I carry it?”

“It will fit perfectly in a club sheath, Karen. Shall we go buy one now?”

Karen started to nod, then froze.

“…How do you know it fits in a club sheath?”

“Oops.”

Julius rather theatrically pressed his finger against his lips. His smiling mouth, sparkling eyes, and eyebrows that dropped ever so slightly in apparent guilt—Karen caught on and was stunned.

“Don’t tell me—you tricked me!?”

While cheaper compared to an orichalcum alchemy cauldron, a World Tree ladle was also a terrifyingly expensive magical tool. Though not in the hundreds of millions or billions, it was still an item in the tens of millions of yen range. If he had recommended this from the start, would Karen have really accepted it so readily?

“You made me think you were going to buy the orichalcum alchemy cauldron to numb my sense of money, when you intended to buy the World Tree ladle from the beginning!?”

“It seems I’ve been found out.”

“What would you have done if I’d really wanted the orichalcum alchemy cauldron!?”

“In that case, I would have gladly purchased it. Though I thought I might have to borrow money from Brother Helfried, depending on the amount. Well, I didn’t think it would come to that.”

First present an impossible demand, then, when the other party hesitates, appear to ease the conditions while presenting your real demand. A person confronted with an impossible demand feels that the other party has made a concession, thinks they must reciprocate, and becomes more likely to accept the next request.

It was a type of deception technique.

Karen, who had fallen completely into Julius’s scheme, held her head in her hands.

“I truly wished to give you something you would keep for the rest of your life, Karen. Since it is a tool, it may one day break—but even so, I wanted something that could stay by your side for as long as possible.”

By that logic, Julius’s first choice for a gift had been the World Tree ladle from the start. While an orichalcum alchemy cauldron would be lighter than an adamantite one, it still wasn’t something one could casually carry around.

Karen said with pursed lips:

“…If you had said that, I might have accepted it honestly from the beginning, you know?”

“Still, the orichalcum alchemy cauldron had been tempting as well. With that, you would never need to replace it in your lifetime, nor risk losing it.”

“There’s no way I could accept something like that!”

And yet, this World Tree ladle now in Karen’s hands was also the type of gift she normally couldn’t accept. In truth, no matter what he had said, she might not have been able to accept it so easily.

Her sense of money had been completely numbed with an anesthetic. Everything was in the palm of Julius’s hand.

“…I’ll treasure this and use it carefully. But! Please don’t use methods like this in the future. It’s bad for my heart.”

“Understood, Karen. Brother Helfried told me that if I use it too much, you’ll stop being fooled by it.”

“You’re planning to use it again!”

“I’ll save up for the day when our household finances become one.”

“Geez!”

While laughing at Karen, who hit his arm to hide her embarrassment, Julius next took her to a leather goods shop. It was the smooth escort of someone who had already picked out the shop from the start. By the time they purchased a leather holder that could fit the World Tree ladle, the fourth bell had already rung.

“It’s not quite noon, but we have time until the evening party, so let’s go eat a snack or something. This time I’m treating!”

“Very well. May I choose the shop?”

“Of course. Is there somewhere you want to go?”

Julius nodded with a smile and took Karen to the "Green Bird Pavilion," a fashionable confectionery shop that every commoner girl living in the royal capital of the Earthfill Kingdom would want to visit on a date at least once.

Though there was usually a line at this café, for some reason, there wasn’t a soul in sight today, and the shop’s sign read "Reserved for Private Event Today.”

“I heard that commoner women dream at least once of coming to this shop with their partner. That’s why I wanted to come here with you, Karen.”

Karen understood Julius’s feelings. Just as she had wished to become someone who shaped his dreams, if he felt the same, then this must be something he truly wanted to do.

“…It’s true I once wanted to have a date here, and this is my first time coming here on a date, and it’s with you, Mr. Julius.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

She had come here with Natalia before, but that shouldn’t count. At least she had never come here with Lyos.

Julius was welcomed in by the staff almost without question, and Karen followed after him. When they sat at a table in one corner of the empty establishment, Julius said:

“Do you have any recommendations?”

Karen hesitated a bit, but made the same suggestion she always made when she came with Natalia.

“Let’s order four cakes and split all of them in half. That way, we won’t get too full and can enjoy four different flavors.”

“Then, let’s do that.”

Though it might be improper behavior for Julius, even so, what he wanted to know was what Karen desired.

Karen and Julius carefully selected and ordered four cakes together, then halved and shared them.

“I find this strawberry tart quite delicious.”

“I like the cream pie.”

“This one is excellent as well. I hear the owner was once a royal palace chef.”

“Is that so? Maybe that’s why it’s so delicious.”

“Since they quit being a royal palace chef because they wanted to make confections rather than regular cooking, it’s also possible they simply pursued what they loved.”

They leisurely enjoyed their sweets and conversation, and when it came time to pay, she was told the bill had already been settled at the time of the reservation, meaning Julius had outmaneuvered her again. By the time they left the shop in playful banter, the time for the party was drawing near.

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Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 214

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Chapter Two Hundred and Fourteen: Anniversary Date 4

“What is this?”

“That’s a monster-repelling magical tool. Well, it’s a prototype, though.”

“You can make monster repellents too.”

Karen voiced her admiration.

It was shaped like a lamp, and she could see that when activated, a stone installed inside the lamp would emit light. That alone made it a beautiful-looking lamp, but since it was placed here, she thought it couldn’t be just an ordinary lamp—and apparently, while operating, it even demonstrated monster-repelling effects.

“It did make it harder for monsters to approach, sure, but it wasn’t like the goddess-made artifacts that kept monsters away entirely for as long as the effect lasted. I kept a few here for alchemists who are going to gather materials in dungeons, but if you wanted reliability, you were better off purchasing the goddess’ magical tools from a shop that buys from adventurers, or from the Adventurers’ Guild.”

Karen nodded at Urgo honestly explaining the demerits of the magical tool he’d created.

“It could serve as an ordinary lamp as well, and if it even slightly reduced the chances of monsters approaching, then for an alchemist like me who didn’t want to run into monsters, it would be quite useful.”

“But it was absurdly expensive for something that was basically a lamp. It was meant for wealthy folks with money to burn. You should forget about it.”

Though expensive for a lamp, among the magical tools on display, it was quite cheap. And since it had an adorable design, Karen was keen on it, but she was vetoed by none other than the seller himself.

“May I ask about the mechanism that keeps monsters from approaching?”

“Sure. I’ll keep my personal techniques secret, but as a general mechanism, when you activate this thing, it creates a membrane of magical power in the surrounding area.”

Urgo spoke while illuminating his self-made magical tool lamp.

“There’s a theory that monsters detect human magical power and approach. By creating a membrane of magical power, the owner’s magical power should become harder to detect, but well, if they see you visually, it’s meaningless—and some monsters ignore it altogether. Hang on a second.”

Saying this, Urgo disappeared into the back of the shop and soon returned carrying a hexagonal pillar stone in his hand. Since monster-repelling magical tools were expensive items, this was also Karen’s first time seeing one.

“This is the authentic goddess’s monster repellent. Since we don’t understand this thing’s mechanism in the first place, the monster repellents we are doing are nothing more than imitations.”

While speaking, Urgo charged the goddess’s monster-repelling magical tool with magical power and activated it. Its range of effect seemed to be about a one-meter radius, and Karen, who was at the boundary of the affected area, widened her eyes.

“There’s definitely some kind of membrane, but I don’t know what that membrane actually is. Can you tell anything?”

Urgo’s words weren’t serious but tossed at Karen like a light joke.

But Karen nodded.

“I know this sensation.”

“…What?”

Karen smoothly extended her hand to the boundary of the activated monster-repelling magical tool’s range of effect and touched it.

“Here, there’s a membrane of no magical power.”

“—A membrane of no magical power? What’s that?”

“There’s a thin space with absolutely no magical power stretched out like a membrane. I’ve been to such a space recently, so I could notice it.”

“I also remember going to that space, but I don’t seem to understand it, Karen.”

Julius also tried putting his finger through the membrane’s boundary, but apparently couldn’t sense the space without magical power.

Karen nodded with a "hmm" and said:

“Perhaps Harald might understand it.”

“So only those who understand the concept of ‘no magical power’ can tell.”

“Hey, don’t you two go to un understanding without me!”

Urgo examined the goddess’s monster repellent’s boundary line from every angle, passing his hand, body, and head through it, moving about busily before slumping his shoulders.

“I don’t understand at aaaaaall…!”

“Perhaps only people who understand the state of ‘having no magical power’ can tell.”

“How am I supposed to understand that?”

“I think I became able to understand after using up my magical power once, but… for fairy folk dwarves, well…”

“I’d die, wouldn’t I… Seriously? No wonder none of the dwarves can tell… wait? Even so, it’s strange that we can’t even observe it numerically, right?”

“I really don’t understand that part.”

Not listening to Karen’s words at all, Urgo began muttering to himself while charging the goddess’s monster repellent with magical power.

Since he looked like he was having fun, Karen left Urgo behind and quietly returned to searching for a magical tool.

Eventually, Julius said:

“Karen, how about this?”

“If there’s something you want, please feel free to purchase it without checking with me.”

Karen answered reflexively, but what Julius held was a magical tool for alchemists.

Karen carefully clasped a wooden branch ladle in both hands, and Julius followed behind her as they left Urgo’s magical tool shop.

Urgo, who had come out to see them off, said:

“The World Tree ladle has worse magical conductivity than orichalcum or mithril staves at first, but it’s said that with continued use, it would gradually attune itself to your magical power—even to your ‘understanding.’ Though it’s not as expensive as the orichalcum alchemical cauldron, treat it well.”

“Yes!”

Karen nodded while gripping the ladle tightly. It was a ladle used in alchemy when stirring potions or transferring them to bottles. Until now, Karen had used a kitchen ladle, but merely touching a potion with a non-alchemical utensil caused it to deteriorate.

Its shape resembled a soup ladle, formed in a streamlined curve that reduced resistance while stirring. Urgo had adjusted this ladle made of World Tree wood that Julius had chosen for her by carving the grip to fit Karen’s hand right there on the spot. Because of that, it already fit comfortably in Karen’s hand.

“By the way, if you ever got your hands on an orichalcum alchemy cauldron, what would you do?”

“I intended to create the Philosopher’s Stone. Before then, I’d somehow save up the money and seek out connections so I could come here again.”

Julius had a letter of introduction as a reward from the previous Royal Swordsmanship Tournament, but that was apparently a one-time thing. To come here again, she would have to follow a different route.

Karen happened to have a master with useful connections, and she intended to ask for an introduction eventually. Lately, she’d been busy going here and there, so they hadn’t met much, but this wasn’t an immediate matter anyway.

“I see.”

Urgo nodded as if understanding something.

“So for you, the orichalcum alchemical cauldron—the supreme masterpiece we dwarves create with painstaking care using secret techniques—is just a means to an end.”

“Eh? D-Did I say something rude?”

Urgo spoke in a low voice, making Karen’s heart jump. If she’d sullied this first-rate magical tool craftsman’s pride and angered him, obtaining the orichalcum alchemical cauldron would become hopeless. Only S-rank craftsmen could process orichalcum, and such masters were exceedingly rare. Naturally, they also had connections among themselves—

“Quite the opposite!”

Urgo laughed at Karen, who held her breath, rustling his beard.

“What we make is ultimately just tools! Not proof of being first-rate. We want to help those who challenge heights they can’t reach without the magical tools we make. I refuse to sell masterpieces to people who are satisfied just obtaining the tool, to people who have no plans to take on challenges requiring the tool.”

Urgo rummaged in his pocket, then pulled out a single medal. It was golden in color, but it wasn’t a gold coin. On it was drawn the emblem of Urgo’s magical tool shop—a picture of wings and a hammer.

“It’s made of orichalcum, so don’t lose it.”

“Eep!”

Karen let out a small scream, tucked the ladle under her arm, and clasped the medal in both hands.

“That’s an entry permit for my shop. Plus, it can serve as a letter of introduction from me. At other magical tool stores or dwarf workshops, even if they refuse first-time customers, there might be places that’ll let you in if you show that.”

“Th-thank you very much… is this really okay?”

“Yeah. I’m giving you that, so come to my magical tool workshop next time. I’ve got a mountain of things I want to ask you.”

“I don’t know anything about magical tools, though?”

“But you know things I don’t understand, right? If you’ll teach me those, I’ll teach you things you don’t understand in return.”

The legendary metal, orichalcum. It was said that without it, one could not create the Philosopher’s Stone. To handle an orichalcum alchemy cauldron someday, understanding orichalcum itself would be essential.

“I’m honored you’d say that. I’ll visit again sometime.”

“Good. It’s for occasional things like this that I have my shop in human territory.”

Karen smiled back at Urgo’s satisfied words.

Perhaps fairy folk who lived in human society all thought this way.

Greedy for knowledge, always aiming higher.

Aiming for the same place as Karen.

Once she realized that, Urgo suddenly felt like a familiar presence, and Karen pressed the medal tightly against her chest and gripped it.

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Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 213

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Chapter Two Hundred and Thirteen: Anniversary Date 3

Guided to the section for alchemists’ magical tools, Karen’s eyes were immediately drawn to one particular magical tool.

An amber-like golden alchemical cauldron used when making potions through alchemy.

“…Orichalcum, is it? This is my first time seeing it.”

While she fairly often saw mithril as the highest-grade item in ultra-luxury shops, and very occasionally saw scarletite, this was the first time in Karen’s life she’d laid eyes on the substance called orichalcum. It shone like gold, but unlike gold, it was translucent, allowing light to pass through from the other side.

“Yeah, that’s right. Want to hold it?”

“C-Could I borrow some gloves!?”

“Even if you scratched it with your nails, you wouldn’t put a single mark on orichalcum. Don’t worry about it and try holding it. It’s fine even if you drop it.”

“I absolutely will not drop it!”

As Karen reached out toward the orichalcum alchemical cauldron only to pull back, Urgo lifted the cauldron from its pedestal and casually pressed it into Karen’s hands. Realizing it would fall if she didn’t take it, Karen hastily caught it.

“…The weight is about the same as iron, I think?”

“Mithril would be lighter and easier to handle, but this has a higher magical conductivity rate. It’s hard and sturdy—even scratching it with dragon scales wouldn’t leave a mark. It’s the pinnacle of alchemical cauldrons that can compound any material with maximum efficiency.”

“The pinnacle…”

If she was ever going to create the Philosopher’s Stone, this was the finest alchemical cauldron she’d want to obtain. It was a legendary magical tool she’d thought she absolutely wanted to acquire somewhere along the path she was aiming for.

“The method of processing orichalcum is our dwarves’ greatest secret. Can you figure out how to process this incredibly sturdy thing?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea.”

“Well, I suppose not. It’s a dwarven secret technique. It’s only natural you can’t see through it.”

Urgo stroked his beard with an air of satisfaction. Though he’d acted like he didn’t care, perhaps he’d been frustrated that Karen had seen through the secret of the water flask.

As Karen looked at the childish Urgo with half-lidded eyes, a shadow suddenly fell over her hands.

“How much would this be?”

Karen looked up with a start, met Julius’s eyes, saw his beaming smile, and was struck with horror as she finally remembered the plan she’d made on the way to the shop.

Urgo looked up at Julius with a dubious expression.

“It’s an orichalcum alchemical cauldron, you know? Of course, it costs a fortune. If you’re just asking to window-shop, please don’t.”

“Of course I’m asking with the intention to purchase. Besides my salary as a knight of the Ehlertt Order, I’ve received rewards for conquering the dungeon in the Ehlertt territory, prize money from winning last year’s swordsmanship tournament, and compensation for subjugating the elder treant on the recent dungeon expedition. Beyond that, I have money obtained from my work at the annual hunting festivals across various territories. If these are sufficient for payment, I intend to purchase it.”

“Hmm. So there’s a good chance you can pay… very well. No one’s bought it in fifty years, but it’s not like it’s not for sale. The price for this is—”

“W-Wait, please, Mr. Urgo!”

Feeling like it would all be over once she heard the price, Karen cut off Urgo’s words.

“M-M-Mr. Julius, actually, there’s something else I want more!”

“Even though you made straight for the orichalcum alchemical cauldron without looking at anything else?”

Julius looked down at Karen clutching her head and spoke with amusement.

“I watched you being drawn straight to this alchemical cauldron with sparkling eyes, as if you’d forgotten my very existence, Karen. I felt a bit lonely, but it was so adorable I nearly laughed.”

As Julius spoke with a chuckle, Karen’s face turned red while her eyes darted back and forth.

“I want you to let me buy the thing you want most, Karen.”

“The lad is saying he wants to lavish you with gifts. That’s the height of female privilege, isn’t it? You should just accept it gratefully.”

“Mr. Urgo, there’s absolutely no way it’s a price I can accept so readily, right!? It’s something like a hundred platinum coins, isn’t it!?”

When the potions Karen made were appraised, they got labels in parentheses like "minor," "medium," or "large." Above those was apparently "extra-large," but there was even something beyond that. Real "healing potions" had no label at all. They were said to have no limit to their restorative power and were also called full recovery potions. If such a potion went up for auction, the minimum successful bid was apparently a hundred platinum coins.

A hundred platinum coins. From the perspective of a commoner like Karen, it was an absurd amount. It couldn’t be directly converted into yen, but if she imagined it in yen, it would amount to hundreds of millions or even billions.

She couldn’t let him buy something like that. At Karen’s pale-faced question, Urgo frowned dubiously.

“There’s no way a mere hundred platinum coins would be enough. It’s orichalcum, you know? A legendary metal, you know?”

“Specifically, how much would it be? It doesn’t seem like an amount I can’t pay.”

“Mr. Julius, it’s fine, I’m okay, it’s too expensive for a present!”

As Karen grabbed his arm and pulled to restrain him, Julius narrowed his eyes.

“You were adorable when you were absorbed in the orichalcum alchemical cauldron, but I did feel somewhat displeased watching you completely forget about me after all. If you obtain it, you won’t become so absorbed as to forget me again, will you?”

Julius spoke with slightly cold eyes. If her reason for stopping him was mere modesty, he clearly had no intention of accepting it, a faint sneer touching his lips.

Even though the reason Karen had completely forgotten Julius’s existence on their date was that Julius had brought her to a place like this, it apparently still didn’t sit well with him.

Karen’s mind raced frantically to stop Julius, and eventually she clung to his arm.

“Karen? However adorably you try to restrain me—”

“Wh-what if!? If you and I were together, our wallets would be together too, right!? So I’d really like you not to spend a fortune here!”

Karen shouted, turning bright red. This was a desperate measure wrung from the depths of her soul—the "we’ll have joint finances when we’re married, so please don’t spend money here" strategy.

“—That’s—”

“I’m sorry! I know your money is yours, Mr. Julius! But for commoners, it’s normal for the wife to manage the husband’s money, so somehow that kind of thought just popped into my head! How embarrassing!”

Karen spoke incoherently while remaining bright red.

“Ah, but if that’s an outrageous way of thinking from your perspective, Mr. Julius, I apologize. For a commoner like me to think about managing your assets, Mr. Julius—that’s presumptuous, isn’t it? Ehehe…”

As Karen turned red and pale repeatedly with tears in her eyes, Julius sighed. Karen flinched at the sigh, and the tears welling in her eyes threatened to spill at any moment. Julius knelt at her feet and took her hand.

“It’s my complete defeat, Karen. Of course, when we’re married, the authority to manage my assets as your husband will belong to you as my wife. If you don’t permit it, I’ll refrain from major purchases.”

Karen cautiously observed Julius’s demeanor, but he didn’t seem offended. Rather, he wore a cheerful, amused smile as if in a good mood.

“Hey, you two, what are you doing about the orichalcum alchemical cauldron?”

“We’ll pass on it for today!”

Karen resolved in her heart to save up money and buy it herself someday.

The shared marital assets argument was just Karen’s sophistry, so of course, there would be no problem if Karen bought it herself.

“Then, my future wife. Within the range you’ll permit me, I’d like to give you a gift—could you tell me what you want second-most after the orichalcum alchemical cauldron?”

“Th-thank you very much. I’ll choose now.”

Karen steeled herself and let her gaze race in search of reasonably priced magical tools.

This time, she absolutely would not let her eyes be captivated by some outrageously expensive magical tool, she resolved with force in the pit of her stomach.

“Also, I’m personally interested in this magical tool—would it be all right to purchase it?”

“I think you may do as you please with that.”

“But since my wallet is yours, I thought it wouldn’t be good to buy things arbitrarily.”

Julius spoke with an air of amusement.

His manner of speaking was as if Karen had authority over all of Julius’s purchases.

It was serious to call it teasing, but the corners of his mouth were completely relaxed.

From the embarrassment caused by her own words, Karen turned bright red and shouted:

“Y-You know I only said that to get out of the situation, right!?”

“Even if you said it to get out of the situation, I took it seriously and withdrew. I can’t wait to be managed by you, Karen.”

Seeing Karen trembling with a red face, Julius laughed aloud like a blooming flower with mirth in his eyes.

Karen glared sharply at Julius, then turned her face away from him and resumed selecting magical tools with rough steps.

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