Kiri just translating something.

Fancy level: 4 Font size: 100%

Support

Get some advanced chapters on Patreon

Release Schedule

3 chapters per week: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

Saint TOC

Traveler TOC

Alchemist Karen No Longer Compromises, Chapter 115

Previous chapter Index Next chapter

Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen: Apology Negotiations

“Magic is established through ‘magical power’ and ‘understanding,’ and in alchemy, the deeper one’s understanding of materials, the less magical power is required.”

“So that’s why people say you need at least C-rank magical power to become an alchemist, but you can manage it regardless, Lady Karen.”

“That’s probably it. I get that I understand non-magical materials better than others, but I don’t get why the same applies even to healing potions made with herbs.”

Karen’s knowledge about medicinal herbs should be no different from that of other people in this world. She let Harald into the alchemy workshop and, unlike before, had him stand beside her while she made her usual potions and explained the process, tilting her head in puzzlement.

Incidentally, Tim had been working shorter hours since that incident. He had come early in the morning only to escort Harald, who wanted to do so. However, if he was coming alone, he preferred to start work around the second bell, like most other laborers.

The second bell had rung a while ago, but Tim hadn’t arrived yet. Originally, this world had no clocks, and many people were casual about time. As long as one could do their work, it was tolerated. The diligent Harald, who worked punctually every morning, was the unusual one.

Lady Karen, you’re aware that you know more about non-magical materials than others. May I ask where you learned this? It wasn’t at a commoner’s school, was it?”

“Well, that’s—”

Karen had imposed a magical contract on Harald. He couldn’t reveal secrets at times when Karen didn’t want him to. Karen had considered sharing her past life memories with him to investigate the secret behind non-magical material potions, but she hesitated and ultimately remained silent. She couldn’t think that her past life memories and knowledge were unrelated. However, it felt wrong to tell Harald alone a secret she had never revealed to anyone.

“…I don’t really want to talk about it. It’s not that I’m forbidden by contract with someone or anything.”

I won’t force you at all! I just asked out of curiosity. I apologize.”

“No, no, it’s naturally something you’d be curious about. So it’s fine. The secret of non-magical material potions might be hidden in those things that make you curious, Harald! …If I ever think it’s absolutely necessary for other people to be able to make non-magical material potions, I’ll resign myself to revealing it someday. It’s not that big of a secret, so feel free to ask about anything you’re curious about!”

From the perspective of people in this world, they might notice something Karen had overlooked.

“In that case—”

Harald seemed to regain his composure and bombarded Karen with questions. Karen answered each question one by one as she worked, and once she reached a stopping point, she spoke up:

Harald, why don’t you try doing it yourself? That way, you’ll find it easier to remember my movements, right?”

“That’s true… I can remember the movements, but it would be difficult to learn things like magical power flow without your instruction.”

“Magical power flow! Yeah, good point.”

As Karen was explaining to Harald how to move magical power and her way of thinking about it, the front door bell rang.

I’ll go answer it.”

“Be careful.”

Karen whispered, thinking of the recent attack. Moreover, unlike that time, Tim wasn’t here now. Harald nodded and left the alchemy workshop.

When Harald returned, he spoke with a tense expression:

I believe they are guests—Mister Lucas, the vice guildmaster of the Merchants’ Guild, and Mister Eugene, the president of the Gubert Trading Company, say they have business with you, Lady Karen. I’ve shown them to the reception room.”

Karen put a lid on the alchemy cauldron.

“The Gubert Trading Company… that would be the father of that Isaac, right? Did they come to apologize to you, Lady Karen?”

“They’ll probably apologize, but they’ve likely come to plead for his life. Since Isaac’s charges include the crime of obstructing national defense, they want to cancel out that portion.”

If the victim forgave the crime, that portion of the sin would be pardoned. Their coming to Karen meant they probably had prospects for settling the crimes Isaac had committed before the king at the royal palace as well.

The Gubert Trading Company was B-rank in the Merchants’ Guild. It was a trading company that had existed since before Karen was born, and it was a major trading company that would be recognized as A-rank if it could be entrusted with national-scale work. In this world and this country, where magical items, gifts from the goddess, dropped from dungeons, they were one of the entities controlling commerce. It wouldn’t be strange for them to possess several things the king desired.

“That explains why the Merchants’ Guild gets involved.”

“Let’s hope you get something nice out of it.”

Karen made a displeased face at Harald’s light tone. Harald blinked in surprise, his eyes wide with confusion.

Harald, prepare some tea.”

“Is it fine for me to do it?”

“They’re not the kind of people I’d serve my potion tea to.”

When Karen headed to the reception room, there were two men there. One was a fat man in his forties. He was well-dressed, with rings on his plump fingers and several necklaces hanging from his thick neck. They weren’t mere jewelry but magical tools for protection.

The other was a vigorous-looking man around fifty with graying blond hair. His mustache was magnificent, hiding his mouth. His sharp, upturned eyes had a stern atmosphere similar to Marian’s, so this was probably Eugene, the president of the Gubert Trading Company.

Eugene glared at Karen—but it might have only looked that way. His imposing figure was seated heavily on the sofa, and his naturally harsh eyes made it seem that way just from his gaze moving toward Karen.

When Karen entered the room, Eugene and Lucas stood up.

Alchemist Karen, it’s our first meeting. I am Lucas, vice guildmaster of the Merchants’ Guild. Since this matter involves an incident that affects the fate of the Gubert Trading Company, which has long contributed to the Merchants’ Guild, I intend to oversee how things unfold.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Karen, an alchemist.”

After Lucas and Karen finished their introductions, the other man placed his hand on his chest and slowly bowed his head.

I am Eugene of the Gubert Trading Company. Alchemist Karen, my foolish son has caused you trouble, and I’ve done something terribly inexcusable. I understand my daughter has also caused you trouble in a separate matter.”

Mr. Eugene! For someone of your stature to bow your head to an E-rank alchemist…!”

Vice guildmaster, I appreciate your concern, but please don’t stop me. I came here to apologize, so it’s natural for me to bow my head.”

After stopping the surprised Lucas, Eugene looked at Karen again. It was an imposing gaze. If she let her guard down, she felt she might be overwhelmed, so Karen clenched her back teeth.

Ms. Karen, I’ve prepared an apology gift as the leader of the Gubert Trading Company, and as Isaac and Marian’s father, with our sincere apologies.”

When Karen received the paper Eugene offered, it was a list of items. The “something nice” Harald had mentioned were lined up there. It was compensation to be given to Karen in exchange for forgiving the crimes. It included magical materials starting with the S-rank World Tree series, rare B-rank monster materials, and even A-rank Fenrir fur. It was a collection of precious items that alchemists would covet.

“With this, I would like you to forgive Isaac’s crimes.”

At Eugene’s words, Karen placed the list on the desk and answered:

I’m sorry, but I cannot accept this.”

The moment Karen said that, a sharp, tense atmosphere filled the room.

Previous chapter Index Next chapter

Characters so far

To view the Characters, please enable JavaScript.

Glossary

To view the Glossary, please enable JavaScript.

No comments:

Post a Comment