Chapter 160 - Chapter 159: Alchemy and Prehistoric Civilization
The third month of Water, the first week, Tuesday.
On the way home after the academy ended.
I was stopped by a knight after passing through the Second Wall.
A message from Ozendorwa said that Mika was requested to come to the Fifth Knights Order's office.
"Did you find him? The young man with reddish-brown hair?"
Ozendorwa's words were about that suspicious young man.
"He seemed to be running at quite a speed down the Southeast Main Street. But the only distinguishing feature is his hair color, right? Honestly, there are mountains of people like that just in the capital. He made a conspicuous move, so a knight chased him, but..."
"Did you lose sight of him?"
When Mika said that, Ozendorwa made a grim face.
"...I cannot definitively conclude it is the same person. But I thought I should warn you."
"I see. Thank you."
Mika thanked Ozendorwa and made a complicated face.
"Are there any movements regarding the ruins in Modesse Forest or somewhere like that?"
"No, there are no movements in the forest direction. Neither the reddish-brown-haired guy nor the Chimera have appeared since then."
Ozendorwa creaked his chair and leaned back against the backrest.
Could the young man who was said to be in the capital be the same person?
The Southeast Main Street is within Mika's territory.
Should I consider moving...?
If it is definitively stated that this time's person is that young man, I should move. The Southeast Main Street is right next to my house. But there are plenty of people with similar hair colors. Even if that young man is active within the capital, how would I judge that a new residence is safe?
If a range of action has been identified, it is enough to stay away from there.
But a young man who had no clues at all suddenly acted differently than usual.
It can also be considered that he had to make a move that deviated from his usual action pattern.
Did he make a conspicuous move because he went outside his original range of action? Or did an irregularity occur within his range of action? ...In the first place, it is not certain that it is the same person.
This is truly half-baked information that cannot be a reason to move or a reason not to move.
With this, it is difficult to decide anything.
I guess I have no choice but to wait and see...? Moving my own territory has large disadvantages for me as well.
The fact that Yaroibarov's inn is nearby is a very large merit.
If something troublesome happens, I might be able to get help.
Ozendorwa spoke to Mika, who was lost in thought.
"Is there something that concerns you?"
"No, the Southeast Main Street is near my house. Whether I should move or not."
Until this matter is settled, should I evacuate Kistil and Nerisfeene to Rish Village?
If I do that, I can abandon my house and live a life of seclusion in the academy dormitory.
Am I being too cautious? If I haven't even confirmed it, doing this now will just lead to my own destruction?
Cautiously on my own, wearing down my mind on my own.
Besides, even if I say I will seclude myself in the dormitory, leaving the nomination requests untouched is somewhat reluctant.
I need to earn living expenses.
Well, if I can clear even one job a month, I can live a luxurious life.
"At this stage, I cannot say anything from my side. But..."
"But?"
When Mika asked back, Ozendorwa made a serious face.
"I have a bad feeling. I don't know if this time's young man is that guy, but the young man with reddish-brown hair is surely doing something behind the scenes. Here in the capital."
At those words, so full of conviction, Mika gulped and made a sound in his throat.
"I will designate the area around Mika-kun's house as a key vigilance zone and increase the number of patrols. If necessary, I can station knights permanently, but..."
"If they become too conspicuous, it might just stir up a hornet's nest."
When Mika gave a wry smile, Ozendorwa was drawn into a wry smile as well.
With large mansions lined up around here, if a knight stands in front of such a small house, it will inevitably be conspicuous.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"No, this is within the range of normal response. Don't worry about it."
And so, Mika left the Fifth Knights Order's office and returned home.
After returning home, I suggested to Kistil and Nerisfeene to evacuate to Rish Village, just in case, but they rejected it immediately.
"Absolutely not, that kind of thing."
"No matter what happens, I will be with Mika-sama."
They pleaded while crying.
■■■■■■
The next day, the third month of Water, the first week, Wednesday.
When I went to the academy, Messerite told me, "The dorm mother said to show up at some appropriate time."
"So, I came to show my face."
Mika sat on the chair and accepted the glass handed to him by Paraleira.
A pitch-black liquid with a green, long stem stuck into it.
...What is this?
"It seems he was alive, after all."
Saying that, Paraleira sat down heavily on the chair opposite.
Scratching her head vigorously, she stifled a yawn.
Did she pull an all-nighter? Paraleira looked completely wrecked, as if she had.
"Did you hear rumors that I died or something?"
"It's not exactly that, but even though your room was left, no one would dare to approach it. I was also curious about what happened afterwards."
"Ah..."
Related to the disappeared mage?
If that's the case, she has quite a good nose.
"I'm not sure if there is a connection, but it seems there was a small movement last week."
"A movement...?"
Paraleira held a glass of the same pitch-black liquid as Mika's and crushed the inserted stem against the bottom with her teeth.
...What is she doing?
And so, in front of Mika's eyes, she drank the mysterious liquid in one gulp.
Ah... so this is a drink, after all.
Mika lowered his gaze to the mysterious liquid in his own hand.
It doesn't look unlike coffee, but why is there a stem stuck in it?
"Guaa...!"
After finishing the contents of the glass, Paraleira exhaled as if groaning.
Judging by Paraleira, this is definitely not a reaction after drinking coffee.
"Phew... So, what about that movement?"
When spoken to, I returned my gaze from the mysterious liquid to Paraleira.
"Um... Do you remember when we talked before that Paraleira and Mika might have a common person involved?"
"Yes."
Saying that, this time Paraleira began to chew on the stem vigorously.
Eh, are you eating that?
"I cannot definitively say if it is the same person, but someone who might be it appeared in the capital. Since we couldn't grasp their whereabouts at all until now, I was told to be careful just in case. Yesterday."
"...I see."
I add that I heard the story yesterday too, and I didn't forget about Paraleira.
Well, the content is almost equal to zero.
"I've been a bit concerned since I heard the story before..."
Mika imitated Paraleira and pressed the tip of the stem against the bottom of the glass, crushing it around.
"What was that research of yours, Paraleira-san, that was... taken over?"
She seemed to hold a grudge about that.
When Mika asked about that, Paraleira made a grim face.
A slightly awkward atmosphere arose.
Mika brought the glass in his hand close to his nose and tried smelling it.
There was no particularly strange smell.
Rather, a faint sweet scent...?
I tried taking a little sip.
While feeling a slight stimulation, the basic taste was sweetness. The medicinal smell was a bit concerning.
It seems it was a type of juice.
Gathering courage, I swallowed a mouthful.
This is...!
It was a sweet juice that felt a spicy stimulation on the tongue and throat.
It was not a carbonated drink.
But the strong stimulation felt in the throat brought a sense of nostalgia.
For stimulation-type drinks, those who like them will like them to the extreme.
It is completely different from the carbonated drinks Mika liked, but for those who are into this kind of thing, they will be into it to the extreme.
Maybe Paraleira is a junkie of this juice.
As Mika stared intently at the glass, Paraleira burst out laughing.
"Is this your first time?"
"It's my first time drinking it. It's a strange drink."
"Yes, it seems to be an original from a nearby pharmacy. Similar ones are sold elsewhere. Shall I tell you the shop name?"
"No, not to that extent."
It is a rather interesting drink, but unfortunately, it is outside Mika's preference.
The medicinal smell was a bit concerning, but the shop selling it was a pharmacy.
She probably thought of it while mixing medicine and tried it.
It was surprisingly not bad, so she tried selling it.
It might have started in that way.
The awkward atmosphere from before had completely disappeared.
Paraleira let out a big sigh.
"...I was doing various research. Alchemy was the main focus, but related to that, research on prehistoric civilization, etc. I was also doing astronomy, but that was more like a hobby."
I guessed she was doing alchemy because I saw books related to alchemy in this room before, but prehistoric civilization?
And she was even doing astronomy?
"What is prehistoric civilization? I'm hearing about it for the first time."
"Hm? You don't know? There are ruins scattered all over the country."
"Ruins?"
When I heard "ruins," only one thing came to mind.
"Could it be the one in Modesse Forest?"
"Yes, there is one there too. Deep in the forest."
The disappeared mages went to the ruins to investigate something.
It seems it was an investigation of ruins called prehistoric civilization.
"What is that prehistoric civilization?"
"The civilization before the current one."
To Mika's question, Paraleira answered very concisely.
No, that is what it is, of course.
"What period was it?"
"........................Somewhere between eight thousand years ago and five thousand years ago. ...Maybe."
It seems the dating measurement was not very successful.
Mika has also heard of a method called carbon dating, but he doesn't know how to do it, of course.
"Why does alchemy research connect with prehistoric civilization research?"
Archaeology and alchemy?
I can't guess any connecting elements.
"In prehistoric civilization, alchemy was flourishing and had developed quite a bit. In fact, incredible things have been discovered so far."
"Incredible things?"
When Mika made a suspicious face, Paraleira grinned.
"Armor made of pure Hihiirokane and weapons made of pure Orichalcum have been discovered."
"Pure?"
Does that mean 100%?
Or does it mean weapons and armor that are very close to 100%?
"How do you make something like that?"
"That is what they are researching!"
That makes sense.
Mika finished the remaining juice.
Still, the medicinal smell was a bit concerning.
"The first king who created that prehistoric civilization was called the Sun King, and it seems that king was a genius of alchemy. He built the foundation of the civilization in one generation."
After that, there were four or five kings with genius talent appearing sporadically, and every time alchemy advanced dramatically.
Their power expanded to the point where they seemed to want to dominate the entire continent.
Ruins in the forest are thought to be remnants of such prehistoric civilizations and were important facilities.
"Why is a civilization that flourished so much now extinct?"
Was it a natural disaster?
Even so, the reason for a civilization that spread across the entire continent to perish is a bit weak.
"The last king destroyed it."
"The last king? Destroyed it...?"
The last king.
The last king of the prehistoric civilization, also called the Dark King, seems to have been a king with more alchemy talent than any previous king.
But, unfortunately, that king was mad.
It is said that he buried important knowledge, technology, facilities, people, and treasures that supported the civilization one after another.
"If so, isn't there little meaning in investigating the ruins?"
"It might be so. But it might not be."
In the first place, the concept of "alchemy" itself is said to be based on oral traditions passed down from that prehistoric civilization.
And by investigating the ruins, they gathered fragments of it.
It seems the foundation of current alchemy was made that way.
"Even though he buried them, quite a lot of information about the king remains, doesn't it?"
"He didn't kill everyone down to the last person, did he? Otherwise, the oral traditions wouldn't have remained."
That is true.
Did they prioritize and leave ordinary people who were not that important alone?
It is a rather interesting story.
Moreover, it seems that weapons and armor made of pure rare metals actually exist.
Before, Trys said something like "it's only in myths."
"So, what was the research that was taken over...?"
"...Everything."
Paraleira muttered resentfully.
It seems she went to investigate a ruin located a bit away at some point.
And when she returned, there was no seat.
All the research materials up to that point as well.
And then, she was ordered to be seconded to the Magic Academy.
"...Huh?"
At the very concise explanation, Mika's eyes went wide.
"No, no, no, there must be more! The background, the trigger! Was there some kind of trouble or something!?"
"Ahh! Shut up!"
Paraleira threw a tantrum.
Mika patiently listened to Paraleira's story.
It seems Paraleira originally did not get along well with those around her.
A genius type, everything about her research was all.
She had results, but she only submitted them when urged from above.
Moreover, she was the type who didn't even submit proper explanations or reports.
Paraleira, who behaved freely yet still achieved results, seems to have been envied and shunned by those around her.
And it seems there was someone she particularly didn't get along with.
That person was a talented type who won over those around them.
That person's research target was alchemy and prehistoric civilization, which should normally be partners to join hands and conduct joint research, but it seems they were too incompatible.
The two were usually hostile, but they clashed shortly before Paraleira went to investigate.
Even though it was called a clash, it seems the other person just flew into a rage, and Paraleira didn't even care as it was usual for her.
"...So, you were kicked out?"
At Mika's question, Paraleira looked indignant.
Can you really be kicked out just for that?
There seem to be other factors, but since Paraleira herself hardly cares about those around her, I don't know the detailed situation any further.
I heard through the grapevine that the content of Paraleira's research was evaluated as the talented person's achievement.
However, if she had been achieving results up to that point, wouldn't her superiors and the organization, the Court Magic Institute, normally try to keep Paraleira?
Speaking of which, there was a story about the person who became the mentor for a fool who entered through connections being transferred.
When I went drinking with a friend in my previous world, I heard something like that happened at the friend's company.
It seems the son of an executive blew something up and created some kind of opportunity to have the mentor fired.
Even that executive wouldn't swallow it just because their son said it once or twice.
But if they were blown into for a month, two months, endlessly, some people would believe it.
Mostly, I think you should check both sides' stories and the surrounding talk properly, though.
In the modern era where they talk about compliance and labor standards laws, nepotism still prevails. In this world, you can imagine.
If I choose the Court Magic Institute because I don't want to become a soldier, it seems Mika will have a hard time.
I also do quite a bit of whatever I want.
I am aware of it, just in case.
Kifrod scolded me thoroughly.
Looking at others' faults and correcting one's own is well said.
"By the way, what exactly were you researching at that time?"
"Whatever you ask, it was normal alchemy research. Looking for technologies used in prehistoric civilization, etc."
"...Did you have any results when you went to investigate?"
"Well, something like that."
Paraleira answered with an irritated look.
It seems the materials from that time were also taken away, but Paraleira seems to have input everything into her head.
Later, she wrote it down on paper again herself and restored the same materials.
Her memory is incredible!
"...So, why are you a dorm mother after being kicked out of the Court Magic Institute? And a boys' dormitory, too."
Being a dorm mother is a position, not the work itself.
Paraleira doesn't do the work of a dorm mother at all.
"The training of successors for mages, who are national property, is————"
"Not some meaningless, post-hoc excuse like that, but why aren't you quitting the Court Magic Institute, Paraleira-san?"
When Mika said that, Paraleira muttered as if giving up.
"Because the money is good."
"Oh, the salary is good."
How much does she get depending on her years of service?
I certainly won't do something like asking about someone's salary, but I was a bit curious.
"Because I can immerse myself in research."
"Oh..."
Well, she leaves the dorm mother work to the cafeteria ladies.
She can research freely.
It seems Paraleira also makes her own homemade potions as a side job for research.
She seems to be selling them to the dorm cafeteria ladies at a low price.
Now that I think about it, alchemy was the beginning of the birth of potions, wasn't it?
Wasn't it originally research on immortality?
"My potion works! You can work for twenty-four hours."
Is this a P-Ri-In?
"If you drink too much, you'll get a nosebleed."
Did you do it yourself!
Wait, isn't she just selling the homemade potions she made for herself to the cafeteria ladies?
The cafeteria ladies seem to be favorable towards Paraleira not just out of sympathy but also because of the potions.
Since they are cheaper and more effective than commercially available potions, they might be addicted to them.
Mika looked at Paraleira with a dumbfounded expression, but Paraleira seemed to not care at all.
I stared at Paraleira.
I can't say it's not true that I made contact with unexpected "knowledge from the wild."
I thought she would be a harder person to approach, but she's actually talkable.
Is it not researcher mode now, but dorm mother mode, for now?
Also, there is no alcohol in it.
Is this a heavenly arrangement? I can connect with a top-level researcher. ...I have no reason not to use this.
Mika straightened his posture and looked at Paraleira.
Paraleira noticed Mika's state and made a slightly wary expression.
"I have one consultation... or rather, a proposal."
Mika smiled brightly and started the conversation like that.