Chapter 218 - Chapter 217: The Alchemist's Struggle
The first month of Earth, the fourth week, the day of Fire.
About three weeks had passed since the great chaos in the Royal Capital, and everything had settled down completely.
However, the relevant parties were busy as ever, and of course, Mika was one of them.
In the Fifth Knights Order, the investigation into the youth with reddish-brown hair was progressing.
But his identity, and everything else, remained unknown.
The only item that could be called his possessions was a Magic Bag.
Inside that Magic Bag, there were only spare clothes, money, and a necklace that appeared to be made from animal teeth.
"The cash on hand exceeded ninety million Rats. There was also currency from Gronoir and the Trade Alliance mixed in. Those were each worth a few million."
Ozendorwa sat in his chair in the usual Commander's room, with the Magic Bag and the necklace placed on the desk.
"You're quite wealthy. Is managing the 'Black Cocoon [Artorum]' that profitable?"
Mika let out that impression, and Ozendorwa shrugged his shoulders.
Well, Ozendorwa probably understood that he didn't seem to be receiving a salary for proper labor.
"It should be viewed more as operational funds than personal assets."
With a slightly exasperated expression, Ozendorwa tapped his fingers on the desk.
Mika had come to the Fifth Knights Order's duty station because Ozendorwa had called for him.
The Magic Bag held by the youth was not registered with any magical power, so it could be retrieved even without Mika.
However, he wanted Mika to check if there was anything else he might have missed.
So, he sent magical power into it, but found nothing particularly suspicious.
However...
"The structure is different from other patterns."
"Other patterns?"
Mika explained that while performing Salvage at the Royal Castle, he had discovered that there were roughly two types of Magic Bags.
He didn't know what the difference between those two was, but up until now, they could be broadly categorized into two types.
But the Magic Bag held by the youth had an internal structure different from either of those.
"Differences in the country of manufacture...?"
"I'm just thinking that arbitrarily. After all, the Royal Castle won't tell me anything."
"Well, that can't be helped."
Ozendorwa smiled bitterly.
And then, regarding the necklace said to be inside the Magic Bag...
"This one has a Curse on it. However, the Curse itself isn't very strong."
"A cursed necklace... Why would someone carry such a thing...?"
Saying that, Ozendorwa made a suspicious face.
But to Mika, it didn't seem particularly unnatural.
(Is it because I'm resolving cursed items all year round? Even if someone carries a cursed object, I just think, 'Oh, I see.' It's just a reaction like that.)
I end up thinking that maybe there are actually people who carry them.
In reality, they are quite rare items gathered from all over the Kingdom, but my senses had become numb.
"We can dispel this Curse immediately, but what shall we do?"
"No, leave it as it is. We don't know what clues it might provide. Let's leave it as it is."
"Understood."
Following Ozendorwa's orders, Mika put the necklace back on the desk.
"I have reported the 'Black Cocoon [Artorum]' to the upper echelons [Ue]. Well, there is no problem with the response of removing it."
Although Ozendorwa had unilaterally asked Mika to handle it, it seemed there was nothing to be blamed for.
The upper echelons accepted Ozendorwa's judgment that there was no one capable of conducting a proper investigation, and supported the opinion that if it could be removed, it should be removed.
(I have the authority to make immediate decisions and execute them without asking the upper echelons for every little thing.)
He would report it afterwards, and if it was a wrong judgment, he would be held responsible later, but it seemed he held considerable authority as the field commander.
(Well, if we had to ask the upper echelons for every single decision, it would be, 'What is the point of having ranks?' I suppose.)
A Knight Commander entrusted with maintaining public order in the Royal Capital might be as high-ranking as a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police Department in his previous world.
It seemed that operations were left more to individual discretion than police forces bound by rules and manuals.
Incidentally, regarding the fact that he had cut down the youth with reddish-brown hair, it seemed to cause absolutely no problems.
If it had been a case of mistaken identity, he would have been in trouble, but since it was known that he was a dangerous person attempting to kill a knight, if Ozendorwa judged that he should be cut down, then that was fine.
A few days after such exchanges in the Fifth Knights Order, Mika was called to the Church this time.
The schedule for dispelling the Curse from the remaining 'Black Cocoon [Artorum]' had been decided.
Mika went to the Church on the designated day and performed the dispelling for the time being.
Present at the scene were Brahoslav, who had become Pope, Wagnare, who had become Cardinal, and Kararebas, who had become a Bishop.
In addition, dozens of clergy members watched over Mika.
When everyone suddenly began praying to the gods in surprise at the groans upon the dispelling, Mika was a bit startled.
Incidentally, the Pope of this world does not take names from past saints.
They simply use their own names as they are.
"Sorry, Mika."
"This is a bargain price."
Kifrod, who had been watching Mika's work, spoke up once the dispelling was finished.
After the Pope and others thanked Mika, they left immediately.
They had many problems to deal with, and it seemed they were terribly busy.
It seemed they were being given impossible tasks by the country, and the mental strain was no small matter, according to Kifrod.
Mika heard perfectly well him muttering something about becoming a Pope was not something to be done.
While talking with Kifrod, of course, the topic turned to that incident.
"However, I never thought I would get to witness the miracles of the gods while alive. Yes, it will be a gift for the journey to the underworld."
"Again, such an inauspicious thing."
Mika smiled bitterly at Kifrod's light tone.
The Church of Light also had concepts such as Heaven and Hell.
The foundation was the belief that upon death, one would be guided to the gods.
Those who disregarded the gods' teachings would have no guidance and would sink deep into the earth.
It seemed they would be trapped forever in the world of those belonging to 'Demon'.
"In this matter, the Church really had a hard time. Especially during such a difficult period."
An unprecedented trouble while trying to rebuild the shuddering Church.
However, rather than being upset, the church officials seemed to be happy.
"There is no greater honor than being able to witness such a miracle."
That seemed to be the gist of it.
It seemed people were connecting the Church's crisis with this miracle.
"The Popes who had turned their backs on the teachings were ousted, a new Pope took office, and they were trying to be reborn as a Church itself. A miracle happened right at that moment. It seems some people think, 'The gods must be blessing them.'"
The newborn Church was deemed to be in accordance with the will of God.
It seemed many people accepted it that way.
And then,
"The first day of the first week of the first month of Earth. It seems some people are associating this day with this miracle and calling it the 'Day of Light'."
Indeed, it seemed some people were calling only the "first day of the first week of the first month of Earth" as a special sunny day blessed by the gods, the "Day of Light".
In reality, it was not a miracle of the gods or anything, Fee's... cough cough cough.
No, it's nothing.
I know nothing about that.
"If the first day of the year is the 'Day of Light', how about making the last day the 'Day of Darkness'? Just light would be unbalanced, wouldn't it?"
"Huh!? The 'Day of Darkness'!?"
When Mika casually mentioned an idea, Kifrod took it seriously.
The first and last days of the year.
The moment the concepts of New Year's Day and New Year's Eve were born.
Kifrod seemed to like this idea very much, and he started burning with the resolve to "make it happen for sure."
Incidentally, Kifrod remained at the Great Cathedral in the Royal Capital, but he was still just a Priest.
However, he was a special Priest whom the Pope knelt before to ask for teachings.
(I wish he would become a Cardinal or something.)
Mika thought, but it seemed Kifrod himself already considered himself retired.
Elders teach and guide the young.
It seemed that position and status had nothing to do with that.
It seemed he was telling the new Pope to always listen attentively, regardless of the other party's status.
During these three weeks, a meeting was also held in a dilapidated house in District 3.
Weapon production was also progressing, and Ozendorwa's Sword was almost complete.
Yaroibarov's Halberd was large and required a lot of effort, so it would take a little longer.
And regarding Mika's bracelet...
"...So, it becomes a shockwave?"
"Yes. Depending on the conditions, the speed of sound is three hundred and forty meters per second. If you exceed that, please assume a Shockwave [Sonic Boom] will occur."
Mika was teaching Adelriese the concept of the speed of sound.
"The strength of a Shockwave [Sonic Boom] is also influenced by speed, the size of the object, and air resistance due to its shape."
Teaching about Shockwaves [Sonic Booms] in a world where fluid dynamics didn't exist was a bit of a struggle, but by using the flow of a river as an example, he first got her to understand air resistance.
"When water hits a rock in a river, the water splashes, right? The same thing is happening with air."
When swinging a wooden board with the wide side facing forward, the resistance becomes strong.
By citing such examples, he taught her that air also has resistance.
In this world, it was thought that "Air ≈ Empty Space," so he would have to teach from the concept of the atmosphere.
And then, the concept of sound.
Vibration of air and the speed at which it travels.
He explained step by step: the phenomenon that occurs when exceeding that speed of travel.
Listening to Mika's explanation, Adelriese nodded.
"I understand. I'll try it."
"Please do."
And thus, various other information exchanges took place.
Currently, the biggest problem was the disposal of used 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]'.
Fearing moves to buy up the supply by the country or find acquisition routes, they had stopped supplying it.
"Stopping the supply has made the story grow out of control."
"Really, what should we do? Should we throw it away?"
As Ojisan muttered deeply, Mika buried his face in the table.
Everyone was frantically searching for the alchemist who had succeeded in generating 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]'.
Moreover, the story hadn't stayed just at searching for an alchemist.
"Are you really not holding the Great Secret Book of the Saint?"
"We don't! It would be strange to believe such a tall tale!?"
That's right.
The urban legend that had existed for a while, the Great Secret Book of the Saint said to contain the secret arts of alchemy.
Linked to this story, dozens of requests for "Acquisition of the Great Secret Book of the Saint" had been issued at the Adventurer Guild.
I thought they had increased recently, but how much profit is the Adventurer Guild making just from the fees?
"Since 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' is circulating in large quantities, the credibility of the story has increased."
"I can understand why everyone is searching."
Words from Ojisan and Adelriese pressed down on Mika, who was burying his face in the table.
Due to the fact that 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' was circulating in large quantities, even adventurers who had previously paid almost no attention had started searching for alchemists and the Great Secret Book of the Saint.
"Originally, why hide it? Since you've actually achieved a great feat, you should just announce it openly, shouldn't you?"
"For someone like me doing business [Muguri], it's a bit too big."
"Ugh..."
It seemed the merchandise they handled was a bit too stimulating to keep hidden.
"For example, if you told the country, what kind of treatment do you think you would receive?"
"What? Become the King's personal alchemist or something?"
"Be summoned to the Court Magic Institute?"
Ojisan and Adelriese's opinions were very reasonable answers.
Mika also thought that this would be a reasonable place.
However, considering the treatment of commoners in this country, he couldn't say for sure.
(Whether the treatment is good or not, what they are doing is imprisonment. I already knew that well from the Salvage of the Magic Bag.)
They probably wouldn't do something like crushing the goose that lays the golden eggs, but that wasn't absolute either.
If Mika didn't obey, it wouldn't be strange to think, "Better to fall into someone else's hands."
(Being under someone's protection is probably the quickest way...)
Unfortunately, there was no such hope.
The Marquis [Old Man] was out of the question.
He had suffered enough pain from the engagement relationship with Cleiria.
Above all, Mika had not yet forgiven the Marquis [Old Man].
Even if he told the Marquis [Old Man], he would either monopolize it or offer it to the King. That was the limit.
It was clear he would not choose actions that considered Mika's situation.
(As a student and military personnel, I still have to be bound for more than ten years. If they exploit my weak position, resistance will be difficult.)
Showing sufficient power might allow him to gain a position, but the height of the position given could also be said to be the danger level seen by the country.
Above all, gaining a position meant that it would become a constraint itself.
("...I guess I have no choice but to trade with the country through distribution channels. Is the wholesale side so far okay?")
"That side is somehow okay. We're using Muguri in the route, so they won't find out from there. For now, we're also disguising the source as the Trade Alliance."
Should they make a secret agreement with the country to trade a fixed quantity and warn them "Do not search for acquisition sources"?
Actually, he didn't want to sell much to the country...
(...May the world be peaceful.)
He prayed in vain.
He thought giving powerful weapons to a brain-dead nation would not end well, but there was no helping it.
Given the situation with the Gronoir Empire, he couldn't blame the country for wanting 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]'.
"Please arrange to sell the country about two rods per month... just under sixty kilograms of 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]'. And release the same amount into the market. Please wrap this up somehow."
"Understood. I'll tell them to arrange the wholesale with that."
Ojisan nodded at Mika's instructions.
Mika's assets had already exceeded sixty billion Rats.
Therefore, there was no need to force a sale, but if they didn't supply to some extent, the pursuit for 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' might become severe.
In fact, it was already in that state.
So, he needed to promise the resumption of supply and ease the pursuit.
Next time they applied pressure, he would warn them that it would never flow again.
He didn't know how much time this would buy, but there was no helping it.
"Then I'll somehow create a disturbance."
"Disturbance? What are you going to do?"
Adelriese asked with a somewhat worried expression.
"Disinformation Campaign. I'll pay the Information Broker Guild to spread false information."
If he did something like this, it would be obvious to the Information Broker Guild that he was related to Mika.
Even if they didn't think Mika himself was the rumored alchemist, it would be like spreading that he was related.
So, he would interpose an agent there as well.
(I'll ask Gaeras.)
Gaeras had originally intended to draw them in.
Kaerya's party and Trys, who had retrieved the Magic Bag during Mika's rescue.
They were people Mika thought were worthy of trust.
He would give the 'Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]' weapons to Yaroibarov and Ozendorwa as the top priority, but he hadn't forgotten about Gaeras and the others.
Next, he had been planning to talk to Kaerya's party and Trys.
(When I saw Kaerya buy another Battle Axe, I felt a bit sorry. I should have told them.)
Ozendorwa's Sword was about to be completed soon, so it would be fine to talk to the four of them now.
At that time, he would ask Gaeras to request the Information Broker Guild as well.
Gaeras, who was asked to be Mika's agent.
Gaeras's agent would also set up a person trusted by Gaeras.
Agent of the agent of the agent... interposing many layers, requesting the Information Broker Guild to spread false information.
False information about the location of the alchemist.
False information about the whereabouts of the Great Secret Book of the Saint.
He would have them spread these by having them requested from separate agents.
Mika sat in his chair and flailed his limbs wildly.
"Ah, geez! This is so troublesome!"
Ojisan and Adelriese watched Mika, who was throwing a tantrum, with bitter smiles.
(Doing covert operations is impossible! Flattening them with a punch would be much easier!)
Mika reached such a brain-dead conclusion.
■■■■■■
[Seven Duchies Federation, Somewhere]
"Ugh... ughhh..."
Crouching in the corner of the room, the man was fighting desperately.
"Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it..."
Muttering to himself, he held his head.
Trembling violently, the man was still fighting desperately.
Something that painted over his heart.
Since the other day, he had realized that something was eating away at him.
How many years had passed since he was captured?
Those captured with him had all died.
They were killed.
He was glad he had survived until the end, but that didn't mean this living hell would end.
Even in such a living hell, he was trying desperately to survive...
"Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhyaaaa...!?"
The man screamed loudly and jerked his head up.
He thought his body shook, gaku-gaku, then he opened his eyes wide and froze in a reclining posture.
Inside the room was 'Wind [Ventus]'.
'Wind' was facing the desk reading a book, but when he glanced at the man, he closed the book with a snap and stood up.
"Still not here, 'Fire [Ignis]'?"
'Wind' walked toward the man and spoke.
The man, addressed, kept his reclining posture and turned his wide-open eyes wildly toward 'Wind'.
Slowly opening his mouth, saliva flowed from his mouth.
The man slowly returned to his upright posture.
Raising his trembling arms slightly, he wiped his mouth.
"Oh my, I've been through a terrible time."
The man took a sip of stew and let out a sigh of relief.
"You're too stupid. Like, your neck gets chopped off."
"Aha-ha-ha. It really was like that."
'Wind' gave 'Fire', who was speaking casually about the scene of his own neck being chopped off, a look of disbelief.
"I remembered that knight's face. Next time we meet, I'll let him suffer the same fate, you know? I don't know who or where he is."
"That won't do."
"Te-chan seems to know him. If I ask Te-chan, maybe she'll tell me."
'Tire' tore off a piece of hard bread and threw it into his mouth.
Hmm, it's bad.
"Te-chan is a candidate for 'Darkness [Tenebrae]', right? Didn't they say not to get involved?"
"Gyuu-!?"
"Aha-ha-ha."
'Wind' poured ale down his throat and then made a slightly serious face.
"Will that guy really become a 'Son of God [Filius Dei]'? Even if he does, it might be too late?"
"In that case, I guess there's nothing to be done. Well, that's that."
"Well, yes. There used to be many 'Sons of God [Filius Dei]', but now only five remain. If we can increase them, I think it's good to increase them. Keep it a secret from 'Light [Lumen]'."
"Truly, U-chan! You understand the conversation!"
'Fire' finished the stew and went to get a refill.
His emaciated body swayed; was it due to the malnourished body, or the unfamiliarity of 'Fire'?
"But, U-chan, I'm glad you kept it for me. It's a bit tattered, though?"
"We didn't feed him much. Or rather, we were planning to use him for an experiment soon."
"Oh? Sorry."
"No, it's fine. Originally, 'Fire' caught this mage. I'll just catch someone randomly for the experiment."
For a new body, it would be helpful if they were used to handling magical power like a mage.
Even with a body that had never been handled, there would be no problem if a little time was taken, but a body that was somewhat accustomed would reduce the effort.
And if the mind was weak, that would be even better.
The owner of this body, surprisingly, clung stubbornly to this body.
'Fire' returned to the table with the stew.
"You'll stay here a bit longer, right?"
"Yes. I can't go to work until I get used to this body a bit more."
"Then, in the meantime, I'll make a Magic Bag."
"Oh, really? That's a lifesaver."
The Magic Bag 'Fire' had used until now was a custom-made item by 'Wind'.
It didn't have unnecessary restrictions like commercial products, so anything could go in.
"Fu-chan is in the Empire, right?"
When 'Fire' said that, 'Wind' immediately made an unpleasant face.
"I'm annoyed. Why use Big Sister? Just have 'Water [Aquu]' do it."
"A-chan is busy too, you know?"
'Wind' glared, but 'Fire' either noticed or didn't.
He didn't seem to care at all.
"Only Fu-chan can make Red Wine, you know? It can't be helped."
"That might be true."
Looking ahead to the next next step, a large amount of Red Wine would be needed.
No, maybe the next next next step?
Well, whatever.
It seemed he was supposed to start preparing for that now.
'Fire' took a sip of the stew he had brought.
"I'm still annoyed..."
Yes, 'Wind' muttered as if sulking.
"Oh, by the way. The [Dispel] user is alive."
'Fire' casually said while eating the potatoes in the stew with a slurping sound.
'Wind' stared at such 'Fire' with wide eyes.
"Huh!? Why!?"
"Why? Well, the Church made a bad move, right?"
When 'Fire' said that, 'Wind' slammed the chair and stood up.
"Daaammmnnn iiittttt......!"
Shouting that, 'Wind' paced around, stomping the floor with a thud-thud!
"Over there, over there... huff, huff..."
And, completely ignoring such 'Wind', 'Fire' was eating the fluffy potatoes.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
"Haa... it was hot. Gulp, gulp..."
And thus, he poured ale down his throat.
"Oh? Are you already drunk? That's fast."
Saying that, 'Fire' continued eating.
While keeping 'Wind', who was stamping his feet with all his might, in his field of vision.