Chapter 2-15 : Meeting An Alchemist (part 2)
「…Eh!?」(Kako)
「A dead body!?」(Sheila)
Nyat approached the window on the wall and opened it, allowing the sunlight to enter the room.
Thanks to it, we could see the body of a man lying in a prone position on the floor.
「I… Is that…」(Kako)
「Arcel-san… No way…」(Sheila)
The man seemed to be the person we were looking for.
「Did he really die from overworking?」(Kako)
「I don’t know…」(Sheila)
Sheila approached the body to observe it closely, but suddenlyー
「ーHiiiiiiiiiiiiyy!!」(Sheila)
ーhis arm moved and grabbed her leg.
「H-he’s moving!?」(Kako)
We thought he was already dead, but it seemed that we were wrong.
「….he…lp……」(Arcel)
「Sheila-san, I think he’s still alive!」(Kako)
「Oi, are you okay!?」(Sheila)
「He…lp…」(Arcel)
He’s still alive, but he’s in a terrible state. He needs to go to a doctor ASAP.
「Marqise, come here quickly!」(Kako)
Marqise, who was waiting by the carriage outside, came in a hurry when he heard my voice.
「Kako ojou-sama, what’s happening?」(Marqise)
「Take him to a doctor!」(Kako)
「U, understood!」(Marqise)
Marqise immediately grasped the situation when he saw the man lying on the floor.
He quickly approached the man. However, when he tried to carry him, the man grabbed his sleeve, trying to say something.
「I… don’t need… a doctor… I need……. food…」(Arcel)
ーKuuUUuuuuUuUUuuu~…….
At that moment, the sound of the man’s growling stomach echoed through the entire house.
◆◆◆
「Munch munch munch! Hamph hamph! Sluuurpp!!」(Arcel)
We are now sitting at the table, watching the man who was lying lifelessly on the floor a minute ago vigorously devouring all the food in front of him.
Thea and Marqise brought the food from the nearby restaurant, by the way.
「Hahh… Seems like he just collapsed from hunger. This is so stupid!」(Sheila)
「Ahaha… Well, at least he’s still alive. He would probably die if we didn’t come.」(Kako)
「Right. But, seriously. Arcel-san, I heard about what kind of person you are from Morwa-san, but it seems like you’re worse than I expected. You should at least eat properly.」(Sheila)
「I had been very busy lately *munch munch* I was about to get some food *munch munch* but I suddenly got dizzy and collapsed before I could even get out of my room *munch munch*」(Arcel)
「Slow down. Here. Have some water.」(Sheila)
「*Gulp gulp gulp* Pwaaahh! I thought I would be fine, but I overestimated myself. *munch munch*」(Arcel)
「Huh? What do you mean?」(Sheila)
「Usually, I could survive without food for five days, but this time, I collapsed on the fourth day. Who would have thought, right? *munch munch*」(Arcel)
「”Who would have thought” my ass! That’s obviously not normal!」(Sheila)
I can fully understand why Sheila is so mad.
Surviving without food for days is normal for him? That’s crazy! This guy will die of malnutrition soon!
He thought he would be fine, but then he collapsed probably because the unhealthy life he had been living all this time finally took effect.
The moment I saw this house, I thought this person was insane, but I was wrong. This guy is BEYOND insane!
Are all alchemists like this?
「Alright, now we know why you collapsed-nya. But why does this house stink-nya? It stinks so much that I thought you were a freaking corpse-nya!」(Nyat)
Nyat is still complaining about the smell.
Even I, who don’t have a sharp smelling sense like him, feel annoyed by the smell. I can understand his feelings.
「Ah, sorry about that. I used some animal body parts to make potions. *munch munch* I’m researching magic weapons, but my weapons don’t sell well despite their high production cost, so I need to sell something else to make money. *munch munch*」(Arcel)
What kind of potions are made from animal body parts?
And how can he eat heartily in a smelly house like this?
There are many things I’m curious about, but I didn’t come here to ask those questions.
「Phew! You guys saved my life. Thank you!」(Arcel)
After finishing his meal, Arcel looked at Sheila who was sitting next to him.
「You must be the girl who’s working at Morwa’s place, right? The one who will make weapons for me.」(Arcel)
「Yeah, that’s me. You can call me Sheila.」(Sheila)
「Alright, Sheila. I know you and I know why you came here, but… who is this lady?」(Arcel)
While asking Sheila, he moved his gaze to me.
Seeing Thea and Marqise, the maid and the butler who were standing behind me, he probably thought that I was a lady of a rich family or something.
「She’s my friend. She has something to ask you, so I brought her here. She’s the daughter of this city’s lord, so be careful when you talk to her.」(Sheila)
「Sh, she’s Marquis Kushaq’s daughter!?」(Arcel)
「Yup.」(Sheila)
As soon as he realized who I was, he hurriedly stood up and bowed to me.
「Pa, pardon my rudeness. Let me introduce myself. I’m ーNo. My name is Arcel. I’m working as an alchemist.」(Arcel)
「Nice to meet you, Arcel-san. My name is Kako Mayama Kushaq. You can call me Kako. This catto is Nyat, my bodyguard. The two behind me are Thea and Marqise.」(Kako)
「It’s an honor to know you, Lady Kako.」(Arcel)
He lowered his head and started talking politely.
As always, it makes me feel awkward somehow…
「Uhh, you can speak normally. It’s easier for me that way. I was a commoner a few days ago, so you don’t have to be so polite toward me.」(Kako)
「A, alright, if you say so…」(Arcel)
He sat back on his chair and continued talking.
「So, what brings a noble lady like you to my humbleー No, worn-down stinky house?」(Arcel)
Before I came here, I didn’t know that his place was this horrible…
「I heard about you from Sheila. I came here because I’m interested in your magic weapons.」(Kako)
「A noble lady… is interested in my research…? I can’t believe it…」(Arcel)
I don’t know why but he looks surprised for some reason.
「Umm, what’s wrong with that?」(Kako)
「N, no, no! I’m just… happy that someone is interested in my work. I’m indeed researching magic weapons, but as I said before, I make money mostly from selling potions.」(Arcel)
Judging from how bad the magic weapons I found in this house are, I can understand why he doesn’t make money from them. Nobody wants to buy them after all.
「I see. But you seem to have produced so many magic weapons. Most of them are swords, for example, this one.」(Kako)
I looked at the magic weapons cluttered on the floor and grabbed the sword I appraised earlier.
「Oh, that one’s my favorite! It’s a flaming sword. It’s a prototype, but it can actually produce fire. Here, let me show you.」(Arcel)
I’ve just appraised it, so I know what kind of sword it is.
It’s a terrible low-quality sword, but Arcel talked as if it was his masterpiece.
Well, it’s a good thing that he takes pride in his work.
He took the sword from me and began pouring his mana into it, showing me how it looked when it activated.
The blade was indeed enveloped in flame, but the flame was small. It looked just like the flame from a low-heat lighter.
The blade can definitely do some damage, but I doubt that small flame provides any help.
「The power and mana efficiency is not great, I know, but it still produces fire! If I continue my research, I’m sure I will be able to make a much better flaming sword in the future! But…」(Arcel)
He looked happy and proud a second ago, but then he suddenly looked down as he deactivated the sword.
「The problem is… This research costs a lot of money, and I’m short on budget. You know, I’m not like those state alchemists who get unlimited budgets from the government.」(Arcel)
「I see…」(Kako)
Seems like his research is not progressing well due to lack of money.
He said he hadn’t eaten because he was busy, but I think he didn’t eat much probably because he cut back on food expenses too.
「By the way, Arcel-san, you might think I’m just a young girl, but I’m actually a merchant. Here’s my card.」(Kako)
While saying that, I took out my merchant guild member card and showed it to him.
As expected, he was surprised.
「La, Lady Kako, you’re a golden merchant!?」(Arcel)
「Yes. Arcel-san, I came here because I need your help, but of course, I can help you in return if you help me, so let’s help each other, shall we?」(Kako)
You can gain access to [Early Access] page and read up to ten chapters ahead by supporting me on [Patreon]
Ah sponsor huh