Chapter 3-21 : Dinner At House Balvin (part 3)
「You’re right. I’m researching Lost Potion.」(Roberto)
「So you admit it. I heard that you were researching Lost Potion in the capital city too not long ago.」(Baldock)
「You even knew about that, huh? Now I feel stupid for trying to hide things from you.」(Roberto)
「Gahaha! Well, I’m your daddy; no hiding from your daddy!」(Baldock)
「Tsk.」(Roberto)
Duke Balvin said jokingly, perhaps trying to brighten up the mood, but Roberto-sama didn’t buy it. He clicked his tongue and looked away.
I could tell from his expression he was in a really bad mood.
「Father, we don’t have to talk about all this right now, do we?」(Roberto)
While resting his chin on his palm, he glanced at me and said that. He didn’t seem to want me to hear it.
「Why not? She has the rights to hear it. She almost died because of your damn Lost Potion, you know that? We will talk about it right here, right now, and I won’t hear any objection from you. Do you understand?」(Baldock)
「…..」(Roberto)
Not having the guts to talk back to his father, Roberto-sama silently nodded.
「I heard your research in the capital didn’t go well and you decided to discontinue. Is that right?」(Baldock)
「…Yeah. We had spent so much money and time to recreate Lost Potion, but let alone Lost Potion, we couldn’t even create the potion that could be its substitute. Our budget was getting smaller and smaller every month, and our researchers were starting to quit one by one. We thought that further research would be pointless, so we disbanded our team. All my effort those years… has wasted into nothing…! Dammit!」(Roberto)
Roberto-sama clenched his fist.
His research department in the capital had gone out of business, huh?
Duke Balvin said that he used to be as kind as his mother, but he changed, probably because of all of the stress and frustration from that time.
Looks like recreating Lost Potion is awfully difficult. I remember Izack-san said no one has been able to recreate Lost Potion.
I also remember hearing the rumor about the research facility trying to recreate Lost Potion but failing. I wonder if it was Roberto-sama’s facility they were talking about.
Perhaps I’m the only person who can create Lost Potion in this entire world, unless there are people who have similar abilities to mine.
「I see. Well, since I want you to become my heir and lead our family in the future, honestly, I was glad that you discontinued your research back then.」(Baldock)
「Huh? What are you talking about, Father? I told you I won’t be your heir until I can recreate Lost Potion! We were so close back then! If only we had a little more budget and time! I failed once, but I will never give up!」(Roberto)
「So that’s why you’re using the lab I entrusted to you to continue your research without me knowing.」(Baldock)
「That’s… That’s right…」(Roberto)
He lowered his head, admitting it.
Seeing his son, Duke Balvin took a deep breath and exhaled.
「Hahh… Roberto, I’m not saying you can’t do your research. If you successfully recreate Lost Potion, it will surely benefit and strengthen our navy after all. I do hope you can complete your goal.」(Baldock)
「Thenー」(Roberto)
「ーHowever! It’s not worth getting attacked by the mermaids over it. You’re aware that the waste from failed Lost Potion is dangerous and can harm the environment, right? I heard that the lake near the capital once got polluted by a dangerous substance. It was your doing, wasn’t it? And now you’re polluting the damn sea. You know our people depend heavily on the sea, don’t you? You’re endangering our people whom we should protect, and for what? I don’t think Lost Potion is worth so much that you think it’s okay to risk our people’s lives.」(Baldock)
「Father, you don’t know anything! Lost Potion has been my goal!」(Roberto)
I don’t know why Roberto-sama is so obsessed with Lost Potion.
I wonder if it has anything to do with his past. I’m curious, but I don’t think it’s proper to ask that right now.
Seeing how serious his son was at recreating Lost Potion, Duke Balvin folded his arms and looked him in the eye.
「I understand your ambition, but, Roberto, if you want to continue your research, you must do something about the damn pollution.」(Baldock)
「But purifying the waste from failed Lost Potion is not easy.」(Roberto)
「But it doesn’t mean you can dump that damn thing and pollute the sea!」(Baldock)
「…..」(Roberto)
Aware that he was in the wrong, Roberto-sama didn’t talk back.
「Anyway, do something about it. What? Is it too difficult for you?」(Baldock)
「…No…」(Roberto)
「Good. I want you to get it done. Otherwise, I will remove you from your position as the lab manager and forbid you from entering the lab forever. Do you understand?」(Baldock)
「…I understand.」(Roberto)
I never thought I would be watching a father scolding his son today…
I was worried about what would happen, but I guess it’s all resolved for now?
No, wait. I don’t think it’s that easy. If we stop the waste from flowing into the sea, there won’t be any further damage, but what about the waste that has mixed with the sea?
I wonder if there are any magic spells or magic tools that can purify seawater. Well, I guess Roberto-sama will figure that out.
「So, what’s your plan?」(Baldock)
「For now, I’ll stop the research to prevent any more wastewater being produced until I can figure out how to purify it. Also, I’ll send some doctors to treat the ill mermaids.」(Roberto)
「Good. But you don’t have to send doctors to the mermaids.」(Baldock)
「What? You said they were poisoned by the waste. That’s the least thing I can do for them.」(Roberto)
「They were saved thanks to Lady Kushaq here.」(Baldock)
Duke Balvin shifted his gaze to me and smiled.
「What? Lady Kushaq saved them? How!?」(Roberto)
Roberto-sama looked at me curiously.
Ugh, I smell trouble…
「Umm, well, I gave them the antidote I happened to bring with me.」(Kako)
「Antidote, you say!? That’s impossible! What kind of antidote? Did you make it yourself? How did you make it? What are the ingredients? Please, tell me!」(Roberto)
Suddenly, Roberto-sama stood from his seat and leaned forward. He got pumped up for some reason.
「Uhh, that’s…」(Kako)
「Roberto nii-sama, stop it. Lady Kako is shocked.」(Raykard)
「No, no. I’m the one who’s shocked here! There’s no way an ordinary antidote can neutralize it! I know what kind of substance that wasteー …Ahem! Never mind.」(Roberto)
He cleared his throat and quickly regained his composure all of a sudden.
I wonder what he was trying to say. Is he hiding something?
「Please forgive me. I tend to get excited when I hear about potions I don’t know. Lady Kushaq, I would very much like to hear about that antidote if you don’t mind telling me.」(Roberto)
He apologized yet still wanted to hear about the antidote.
This is troublesome. I really don’t want to tell him how I made it. He might force me to join his lab if he knew about my Synthesis ability.
「Umm, I bought it from a merchant some time ago.」(Kako)
「What? So you didn’t make it yourself? I don’t think you can buy such an antidote on the market.」(Roberto)
This is not good… He must be thinking I’m lying…
After staring at me for a few seconds, he continued.
「Lady Kushaq, if it’s not too much of a trouble for you, would you introduce me to that merchant?」(Roberto)
He’s not giving up.
Looks like I have no choice but to keep on lying here.
「Uhh… Y, yeah, sure…」(Kako)
「Really? You have my gratitude!」(Roberto)
「But, before that, please do something about the pollution. The mermaids saved my life. I don’t want them to suffer any longer because of it.」(Kako)
「Yes, of course. I will do my best to solve this problem. Once I’m done with it, let’s talk about the antidote, Lady Kushaq!」(Roberto)
「Uhh…」(Kako)
He stood up again and looked at me with an excited face.
「Roberto, stop it. You’re troubling her. You should focus on redeeming yourself now.」(Baldock)
「Yes, Father.」(Roberto)
Roberto-sama was so persistent, but luckily, Duke Balvin restrained him.
Just like that, my visit to House Balvin was over. I received some local specialties as souvenirs before I went home.
While traveling on the carriage, I slumped into the cushioned backrest and let out a big sigh.
「Hahh… I’m tired from dealing with those people…」(Kako)
「You did well, Kako ojou-sama.」(Thea)
Looking proud that I had done my role as Lady Kushaq, Thea smiled at me.
Being a noble lady has never been easy. I let out another sigh.
I didn’t know anything about the Balvin Family, but today I learned that they’re actually some kind of weirdos.
The head of the family is a muscle freak, the second son is a weapon freak, and the first son is a potion freak.
What an exhausting night…
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