Ch.106Chapter 106 – The Alchemist Who Practices Magic as a Hobby

A few days later, another meeting was held.

Diana stood in the meeting hall with a displeased expression.

Despite her age, she still exuded a fierce aura as she looked around the room and quietly spoke.

“…There are many absentees.”

She said with a slightly irritated voice.

“Even if the dragon is merely staying put, does this level of laxity make any sense?”

Diana directed her words toward those around her, especially her subordinates.

Her subordinates subtly averted their gazes, and everyone in the meeting hall had to spend time avoiding Diana’s sharp glare.

‘Damn Beatrice.’

That was my thought as I quickly turned my head when Diana looked at me.

It was understandable; Beatrice had been the first to notice the increasingly relaxed meeting atmosphere and had openly started skipping them. Now I was getting looks that seemed to ask why I couldn’t keep her in line, since I spent the most time with her.

‘They know it’s pointless anyway.’

The fact that some people were absent meant that those who were attending were generally the ones who would attend regardless. Scolding them would only mean reprimanding people who had done nothing wrong, and if anyone had the ability to make the absentees come, they would have already gathered them. In other words, this was partly just venting frustration.

Of course, that alone couldn’t explain Diana’s anger.

“Recently, I’ve been receiving constant reports of adventurers, soldiers, and even knights causing problems everywhere.”

This had been happening since Sera and Christina were subjected to that hunting-like incident.

What had initially been occasional reports of violence or excessive advances toward women had been increasing in frequency with each passing day.

If this much was reaching my ears without even trying to gather information, it was obvious how frequently these incidents were actually occurring.

“…Can none of you keep things in order?”

As Diana issued her threat, her subordinates once again began to avert their eyes.

And Aria was glaring at them.

‘At this rate, we’ll end up fighting amongst ourselves.’

It was natural for Aria to glare at them.

She was currently overseeing all the priests.

She had been constantly hearing complaints from female priests and had repeatedly asked Diana to prevent recurrences, but nothing was being properly implemented.

In truth, there was a reason why people were starting to act out.

Coming to this fortress meant risking one’s life to fight against dragons.

Everyone knew that when they came.

They would have been aware that they could die even before fighting, so the pressure and tension must have been immense.

But the dragon wasn’t moving at all.

Except for when the big ones came, they only had to fight monsters from the walls that could be driven away easily.

The thought of possibly dying was gradually fading,

and as this situation had continued for over ten days, people were beginning to recognize the fatigue and stress they hadn’t noticed while they were tense.

With even knights being reported among those acting out, it went without saying that adventurers and soldiers were doing the same.

‘Damn, could this be a strategy?’

Though I knew it wasn’t, it almost seemed like it could be.

The misconduct of some soldiers had begun to intensify the priests’ antipathy, and the commanders’ expressions were hardening as they became consumed by those complaints.

If the dragon would at least come closer and move, everyone would refocus their attention on it, but since it wasn’t, the atmosphere among allies was only worsening.

‘It’s still not moving.’

It’s not the type to stay still.

Yet it still wasn’t moving.

As I was feeling a bit anxious about this fact, I saw a knight quietly raising his hand.

While I had been lost in thought, the meeting had progressed to the point of hearing tactical suggestions.

“Lady Diana?”

“What is it?”

“Well, what if we attack the dragon instead?”

The man carefully made his suggestion, not out of any personal interest, but seemingly because he realized that at this rate, allies would end up fighting each other.

“…No. Not now.”

Diana seemed to have been somewhat moved by the current situation.

However, she rejected the plan.

“The Dragon Slayer is said to be on his way, but he hasn’t arrived yet. Until he arrives and we can launch a full-scale battle, sacrifices must be minimized.”

“But—”

“No. If we fight outside the walls rather than inside, the casualties will be uncontrollable.”

At her words, the person who had offered the suggestion quietly withdrew.

But no one would want to blame her.

She was the commander.

She was in a position where she had to choose the most certain method to win.

In the end, that day’s meeting also ended in a gloomy atmosphere.

+

“Diana’s thinking is right, but you know. Before someone causes an incident and we end up fighting among ourselves, going out once might be a good idea.”

Ludger muttered with apparent dissatisfaction.

“…Kaal. Among the holy knights, are there any who have caused trouble?”

“Regrettably, there have been reports of some who keep making advances.”

Kaal said quietly.

Then he looked at me and spoke.

“What should we do?”

“…Why are you asking me?”

I immediately pointed at Ludger.

But Kaal kept looking only at me, and Ludger was just grinning.

“I suppose we should at least issue warnings.”

“I will convey that to the other holy knights.”

Kaal said this while looking at me.

Not Ludger. Me.

“…Do that.”

“Very well.”

Despite his stiff tone, Kaal bowed his head once and left.

But why had he asked me for permission?

Looking to the side, old man Ludger was smiling.

“Why are you smiling?”

“I find it amusing how uncomfortable you are.”

Well, that’s because it is uncomfortable.

Ludger said with a laugh.

“You seem to forget that you now hold a position in the Jeolei Order.”

“I’m not part of the order…”

That’s when I realized.

“…So as the next Paladin, I’m technically part of the order.”

“That’s right. You should have been respected from the beginning, but you’re starting to receive that respect too late.”

Ludger added that even then, it was only from Kaal, while the rest still harbored resentment.

“He probably made up his mind after seeing you fight that time.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, others will criticize Kaal, saying he’s just doing this to look good.”

“Is that wrong?”

At my question, Ludger fell into thought for a moment.

After a short while, he nodded.

“It’s somewhat true.”

Somewhat true, I see.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. He’s acknowledging that you’re definitely above him and treating you accordingly.”

“I see.”

“Talk with him gradually later. Right now, he’s keeping a stiff distance because he’s conscious of how he was disrespectful to you before, but that fellow will become your ally.”

That’s what Ludger said.

By ally, he probably meant in terms of political matters within the order.

“…Isn’t there a way to avoid politics and just receive protection?”

“Where there’s power, there’s politics. Give it up.”

I glared slightly at Ludger, who started laughing as if he found it amusing.

But he was right, so I had nothing to say.

Right, this position of Paladin-to-be was ultimately my choice.

I’ll just have to tough it out.

“If only it weren’t for those order guys. Sigh.”

This was all because of the Emiris Order.

After our conversation continued that far, Ludger opened his mouth as if he had just remembered something.

“By the way, I heard an interesting rumor lately.”

“An interesting rumor?”

“That Miss Seraphina and Beatrice, those two have been spending a lot of time together lately.”

This was actually the first time I’d heard of it.

But was there any reason for those two to be together?

“…I suppose Beatrice is clinging to her out of boredom.”

Maybe Aria isn’t playing with her.

Those two are close enough to drink together and make a ruckus when drunk.

“Where did you hear this rumor?”

“It’s been circulating among the knights lately. Your companions are beauties, they say. So it seems many men are watching them from a distance.”

I see.

Objectively speaking, all the women I know are quite pretty.

Especially in this place dominated by gloomy men, many would turn to look when they passed by.

And lately, there’s been an increase in men making advances…

“…Why are you looking around right now?”

“I’m looking for something suitable.”

“For what?”

“For pest control.”

The proper way to deal with pests is to hit them.

Ludger looked at me with a slightly disgusted expression as I started searching for something that could serve as a blunt weapon.

+

After parting with Ludger, I went looking for the two of them, ‘politely’ asking people I met along the way.

I ‘politely’ asked questions.

‘Christina is with them too, I hear.’

After ‘politely’ asking people for directions, I was able to find the three of them in a secluded corner of the wall.

“…What are you—”

“Shh!”

As I naturally approached them, Christina suddenly pushed me with her body and hushed me.

“Why?”

“She’s concentrating right now.”

Looking in the direction Christina pointed, I saw Sera meditating with her eyes closed.

For some reason, she was sitting cross-legged and wearing pants under her skirt, probably due to the posture.

“What is she doing?”

“Training to handle magical power.”

Looking closely, I could see a blue energy emanating around Sera.

It was that energy I had occasionally seen around Beatrice.

It was now floating around Sera.

“As I thought. She’s a natural.”

Beatrice, who apparently hadn’t noticed me yet, spoke while watching Sera.

She circled around Sera, continuously observing her.

Soon, the blue energy around Sera disappeared, and Sera exhaled briefly.

“Well done.”

Beatrice handed a towel to Sera, who was slightly sweating.

Sera spoke with a somewhat tired voice.

“It’s harder than I thought, circulating magical power wildly.”

“Everyone goes through this process. You need to properly master the magical power within your body before you can draw and use the magic that’s spread throughout nature.”

Blue energy flowed from Beatrice’s body.

She drew energy from the surroundings, making it grow larger.

“Like this.”

“So that’s how I can use powerful magic like Beatrice?”

“That’s right. I heard dragons also draw magical power from their surroundings to use magic… Come to think of it, they say dragons taught magic to humans, I wonder if they taught this too.”

Beatrice seemed to be talking to herself, perhaps remembering something Lucian had told her at the magic tower.

While listening to her monologue, Sera was taking a sip of water.

Judging by her expression, she seemed quite tired.

“Don’t be too impatient, miss. You’re actually progressing unusually fast.”

“Really?”

“The completeness of your Magic Missile, and everything else. You’ve learned well from a young age, miss. You just haven’t advanced further.”

Beatrice spoke with a slightly excited voice.

“At this rate, you have plenty of talent.”

“Then—”

“Let’s rest for now. Forcibly circulating magical power is similar to forcibly circulating blood throughout your body in terms of sensation, so you might feel dizzy.”

True to her words, Sera’s body swayed.

Beatrice immediately grabbed Sera to steady her.

“If only a little faster…”

“No. This teacher won’t allow it.”

Beatrice, seemingly pleased with her own words, smiled brightly as she laid Sera down.

Then she turned around and looked at me.

“Now that the helmet has arrived, it’s time for a break.”

“What?”

Sera, who had looked exhausted, suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Then she turned only her eyes to look at me.

“Hello.”

“Wha-wha-wha?!”

Life seemed to be returning to Sera’s seemingly dying body.

In an instant, Sera sat up.

“Wha-wha-wha?!”

“How did you get here? There are rumors all around.”

“Wha-wha-wha…”

“They don’t know what you’re doing. Just that you two are always together.”

“Wha…wha…”

“If old man Ludger heard about it, old lady Diana probably has too.”

Sera’s face started turning red.

“Wha…uh…”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“How on earth do you two understand each other?”

Beatrice looked at Sera and me as if she had seen something incomprehensible.

“So, Sera went to you asking to teach her magic?”

“That’s right.”

“I see.”

Beatrice smiled and lay down.

…Doesn’t she usually get up and come closer?

“She came to me a few days ago when I was taking a smoke break.”

“Really?”

“Yes. At that time, she came and…”

“Aaaah!!”

Sera rushed to cover Beatrice’s mouth.

Beatrice nimbly rolled on the ground to avoid Sera and quickly grabbed Christina.

Then she pushed Christina toward Sera while shouting.

“Christina shield!”

“What?!”

Sera, who was urgently chasing Beatrice, collided with Christina, whom Beatrice had pushed.

Sera, who ended up embracing Christina, shouted with a red face.

“D-don’t say that!”

“I won’t, I won’t. Ah, sorry for pushing you, miss.”

While comforting the tearful Sera and Christina, Beatrice continued speaking.

“As you can see, I can’t tell you the reason. But the conclusion is that I ended up teaching Seraphina magic.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s good to have something to do when I’m bored. Besides, I thought, what’s there to lose in this situation?”

Then Beatrice smiled at Sera.

“Seraphina is learning faster than I imagined, which makes it fun.”

“Really?”

In any case, it was good that Sera was gaining more abilities.

“She has enough talent that I’m willing to skip those boring, nutritionless meetings to teach her.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Would you consider coming to the magic tower? If I recommend you, they’ll all be begging you to come.”

“Ah, I’ll have to decline that.”

Beatrice’s expression stiffened slightly, as if she hadn’t expected an immediate rejection.

“I am, after all, an alchemist.”

“…You could be an alchemist as a hobby.”

“Then I’ll be a magician as a hobby.”

An alchemist who practices magic as a hobby.

…Why does that sound strong?

As Sera continued to refuse, Beatrice seemed to give up and said with a smile.

“Well, now that we’ve rested a bit. Try what I taught you yesterday.”

“Now?”

“You can do it. It’s a basic spell.”

Beatrice said with a smile to the flustered Sera.

“What you were learning earlier—”

“Manipulating magical power throughout your body is intermediate-level magic power control. You’ve already graduated from the beginner level.”

Beatrice added that being able to use magic meant graduating from the beginner level. After thinking for a moment, Sera closed her eyes.

Soon, she opened her eyes and shouted.

“Clay Shield!”

Through a crack in the wall, mud shot up into the air.

Soon, a shield made of mud began floating around Sera.

“I did it!”

“Congratulations, Sera!”

“Thank you, Chris!”

Sera and Christina immediately hugged each other, sharing their joy.

Watching them, Beatrice gave a slightly bitter smile.

“That should be activated faster than just now. As expected, it’s still a lack of experience.”

“Really?”

“But she’ll get there soon.”

Beatrice looked at me confidently and said.

“I’m teaching her. She’ll get there soon.”

“You teaching makes me more worried.”

Beatrice immediately extended her fist toward me, which I quickly dodged.

After considering whether to add another attack, Beatrice seemed to give up and started looking for a cigarette to smoke.

“So, any progress in the meeting?”

“None at all.”

“Thought so.”

Turning her gaze away from Sera and Christina, who were sharing a joyful embrace, Beatrice made a displeased expression.

“That damn dragon. Suddenly becoming a turtle.”

“A turtle?”

“Why. When they’re scared, they tuck their heads in and hide, right? So, a turtle.”

Seeing it suddenly behaving docilely, it could remind one of a turtle hiding in its shell.

Though a turtle doesn’t suit that aggressive creature.

“Wait.”

Turtle.

Inside its shell…

Something occurred to me.

Along with a bad feeling.

“…Beatrice.”

“What?”

Beatrice looked at me with an unconcerned expression.

“I have something to ask you.”

I opened my mouth to ask the question.

Beatrice’s lips parted.

I heard the answer that came from those lips.

“Damn it.”

As soon as I heard Beatrice’s answer, I cursed into the air.