episode_0032

The conversation with Ludine ended on the spot.

I left without any confirmation, and Rudine watched me leave until the end.

Although there was no result, I realized at least one thing for sure.

That she wasn’t just crazy, she was completely crazy.

what? Giving you everything you want?

So don’t abandon yourself?

‘I still get goosebumps.’

gibberish.

Even now, what can I do when all I can think about is leaving this world?

The only emotion left at the end of the conversation was discomfort, but that doesn’t mean there was no harvest.

‘Isabel was trapped… It’s a good thing.’

Having slapped the royal family in the face, it would be difficult for Isabel to be freed easily no matter how much she used the power of Count Justia.

That means, at least for the time being, she won’t get in my way.

However, if there is a problem…

◆ Scenario progress

: 40%

Meanwhile, the progress rate rose again.

The reason is vague.

There is a high probability that it is because of the situation Isabelle is currently in.

Jumble-jump-

I walked for a while and stopped in front of the entrance of a building.

An arched iron gate plastered with all kinds of mysterious patterns.

It was the entrance to the only alchemy association in the empire.

I tried to knock on the door without hesitation.

The reason I came to the imperial palace in the first place was to visit this place.

However, when I raised one hand to knock on the door, the door opened with a loud squeak.

“… What is it?”

I looked through the dark crack in the door and went inside.

At that time, a man waiting in front of the entrance approached.

“Ah, you’re here.”

It’s a vaguely familiar face.

This is because every time you visit the Alchemy Association, he appears like a ghost and guides you through the building.

“I heard the story. Please eat it this way.”

I followed him up the narrow stairs.

The inside of the building was eerily quiet.

As if no one was inside the building.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

There are too many prestigious names to describe the Imperial Alchemy Society.

And the prestige attached to the name of an organization also symbolizes the prestige of the organization.

The Alchemy Association is one of the three largest organizations among all associations existing in the empire.

The essential foundation that allowed the imperial civilization to prosper so much is not magic or divine power, but alchemy.

What’s more, the emperor himself came forward and embraced an organization within the imperial family’s bosom.

This means that each discovery made by the Alchemy Association has a huge impact.

After turning the curved road several times, I began to see a blurry light at the end.

At the place we arrived, there was a huge magic circle.

It was exactly like the scene from the game in my memory.

“Just stand in the direction I point.”

I followed him and stood in the middle of the magic circle.

The man confirmed my location and sprinkled an unknown powder on the magic circle.

It was that moment.

Cuuu of!

The earth shook and a loud noise erupted from somewhere.

I felt a huge vibration beneath my feet.

It was as if the entire building was shaking.

A total of five pentagrams overlapping on the magic circle.

A halo of light poured out from there.

At the same time, a blue haze flew into the air.

Ugh—

I barely managed to gather my stumbling body.

My hair fluttered wildly in the rushing magical wind.

It is a position that can be quite shocking at any time.

“… ”

Before long, the shaking stopped immediately.

The inside of the building, which had been so quiet as if it were dead, suddenly filled the air with noisy noise.

When I turned my head to the back, a door appeared in the stone wall that wasn’t there before.

No, can this really be called a door?

There isn’t a doorknob or a dent that you can pull with your finger.

“Please wait a moment.”

The man guiding me walked slowly.

He stroked his chin and looked at the door seriously, then stretched out his hand and placed it on the door.

It was then.

Grumble—

As the door was pushed to the side, a new space opened up.

A space so vast and luxurious that you can’t even imagine it just by looking at its shabby exterior.

It’s a familiar sight.

“Welcome to the Alchemy Society.”

Alchemy Society.

Finally arrived.

****

Alchemy Association reception room.

“I heard about the situation. They say you need to make one elixir. Is that correct?”

Association president, Esther.

In a soft voice, she reaffirmed what she had received.

I nodded slowly.

“That’s right.”

“I’m sorry. This is my first time experiencing something like this.”

Esther took a moment to catch her breath and then continued speaking.

“This is the first time the imperial family has brought in an outsider so recklessly… How should I accept this… ”

“You don’t have to worry too much. The status I was given is literally just a ‘temporary’ status.”

“Well, that aside… ”

Esther tapped the desk with her fingertips.

Her suspicious eyes felt stinging.

Esther sighed and gently pushed a document towards me.

“What on earth are you manufacturing? I wonder if this is the list of materials sent for manufacturing. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear your answer.”

“Do I really need to know?”

“Yes, I need to know. What on earth are they manufacturing that steals half of the imperial treasury? And for what reason does the imperial family support you under such unreasonable conditions? It makes no sense, right? To trust you so blindly even though you have never learned alchemy.”

To cure the emperor’s hair loss.

I barely managed to swallow my words.

Looking at those burning eyes, it seems impossible to even think about it.

I asked her to change the topic of conversation, just in case.

“Did you get the ingredients?”

“If you want my cooperation, please start by answering my questions. We will make sure to keep confidentiality strictly.”

‘What can I say about this…’ ‘

My goal is to make an elixir.

Of course, no one in the empire currently knows the recipe for the elixir, except me.

No, more accurately, it should be said that the existence itself is not known.

As the name suggests, Elixir is a legendary elixir that can only be found in old books.

Since such products must be manufactured, the cooperation of the association president is essential.

then.

Is the president of the association, Esther, truly a trustworthy person?

‘It’s reliable enough.’

Both in the game and in the official settings book.

Because she is a woman who keeps the promises she makes to the end, even if it means losing her life.

Above all, I already have a lot of experience making elixirs in games.

And out of a total of five attempts, Esther never once disappointed me.

but.

“I can’t say.”

“… What did you say just now?”

“He said he couldn’t tell.”

Esther’s eyes were filled with astonishment.

I raised my head and asked once more.

“That’s strange. No matter how high the association’s prestige was, it would not have been comparable to the authority of the imperial family.”

“… ”

“This is Hwang Myeong. It’s not just an order, it’s an imperial decree. It’s not just you. I also came here out of necessity under the Emperor’s command. In such a situation, what do I trust and confide in you? In a situation where my life is at stake.”

She flinched and stiffened.

It seemed like an unexpected answer.

Esther soon let out a short sigh.

“… I understood. I was rude.”

I don’t feel very good about it, but it’s a choice I can’t help but make.

I must return to my world.

That’s why I can’t completely trust anyone in this damn world.

“Most of the ingredients were prepared from the royal treasury. but… ”

Esther stopped talking and continued speaking cautiously.

“Blue Flower, Soul Stone, and Holy Solvent.”

These are familiar names.

I remember the difficulty of obtaining it was the worst among all the ingredients.

“The only item for sale is Cheonghwacho, which is scheduled to be sold at an auction in the principality, and the Soul Stone is said to be currently in the process of negotiation with Torte Merchants. The problem is the divine solvent.”

“I’m listening.”

“The Holy Solvent is a precious treasure owned by the Holy See. It is said that the imperial family is currently offering a huge price, but negotiations are not easy.”

The Vatican’s arrogance is not as high as it should be.

However, the value of the Holy Solvent is not high enough to maintain its position even while pretending to be with the empire.

It is obvious that as time goes by, they will hand over the solvent to the imperial family under the condition of a huge price, pretending that they cannot win.

“First, I placed the prepared materials in my personal laboratory. You can rest assured that no one can enter except you.”

“Thank you.”

“Not much to say. Accommodation and meals are also available, so stay as you please.”

The business is over.

Just as I was about to get up from my seat.

smart-

A couple of light knocking sounds echoed in the air.

“Please come in.”

The person who opened the door and came in at the same time as Esther spoke was none other than a girl.

She smiled brightly, carefully placed the stack of papers she was carrying on the nightstand where we were sitting, and left.

“What is this?”

“Oh, it’s a newspaper.”

Esther opened the newspaper as if she had been waiting.

I glanced at the open newspaper out of the corner of my eye.

Debutante balls, various banquets, and social news…

It’s all just meaningless news.

It was then.

The phrase on the front of the next page was like a nail in my eyes.

[Her Majesty the Empress revealed… Lady Isabel Justia, possesses the ability to purify black fog]

[ Unable to rule out the possibility of a contemporary saint, the entire empire is turned upside down… ]

[The Vatican strongly requests the imperial family to arrange a meeting with Lady Isabel… ]

“… .”

It’s amazing, really.