episode_0121

“… … It’s not a huge level, but it’s also not something to ignore.”

The amount of alchemy that was created using alchemy was literally not at a huge level. However, that did not mean it was at a level that could be ignored. Even though it is simply a difference of about 10% or 5%, the results that the difference creates are enormous.

In particular, it was obvious that it would make a big difference in the case of weapons such as swords.

A sword was not simply used for attack. It was also used to prevent attacks from others. Swords could be blocked, and skilled fighters could even block incoming arrows or magic.

Naturally, the difference between 10% and 5% played a big role in the damage that occurred during that process. Even if the swords collided in the same way, the damage to the sword made using alchemy liquid would be less. And, it was natural that the difference in damage would have a big impact in battle.

This is because weapons made from iron plates to which alchemy liquid has been added can maintain full combat power for a longer period of time than weapons made without it.

The difference between a blade that dulls easily as the battle lasts and a blade that maintains its sharpness no matter how long the battle lasts can only be described as enormous.

Moreover, being able to store 5% more mana was also a big difference. In a battle between knights with exactly the same skills, the difference in equipment would determine the outcome. I don’t know if I let my guard down.

“I really need to buy this.”

Of course, after checking the performance of the alchemy liquid, I had a strong desire to purchase both types of alchemy liquid.

Simply selling more high-end products and diversifying the products sold was directly related to profits, but in the case of high-end products made in that way, there was a very high possibility that they would overpower products made elsewhere.

It would not only increase immediate profits, but also increase the value of the Smith Skeleton brand itself.

“Gun… … . So how do I get the story out?”

However, if there was one problem, it was that Count Art showed signs of not trusting the alchemy amount he had presented. Now, if I said that I wanted to buy it because I needed it, it wouldn’t be easy to get such a positive response.

For example, I thought there would be an outcome such as a higher price than what was initially proposed. Of course, since I wasn’t even told the price in the first place, I don’t know if I’m getting paid more.

Still, it wasn’t worth paying too much to get it, so I headed toward the store while calculating the appropriate price. Count Art, who had authority over the transaction of this alchemy amount, was in the store’s workshop.

The calculation was very simple as it was the same as diluting it at a rate of 1,000 times. This is because it was enough to set a portion of the price difference between the iron sword currently being sold and the iron sword made from iron plate to which alchemy solution was added as the cost of the chemical solution.

It is an item that simply makes a difference of about 10% or 5%, but I did not intend to increase the price by 10% or 5%. The idea was to differentiate prices to match the results that the difference produces.

“It would be a good idea to abolish the existing premium line and sell products corresponding to the two types of pension amounts as a premium line. The value is about twice the default… … . Oh, should one that uses only one of the two types of alchemy liquid be classified as a premium line, and the one that uses both types of alchemy liquid as a signature line? Or simply introduce something like a rating system?”

On the skeleton horse heading to the store, I continued to worry about all kinds of things. No matter how good a product is, if the price is too high, the motivation to buy it decreases. I had no choice but to worry for a long time.

Still, I moved leisurely because I was worried, so I arrived at the store by the time I finished worrying.

Since I had determined the upper limit and appropriate limit for the amount of money it would cost to purchase alchemy, I moved toward the studio with a somewhat relaxed mind.

“Ahhhh!”

And as soon as I was about to enter the studio, I heard a scream coming from inside. At the same time, a faint but booming sound of an explosion was heard.

I wondered if there had been an attack, so I hurriedly opened the door to the studio. But what I saw was completely different from what I expected.

Count Art, with his face and front of his body covered in black soot, his hair very bald, and his eyes glaring. Perhaps because the face had turned black, the pupils and the whites of the eyes, which were between maroon and orange, became very prominent.

“… … Could you please explain?”

Of course, just as Count Art was in that situation, the inside of the studio was also a mess. There was black soot everywhere, and there was even a strange odor.

“ho, hohoho… … .”

“No, can you just stop laughing and explain what happened?”

“Ugh… … Well, I just made a mistake while doing alchemy. Maybe it’s just an ordinary mistake that happens sometimes… … ?”

“This is an ordinary mistake?”

When I pointed to the messy surroundings, Count Art slightly turned his head as if he had nothing to say. There must have been an explosion in the cauldron where alchemy was being performed, and soot was only visible on the front facing the cauldron. The pure white skin was exposed behind the ears, making it look even more strange.

“You are stepping into uncharted territory, but this is normal. Cleaning up doesn’t take long, so don’t worry too much. This happens sometimes, so there are chemicals to clean it up.”

Count Art said that it was not easy to clean up the remains of alchemy, and rummaged through his bag in its soot-covered state. He took out a small glass bottle from there and started scattering it around using magic.

The medicine that turned into tiny droplets was scattered around, and the soot, including that on Count Art’s body, disappeared as if melting in an instant. The surrounding area, which had been a mess, returned to its original state in an instant.

It smelled a little musty, but I roughly waved my hand to push the smell away. Then, he brought up the reason why he came to see Count Art.

“Can we talk for a moment in the living room?”

“Conversation? Of course.”

It was a bit inappropriate to talk in a musty-smelling studio, so I went straight to the drawing room with Count Art. On the way, Count Art applied something like a clean-smelling perfume to the nape of my neck, so there was no strange smell in the parlor.

“Baron Steele. What do you suddenly have to say?”

Count Art, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room looking neat, asked what he wanted to talk about and wanted to get straight to the point.

However, it was difficult to get straight to the point. This is because I couldn’t think of how to bring up the topic of purchasing pension funds. All I did was just lick my lips.

However, at that moment, Count Art smiled softly.

“It appears that the iron produced by adding alchemy liquid was confirmed. Baron Steel?”

“… … How did you know?”

“An alchemist must have a good eye.”

“Yes?”

I looked at Count Art, wondering what on earth that had to do with anything. So, Count Art shrugged his shoulders.

“Alchemists must react sensitively to even the slightest change. Did you see the explosion earlier? While I was thinking about something else for a moment, I missed a very faint reaction and there was an explosion. It exploded because it was too late to add mana. I should have figured out that one of the ingredients moved by a few hairs, but I missed it.”

“That means… … . Are you saying that you understood what I was trying to say with your sharp eyes?”

“Yes. If you have this level of insight, you can detect changes in people’s facial expressions in great detail, right? Even with your eyes closed, it is possible to infer what a person is thinking by detecting subtle changes such as the movement of the pupils under the eyelids, the slightest movement of the eyebrows, or the slightly tense lips. It’s not like I’m reading thoughts, so I’m not sure.”

I felt a little absurd when I heard that it was inferred from the subtle changes in expression on my face. I wondered how on earth such a thing was possible.

And, as if he had read my expression again, Count Art appeared triumphant.

“When Baron Steele tried to speak, something like regret or greed appeared on his face. At the same time, I also felt hesitation in speaking. If you think about what makes you feel sorry but also greedy, and what is difficult to talk about, it is not difficult to figure out why. The connection between me and Baron Steele is not that great, is it?”

There may have been a lot of incidents between me and Count Art, but since nothing special happened, it was rather easy for him to understand my thoughts.

“What do you feel sorry for me, and yet what do you feel sorry for me? And, what is it that makes you hesitate? It’s simple when you think about them. Is it because you didn’t believe in the effectiveness of the alchemy solution when you first met? Now that I have confirmed its effectiveness, I want that alchemy solution, but I am hesitant because I didn’t believe it at first.”

“… … .”

Since I couldn’t think of anything to deny, I shrugged instead of speaking.

Count Art, who covered his mouth with his hand and burst into laughter at the sight of me like that, opened his mouth first.

“Pension policy amount. It is possible to sell alchemy liquids named Elixir of Steel Strengthening and Elixir of Iron Mana, respectively. It’s a pity that Baron Steel didn’t believe him at first, but the school really wants to sell these alchemy liquids.”

“Oh, you said the school’s budget was cut, right? If so, we need to increase sales. Come to think of it, there aren’t many blacksmiths who can buy alchemy solutions that need to be diluted a thousand times before use, right? At best, it’s probably a place run by the royal family… … .”

“… … I said it for no reason!”

Count Art said he spoke of the school’s circumstances for no reason, and appeared to regret his past remarks. It was a card that would have had an advantage in negotiations, but it was as if it had disappeared.

But I felt a little less burdened, so I smiled lightly. There is now more reason to not have to drag the other person around to purchase the items you need.

“So, what are the prices of those two annuity amounts? I would like you to let me know based on the capacity you used this time.”

“One bottle costs 10 million med. Regardless of the type.”

“10 million Medra… … . That’s a bit expensive. Even if you dilute it a thousand times and use it, it is excessive. In the case of the elixir of steel strengthening, the iron becomes harder than if it was not used, and in the case of the elixir of iron mana, the increase effect is about half a penny. Is that kind of effect really worth 10 million meds?”

“Enough. This is because it allows us to overcome the limitations of the material called iron itself. Isn’t it? I think Baron Steel also understood this, so his expression showed his greed.”

Of course, Count Art did not hand over the alchemy amount at a low price. From the start, they charged a higher price than expected, showing their determination to charge a higher price.

However, I also had no intention of purchasing it at a high price, so I continued to bargain hard with Count Art.