Chapter 13 - I Thought I Could Finally Relax, But...
I Thought I Could Finally Relax, But...
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 13
Rumors were spreading that Lidasid Magic Tower was overflowing with people who had recently advanced in their Circle.
“Please, pleeease do not let this rumor spread outside…! Please!!”
“Hmm. I haven't watched over you for long, but this is the first time I’ve seen you so desperate.”
…The rumor did not spread. Thanks to Archion’s earnest plea.
Even though it would have been a good story for him, the reason he asked for it not to be spread was—
“I like quiet peace. I hate noisy commotion.”
“You mean you hate being dragged around here and there, right?”
“As expected, Goldie is quick-witted.”
It was for a relaxed and affluent daily life.
To him, fame was merely a means of earning money for an affluent life, and he directed most of the glory to his father, Delford Enersis.
Why? Because if things got noisy, as Goldie said, he would be dragged around everywhere. To banquets, and banquets, and banquets!
“Especially Imperial Palace banquets, ugh.”
“I dislike those as well.”
If he went to such places, how many humans would he have to rub shoulders with?
That political scene where people desperately try to undercut each other’s prestige while feigning politeness on the surface. Archion didn't want to go. It didn't suit his aptitude either.
If he directed all the glory to his father, who had been handling things well all this time, wouldn't he take care of everything? He planned to do more research in the time it would take to make acquaintances with nobles.
“Room-corner loner.”
“Stop hitting me with facts!”
It was partly because he was somewhat introverted. Anyway.
It was true that he hated getting involved in troublesome things.
“To you, I bestow the position of Magic Tower Alchemist.”
“Thanks a bunch. Damn it.”
But he got involved anyway. After listening to Archion’s entire lecture in the Grand Auditorium, the Tower Master—
“He gave an excellent lecture.”
“Admit him to the tower.”
With roughly that kind of feeling, she admitted Archion as an alchemist of the Lidasid Magic Tower.
“It is an honorary position, so do not be too upset.”
“Oh my, upset? I am so, so happy and honored that I want to run out of this Magic Tower right now.”
“For your reference, an honorary position is also recognized as belonging to the Magic Tower, so you can receive discounts at the alchemy shop.”
“Actually, I did want to be recognized like this. I also wish to enjoy the honor of serving the Tower Master as my mentor, but please forgive this unfilial Archion who cannot spare the time due to busy research!”
“Haa. Your flattery surpasses any sycophant.”
Of course, Archion became polite as soon as the discount was mentioned. The Tower Master sighed at the worldly aspect of her prospective disciple.
“This is….”
A steel plaque held in Archion’s hand. It glowed with a faint light, and the dragon logo symbolizing the Lidasid Magic Tower was elegantly embossed on it.
“It is an identification plaque indicating your affiliation with the Magic Tower. It is made of steel mixed with magic stone powder, treated for preservation and waterproofing, and crafted to react only to your mana.”
“Such a precious thing… Wait, isn't the color similar to the iron ingot you held up to me last time?”
“…….”
“Tower Master, answer me.”
It was a bit annoying that she had planned his voluntary (forced) admission and made it in advance.
“It is pretty, though.”
“Fufu, I knew you would like it.”
Still, Archion felt like he had achieved something for the first time, excluding his past life.
To enter the Magic Tower, one must be at least 4th Circle, and they must pass an entrance exam unconditionally. The difficulty is reportedly beyond imagination, with 75% giving up midway.
“Now I can go around handing out my business card….”
Even though Archion was an “I love research!” engineer, he was undoubtedly a social animal. Plus, with 17 years of Archion’s withered past ingrained in his body….
“Huh? But Young Master, you’re a scion of Enersis, aren't you?”
“There’s that aspect too.”
Archion was deeply moved by the fact that he was recognized.
Of course, if other mages of the Magic Tower heard this talk—
“Young Master Archion? Are you mocking us right now? After developing the incandescent bulb?!” “And what about the motor!! Do you intend to insult us!!!!”
They would have all jumped up and down, brandishing incandescent bulbs and motors. Anyway.
So, what could he do with the Magic Tower affiliation plaque given to him?
“Hmm? This isn't the way to the alchemy shop?”
“I have somewhere else to go.”
Contrary to Goldie’s expectation, Archion postponed his special discount shopping at the alchemy shop.
He had already stocked up on plenty of materials anyway, and buying more in advance would only make managing the chemicals a hassle.
And with that money, he would rather….
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Welcome, Young Master Archion!”
“The forge…?”
It’s better to shop at the forge—that was Archion’s thought.
Just in time, the head and owner of the Magic Tower forge, a bushy-bearded dwarf, came out to guide him.
“Young Master, are you here to order a sword or something?”
“Why would I?”
“Then why did you come to the forge?”
“Because I need help with my research.”
Is this Young Master thinking only about research even on his vacation! Goldie wanted to stuff him into a famous cafe in Lidasid right away. Please stop researching and rest!
“Why are you doing such things on your day off!”
“Instead, after finishing this, let’s go to Mont Blancet and buy cream puffs.”
“Heeek, Mont Blancet cream puffs…?!”
However, the special cream puffs from Mont Blancet, the most famous bakery in Enersis. Those pastries, slightly burdensome even with Goldie’s salary—the Young Master is treating her?!
“And then let’s go to the boutique and get you some clothes, Young Master.”
And raising the stakes, a clothing store. That too, for Archion.
“……I ask every time, but why do you want to buy my clothes instead of yours?”
To Engineer Archion, clothes were for withstanding the cold and covering his naked body.
Does Archion need to maintain dignity because of his noble bloodline? His mindset was that since he gave up the Earldom anyway, it was none of his business.
“Goldie has lots of different clothes, but you always wear the same thing, Young Master!”
“They’re all different clothes, though?”
“The design is exactly the same, so how are they different clothes—!”
Of course, Goldie, watching every day from the side, was frustrated to death.
Eventually, to calm down the rampaging Golden Retriever, Archion was dragged to the clothing store as well.
Suddenly, Archion thought it was unfair that only he was buying clothes.
After all, isn't Goldie Archion’s loyal subject?
“Hehehe…!”
So he bought clothes for her too….
And lo and behold, the clothes he bought suited her better than expected.
“Young Master, Young Master!”
A white one-piece dress with a black waist ribbon. If you ask if there’s a dress that suits a blonde-haired, golden-eyed young lady this well—
“How is it? Does it suit Goldie?”
“It’s pretty.”
Archion… honestly was certain that anything else would suit Goldie too.
They say the completion of fashion is the face and body, and Goldie was an innocent young lady who had both.
“Heehee, you bought one for me too….”
Although Goldie insisted she didn't need it, Archion bought it anyway, and while Goldie grumbled with her mouth, her tail was already wagging furiously.
“I’m glad you like it.”
He didn't know she would like it this much, though. Archion decided not to mention that. There was no need to say it and ruin the mood.
“Hum, hum-hum~! He-he-hum~!”
Even though she was tall and had a refreshing stride, Goldie’s walk was closer to a bouncy trot.
Even if she is a dog-beastman… seeing her like that made even Archion want to pinch her cheeks and pet her head vigorously.
So this is why the Heads of the House kept dog-beastman retainers—Archion finally understood the tastes of his past ancestors.
And Goldie,
“Heh, he-hum, hee, hehe….”
For some reason, was incredibly excited with a ticklish feeling in her heart.
“Young Master. Come to think of it, how is the wound on your head?”
“Ah? This? It still throbs a little these days, but it’s fine.”
Since the Young Master’s last birthday, Young Master Archion had changed completely.
From a Young Master who seemed gloomy and depressed yet sharpening the blade of revenge someday….
“Shall Goldie take a look at it?”
“No, it’s fine. More importantly, I heard you were scolded a lot by Father back then. For not taking care of me.”
“Well, that’s… because it was Goldie’s fault.”
“Why is that your fault? I’m the one who slipped.”
Pat, pat.
To think he became such a kind and reliable Young Master.
Above all, a Young Master doesn't act this kindly to a servant just because he's a master.
Suddenly, Goldie recalled a romance novel circulating among the servants.
The plot of that novel was about a devoted servant caring for a devastated Young Master who returned from war.
Then, moved by the servant’s devotion, the Young Master confesses his love, and the servant doesn't know what to do but soon they share their love… there’s even some steamy content.
“Don't take it to heart. It’s not your fault. Understand?”
Pat, pat.
Because there were illustrations inside, the servants all projected themselves onto the servant in the novel and got excited.
And Goldie had done so too.
“……Yeees.”
She didn't know why that novel came to mind right now… but looking up at Archion defending her, Goldie’s heart pounded wildly.
Then suddenly,
‘I wish that Young Master was our Young Master….’
She came to harbor a small wish in her heart. It was a warm autumn with gentle sunlight.
At the end of the long (?) two-week vacation, Archion’s workshop resumed work.
“Did everyone rest well? Let’s take the research a bit leisurely from now on.” “Gasp?! The Young Master became nice?!!!” “A demon has possessed the Young Master again!!” “I didn't know you all liked overtime this much. Shall I make you work overtime again starting today?” “No, sir—!!”
Unlike before, the technology was roughly developed. There was no reason to rush. So he planned to slowly develop the relatively simple pressure water tank compared to before, but—
“Young Master!! It’s an urgent letter!!”
“Pardon? For me?”
A servant who ran in hurriedly handed him a letter.
Although it was a bit dirty with dust… the seal stamped on it was something that could never be ignored.
“Why would the Vatican….”
The god basically worshipped by any human in this world, the Lord of Heaven (Cheonju).
The religion worshipping him was Catholicism (Cheonjugyo). And seeing the seal used only by the Vatican, Archion began to get nervous.
Of course, Archion had been quite toughened thanks to the mass Circle promotion incident he experienced at the Magic Tower this time.
“What’s the content for you to act like this? You must have read it first, so summarize it for me.”
As he unfolded the letter and waited for the servant’s words—
“The Saintess says she wishes to see you.”
“What.”
This Lord of Heaven, well, is a concept similar to the God Archion knows.
The difference is that He really grants divine power to the clergy.
“I think I heard wrong. Who?”
“The Catholic Saintess… says she wishes to see the Young Master!”
In return, they cannot speak falsehoods lightly and train their faith and beliefs all their lives. From the Catholicism of this world, loved by countless imperial citizens based on that faith….
“Why…?”
“She says it is to give thanks for the incandescent bulb, but….”
The three most powerful figures symbolizing the Trinity. The Pope, the Saint, and the Saintess.
“Why……?”
Among them, the Saintess says she wants to meet Archion to convey her thanks.