Carving the Ice Crystal Statue (3)
The lecture had ended late, and it was already evening.
Chloe had returned to Count Yulian's atelier for the first time in a week. The count said,
"You'll have to work hard today, Chloe."
In the meantime, there had been a combat evaluation, so it felt like ten days had passed. Though a fair amount of time had elapsed, she couldn't forget the intense lovemaking she'd shared with Count Yulian in the atelier that day.
Tying a towel around his arm... and getting tormented with that brush.
It had been a humiliating play bordering on insult for a marquis's daughter.
But the ecstasy Chloe had felt that day was incomparable to any pleasure she'd ever experienced in her life.
Even the thrill of destroying a happy couple herself paled in comparison to the joy of being dominated by Count Yulian—it was utterly trivial.
After being thoroughly ravished by the brush, they'd plunged into dense, passionate sex. Even now, recalling that memory made her down there twitch involuntarily.
Count Yulian couldn't forget my body either, after all.
Unable to forget that sensation, she'd sneaked into the count's room in the earth hut during the additional evaluation dungeon. But unexpectedly, her sleeping potion hadn't worked.
Her attempt to seduce the grand duke's heir had failed. Yet Count Yulian hadn't pursued the matter harshly.
Considering their statuses, he'd only pretended to mildly scold her rudeness. In the end, he'd let it slide.
On the contrary, he'd even shared a muddy, debauched romp with her in that earth hut.
It was only natural. Any ordinary man would lose control at the sight of her voluptuous figure.
He pounded into me like a madman.
In that earth hut, the count had fallen completely for her body. His reactions were honest. She'd even managed to make him cum properly inside her.
Afterward, there was no doubt he kept thinking about her body.
Otherwise, there'd have been no need to scold her so harshly over something trivial, like during Professor Elmaier's lecture last Friday.
Chloe had cheered inwardly that day.
Just as I thought. Making an excuse to mix with my body like that. Heh. He's got a subtly cute side.
The count's own desire must have been burning hot. Right after finishing today's lecture, he'd rushed her to the atelier like this. That said it all.
In his carriage, Chloe was already quite aroused. Her panties felt soaked, and she couldn't stop crossing and uncrossing her legs.
Finally arriving at the atelier, her mind was filled with thoughts of sex.
It's a bit frustrating... but the only one who can satisfy my lust is that count. Bowing my head a little won't hurt. It's definitely not a loss for me.
But just as she thought she should stay a bit cool-headed,
Count Yulian spoke.
"Why no answer?"
"Oh, no, Count. I was just admiring your artwork."
She made an excuse while glancing around the atelier. But they weren't alone. The black-haired maid who always stuck to the count was there too.
"Young master, I'll prepare tea for the two of you."
"Yes, please do."
Chloe subtly observed the maid. A maid outfit was still just a maid outfit, no matter how luxurious.
But her appearance was extraordinary. With her merchant's keen eye, Chloe appraised the maid's value.
She's one of the top-class items even in the empire. No wonder Count Yulian keeps her around.
She had a striking beauty that matched her cold, aloof expression. Though shorter than Chloe, her proportions were exceptional.
Not as voluptuous as Chloe's, but still the kind of figure that drove men wild.
Indeed, a woman worthy of being the personal maid to the grand duke's sole heir.
Yet Chloe felt no jealousy toward the maid. She disliked the arrogant look on a mere servant's face,
but it actually made her feel victorious.
Even with a pretty maid like that, and a dedicated outlet for his lust, he can't forget sex with me. Heh.
That's right. The count couldn't be satisfied with just that maid. He'd already tasted another premium item—her.
Since he'd invited her to the atelier already, he'd surely send the maid away like last time. Then the maid would drown in defeat and humiliation.
That fact subtly pleased Chloe. It felt like destroying yet another couple.
In the meantime, the maid brought out the jasmine tea, and the count took a sip.
"You should drink yours too. You know how good Eirin's tea is from last time."
"Yes, Count."
The aroma and flavor were excellent, as before. Without any aphrodisiac this time, it tasted even cleaner.
She's got real talent for brewing tea. Besides nighttime duties, she has other skills too, that maid.
Of course, Chloe's aphrodisiacs were colorless and odorless, so it was probably just her imagination. She glanced at the count's condition.
Even without the drug, the count's already aroused. No doubt. So no need to use it this time.
She decided to be cautious about secretly using drugs on him for a while.
Except for that first night in the Neuber territory. For some reason, her secret potions didn't work on him.
It might be due to the special Reinhardt bloodline. So Chloe was researching new aphrodisiac formulas. She had to be careful not to exceed lethal doses.
But for now, set that aside...
Chloe subtly broached the topic with the count.
"By the way, Count Yulian, you said you needed my help. What exactly is it? Heh."
She glanced at Eirin, who stood at a distance.
"If it's something important like that contract with Miss Cecilia last time... maybe we should send the maid away and talk alone."
"No need. I need Eirin's help too."
"Pardon? A maid's help...?"
She was puzzled for a moment, but then understood.
How devious is this count? Coming up with that kind of play.
He'd said "help," which meant having sex right in front of the maid watching.
In other words, trying voyeur exhibition play here today.
Imagining it made her down there wet again. As expected, this count was a man who could truly satisfy her.
Chloe continued calmly.
"My, so she's not just good at tea. She handles other things well too, I see."
"You know it well. Eirin handles everything perfectly."
Hmm. That's overly generous praise for a mere maid. But she pushed the thought aside, anticipating the play to come.
In the meantime, they both finished their tea. The count suddenly stood up.
"What's wrong, Count?"
"There's something we need for you to help with my work. I'll fetch it."
Something. Like the brush last time, he planned to use a tool.
This noble count, endlessly catering to her lewd desires. Even without the drug, Chloe felt her lust boiling wildly from imagination alone.
What kind of play is he planning... Hoo...
Count Yulian soon returned to the reception table. But the item he held out was something she never could have imagined.
A pen and a practice sheet densely covered in incantations.
It was already Tuesday evening.
Only four days remained to create the Ice Crystal Stone statue. But preparations were progressing steadily.
I placed the Ice Crystal Stone crystal on the table.
Chloe, holding the practice sheet I'd handed her in one hand, looked bewildered as she spoke.
"What is this?"
"Can't you tell? It's Ice Crystal Stone. What you're holding is the practice sheet and pen. It's foolish for the daughter of the Aiterne Merchant Group to ask that."
"I know it's Ice Crystal Stone, but... you said you clearly needed my help?"
Chloe spoke with emotion showing. She looked terribly disappointed, as if expecting something else.
Given that lewd lady, did she think we'd get up to debauchery in the atelier?
Of course, I had no intention of indulging her desires tonight.
The Ice Crystal Stone crystal had a different shape from yesterday. Yesterday, it had been a large trophy-sized crystal.
Now, its overall form had changed.
"As you can see, I've used alchemy to slightly alter the Ice Crystal Stone's shape according to this sketch. But... attempting more intricate transmutation scares me a bit."
I got straight to the point. True to her capable nature, Chloe quickly regained her composure and responded.
"That makes sense. A crystal this size... honestly, it's priceless. The chill emanating from it... and considering your homeland, Essemont, it's undoubtedly genuine Ice Crystal Stone."
"You know your stuff."
That would make things easier. She seemed disappointed her hopes hadn't panned out,
but her eyes changed upon recognizing the Ice Crystal Stone's value.
"Pure Ice Crystal Stone of this size. Hmm. If you're thinking of selling it to someone, why not talk to our merchant group? We have a solid foothold in Essemont, especially the territory capital Reinhyme. Even Margrave Wilhelm would approve."
"Sorry, can't sell it. It already has an owner."
"An owner who can possess Ice Crystal Stone like this? Then it must be our marquis house, your margrave house... or perhaps the southern Orhain ducal house..."
"All wrong. This Ice Crystal Stone is a tribute for His Majesty the Emperor."
Chloe looked deeply regretful. The same expression as when our debauchery fell through moments ago.
"If His Majesty is the owner, no helping it. Then it must be for this year's birthday banquet tribute."
"Correct, Chloe."
"But altering its shape with alchemy already means you won't use it as-is..."
Instead of answering, I handed her the bundle of four sheets with step-by-step sketches of the statue.
As expected, sharp Chloe got it immediately and nodded.
"I see. A hawk symbolizing the god Jedin, in imperial robes only His Majesty may wear. If the Ice Crystal Stone statue is completed like this sketch, His Majesty will be thrilled. It's truly majestic."
Chloe nailed my intent. The Ice Crystal Stone alone made it valuable enough as tribute.
But a dignified statue capturing the emperor's face would hide his inferiority complex. Gifting that would obviously感動 the petty emperor.
Chloe seemed to know his personality well too. She didn't say it outright, but she spotted it instantly.
"And this sketch is incredibly high-level. Plenty of artists could draw something this detailed, but adjusting it for alchemical transmutation isn't easy. It's perfect for alchemy sculpting, and it hits every point His Majesty would love. Who is this artist? Care to share the name?"
Once more, Chloe's eyes gleamed with greed. Like with Cecilia, she wanted to contract a valuable talent.
I pointed to Eirin.
"Right there. I already told you her name."
"Pardon? You're joking. How could a mere maid draw something so precise and artistic..."
"Believe it or not, that's up to you. But Eirin will work on the back sketches here too. You can see for yourself."
Eirin's ears perked up. She probably saw it as a chance to crush the haughty marquis lady's pride.
"Then both of you, sit at the table. I've already explained to Eirin, so I'll brief you, Chloe. What we need to do today is..."
I explained simply to Chloe.
The stages of alchemical realization: perception, resonance, transmutation.
First, Chloe and I needed to precisely perceive the material's properties to achieve perfect mana resonance.
Of course, in modern alchemy, material perception combined countless incantations and calculations.
"You've heard this plenty in Professor Elmaier's recent lectures, so you know it well. Want to check the incantations I wrote on that sheet?"
The sheet I'd prepared summarized the four stages of incantations needed to sculpt the current Ice Crystal Stone crystal.
Based on Professor Elmaier's theory, of course.
"By the way, Ice Crystal Stone has three attributes as a material: water, wind, earth."
"Meaning three variables."
"Exactly. So you know what to do?"
What I'd organized was an alchemical incantation equation. Chloe's task was to calculate it, matching Eirin's sketches so the Ice Crystal Stone transmuted into the exact shape.
In other words, she was the human alchemy calculator.
Chloe's expression turned peculiar upon hearing that.