Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Research (2)
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Although Andersen specialized in developing combat magic tools and Rose in household ones, there was one key similarity.
Regardless of the field, every magic tool contained internal circuits and blueprints. Thanks to Andersen pioneering new horizons in magic tool blueprints, latecomers like Rose had been able to blaze their own trails.
"To meet Master Andersen Lind so closely like this—it's truly an honor."
"Hm, well. If you say so."
Andersen remained utterly indifferent to Rose's enthusiastic response.
Countless nobles and influential figures had already passed through his doors. He'd probably heard so many compliments aimed at winning his favor that his ears had calluses.
'He's utterly indifferent to his own fame or reputation.'
Andersen's sole interest was one thing: magic tool development. That was precisely why I'd brought Rose here.
"My apologies."
Rose politely stepped back.
"I got a bit carried away just now—seeing someone I truly admire up close and all."
Rose seemed to have realized her initial approach had rubbed Andersen the wrong way. She withdrew cautiously, now watching his reactions with care.
Having grown up under the Schmichael family's watchful eyes, she had a habit of being overly attuned to others' moods and responses.
"Yes, well. Sure."
Andersen gave a perfunctory nod and turned to me.
"Your Excellency. Do you remember the promise I made when I came to this territory?"
"Of course."
I knew he'd bring it up right away. Even though it was expected, I responded calmly with the answer he wanted.
"Everything related to magic tool development would be left entirely to you, Andersen."
"That includes who I allow into my workshop."
"Exactly."
"And yet you arranged this meeting anyway?"
Anger laced Andersen's voice.
"Choosing my apprentices is my prerogative. For you to make such a personal request—it's deeply unpleasant."
"A personal request?"
"Even if she is Your Excellency's wife, I can't take her as an apprentice."
Andersen stated it flatly.
"I'm already overwhelmed with the worthless students I have now. Another one? I can't do it."
I could see Andersen's chest heaving rapidly. It meant he was extremely agitated—not out of anger toward me, but from fear of defying me.
'He's always done as asked for most things.'
Andersen was the type who was content just conducting his research undisturbed in his workshop. He knew full well how rare it was to find a wealthy patron like me who didn't meddle in anything outside of that.
'That's why he turned down the Academy's overtures and came here.'
Even so, this was the one domain he valued above all, so he was showing unyielding resolve, refusing to yield.
"Apprentice? What are you talking about?"
Rose's eyes widened round.
"I've never heard anything about that. Could you explain in detail?"
"Just a moment."
I soothed Rose, then,
Tap, tap.
tapped the table in front of Andersen to draw his gaze. I spoke to the dissatisfied-looking man.
"Who you take as an apprentice is naturally your prerogative, Andersen."
"......"
"I, a mere 'investor,' wouldn't dream of encroaching on that. Would I?"
At those words, Andersen flinched and relaxed his posture. Despite his words, he'd been incredibly tense.
"The reason I called you here isn't about apprenticeships. It's something else."
"Pardon? What......"
Shff.
I spread out the two sheets of paper I'd prepared under the table. One was the blueprint for Andersen's workshop, the other for the interior of Schmichael Castle.
"I'm planning to build a workshop in the castle."
"Ack!"
Andersen jumped up from his seat.
"Are you going to keep me close now to torment me directly? You'll come every day demanding progress reports, and cut my funding if I don't deliver?"
"It won't be your workshop."
"Pardon?"
Only then did Andersen grasp my meaning and glance at Rose.
"Don't tell me it's for the Madam's......?"
"Exactly."
I slowly waved the documents I'd been holding.
"The workshop in the castle comes first. Then finish this research."
A moment of silence fell.
Rose alternated bewildered glances between me and Andersen before curiosity won out, and she began examining the blueprints on the desk.
Andersen shot me a reproachful look, as if he couldn't comprehend it at all.
"......By any chance,"
he finally spoke after a long pause.
"Is this because of that workshop explosion last time? I've already covered the damages out of my own pocket."
"No."
"Then is it because I didn't let my apprentices sleep for three days? But I didn't sleep either. It wasn't abuse."
"I said no."
Andersen apparently saw me as some cold-blooded tyrant without pity or tears.
Of course, I had chewed him out when research results fell short.
Dragging him to my office to pressure him until results emerged, or force-feeding mana into a magic tool right in front of him until it broke...
But most times, it yielded good outcomes. He'd eventually finish the report in three days and escape the office, and the unbroken magic tools became my favorites.
Isn't that a positive result in the end?
Andersen stared at me with a rigidly stiff expression. Arms crossed, I met his reproachful gaze head-on.
'Even if he pretends otherwise, his pride must be wounded.'
To him, my words probably sounded like this: Your research is so lackluster, drop it and help my wife instead.
I knew he'd jump to that hasty conclusion, but I still had to arrange this meeting.
In the end, the strongest clue to thwarting my poisoning lay with Rose, not Andersen. I had to invest in Rose—not Andersen—to survive.
This very meeting with Andersen today was an investment in Rose.
"......Huh?"
Rose's small exclamation broke the awkward silence. Her gaze was fixed on the paper in my hand.
"What's wrong?"
"If it wouldn't be rude...... could I take a look at that paper for a moment?"
Flip.
Without hesitation, I handed her the paper—Andersen's report. I'd been holding it deliberately for her to see.
"......"
Rose peered into the report with a serious expression. It was a far cry from the meticulous scrutiny she'd given the contract I'd handed her before.
Back then, she'd combed it for traps. Now, complex equations raced through her mind.
"......Well, seeing it, do you understand?"
Andersen grumbled, glancing sidelong at Rose.
"It's a failed experiment anyway, so leave it be. If you want to mock my failure, I suppose I can't stop you."
"That's not it."
"Even without that, I'll build the Madam's workshop grand and spacious, rivaling mine. I'll spend lavishly on the budget until Your Excellency says it's enough."
"......"
Left alone, the two of them got along just fine—were they fighting or conversing? Hard to tell.
"Master Andersen, what was the ultimate goal of this blueprint?"
"Think you'll understand if I explain? You probably won't anyway, so here goes. It's a blueprint for mana reversal."
"Mana reversal? You mean...... flipping the direction of mana flow to make it run backward?"
"Yes."
"Is that even possible? Mana always flows in a consistent direction—that's the first principle, isn't it?"
"Hm."
Andersen's expression softened slightly. He'd realized Rose wasn't a complete layman when it came to magic studies.
"Did you graduate from the Academy's Magic Studies Department?"
"Circumstances forced me to take a leave of absence. But I studied under Professor Albert despite my lacking skills."
"Ah, Albert."
Andersen muttered with a sour face.
"What could you possibly learn from that idiot?"
"Pardon?"
"No, nothing. As you said, mana flows in one direction—that's the first principle. But what if we could reverse that direction? Might we not interfere with the flow in offensive magic tools? That's where this research began."
Andersen's sallow complexion grew even more dour.
"It was a commission straight from Your Excellency, and this is the result. I'm trash. Trash that wastes massive funding and precious mana stones."
It was a lament clearly meant for my ears. Since he often spiraled like this,
"......"
I impassively turned to other documents. Indulging him here would never end.
"Hmm......"
Rose ignored Andersen for a different reason. She was lost in thought, staring intently at one spot on the paper.
Then,
Snap!
She suddenly smacked her own forehead. Andersen, startled for no reason, asked,
"Was there a bug?"
"......No, look here! Please look at this part."
Rose placed one of the sheets she'd been holding on the table. It was a blueprint tangled with labyrinthine diagrams and messy equations.
Thud.
She pointed to one spot with her finger.
"In this blueprint, this section is what ultimately induces the mana flow to reverse, right?"
"That's correct."
Andersen's reaction was lukewarm.
He probably figured she was just nitpicking, but he'd hear her out anyway—what harm in it?
"What if we introduced a crossover circuit in the stage right before this?"
"Hm?"
Andersen showed a subtle reaction. It wasn't ignorance of the term. He knew it all too well, which made it all the more puzzling.
"Are you referring to that crossover circuit from the Academy conference a year ago?"
"Yes, exactly!"
Rose's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"First, may I say something about this blueprint? These design formulas embedded throughout—they're incredible. Perfect equations that waste not even 1% of mana."
"......Well, I did develop them."
"As expected of you, Master Andersen. They're so flawlessly structured that adding a crossover circuit won't disrupt the mana flow at all."
I couldn't help but admire inwardly as I listened.
'Her gilding skills are top-notch.'