Chapter 78 – Overlapping Promises
A massive investment for subordinates. It must have taken some time for the results to appear.
To put my request into action at the top, the budget to be executed would not be one or two pennies, and the manpower that would have to be moved would not be one or two people.
Of course, given my recent surge in attention, I wouldn’t have to wait that long. I figured I’d have to wait at least a few weeks.
Things were about to progress much faster than I expected.
—Kooung!
“Ugh… This is the headquarters of the Black Lion Knights?
I put a large box on the desk and looked at the elf, who suddenly started appraising the unit’s facilities, with bewildered eyes.
A self-proclaimed Meister-level alchemist who came to my office without any notice and barged into my office.
No matter how she looked at it, she looked like a merchant. Originally, she would have been banned from entering the guardhouse right away, but her species seemed to have loosened her guard.
Since the elves are rare and the longevity species are so eccentric, they could be really valuable visitors despite their appearance.
“Haam… I’m thirsty, so why don’t you bring me some tea?”
“I’m sorry. If I had known you would visit, she would have made arrangements in advance.”
“Well, it’s okay. It’s just what I said. Anyway, nice to meet you, Commander of the Black Lion Knights. My name is Remien. You are more polite and patient than I look. To be honest, I was a little surprised.”
Meanwhile, the elf, who finished her self-introduction with her sloppy yawn, started scratching her thick hair in front of me.
‘How long have you not washed your hair? It’s surprising that it doesn’t smell.’
If the hair of the Elves, whose bodies seldom excrete waste products, was like that, it must have led to a rather lazy lifestyle.
No matter what I mean, I tried to be as polite as possible on the outside.
“Shouldn’t the experience accumulated over hundreds of years in this harsh world be respected? That’s how I learned.”
“Hee hee, you’re so funny. You don’t look like a beast on the outside, but when you listen to what you say, you’re very gentlemanly. It’s a pity… If I were a couple of hundred years younger, I’d seriously flirt with you.”
“Haha. Thank you for taking good care of me.”
What kind of nefarious thoughts are you thinking?
Aside from the fact that self-management is shit, an elf is an elf, so the appearance itself is quite decent, but for various reasons, I only snorted as my standards for beauty were far higher.
Besides, it seemed to me that the elf was doing that on purpose.
‘What? Are you doing some nonsensical acting?’
It is an outdated communication method that has already been in vogue for hundreds of years, but among the long-lived species, there is a type of person who deliberately acts annoying at the first meeting in order to find out the nature of the other person.
Well, that doesn’t mean I have to tune in, though… The Elves are also a race that receives Master’s protection.
This is because, as is the case with old people, there is also the possibility of unexpected benefits if coaxed and coaxed.
—Goooh…
Above all, that box brought by an elf named Remien.
The refreshing energy of mana leaking out little by little through the cracks in the tightly locked lock was unusual even at first glance. If he had brought something like that, it wouldn’t be a lie to say he was a meister-level alchemist.
“Hey, you. Are you really a human? The size and the momentum. Something seems a little unusual… Didn’t you say that your ancestors were of a different race?”
“Well, I tend to get sick of hearing people say I’m not human, but I’m definitely a normal human being.”
“Um, I don’t think so. There must be something… What was it? Ugh, I can’t remember right now…”
I decided to move on to the main topic, accepting the short-haired elf’s small talk.
“Well, let’s talk about that. Meister Lemien? Is the reason you’re here today, of course, the elixir thing?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Originally, this body wouldn’t jump with its own feet, but the number of cases has to be so large. Besides, you’re Arien’s disciple, so I paid special attention to it.”
“Thank you. Meister Lemien seems to have a close relationship with Master.”
“Well, as you know, everyone in our tribe knows each other after crossing a bridge or two. Rather, I’ve only heard about it, but it’s the first time I’ve met in person. I think I know why my sister is so cheap.”
Most elves have a hard time with their master. Seeing as she affectionately calls her sister, it seems that she has a fairly high status within the tribe.
A meister whose skills were certified by the imperial family, and a high-ranking member of the elves. Even in the Empire, there were few people with such a colorful background.
After all, people cannot be judged by appearance alone.
“Well, it looks like you brought a prototype this time. It’s only been a few days since the request was made to the superiors. The work is progressing very quickly.”
“No. Is that all? The items you requested are all inside.”
“Yes?”
However, during the conversation, a rather surprising fact was revealed.
It usually takes quite a bit of time to make an elixir. But already everything is ready.
Besides, considering the number of subordinates, isn’t the volume of that box quite insufficient?
“Okay then, check the stuff first.”
“Are you saying that this contains all the elixirs for over 500 people?”
“Yes. I understand what you’re thinking, but it’s made using new technology, so you don’t have to worry about the quality.”
—Click!
Swallowing my rising doubts, I received the key from Remien and opened the box.
Inside, there were hundreds of large candy-like items packed individually in a small glass bottle.
“Is this an elixir? Something is very different from what I knew.”
“I told you. It’s made by applying new technology. Contrary to conventional wisdom, due to the body structure of knights, the absorption rate of elixirs taken orally is higher in the solid state than in the liquid state…”
I carefully listened to Remien’s explanation, who began to spread knowledge about his field of expertise, and carefully looked at the items that were not easily believed to be elixirs.
Judging from the smell of medicinal herbs piercing my nose and the pure energy of mana, it seems like the elixir is really right, but I felt a little different because it felt like something was twisting the common sense I knew.
However, since an expert can confidently explain it, the effect must be certain.
“The way to take it is to just take it as dessert after a meal and chew and swallow it! I’ve put in a few extras, so if you’re really in doubt, try an experiment. Perhaps the efficiency isn’t even comparable to existing elixirs?”
So, for a long time, I heard from Meister Lemien about various precautions and detailed explanations about the specific efficiency of the elixir applied with the new technology.
“Whoah… Then, I’ll be gone.”
“Yes. Take a look.”
Contrary to his not-so-good first impression, he was about to send off the elf with a satisfied smile, who had delivered results beyond his expectations.
Right before she left, Remi En suddenly turned around and stared at her in my direction.
“You, if you have time, could you come visit me in my lab?”
“Yes. If I have a chance to visit the commercial district in the future, I will make time to visit you.”
“It’s not empty talk. Please come by all means. It’s probably… It’s definitely a story that will be of great help to you.”
I know that the alchemists are extremely reluctant to visitors for any reason.
For some reason, she asked me to visit me first in a rather strong tone, so I replied that I would know.
Just like that, after leaving the long-haired elf, a sudden visitor.
After finishing the work I had to do, I decided to find a training room dedicated to the leader and focus on personal training until the day was over.
— Huung!
“Hmm. The power is definitely much higher than before, but it can’t be helped that the movements are a little dull.”
Because of the change in weapons, it was essential to revamp the swordsmanship itself so that it could adapt to the completely different fighting style.
It wasn’t that easy, but I had a rough idea of it already, so it shouldn’t take long.
* * *
As usual, on the way home from work with Agnes.
“You did a good job this week too, Agnes. Have a good weekend then.”
“Yes, yes…”
But, unlike usual, she doesn’t ask for a kiss or send me sexual signals by groping my body.
Come to think of it, it seems that Agnes has been a little strange since a few days ago.
They made it clear that there was something going on, such as being a bit overly sensitive even for trivial things, or blushing a lot when they just made eye contact.
Until now, I had just thought that she was going through a period where she came to visit me once a month, so I didn’t think it was a big deal.
“Agnes. Is there something wrong?”
“No. Rice, nothing special…”
“It’s nothing special. It looks strange to anyone. Is there something I should hide from me? If you have any concerns, tell me about anything.”
When I took Agnes’ petite body into her arms and tried to comfort her, she was startled and pushed me away.
“Kyaep?! Gee, you can’t touch it now!”
“…I’m sorry. You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”
“I’m sorry. Now, if I didn’t care, this overflowed… Ahhh…!”
This was a bit of a shock. I never thought I would reject her favorite hug so violently.
Could it be that Agnes is trying to ‘push’ me?
I’ve been doing that too, so there was no law telling her not to do it.
However, when it happened on my side, I felt very sad, and while I was lonely trying to get on the carriage alone, reflecting on what I had done so far.
—Gasp!
Agnes, holding my arm tightly, stopped me with a flushed face.
“Captain! Tomorrow… Uhhh! My, tomorrow will be fine. Could we meet for a while in the downtown area?”
“Ah. That’s right. When would be a good time?”
“Well, it would be nice to meet around lunchtime…”
“Yeah. But, you don’t seem to be feeling very well. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Four! No problem at all. It should be ready by tomorrow. The place is…”
I don’t know what kind of preparation you’re talking about, but anyway, spending sweet time with your lover on the weekend was of course welcome.
‘Still, I’m glad he doesn’t seem angry.’
So let’s go home after making a date with Agnes.
[Whoops… Master! Tomorrow evening, is it time? Long time no see… How is it?]
Alicia’s familiar welcomed me as if she had waited.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but ponder for a while.
It’s an appointment for lunch and dinner in a row. It’s not a schedule that you can’t digest if you’re busy.
If something goes wrong, there is a risk that you will not be able to satisfy both women.
What should I do?
