“That was a touching speech.”
“Of course, Saint! You’re amazing!”
“Uh, uh? R-right?”
“Your eyes were practically glued to her; are you smitten?”
“…I know my own place, you know?”
Of course.
Who does he think he is, trying to catch Karina’s eye? I shot a fierce glare at the boy, and he quickly turned away with a gasp.
“Hey, don’t scare him.”
“Exactly. You shouldn’t scare people.”
“I was just looking!”
“You’re intimidating just by looking, you know?”
“That’s quite a tear-jerking statement.”
Sure, the girls might be fine with it, but boys shouldn’t be scared. Though, looking at it, he’s not bad-looking. He has that rugged mercenary vibe. I mean, I’m not exactly a total wreck, so isn’t that okay?
“…Johann, don’t look so disappointed. I like you.”
“Thanks.”
It sounds a bit like a confession, but it’s just comforting, right?
I felt Renny’s bizarre gaze on me and quickly relaxed my face. If Karina says not to, then I really shouldn’t. I am a well-behaved bodyguard, after all.
We quietly stepped down from the podium and moved to the corner. There was no need to rush for the next meeting, so we planned to enjoy a break here.
“I listened well, Lady Karina. It was an impressive speech.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Hehe, that’s my honest opinion.”
As we settled back in our previous seats, Martina approached us, bringing good wishes and placing a teapot with two spouts in front of us.
“Do you prefer hot tea or cold?”
“Cold tea?”
Ah, is it one of those magical gadgets?
I eyed the oddly shaped teapot with curiosity.
“Rue, is there magic on this teapot?”
[Indeed. It’s simple magic, though.]
“This teapot has a spell that keeps the bottom cold and the top hot, allowing you to enjoy tea as you wish.”
“Can I try cold tea?”
“Of course.”
Martina opened the lid on the bottom spout as per Karina’s request, and cold black tea poured out into a pristine white teacup.
There are even ice crystals in it?
“Can I get a cup too?”
“Of course!”
As Karina’s cup was filled, cool crimson liquid filled my cup too.
“Make mine cold as well.”
We each held onto our teacups filled with cold black tea, feeling like we were grabbing cold beer mugs. I really want one of these.
“It’s cold…”
“Try sipping it while it’s still cold. It’ll refresh your mind.”
Following Martina’s advice, we sipped the cold black tea. Woah, that really hits the spot. Here, where lukewarm drinks were the norm, the chill of iced black tea felt even more refreshing.
“Where can I buy one of these?”
“Unfortunately, it’s a prototype. It’s not for sale.”
“Who developed it?”
“I believe it’s Senior Johnny.”
…I’d love to meet this Johnny. Imagine if he could make a version for beer; I could have cold beer every day. Cold wine too!
“Could you possibly put me in touch later?”
“I don’t have connections, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.”
“Johann, are you conducting business here?”
“Just admiring it. Think about it: being able to drink cold beverages without a magician…”
“…It’d be amazing drinking cold alcohol.”
Ah, my fellow enthusiast instantly caught on! Karina looked intrigued by my suggestion of cold wine.
“I heard they were struggling to find investors. With the Saint vouching for the product, they could really pitch it well!”
“Are there any other interesting items?”
“The magic demonstration is where a lot of innovative products are competing. There are plenty of fascinating items, so I hope you take a look!”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can watch for long.”
“That’s too bad. Still, why not catch a glimpse? There are plenty of intriguing items.”
“Hehe, shall we?”
…Well, arriving a bit late wouldn’t hurt.
We adjusted ourselves and began watching the magic demonstration with curious eyes.
———
“Oh, Lady Karina… Uncle is here too?”
“I’m the bodyguard, remember?”
“…Ah, right. You don’t look much like a bodyguard.”
I guess I might seem less intimidating to Viola.
To be honest, she’s probably seen me working in the workshop more often than guarding. Anyway, Viola’s setup felt a lot more casual compared to the demonstration area.
It was just a wooden sign that stylishly proclaimed ‘Alchemy Experience Center.’
“There are quite a few people.”
“Kids love alchemy; it’s way better than just playing in the dirt.”
True, children probably enjoy mixing things up in alchemical experiments just as much as they like playing with dirt.
“Alchemy, huh? I’m worried I’ll be a nuisance giving a speech when they’re playing.”
“Oh, come on. The kids will probably stop and stare if they see Lady Karina!”
So, the kids are surprised by the Saint? Well, I mean, it’s not unexpected, but thinking about how the adults act makes me feel a bit uneasy.
“Okay, then follow me.”
We followed Viola’s lead, quietly stepping into the alchemy experience area. The alchemy lab was notably busier than the magic demonstration; as she said, there were indeed plenty of children around.
The kids were either mixing things at the potion-making tables or giggling as they fed the concoctions they made to a goblin.
“…That goblin is dead.”
“Ah… we need to clean that up.”
Viola clicked her tongue and called over another student to clean up the goblin. A nameless boy hoisted an empty vial and shouted,
“I made an epic potion! That goblin went down in one hit!”
“Really?”
“Wow, what did you mix?!”
Is this the average for kids around here? I knew that monsters weren’t treated the same way as living beings, but it’s still strange hearing a seven-year-old talk like that about creatures.
“…I mixed daffodil root powder, wailing flower powder, and nepenthes poison leaves.”
“You know your stuff!”
“That’s on the ‘definitely shouldn’t do’ list. I guess it was just a lucky accident.”
“Is it really okay to let kids handle something so dangerous…?”
“Well, they’re only mixing it here. Just no using it on people. There’s a safety officer there too.”
…They’ll probably be fine.
I turned my gaze away from the kids and focused on the students cleaning the podium. Is that what’s happening over there?
“Shall we head over?”
“Hang on, let me check. There might be a problem.”
I thoroughly inspected the podium area, using my skill to check every inch of it. Luckily, I didn’t find anything suspicious, so I called Karina over.
“Then let’s start.”
Once again, a few sentences differed in the speech for the Alchemy Department, and this time, the applause that followed was quite lively. After all, many of the spectators were young children.
Some even tried to rush closer, making Renny and me sweat as we had to hold the kids back.
“I want to talk to the Saint!”
“Me too!”
“Me three!”
“Kids, if you rush in like that, the Saint will feel uncomfortable!”
“Really?!”
“Of course.”
“Is your sister a bodyguard?”
“What’s a bodyguard?”
“They’re knights who protect important people!”
“Cool!”
“Saint, look! My clothes are red!”
…Oh, this is dizzying.
“Hehe, let’s everyone say one thing!”
As Karina, who had been watching from behind with a bit of an awkward expression, suddenly smiled and chimed in, the chaotic scene calmed almost instantly.
“What does the Saint eat? Dew? My mom says the Saint lives on the dew that forms in the morning!”
“There’s no way, I eat the same things as you!”
“The Saint is pretty!”
“Thank you. You’re pretty too.”
“Right? My mom dressed me up for a special day!”
“Saint! Saint! What about me?”
Those ceremonial robes are quite expensive! Renny and I debated whether we should pry the child off the robe but decided to let it be for now. If it comes down to it, I can always fix it, and the little ones wouldn’t be able to rip it just by tugging.
It truly was the Saint’s attire.
The fabric was of a whole different quality than ordinary cloth.
“…I’ll keep an eye out, so you stay with Karina.”
“Are you running away now?”
It’s tough dealing with kids.
“Hey, hey!”
I used checking the surroundings as an excuse to distance myself from Renny and Karina, slowly becoming the subject of curiosity.
—————-
“Good job.”
“You too, Lady Karina.”
“I never realized prayer meetings would be this exhausting.”
“If you can’t do it, just say so and take a break. No one here is unaware of your condition.”
“How could I? It’s my duty.”
Two whole hours of constant prayer—Karina, who had managed that incredible feat, looked completely worn out, having practically melded with her wheelchair.
“Use this.”
“Huh…?”
“You wouldn’t want to show that you’re exhausted, would you?”
“Thank you… I don’t have the strength in my arms… could you put it on for me?”
“Gladly.”
I carefully placed the veil on Karina’s head.
Just that alone transformed her into a mystical Saint.
“Make sure to rest well when you return today. You’ll have a schedule to get through tomorrow as well.”
“I hope nothing particularly eventful happens tomorrow.”
Just one day left.
Two days remaining.
What kind of dark hands will the assassin stretch next?
Thinking about the still-silent assassins, I opened the door to Yeomyeong-gwan.
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