Chapter 99

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The people of Rustu's light power reacted with the spirit water, and it was discovered two days ago during a holiday that it was effective even against monsters. Immediately after that, I requested Diona's assistance and sent a letter to my childhood friend, Lucash, who is a hero.

I have continued to work on the concoction with Diona's help several times, but we have yet to achieve any further results. However, we have taken a significant step forward, and I want to pursue the results steadily without rushing.

After the holiday, I went to see Arnold before anyone else. It was still before the start of the workday, but he is usually in his laboratory early in the morning. Today was no exception.

I knocked on the door of the laboratory, confirmed a response, and then turned the doorknob with enthusiasm.

"Good morning, Mr. Arnold! There has been progress in the concoction of the spirit water!"

I rushed into the main topic without much of a greeting. He was sitting in a chair, apparently reading some literature, and his eyes widened at my words—more likely at my enthusiasm. However, as he gradually processed my words, he slowly closed the book and gestured for me to sit in a nearby chair.

Unable to contain my excitement, I sat down as instructed and continued.

"The light power of the people of Rustu interfered with the spirit water. The 'concocted' spirit water had such an effect that it melted the front legs of a monster."

"Interesting."

His response was brief, but his black eyes were fixed on me intently, as if trying to deduce something from the little information I had given.

I met his gaze firmly and spoke again.

"By the way, the power of the people of Rustu is said to be similar to the power of a hero. So, Lucash's power might also...!"

It was just a hypothesis, and I hadn't even tested it yet, so I didn't say more. But Arnold must have easily imagined the rest.

"I sent a letter immediately."

"Please let me observe when you perform the concoction."

I nodded vigorously at Arnold's words and stood up to leave before the start of the workday. As I turned to leave, Arnold called me back.

"I have one report. The date for taking Elvira to the town of the people of Rustu has been set. And... Elvira, the master, and Berta have returned."

Berta has returned.

My thoughts went blank at those words.

Did the master learn about the existence of the Demon King? Did they talk about the true nature of the self-destruction disease with Mercedes?

Arnold didn't say anything more. He just stared at me intently.

I thought I needed to calm down and have a proper conversation.

***

That night, I found myself in front of the room where the master was staying at an inn. I had thought about retreating to the castle several times out of fear, but I had dragged my heavy feet and somehow made it here.

I knocked on the door. After announcing my name and receiving a "come in," I took a deep breath and opened the door.

As soon as I saw the master standing on the other side of the door, my vision began to blur.

"Master..."

"What's with that pitiful face?"

"Well, it's just that..."

I couldn't find the right words and mumbled. The master, seeing my dejected state, invited me into the room and had me sit down.

"Mercedes took me to the elf village. I've been there a few times, and it's a wonderful place. The people are warm, the air is clear, and the food is delicious."

He started a topic with an unusually bright voice. But I couldn't respond properly, and he continued,

"...I took Annette there many times."

The master spoke with a nostalgic tone.

Annette. My heart skipped a beat at the name. It was the name of the master's granddaughter, who died from the self-destruction disease.

Had the master learned the true cause of the self-destruction disease, the real reason that took his beloved granddaughter's life?

"I heard everything from Mercedes."

—Ah, I let out a breath without realizing it.

Sweat trickled down my forehead, and my head throbbed with pain.

I still couldn't say anything. I didn't know what the right thing to say was.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but don't overthink it."

His voice dropped a tone, and it sounded like he was trying to convince me. I looked up sharply. The master was looking at me with an unusually gentle expression.

"To treat the self-destruction disease... to defeat the Demon King, the wisdom and power of the people of Rustu are indispensable. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

It seemed the master saw right through my doubts and thoughts.

A short breath escaped me without realizing it. The master, whose mouth had been slightly relaxed, lowered the corners and continued with a serious expression.

"Don't let the lives you couldn't save hold you back. Think about the lives you can save in the future. You are an alchemist, after all."

My vision blurred at his words—then I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

I looked down to hide my pitiful crying face and watched my tears wet the floor.

"Oh, stop crying, stop crying."

"I'm sorry..."

The master's voice, tinged with a wry smile, made me cry even more. I sniffed and wiped my tears with a handkerchief.

"I'm glad I learned the cause of the disease that took Annette's life while I'm still alive. ...It feels like time has finally moved forward for me."

Time has finally moved forward. I looked up again at those words. There, I saw the master's face, smiling as if on the verge of tears. It was a smile I had never seen before, as if a burden had been lifted.

—I remembered something Mercedes said once.

The master disappeared from Mercedes and the others after Annette's death. When Mercedes found the master later, he seemed to have given up on everything rather than accepting his granddaughter's death.

Had the master's internal clock stopped on the day Annette died? And had it finally started moving again—by learning the true cause?

I couldn't save Annette. I couldn't change the master's painful days. But—

"There has been progress in the treatment of the self-destruction disease..."

I told him, crying and stumbling over my words. The master's eyes widened, and he urged me to continue, "What happened?" His eyes sparkled with interest in the new concoction.

Seeing that expression, I felt happy that she was a true alchemist at heart.

"The spirit water reacted with a special power possessed by a certain family of the people of Rustu."

"Tell me more."

I nodded. For a few seconds, we looked at each other with tearful eyes—then we both laughed, wondering what we were doing.