The Frontier Alchemist ~ I Can't Go Back to That Job After You Made My Budget Zero

The next morning, rubbing my sleepy eyes, I came to the central square.

"Wow! You really smelt this much in just one night?

I can't believe it, but this is no time to talk about it. Hey, you guys!　Let's get this thing loaded on the mule!" Zahle shouts.

"Good morning," I greet Zahle and his group.

"Oh!　You're really something, aren't you? My village chief said you are a great alchemist, but you are much more than that! Oh yeah!　I'll go get the big guy," said Zahle as he left.

Zahle led him to a young man and Taura, who were both dressed in their finery.

Zahle introduces the young man and they exchange greetings. He seems to be a clerk in the service of the lord of the neighboring estate, named Memelus. He seems to be the person in charge of this transaction.

Both Memelus and Taura were very surprised to see how the pile of Kagero nuts had turned into a magical crystal stone overnight.

They all went to Kalin's tent. She is going to pay us for the magic crystal stones.

Apparently, the chief of Toma Village had advised the neighboring lords. He said that we should be prepared to pay. I am impressed by his thoroughness as always.

One of Memels' men brings a small metal box.

He takes out a parchment decorated with gold leaf and a grimoire pen, and Memelus writes the amount of money on the parchment.

Next, Memelus is handed a seal the size of his fist. This is also a magical tool.

As an alchemist, I can see how Memellus puts magical elements into the seal.

The seal is pressed against the parchment with a great effort. The magical element, not the ink, is burned into the parchment.

After the seal is finished, the pattern of the black seal is clearly visible. Soon, the pattern became translucent and invisible.

The amount of money written on the glimpsed parchment was more than twice the annual budget of the former basic alchemy department for the last year.

"Knight Kalin. Here is the magic sealed check. Please present it to me," Memelus says reverently, holding out the parchment.

Kalene accepts it and hands the parchment to a man who looks like a clerk under her.

"I ask you to pay your share to Master Rust according to the contract. And I hereby declare the establishment of a department of alchemical research under the direct control of the lord of this estate. Master Rust shall be the head of the department.

Kalin stands up and declares. I blinked more than I should have since there had been no announcement.

However, I was used to this kind of outlandish behavior from Kalene, so I smiled and got down on one knee.

The other members of Kalin's staff in the tent adopt a similar posture.

"This is a formal proclamation from my lord Kalin-Admiral. The budget for this department will be allocated from the current amount of magic crystal sales minus Master Rust's share.

A man in the clerk's office, who smoothly writes down Kalin's proclamation. I pray inwardly for the amount of paperwork he will have to do.

Kalin turns to Memels and opens his mouth.

"Well then, Mr. Memels. The wholesale destinations and the allocation of the work in your territory will be done according to our prior arrangement.

"Yes, sir, Knight Kaline. I will take care of everything. Memels and Kaline smile at each other.

Hm... Well, Kaline is most lively when she is playing tricks. Well, it's easy to leave the details to her.

"Yes. Well then, Mr. Memels is ready to leave. This meeting is adjourned. Master Rust, you stay here."

I waited there, expecting a specific explanation, when Taura spoke to me as he was leaving.

Rust, congratulations on your inauguration. I follow the sorcerer's footsteps again based on the information he gave me. For the time being I will escort them until they leave the frontier. We will part for a time. Taura makes a gesture of supplication.

"Oh, may Taura have her revenge!"

I watched his determined back.