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

The above is an estimate of the damage caused by the Sky Salmon attack and the amount of magic stones obtained. A special reward will be given to those who have done especially good work.

The main members of the encampment were gathered in Kalin's tent. I had been invited to join them and was listening to Kalene's talk.

"Ary, Lois."

"Yes."

"Thank you for your hard work in surveying the forces in the wake of the Sky Salmon attack. You have done a dangerous job and spread the word quickly.

Following Kalin's words of appreciation, a male clerk hands each of them an envelope containing their reward money.

"Next, Rittner."

"Ha!"

"Your escort mission for the non-combatants was a great success. You have saved the non-combatants from harm. You know, we all have a lot of blood in our veins. I trust your ability to lead those who want to step forward.

"I'm sorry. I thought I had retired from active service, but I am glad to be of service.

Leitner also responds to Karin and receives an envelope from the clerk man.

"Finally, Rust."

"Yes," I reply.

"You should be commended for the way you were able to prepare so quickly for such a horde of skysalmons and take them out in a matter of seconds without causing too much damage to the encampment. Thanks to this, the damage to the encampment was kept to a minimum. A wrong move would have caused this pioneering project itself to fail. I cannot thank you enough. We are very glad that Rust was here."

"I'm so grateful," I reply shortly, and I accept the envelope.

Then, the members in the tent naturally burst into applause.

I look around in surprise. There were smiles on their faces.

Slowly I look around.

Roa's expression has not changed much, but he is applauding louder than anyone else.

Ary smiles softly.

Leitner is clapping his big hands with a mighty clap.

Kareen looks very relieved.

Everyone else is smiling and clapping their hands.

The joy on everyone's faces.

I felt that the slight rancor I had been feeling in the back of my mind about missing Riharzam was dissipating with their smiling faces.

Waiting for the applause to die down, Karin began to speak again.

"We have also lodged a formal protest with the Alchemy Society regarding the murder of Rust by Master Rehalzam, which preceded the attack on Sky Salmon. However, as many of you may have seen, it seems that Sky Salmon also attacked King's Landing. Apparently, the Alchemy Association has been severely damaged.

Then I cut her off. She turns to me and our eyes meet.

I have my own feelings about the sad news of my old home, even though I had no intention of returning. However, I change my mind and open my mouth in response to Karin's gaze.

"The royal castle seems to be in turmoil. Rather than waiting for the news, we should take this opportunity to push forward with the distribution of the magical stone at once.

"Yes. Rusto will have to do a lot of work."

No problem.

Thank you. The next batch of woodcock berries will be arriving soon. And, in view of the future, we have decided to give higher priority to the maintenance of the roads. The lords of the neighboring territories are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next batch of Kagero nuts, and we will work out the details. I ask for everyone's cooperation.

Karin bows her head. Everyone replies in the affirmative.

The meeting was then dismissed.

I leave Kalene's tent and head for my own tent.

The faces of the people in the camp are cheerful as we pass each other.

They call out to me in one way or another. All of them are full of gratitude and praise, which is quite amusing.

I manage to reach my tent, and with a sigh of relief, I enter.

I had just taken a few steps when I entered. There was a different atmosphere.

You look around and finally glance to the corner of the room.

Your eyes meet a pair of large, dull eyes.

The white lizard, which should have been asleep, has woken up.