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

I head to the plaza with Ary.

The plaza in front of the mansion where Kalin's office is located seems to be the venue for this naming ceremony.

The closer we get, the more people are coming. I am greeted lightly by the occasional acquaintance. Everyone was dressed in ceremonial or formal attire. The women in particular seem to be in high spirits.

Many of the former encampment workers are veterans. As is customary, those who have served under Kalin since his military days seem to be wearing their uniforms and medals as their formal attire.

Arri, who is in front of the group, also looks quite different from his usual attire. However, Ary was not in military uniform. Perhaps he was dressed in the formal attire of the western region where he was born. He was dressed in his national costume with colorful embroidery all over.

We arrive at the square.

The podium in front of Kalin's house.

It looks quite splendid for a makeshift podium. It is evident that it is well constructed with limited materials.

"That podium is tasteful. Who made that podium?

I ask Ary.

"It's me," Ary responds, a little shyly and a little proudly.

Well, you have a surprising talent.

I join the rest of the crowd in admiration and stop at a spot where I can see the podium, and Ary calls out to me.

"Rust? What are you doing there?"

"Well, I can see the podium, so I thought this would be a good place."

What are you talking about? We are over there.

Ary points at the podium with a somewhat stunned look on his face.

"There's room for you here. Please follow me.

With these words, Aryeh heads to the side of the podium.

"Oh, I'm on the podium too? Wow."

Muttering in a whisper, I reluctantly follow after Ary.

We arrived at a space that was easily hidden from view.

There are chairs and a table with drinks and snacks.

There were not only tea but also ale.

I was wondering if anyone was drinking, when I was approached by a voice.

"Rust! You're late. Oh, I missed that medal.

It's Har Hammer in full costume. Ale in his hand.

Wow, he's been drinking. Well, Master Halhammer likes to drink.

"Master Halhammer. Yes, this medal is now a fond memory. By the way, how did your meeting with Kalin go?"

I responded by lightly fingering the medal that I had received from Halhammer for the joint development of a certain magical tool.

"Oh, you're right, it's perfect! In exchange, I'll be in charge of your alchemy research department. Yeah, Rust is going to be my boss. Would you prefer to use honorifics?

"Fine, leave it like that. But that's good. Where did you say that those underground ruins where Reb Har Hammer lived were under the jurisdiction of?"

Halhammer points at us silently and smiles.

"Ah, I guess that means Master Halhammer can continue his research to his heart's content, then."

"Yes, thanks to you. Oh, yes. A message from Karin. She asked you to think of an official name for the alchemy department, didn't she? They want me to announce that at the naming ceremony afterwards."

"Yes! I didn't hear that!"

Halhammer shrugs.

"I just told you. This is where I'm going to work. Make it cool, please. I'm going to go make a little round of greetings.

With these words, Halhammer leaves.

I give him a curt reply.

I reply with a blank answer, frantically trying to think of a name.