The Greatest Genius Alchemist Of All Time Wants To Retire - Chapter 26 - Search for Folklore
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- Chapter 26 - Search for Folklore
Translator: Xean
Editor: SevenTails
“So, what’s the current situation?”
“A-ah… T-that’s…”
We were in a nearby cafe. However, it wouldn’t be good if people around us could hear our conversation, so I used alchemy to create a barrier to prevent anyone from listening in. In fact, it was actually forbidden to use it in this way (at worst, you’d be demoted in rank or stripped of your alchemist status), but it should be okay I guess… It won’t bother anyone.
“First of all, the Chairman asked me to clear the Sixth Labyrinth.”
“It seemed that the Sixth Labyrinth had been overflowing with Giant Spiders. It started a month ago, so the Elven village asked the Kingdom for help and it went all the way up to the Chairman, who handpicked alchemists. Both Fii and I were selected since we were among the best in the Kingdom when it came to alchemy.”
“Hee… I see. So, did you successfully clear it up to the tenth floor?”
“Listen to this. The first thing you need to know is that the Giant Spider on the tenth floor is pretty big. Usually, Giant Spiders are around 6 meters (EN: 19.6 ft), but this one was 10 meters (EN: 32.8 ft). It was also able to use transfer alchemy. While Fii and Monica covered against teleport-like attacks, I was able to kill it with the <<Singular Special Alchemy>>, <<Absolute Zero>> and using the Philosopher’s Stone at maximum output.”
“Wa…? <<Absolute Zero>> with the Philosopher’s Stone? Did Elle have to go that far to beat it?”
“Well, first of all, the amount of magic power it possessed was far larger. It is said that one’s amount of magic power is proportional to their body size, but it may be different for demons. It was larger than the three of us combined. Furthermore, it resisted the normal <<Absolute Zero>>. It’s a rough estimate, but it’s probably an A-class demon.”
“Ehh? An… A-class demon? Even for the knights, an A-class demon requires hundreds of people.”
“No, this time I pushed myself pretty hard. After the fight, my body pretty much collapsed. It would have been impossible for the three of us to beat it without the Philosopher’s Stone.”
“I-I see. I thought that Elle could do anything, but to think that there is a limit to what you can do…”
“You know that my magic power capacity is small, right? I can handle the alchemy, but stamina is my biggest drawback.”
“Ha-a… That’s quite an amazing story, but to think that Elle, who only thinks about crops, would be enthusiastic about conquering a labyrinth…”
Serena and Fii were mistaken. My ultimate goal was to produce the best crops ever and sell them all over the world. Capturing a labyrinth was just a stepping stone. If my alchemy skills were to improve further, I may be able to easily create homunculus like Proto and the corns. My research into fully independent artificial intelligence would also progress further. When I explained that to Serena, she sighed deeply…
“I’m somewhat relieved. That’s who Elle is supposed to be!”
“Back to the topic at hand, do you know about the fairy tales and fantasy stories about magic?”
“Magic? Are you interested in that prehistoric stuff? It’s a subversion of alchemy, isn’t it?”
“Anyways, just tell me what you know about it.”
“I don’t think I know anything. I’ve never been much of a book person, especially not with those fantasy stories…”
“I see… Well, thanks for listening. I’ll get going,” I said, quickly took a slip of paper and paid the bill for the two of us.
“Wa-wait! I thought we were going to have a meal together!?”
“That’s not true. I said that I’d treat you to a meal.”
“Mou~! Such a thing…”
“Hm? What’s the problem?”
“It’s nothing!”
Selena then followed it with a “Hmph!” and walked away. Umu. I still don’t understand how girls think.
I decided to go home since I had finished with everything I was going to do today.
§ § §
“Welcome back, D-A-R-L-I-N-G?”
I opened the door… and then shut it. Ah, I’m tired. I’ve been through so many deadly battles in the labyrinth. I’ve used up all my First Quality Primamateria and magic power. I’ve healed now thanks to Fii and Monica’s treatment, but I guess I’m still mentally exhausted. I can’t believe I’m hallucinating.
Yes, there was no way Alice could have walked into my house wearing a maid outfit. She’s a princess, after all. It wasn’t right for her to be dressed as a maid, and I was sure that I had locked the door. There were a lot of things in my room that I didn’t want people seeing (such as my research materials on crops), so I had alchemy to keep people away. The door could only be opened with a key or a duplicate key. ‘A duplicate key…?’ I was thinking to myself as I opened the door again.
“Welcome back ….. D-A-R-L-I-N-G.”
“What do you think you’re doing, Alice?”
“Ara? You didn’t like it?”
“No, that’s not the problem. How come you are in my house?”
“Your parents gave me a duplicate key.”
“Haa? Don’t lie to me like that…”
“Here, look at this key. I asked them to let me clean Sensei’s room and they gave it to me. Well, I lied and said I had Sensei’s permission.”
“Ha-a… You’re trespassing.”
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’ve been waiting for you in this outfit. What do you think? Isn’t it cute?”
“Haa? It’s a maid outfit, right? Does that count as cute?”
“I heard it’s popular among the guys, but not for you? I’ll go get changed then.”
Alice immediately ran into the room. Ha-a… A troublemaker had come. This would normally be classified as trespassing.
I knew that Alice wouldn’t do anything weird, but I wish she was a little more selective in her methods.
I should reprimand her for that… but I’m too tired with all the stuff that’s been going around.
“Hai! Is this better?”
“Aa, yes.”
I complimented Alice on her new outfit and sat down on the couch.
“Ha-a… I’m tired.”
“I’ll make you some tea.”
“Do you know how to?”
“Your mother taught me.”
“… I see.”
I took her word and asked her to make me a cup of tea.
“Here you go, Sensei.”
“Thank you.”
I took a sip. Ha-a… It was the best; especially when I was this tired.
Then, Alice sat next to me. She was close, but I didn’t have the energy to move, so I let her be.
“Sensei, I apologize for my brother, Oscar.”
Alice bowed deeply.
“Don’t worry about it. And Alice has nothing to do with it, right?”
“It is true that I wasn’t involved, but the fact that overlooked Proto being kidnapped is my fault.”
“Ah… But it’s fine now, and Alice has thought of ways to help me. It’s all good. In fact, I’m grateful to you.”
“… Really?”
“… Yeah.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“Of course not.”
“Ehehe. I’m glad!”
Alice looked at me with a big smile on her face. I see. This girl was worried if she had caused me trouble. Usually, she’s playful, but I guess she was also royalty. What an honest girl.
“Speaking of which, Sensei, did you make any progress in the labyrinth?”
“Hn? Do you know about it?”
“Yes, I asked the Chairman. Since you weren’t here, I wondered where you had gone off to and found out you were in the Sixth labyrinth.”
“I see. We’ve conquered up to the tenth floor, but I don’t know about the bottom layer. I don’t know anything about the lower levels. We’ve also encountered B to A-class demons. It’s very hard actually.”
“Eh…? Even Sensei has trouble with it?”
“Well, that’s because I’m a human too. I have my share of difficulties like any normal person would.”
“Hahaha. As expected of a labyrinth.”
“Ah, by the way, Alice, do you know any fairy tales? Particularly those with magic in it?”
“Yes. I have a book back in my room.”
“Really?! Can I go and read it tomorrow? I want to read it right away!”
“Fu-fu-fu. Sure, but tonight… will you let me stay here?”
She had a devilish grin, but it wasn’t a big deal if she stayed the night. Even Fii has stayed here before.
“Aah. Sure.”
“Yehey! I’ll take a bath first then~!”
I looked at Alice as she skipped off to the bathroom.
Okay, now I had a lead. All that was left was to find out if there was any information related to what I wanted.
But finding what followed was the hard part.
EN: The moment I read the ‘darling’ part, I soooo knew something was going to happen. Also, I can’t wait for magic if there is anyyyy.