Chapter 171 (1/2)
Territory Pioneering 2
[Sophia-chan’s point of view]
I’m currently in one of the parlours of the academy.
The others here are Fahren-sama, the Elf-san, Lydia Nannuzzi-sama, and the Dragon-san. Fahren-sama suggested having a chat with the Elf-san yesterday and everyone seems to be here for that purpose.
I was sitting on a sofa with the Dragon-san and the Elf-san. Lydia Nannuzzi-sama and Fahren-sama were sitting on a sofa opposite us.
There was a table between our two sofas with tea and sweets set out on it that a maid had brought in earlier.
The sweets were mainly to keep the Dragon-san in a good mood. There was a platter of sweets exclusively for the Dragon-san with sweets piled as tall as me when seated…how enviable. I’m salivating just looking at it.
“Fahren-sama, w-who are these people…?”
“Right. This woman here is an excellent alchemist who was actually conducting her own research in a similar field as you.”
Fahren-sama motioned towards the Elf-san.
“Uku….”
As soon as she heard this Nannuzzi-sama’s shoulders trembled. This maid didn’t miss her eyebrows raising either. It’s true. That voice from that room in the academy belonged to her.
Nobody else seemed to pay much attention to her reaction. I’m the only one that knows.
“Umm…y-your presentation yesterday was wonderful.”
The Elf-san spoke after Fahren-sama gave her introduction.
It was like she was reciting a speech she had prepared earlier.
She’s honestly terrible at socializing.
“Thank you for the invitation and introduction Fahren-sama, and thank you as well for your compliment.”
Nannuzzi-sama replied after regaining her composure.
“Actually, I’ve previously done research on the efficacy of pessari grass….”
I noticed this when she first arrived, but the Elf-san came here with a rather large shoulder bag. She was only now taking it off of her shoulder and searching through it for something. The design was based more around function rather than fashion, but there were small leather decorations in the shape of flowers on the shoulder strap.
She gave off the image of a young girl headed out to buy groceries from a shop. Very cute. For some reason, I want to hug her from the back even though she’s much older than me. The Elf tribes really are cheating.
“I know it’s somewhere in here…. Ah, here it is.”
The Elf–san found what she was looking for in her bag and smiled.
She pulled out a large book.
It was about three centimetres thick and the cover looked quite old.
“Poverty…and Me?”
“D-D-D-Don’t read the title!”
The Elf-san’s face turned bright red after Nannuzzi-sama pointed out the title of her book.
It must be based off her own life in poverty.
“It’s on the page marked with the red tab.”
“Okay….”
Nannuzzi-sama opened the book to the red tab as instructed.
As her eyes scanned the page her face froze.
“W-What do you think?”
“…yes, your r-research certainly has similarities to my own.”
“Right!? It’s like our research was the same but you just took it a step further than me! Converting the liquid into a powder, then increasing its permeability by pressurizing and rehydrating it. I can’t believe I never attempted that. You truly are an excellent alchemist!”
Just like Fahren-sama and his magic, the Elf-san is obsessed with alchemy. She still sounded a little awkward, but she was clearly passionate about her work. She must be excited to have found someone interested in the same research as her. Her eyes are sparkling.
If it were, say a cooking recipe, I feel like even I could’ve spoken with the Elf-san. It must be nice finding someone with the same interest.
“There is one thing I’d like to correct in your method that I believe will help you in the future.”
“…what is that?”
“You said you use a fireball on the distilled pessari grass, correct?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
“Why exactly do you do that?”
“That’s um, well….”
Nannuzzi-sama fumbled over her words.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“The heat from the fireball produces the desired effect in the pessari grass.”
“Ah, regarding that point, you are incorrect.”
“Wha –!?”
Nannuzzi-sama’s face went rigid when she heard this.
“The colour change that occurred in the pessari grass was not due to the heat emitted by the fireball but the light. I discovered this when experimenting with the grass in a darkroom. I’d like you to read the page marked with the blue tab to learn more about this.”
“…o-okay, I understand.”
Nannuzzi-sama’s face was gradually turning blue.
Oh, it’s the same colour as the tab.
But the Elf-san’s enthusiasm is so cute.
What is it about her cuteness that annoys me as a fellow woman?
“These results certainly suggest….”
“If you don’t mind receiving outside help, I’d like you to use my book for your future research. Oh, I’ve already promised that book to someone else, so you can’t take it, but feel free to spend as much time reading it as long as it remains here.”
“….”
Nannuzzi-sama’s hands were shaking as she held the book.
This is just my own guess but I bet she doesn’t know why Fahren-sama called her here and she’s starting to get scared that they’re suspicious. If I were in her position I’d be crying right now.
I don’t really understand what the Elf-san’s research is about, but if everything in her book is similar to Nannuzzi-sama’s research there’s no doubt that she’ll start to suspect every mention of the research is an accusation of her theft.
I kind of enjoy knowing her secret. In the first place, a maid is a weak and pitiful creature. She must use every opportunity presented to her in order to succeed in life. This is all the more true when her opponent is a member of the nobility. She must be ready to deal a single fatal blow at any instant so there can be no counter.
“…what’s wrong? You look pale.”
Fahren-sama was worrying over Nannuzzi-sama.
“N-No, I’m fine….’
“Really? If you say so.”
“….”
She’s getting more anxious. As the representative of commoners, how should I ruin this woman? Directly confront Nannuzzi-sama? Or would Fahren-sama be the better option?
….
Now that I think about it, I’m not in that good of a position. I have no evidence. Is my status as a maid going to ruin this opportunity? I forgot myself. What would Tanaka-san do if he were in my place?
“….”
His face appeared in my mind with that useless smile of his.
Sophia-san, I’d like another cup of tea. Those dark eyes.
“….”