Chapter 177 (1/2)
Territory Pioneering 2
[Sophia-chan’s point of view]
I had spent a couple days now stressing out over how I would be punished for speaking against Nannuzzi-sama. Today was the first time I had felt a sense of relief since then due to Ester-sama offering me a sliver of hope. She believed that I overheard Nannuzzi-sama planning to steal the idea for her new potion and she also believed it had been stolen from none other than Tanaka-san.
I find it hard to believe that such a coincidence is even possible.
“B-But, umm…what if I just misheard her….”
“No, I’m certain.”
As usual, we were in Tanaka-san’s dorm.
The Elf-san, Ester-sama, and myself were seated around a table in the living room. There was a feeling of uncertainty filling the room.
“Even if she didn’t mishear her, it’s not like this problem will have a simple solution.”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
When the Elf-san voiced her doubts, Ester-sama snapped back at her as if she had just been personally attacked.
Just, please, no fighting. We’re all on the same side.
“He performed a public presentation of this technique in front of that noblewoman, correct?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right. It was during the exam in a classroom full of students.”
“Then he’s already made it public himself. We can’t accuse her of stealing something that had already been released to the public even if her presentation was the first official one.”
“But he was the one that came up with it! He developed the technique that that woman used in her presentation based off of your research! The result of both of your work is that advanced level mana potion!”
“I gave it to that man. It was up to him to decide what to do with it and whatever comes from his use of it doesn’t matter to me.
“…how can you say that?”
How can the Elf-san feel nothing?
She doesn’t look bothered that her research was leaked to the public and now someone else is receiving credit for her hard work. Well, Tanaka-san was the original source of the leak which may be why she’s not upset.
“She was the first to officially release this discovery to the world. There’s nothing we can do about that. The world is filled with people theories and research into wonderful and amazing technologies that don’t exist. Everyone is working to be the first to make a public display of their discovery and she beat us to it. That’s why most people keep their research secret.”
“T-That may be true, but….”
“All of this means that that guy is capable of making a potion of similar strength to the one this woman has put out. There’s nothing to set his apart.”
The Elf-san looked lonely when she spoke about Tanaka-san.
I wonder if Tanaka-san would’ve accepted her appraisal of his skill level.
“….”
Her words seemed to have a similar effect on Ester-sama. Both of their eyes fell to the ground and silence filled the room. This is the moment where I should say something to improve the mood, but no words came to mind.
Then, the Elf-san finally spoke.
“There’s one thing I’d like to know.”
“…what is it?”
“Where is that man?”
“He’s in his territory.”
“So he really did become a noble.”
“Yes, he was given the title of baron thanks to me.”
“…I see.”
Ester-sama and the Elf-san are staring daggers at each other. I think I can even see sparks flying. Their faces are stiff. They may both be beautiful, but when they get serious like this they’re scary.
What kind of relationship does the Elf-san have with Tanaka-san?
Tanaka-san mentioned that she was his teacher.
“Well, whatever, that’s enough talk about that man for now.”
“…yeah, I agree.:”
Ah, my heart won’t stop throbbing.
My armpits are starting to sweat and I can hear a wet sound whenever I move my arms. I feel like I’ve started sweating a lot recently and it’s starting to become an unfortunate habit. It’s a painful truth for any woman to face. Would any man want a sweaty woman capable of producing her own broth?
“Everything I’ve said so far is true and there’s nothing that can be done about it now. However, based on what that maid has told me, this noblewoman learned about this technique from Tanaka during a lesson. This was the first time he had shown this technique in public when he was the student and this Nannuzzi woman the teacher. At the very least, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to tell the public that Tanaka-san and Nannuzzi came up with it together.”
“That’s right! I was gonna say that too!”
Ester-sama slammed the table and stood to her feet.
When I see someone that calls themself my friend working so hard for my sake, a warm sensation fills my chest.
And even the Elf-san is helping me too.
“It might be worth trying to fluster this noblewoman.”
“Fluster?”
“I will try to speak to her as an equal. The average alchemist would want to tell anyone that would listen about such an amazing discovery. I’ll probe her knowledge using more technical information to see how much she truly knows.”
“And what will that accomplish?”
“If what that maid said is true, this woman will lack the knowledge necessary to create this potion on her own. If this lack of knowledge on her part can be dragged out into the public eye, it will give credibility to that maid’s claims.”
“…do you really think that will work?”
“Probably.”
“That works for me.”
“Sounds good.”
“Would you like me to ask Lord Fahren to speak with you about it?”
“Are you okay with asking him that?”
“Yes, I can’t help out much with this plan so I’m happy to offer whatever assistance I can.”
“It will be a great help.”
“I’m not doing it for you. I only care about Sofi and that man.”
“Of course.”
These two people have united to help me for different reasons, but I suspect there’s one man at the source of both of their motivations.
The fact that this matter directly involves me yet I might as well not have been in the room while they came up with the plan has me worried. I’m concerned that even though these two are working together now, their opposing interests will end up causing discord in the near future.
***
[Sophia-chan’s point of view]
We left Tanaka-san’s dorm and were now in the same parlour we had been in when I confronted Nannuzzi-sama before. This place has become a second home to Fahren-sama while the Academic Conference has been going on.
He’s using what precious little time he has available to hold this meeting now.
Besides Fahren-sama, the Elf-san and Ester-sama are both here. They were both seated on the sofa and I was standing behind them. Fahren-sama was pacing in the centre of the room.
I wonder where the Dragon-san has gone. She was sent to find Tanaka-san but hasn’t been seen since then and that was a few days ago. I’ve experienced the Dragon-san’s speed first hand and I’d expect her to be able to travel there and back in two days at most.
I shouldn’t be concerning myself with what the Dragon-san is doing right now. I should be worried about myself.
“I’m extremely busy at the moment. You understand that, don’t you, Richard’s daughter?”
“Yes, which should tell you that this is an important matter, Lord Fahren.”
“…hou?”