Chapter 122: 122 The Arcane Family,
After asking around, I arrived at the Flask family’s mansion. It was more modest than I expected, yet it exuded a strong, mysterious aura.
"Oh, really? Is it a Sacred Law barrier that Auntie makes?"
"Ohh, I’m even more excited now!"
They said it was an alchemy family, right? Alchemy that turns lead into gold. Then they might have mastered all sorts of arcane arts.
I approached the soldier guarding the main gate.
"While subjugating the remnants of Those Who Recite Sins Cult, I heard that the honorable Flask family was nearby, so I stopped by to pay my respects."
"Oh, aren’t you Lucian Vane, Hero? Amazing, you should at least meet the Head of the Family before you go!"
"Thank you."
Since my achievements were known, I could easily pass through the main gate.
A laugh escaped me anew.
"As expected, people need to be famous. If you’re famous, whether you shit yourself, commit a crime, or just do some casual random brainrot, people applaud you, don’t they?"
A sneer naturally emerged. This doesn’t mean it’s absolutely bad.
Krhhhhhhhhhhk.
As the thick main gate opened, I saw several members of the Flask family waiting in the lobby, as if they had been contacted. It seemed like they were preparing as if some famous lord had come to visit.
"Well, I guess my popularity is almost on par with that?"
Everyone was wearing alchemist robes. Although it was clothing made of cotton, like a bath robe, strange spell formulas were intricately carved onto the clothes. The spell formulas differed for each person, and the colors of the carved spell formulas were also different.
I didn’t want to look at them for long. Because it felt like I would go crazy. Furthermore, there weren’t many women, and the attire itself felt like it was tightly wrapped, so it wasn’t appealing.
"This doesn’t seem like a suitable family to get close to."
"Greetings?"
A man who appeared to be the Head of the Family appeared. He was a middle-aged man with a mustache turning white.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hero. It’s an honor to meet you like this."
"The honor is mine as well. To come to the distinguished Flask family. Are you the Head of the Family?"
"Yes, if you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?"
"I am from the Ravenscoft territory."
At my answer, people stirred for a moment. To stir while someone is right in front of them. Then, shall I ask nonchalantly?
"Is there a problem?"
The Head of the Family gave a bitter laugh and replied.
"Actually, I had a second daughter, and that child left for that territory, you see. Haha."
"Your second daughter? Why does your face look dark when you talk about her?"
"Huh? Oh, no. Not really...."
"Aren’t you proud of your daughter too? Is it only sons that you’re proud of?"
It seemed a bit much, but I asked a question that was worth asking. The Head of the Family shook his head.
"That’s not it. It’s just that my daughter disappointed me, so I try to refrain from talking about such things if possible."
"Aha."
I nodded. I was guided to a seat and sat down.
I looked at the quaintly crafted fireplace and took a breath. I drank the tea brought by a maid. My mind seemed to feel at ease.
"This tea has a good aroma."
"Haha, it makes your mind feel at ease, doesn’t it?"
"Head of the Flask Family, I’d like to talk about someone I know."
"Of course!"
I cleared my throat and continued speaking.
"She is a person of truly strong will. Striving to overcome a dark past, she transformed a territory for the better and fought against evil. She is an excellent resourceful person, recognized by all."
"Oh, whose story is that? Perhaps it’s the Hero’s autobiography?"
I shook my head. Whose story indeed. It’s your daughter’s story.
"Fiora Ravenscoft. It was the story of this family’s second daughter, whom you shun."
"Huh, huh...?!"
Not only the Head of the Family, but all the other associates were also flustered. It seemed they hadn’t expected me to talk about Fiora. And that Fiora was so capable.
I shrugged my shoulders and urged them not to misunderstand.
"I’m not trying to criticize you all, but. The world needs to change. There’s no law that says women must forever live as political marriage offerings for other families, is there?"
"That child had no talent for alchemy."
"Even if she couldn’t inherit the family business, she is a person fully capable of leading the entire family. I’ve never seen such a capable woman."
I spoke honestly. Fiora was truly a capable woman.
The Head of the Family pondered for a moment, then reluctantly opened his mouth.
"As you know, we are an alchemy family. Therefore, we also dabble in arcane arts."
"I suppose so."
"To prevent misunderstanding, let me say, we only deal with arcane arts permitted by the Empire. However, those arcane arts are as rare as they are difficult to handle. If one lacks extensive knowledge and talent in alchemy, they might ruin themselves."
"So that’s why you stopped her? This family’s second daughter from practicing alchemy?"
"We had no choice. Fiora’s passion was immense compared to her talent. There were times she’d cling to a single spell formula all night, trying to decipher it, and she once caused a commotion in the family by claiming she could restore fried chicken back into a live chicken."
My jaw dropped. Fiora, she was truly a mischievous child when she was young.
’That dignified and lewd woman was a mischievous child? It’s hard to imagine.’
But still, she’s cute. Damn it, that loveliness didn’t just come out of nowhere, huh. I’m happy about it, though.
After drinking a suitable amount of tea, I stood up from my seat. I looked at the Head of the Family.
"Please think carefully. Whether the beliefs you hold onto will still be right after several hundred years, or if they need to change."
"...Understood."
"Ah, by any chance, do you know about Kahlum? Anything is fine."
At my question, the Head of the Family tilted his head.
"I do. Recently, we’ve been able to collect it through monsters called the Black Army."
"Oh, really?"
"It was thanks to the command of Saintess Sharia. That’s why the capital is safe from the Black Army these days."
It’s interesting that Auntie is mentioned here. She’s not called the foremost Saintess for nothing.
The Head of the Family stroked his chin and continued speaking.
"Kahlum is still under research by us as well. We are conducting joint research with mages, but it has a property that disperses the unraveling spell formulas themselves, so research isn’t easy."
"Is that so."
I tried to get some information, but I’m just leaving knowing Kahlum’s greatness, huh. Then how capable is Butler Grandpa, who is exploiting Kahlum?
’Isn’t he really an overpowered character?’
I scratched my cheek and asked cautiously.
"And one more thing I’d like to ask."
I headed towards the mansion’s main gate. I turned back and continued speaking.
"Are there any essential items to become an alchemist?"
"Essential items? Suddenly?"
"I’m curious. I thought the Flask family, a prestigious family of alchemy, would have a clear answer."
The Head of the Family, who had been pondering for a moment, furrowed his brows.
"It depends on what you intend to do, but for basic alchemy research, you need a basic kit."
"If you have one, could you give it to me? I’ll pay for it."
It’ll probably be expensive. But I have a lot of money. This is all thanks to the quest routes.
Everyone was surprised. Especially the Head of the Family, who was surprised and then his eyes began to gleam.
"Are you interested in alchemy? Then we can teach you...."
"No, I’m not the type who just buries myself in research."
"Ah, then I’ll just give it to you. For free, that is!"
It was unexpected. That the Flask family, a prestigious family of alchemy, would give a basic kit for free. Don’t they usually charge money if possible?
As I looked, some of the associates brought what they called a basic kit.
It was a typical alchemy workbench. All sorts of flasks and pumps, transparent tubes, and books with reagent formulas written in them. Even at this moment, I saw a potion bubbling vigorously, emitting smoke.
"Thank you."
"Uh, in return!"
The Head of the Family spoke with difficulty. So there was something he wanted after all.
"May we tell others that Hero Lucian Vane visited our family?"
I laughed. Am I something to boast about? How strange.
In the end, it wasn’t exactly free, but it didn’t matter. If they were going to use my fame, well, there wasn’t much harm in it.
"Go ahead. Then I’ll be going."
"Ah, you need to take the kit, don’t you?"
"Don’t worry."
I instantly put the basic kit into my ring. People were surprised again, but I didn’t pay attention.
As I left the mansion, I raised my head and looked up at the sky. It was truly clear and sunny.
"I need to meet Fiora after a long time. I was going to do other things and leave, but I guess I can’t."
As much as she understood and helped me, I also wanted to help her. Although she loved alchemy more than anyone, she had to quit due to lack of talent in the past. I knew how painful that was. Because I also really loved games. So now I should help her. And I have the leisure to do so.
I returned to my lodging in the Imperial Palace. While sitting on the bed, I activated a warp through a talisman.
I arrived in front of the house’s main gate.
I immediately headed towards the Lord’s castle. It didn’t take long as I ran quickly.
As I glanced at the Lord’s manor, I ran into the Butler. Butler Grandpa was still the same.
"Oh, Butler. It’s been a long time."
"Ah, I heard you had arrived."
"Is your research going well?"
"It’s not easy. But there’s a certain thrill to the research. It feels like I’ve returned to my youth! Hahahaha!"
Butler Grandpa, genuinely laughing with sparkling eyes. It was as if he had become a mad scientist, at least for this moment. Even if the research was difficult, should I say it felt like he was so happy he could go crazy? This person, will he be okay?
I gave an awkward laugh and encouraged him.
"That’s a relief. Butler is capable, so you’ll surely succeed."
"Hahahaha! Soon, we might be able to mass-produce cannons infused with Kahlum. Since we’re collaborating with the blacksmiths."
"Cannons...?"
"Yes! Then our country will become even wealthier and stronger. Firepower, more firepower!"
Isn’t he really a mad scientist? No, it’s good, but is that even possible?
Scratching my head, I asked a question.
"Um... is Lady Fiora here?"
"She is currently inside the main mansion!"
"Yes, then I’ll be going."
I left the spot as if fleeing. I went to look for Fiora.
As I walked around the mansion, the servants kept trying to acknowledge me, which ate up my time. Being famous isn’t always good, I guess. Still, I was happy that they seemed to recognize me.
As I was busy avoiding the servants and trying to go upstairs.
"Lucian... is that really you, Lucian?"
I finally reunited with Fiora. I approached her and greeted her elegantly.
"Yes, Lady Fiora. I am Lucian Vane of Ravenscoft."
"Lucian, ahh, my Lucian!"
Fiora suddenly hugged me. Her explosive breasts pressed against my face, displaying an overwhelming presence.
"Uhmm..!"
"I really missed you, truly!"
"Me too..!"
Fiora, let’s talk a bit. We thus shared the joy of our reunion, however briefly. And together, we went to the room.
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