Chapter 53

I am in one of the rooms at the Lark estate, using my authority as the leader to convene a meeting with Lark and the alchemists under the pretext of discussing future policies. The purpose is to hold a tribunal to denounce the wicked witch Althemia, who, through forbidden magic, has become a spirit and seeks to live eternally, defying the world's ethics.

"Simply put... the fluctuation in the price of the armors is due to whether they are sturdier than the Nargarun scale armor or if they have any points of differentiation from it. This is a result of the Nargarun shock, which is clearly evident."

I tap the paper pasted on the wall with my staff. The paper has a large diagram drawn by Mea. An arrow extends from Nargarun, whose eyes are marked with an X, leading to a large number of armors, which are in turn replacing the existing armors.

"Of course. If the value of Nargarun scales drops, the value of all armors and materials below it will also decrease. Honestly, no one will want them. I wouldn't want such garbage either. In my personal opinion, it will take at least three years for the market to return to a certain level of normalcy. Many merchants are already in a bind and are likely to blame Baron Lark."

Next to me, Mea stands somewhat aimlessly. Perhaps because she met Althemia's eyes, she waves at her slightly. I want her to be a bit more tense; he is the enemy. Althemia, looking somewhat confused by Mea's behavior, waves back hesitantly.

A collector, who came to observe, is sitting at the back, behind the alchemists. Although he is here to observe, he probably has no intention of joining the alchemists. He is just killing time. I wanted to restrict entry to those involved, but for some reason, the collector is allowed to do almost anything in the territory without any particular reason. Ah, he just yawned.

"What I'm trying to say is that mass-producing the phantom copper armors here would be tantamount to an economic attack on other territories! Previously, it was unavoidable, but now the Phage territory is stable. Why, despite the restrictions on the circulation of Nargarun armors, has the idea of starting the production of phantom copper armors in quick succession come up?"

I bang the table with my staff and speak passionately.

"It is too shortsighted. You have not considered the impact on other territories. Lord Alth, you are using this territory to advance your alchemical experiments as you please, and even trying to plunge the country into chaos. This is not in line with the policy of the Alchemists' Guild! Isn't that right, Baron Lark!"

For justice, I cannot allow Althemia's tyranny. Stopping the witch is my duty, as I was the one who released her from the tower's seal. Althemia was too dangerous. She was a witch who had been driven from the public eye due to her obsession with research. I should have suspected that she would eventually go out of control.

"I am not sulking because I was left out of the grand plan! I am saying that this plan will bring misfortune to many people!"

I said it. Wiping the sweat, I glanced at Mea, who tilted her head for a moment before starting to clap. No, this is not the right time.

Lark folded his arms, looking complicated, and gazed at the diagram drawn by Mea. Most of the alchemists looked at me as if to say, "What is he talking about?" The collector was sleeping at the back. What did he come for?

"Um... did I say something wrong?"

What should I do?

The atmosphere in the room is not what I hoped for. When it became quiet, I could hear the murmurs of the alchemists.

"Talking about personalizing alchemical experiments, and the leader is the one saying it..."

"The leader probably sees it in others because he does it himself."

"Alth tried to punch but missed and hit the mirror instead."

"With that tone, it seems he really doesn't realize it. Someone needs to tell him... Reina! Reina can do it without causing a fuss..."

"...He has results and has contributed to the territory, so just go along with it. This is also Baron Lark's will."

"Isn't he just like Icarus, who kept tormenting Baron Lark with past achievements?"

"Ah, dangerous! The leader is looking this way! Forward, forward!"

My eyes started to burn.

I threw away my staff and covered my eyes, fleeing from the room. Mea, who was standing next to me, stared at my back in shock but followed me a moment later.

"Ah, Leader Abel! It's okay, I was listening!"

"Sorry, just kidding! Look, I dropped my staff!"

"Someone, secure Abel!"

"Maybe it's better if we don't chase him! Let Mea handle it!"

The collector, who had been sleeping just a moment ago, was now looking at me with a full smile. Satisfied, he slowly got up, probably intending to leave the Lark estate.

Some of the alchemists and Mea followed me.

"Be careful, the leader has his hand in his sleeve! It's the hidden staff!"

I used a spell to move the three otems decorating the corridor. The three otems leaped in front of the pursuers, blocking their path. I continued to run during this time.

--- Five minutes later, I was hiding in a warehouse, buried in storage otems, when the witch Althemia herself appeared.

"...Well, the timing might have been bad, but I wasn't trying to take over or anything, okay?"

Althemia patted my shoulder, where I was sitting in a triangle. When she leaned in, I buried my face in my chest to maintain my dignity.

"..."

When I remained silent, Althemia spoke again.

"Look, I really liked the theory of the magic wave tower you showed me before, but it was rejected by the lord due to funding issues, right? I tried to solve it in my own way... I left the territory right after, so it ended up being a bit awkward."

Now that she mentions it, Althemia had shown unexpected interest in my magical mobile phone before. When Lark rejected it due to funding issues, she seemed to be thinking about raising funds.

"A, Althemia... I... I..."

With tears still in my eyes, I looked up at Althemia.

"Really... that girl was worried about you, you know. Starting something new, it wouldn't be efficient without you, so they wouldn't leave you out. Besides, you're not as avoided as you think."

Althemia pointed outside the warehouse.

"Leader Abel! I suddenly feel like carving otems!"

I could hear the alchemists searching for me. I sniffed and wiped my tears with my sleeve.

"Can I stay here a little longer... until I calm down?"

"...What a troublesome leader. Do as you please, I'll hide with you."

I felt a little better understanding why Althemia has more popularity than me, even though no one follows me.

"...I'm sorry for the complaints."

"The criticism itself is valid. I was putting that off and hadn't worked it out yet. Let's first put in place the restrictions to suppress the market impact."

What kind of person is this, a saint? I can see a halo around her.

"Althemia..."

Just as I was about to speak again, the warehouse door was opened forcefully.

"Ha, ha... Ah, Lord Abel, I finally found you."

It was Yuris. His appearance, which completely ignored the atmosphere, left me speechless.

"Lord Abel, there's another guest. They seem to be in a great hurry... Can you come to the guest room immediately?"

"Me, a guest...?"

Tilting my head, wondering who it could be, I heard a voice from outside.

"However, Lord Abel is in a delicate state right now... If you could wait in the guest room, I will bring him to you shortly..."

"Stop it, where is Abel? I don't care about delicate! Where is he? This is really urgent! Stop hiding him!"

Following Lark's persuasive voice, a high-pitched voice shouted.

"Ah, Mr. Petros..."

"...Petros?"

Althemia frowned in confusion.

Petros's face peered through the warehouse door opened by Yuris.

"There you are! Abel, something terrible has happened... Huh?"

Petros and Althemia's eyes met.

"Wh, why are you here...?"

Their voices matched perfectly.