Chapter 60

Erika and I walked while talking, and upon arriving at the town hall, we headed to the reception desk where Rübert was.

"Mr. Rübert"

Today, I called out because it was my business.

"Hey, Mr. Sieg, good afternoon. Erika-chan is here too, huh?"

Rübert responded with his usual smile.

"Yes, I came along."

"Having the charming Erika-chan here might be good."

Huh?

"Mr. Rübert, what do you mean?"

"Actually, there are newspaper reporters here."

Really...

"Is it going to be in the newspaper?"

"I think so. They said they want to interview after you receive the commendation from the mayor. What do you think?"

What to do...

I want to refuse...

"Mr. Rübert, wait a moment... Helen, Erika, what do you think?"

It's an emergency meeting.

"I think it's fine. Being in the newspaper will improve our reputation."

"I agree. I think Mr. Sieg doesn't like it, though."

I don't like it.

"If my words are in the newspaper, it'll be bad. I'll say I did it instead of those useless guys from the Magic Guild."

That's what I think.

"How about Erika speaking? We can say Mr. Sieg isn't good at speaking."

Good idea.

Let Erika, who has an A+ personality, be the spokesperson.

"That's it. Erika, can you do it?"

"Me? But Sieg put out the fire, right?"

"I want this to be the achievement of our branch, not just me. It's better that way. Erika and Leonora were also at the scene, and the onlookers wouldn't understand."

They can't use magic.

"Is that okay?"

"That's better. Please, disciple."

"I feel more like a secretary, but I understand."

Good, good.

"Mr. Rübert, we'll do the interview."

"Thanks. It helps us too. I'll call the mayor's office on the intercom, so please go to the mayor's room on the third floor. You can use the reception room from yesterday for the interview."

The room where I had a meeting with Adolph.

"Understood."

We left the reception and went up the nearby stairs.

After reaching the third floor, we headed to the room at the back and knocked on the door.

"Mayor, this is Siegwalt from the Alchemists' Guild."

"Come in."

We opened the door and entered the room after getting permission. The room was modestly furnished with a bookshelf.

There were two sofas for guests, and on one side sat a man in his 40s, and on the other side sat a young woman and a man in his 30s with a camera.

"Please, come in."

"Please, please."

The man and woman, who were likely the newspaper reporter and photographer, stood up and gestured for us to sit. Erika and I went to the sofa.

Then, the man who seemed to be the mayor stood up.

"I am Oscar von Reisenheimer, the mayor of this town."

Of course, a noble... indeed, the lord.

While in some towns the mayor and the lord are not the same, in this town, the lord serves as the mayor.

"I am Siegwalt Alexander from the Alchemists' Guild's Riet branch."

"Likewise, Erika Lintner."

I introduced myself first, followed by Erika, and shook hands with the mayor.

"Please, have a seat."

Following the mayor's invitation, Erika and I sat down. The mayor also sat, and the reporters started preparing their cameras and notes.

"Siegwalt, I heard from the military that you extinguished the fire the other day. They said it was very helpful. As the one who governs this town, I am very grateful. Thank you."

Well... I'm a righteous hero...

"It was my duty as a resident of this town."

"Indeed, splendid. You are truly remarkable to have obtained the qualifications of a 5th-class national magician and a 3rd-class national alchemist at such a young age."

As the mayor said this, the reporter took notes.

"That's thanks to my teacher."

"Your teacher... I believe it's Claudia Zettel, the head of the Alchemists' Guild, right?"

He knows.

Well, as a lord, he would gather information.

The head of the guild is also notorious.

"Yes, a teacher I respect."

Respect (laugh).

I'm definitely better at alchemy than her.

"Having such a person come to this town is a joy, and even more so that you participated in the firefighting... I have children, and I wish they could become like you."

Stop it.

Ordinary people can't become geniuses no matter how hard they try.

And thinking like this will definitely make you disliked.

"Thank you for your kind words. However, it wasn't just me; I worked with the members of the branch."

"Indeed... the Alchemists' Guild is wonderful."

Exactly.

Everyone else is wonderful except me.

"Thank you. I will continue to work with everyone for the town, the country, and most importantly, for the people."

Well, I can lie smoothly.

I'm only lying, though.

"Indeed, well done. Erika, I've heard from the responsible person that you have grown significantly."

Mr. Rübert, maybe?

"Thank you. It's thanks to Mr. Sieg, who taught me many things."

"Really! You are Mr. Siegwalt's disciple, then?"

"Yes. We are inexperienced and lack skills, so we are learning from Mr. Sieg."

We have skills, but I guess it's modesty.

"Hmm... There are four alchemists in the Riet branch, including you two, right?"

"Yes. We are few, but we are doing our best."

It's true.

"Are the other two alchemists also Mr. Siegwalt's disciples?"

"Um... well, is Adele a disciple?"

Erika asked in a low voice.

"Um... it's a bit complicated... I teach her like you, but she's a classmate, so it doesn't feel like a disciple relationship."

"Leonora is the same age, right?"

"Um... she's childish..."

She's short, and she looks younger than Erika.

"So, she's not a disciple?"

"Let's just say she's a disciple to avoid complications."

It doesn't really matter if she's a disciple or not.

I disagree with the current unreasonable master-disciple system.

"All three of you are learning from Mr. Sieg."

Erika, who had consulted, answered the mayor.

"Is that so... I think it's a good thing. Work hard to become excellent alchemists. As Mr. Sieg said, it will benefit the town, the country, and the people. I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you. We will work hard."

Erika bowed her head.

"Indeed... Well, let's proceed with the presentation of the commendation... shall we take a photo?"

The mayor looked at the reporters.

"Please."

The female reporter nodded, and the mayor stood up, so we did too.

The mayor took the commendation from his desk and moved to the side.

"Erika, come here."

When I said that, Erika, who had been standing aside, came over.

"What is it?"

"Hold Helen and stand at the side with a happy face. It will improve your popularity."

"Ah, okay."

Erika took Helen and moved to the side, and I went to the photographer to check.

"A bit more to the left... there, how does that look?"

I asked the photographer.

"I think it would be better to emphasize the cat a bit more."

I see.

She is cute.

"Helen, get on Erika's head."

"Like this?"

Helen climbed onto Erika's head.

"Good. Erika, clap your hands as if you're applauding."

"Okay."

Good, good.

"What about the mayor?"

I confirmed with the photographer again.

"He looks dignified and good."

Well, he is a noble.

"Okay, I'll be humble."

That will ensure good popularity.

"Can Mr. Siegwalt be more confident?"

Huh?

"Why? Being humble is better for popularity, right?"

"I want to write an article that makes you look like an elite from the capital... like the top disciple of the capital's witch has come to Riet."

That's the angle...

Well, that's closer to the truth.

"Okay, let's go with that."

I said and stood next to the mayor.

"Is it good?"

The mayor confirmed with the photographer, who nodded, and the mayor presented the commendation.

I received it confidently, and the photographer took several photos.

"Okay, thank you!"

After the photos were taken, I stored the commendation with spatial magic and went to Erika to get Helen back.

"That was quite a production..."

Erika smiled wryly.

"That's the mass media. Our reputation and the mayor's reputation improve, and they sell more newspapers. It's a win-win, and to achieve that, we need to deceive the public."

"Huh...?"

Erika was quite taken aback.

"Our motto is to convey the truth."

"I also emphasize political transparency."

Sure, sure.

Everyone says that.

The newspaper reporter was probably called by the mayor.

"Well, whatever... Thank you, Mayor. We'll be interviewed downstairs, so we'll take our leave here."

"Indeed. I may have more work for you, so please help when the time comes."

More work?

I already have work, but is there more?

"Understood. I'll do my best."

We left the room and went down to the first floor with the reporters.

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