Chapter 40

"Maybe I should let it simmer a bit more..."

With all the materials I needed gathered, I was working with fire in a remote area downwind from the town. The smell was so strong that I couldn't do this indoors or anywhere near people. It wasn't toxic, just really smelly, but unfortunately, the alchemist guild's rental workshop that Lindemen provided didn't have any exhaust equipment. I had a mask to protect against both magic and toxins, so the smell didn't bother me, but if I worked there, it would cause a lot of trouble for others.

If I had an alchemist friend, I could borrow a workshop with the necessary equipment, but unfortunately, I don't have any such friends. So, I was working in a place outside the town where I wouldn't bother anyone. This abandoned quarry for building materials was far enough that even adventurers wouldn't come near. No monsters appeared here, and there was nothing to be gained from coming here.

The paint needed to draw magic circuits for making magical items can be bought from the alchemist guild, but it's expensive. Moreover, the materials for high-powered magical items require a lot of troublesome procedures, so I always make it myself.

I focused on the pot, stirring it while sharpening my senses. I was so focused that I almost didn't notice the presence approaching me.

When I realized someone was coming, they were already within visible range. I had let my guard down so much that I was caught off guard. If this were a battlefield, I would have been killed immediately, as Wilfred would have scolded me. Oh, I messed up.

There were only rocks around, so there was no risk of a fire, and I should have abandoned the pot and contents and fled immediately. However, I hesitated. I didn't want to replace the alchemy pot. Not only would it cost money, but it's hard to get good alchemy equipment without connections, and I don't have any. I wouldn't be able to get the same quality again.

Maybe I could ask the lord for a new one as a thank you for saving his child? But I haven't publicly announced that I'm an alchemist, so it might seem unnatural. Maybe I should just abandon the contents and take the pot. If I had something like mittens, I could carry it even though it's hot... I was overthinking it.

By the time I started to act, several people appeared from the direction I had my back to, just as I had sensed. I should have fled without hesitation.

"Hi, Riana. It's been a while since we met at the guild. You're in trouble, aren't you? I warned you, but you're alone in a place where no one can see you."

"Gord..."

Duke Gord. He told me to call him by his first name, but I have no obligation to do so. Seeing the man who caused trouble recently, I instinctively took a step back in caution. Fred was punished for starting the fight, and I couldn't handle it myself, so I've been regretting it ever since.

This time, I haven't involved Fred, but I've caused trouble again... I felt a heavy heart.

Behind him were three men who looked like troublemakers. They all looked at me with a slightly uncomfortable gaze. I didn't recognize any of them, so they probably weren't adventurers. They didn't look physically fit, so they might be the "connected underworld people" he mentioned.

I raised my alert level and scanned the surroundings. ...There didn't seem to be anyone else. I extended my magical senses to the shadows where someone could hide, but there was nothing. Hmm, are these all of them...? I thought there would be more hiding to gain an advantage...

"What's this smell... Is it the poison used for traps?"

"It's not poison, but... yes, something like that."

"Huh? I can't hear you. Take off that weird mask."

I had forgotten I was wearing a mask. But I didn't feel the need to communicate with them, so it was fine.

"Really, it's been tough since then... Fred injured me... and I was unfairly punished by the guild. It's been a rough time."

I had heard that he often caused trouble with female adventurers. My incident led to the discovery of various issues, and he received a suspension and a rank demotion. He was still in the suspension period.

I felt secretly angry at his words. He was blaming me for the punishment he deserved. It was a complete case of sour grapes. He must have targeted me because he couldn't beat Fred and I was alone.

I wanted to retort but swallowed my words. Even though he was demoted, he was still a silver-ranked adventurer. However, from his posture, weight distribution, and gaze, he seemed easy to beat, which was scary.

"Is Riana too scared to speak...? Hehe, I made a mistake today. Fred and I are on separate missions."

"Can't see your face, but you must be really beautiful, right?"

"Don't worry, she's a top catch."

The men he brought with him seemed confused, not feeling any threat. In the worst-case scenario, I thought they might be hiding their true strength, but I decided to avoid a direct confrontation. I kicked the ground and fled without listening to their conversation.

"What... Where did she go?!"

"...Was that magic, Duke?"

"No, I didn't hear any incantation... It must be a magical item."

I hid behind one of the abandoned stones, observing the situation. The quarry was surrounded by similar scenery, and I could use the "Illusion" magic to blend in with the rock walls. However, I thought they would see through my simple trick and reveal their true strength.

I hadn't cast any spells. I was taught that all stealth magic can be used without incantations, but maybe adventurers are different. The magical fields generated by human magic and magical items are different... Why did they mistake it?

"Fred's relative is a lady from a good family, so she probably has some protective magical items from her parents for situations like this."

"Huh? What do you mean... What do we do now that she escaped before we could get leverage?"

"Shut up, you idiots... Your names aren't exposed like mine! Ah, damn..."

That's strange... Wilfred had said my scouting skills would get me killed first on a battlefield. Even if I adjusted his evaluation, I thought I was at a "barely practical" level. Did Gord really fall for my "barely practical" magic? Did he underestimate me so much that he didn't even consider it? Hmm...

I almost got confused, but if they really couldn't see through it, I wanted to retrieve the alchemy pot. The contents were probably ruined from overcooking, but I needed the pot!

"...Oh! Ha... Too bad. The effect of the invisibility magical item seems to have worn off."

They said irrelevant things as I used the illusion magic again and returned to the pot. ...Did they not notice me moving between the rocks?

They've been adventurers for years, yet they couldn't see through it? If it was an act, I didn't see them reveal their true strength. Maybe they really are that weak.

"What's wrong, too scared to speak?"

Gord, who had been extinguishing the fire and removing the pot from the stove, called out to me with a different tone. I didn't want to talk, but his slightly off remarks made me feel uncomfortable. It was similar to embarrassment but different.

"No, if you try to harm me, I will counterattack. I'll consider it a hostile intent if you get any closer."

I created a wind to disperse the smell and removed my gas mask. The three men behind Sieg seemed excited. I had warned them to establish self-defense, but it already made me feel bad.

"Wow, Duke was right, she's a top catch."

"From a good family, right? Taking photos to threaten her parents would be good, too."

From their words, it seemed they planned to record compromising images with a magical item and use them for blackmail. Their methods seemed practiced, and there might be more crimes. This needed to be investigated properly.

"...I warned you."

"Whoa, you're bold...?"

I kicked the ground and flew over Gord. I stepped in front of the man holding the recording magical item and struck his jaw with the palm of my hand.

He collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, and I took the magical item from his hand. As I suspected, it was a type that couldn't remove the recording medium. It might contain evidence of a crime, and I didn't want to be framed for a violent incident. I would take it directly to the guild and report it.

"Hey... What did you do to him?"

"?? ...Well, as you can see."

I answered his question honestly, not understanding what he was asking.

"Do you have any other hidden protective magical items...?"

"No, I really didn't do anything special... I just moved quickly and knocked him out with one hit."

Not only the illusion magic, but even that wasn't seen? Hmm... You're silver-ranked, right? Or is there something wrong with what I'm saying?

"Are you serious? I didn't use any body enhancement or teleportation...?"

"Ha?! What are you trying to say?!"

Gord suddenly lost his composure, raising his voice. The remaining two "rogues" were just nervous, not doing anything. They were just alternating their gaze between me and their fallen comrade, sweating profusely.

"Do you want to surrender? ...I don't want to use force if I can avoid it..."

"Don't mess with me!!"

It seems my attempt at persuasion failed. Fred would probably handle it better, but I had upset him. I realized my mistake but didn't know what went wrong. I decided to be careful not to overreact and try to resolve the situation.