Chapter 65

---

"Wh-what... Mr. Adolph was injured...?!"

After returning from the forest with Kohaku, I delivered the Jewelbird to the Adventurers' Guild and then headed straight to the workshop. However, the people at the workshop, who had been waiting for me, told me a very unsettling story. It turned out that this morning, Mr. Adolph had been attacked by what seemed to be a robber and had been injured on his face and arm.

The incident had occurred near the workshop just before he was about to start work, and the patrol team had been here asking questions until just a while ago. The atmosphere in the workshop was still tense, and even Kohaku, who had come with me, seemed to be on guard, as if we were still outside the city. Usually, she talks a lot, but now she was silent, her ears perked up, listening to the surroundings.

"Have you heard about Mr. Adolph's injuries?"

"Well, they said it wasn't serious, but he was told to go to the clinic for a check-up... He said this himself before leaving with the patrol team, so it doesn't seem to be a serious injury."

I felt a bit relieved to hear that. If that was the case, it didn't seem to be a major issue. However, I had been thinking that since I returned earlier than planned, I might have a bit of extra time today. But now, I had to make up for Mr. Adolph's share as well. Mr. Adolph is the second-best at magic manipulation in the workshop after me, so his absence would be a significant loss...

I was feeling down, but then I realized how insensitive it was to be thinking about work when someone was injured. I felt a wave of guilt.

"Do you know which clinic Mr. Adolph went to?"

"Hmm? I'm not sure, but I think it's close to the patrol headquarters."

I wanted to check on his injuries, but I could just ask the patrol team. It's still before noon, so I hope someone is there.

Still, it seems Mr. Adolph had a terrible misfortune. Should I go visit him? No, it might be a bother if I go to his house. Maybe I should just send some money for his recovery.

"I'm back~"

"Mr. Adolph! I'm glad to see you, I was worried when I heard you were injured..."

"Ah, yes, I see you've heard the story. Well, as you can see, it's not a big deal, but..."

Mr. Adolph had just returned from the patrol headquarters. He raised his wrist, which was bandaged, and his left cheek was red and slightly swollen. There didn't seem to be any visible cuts, so he might have injured his mouth. Even though he said it wasn't serious, I couldn't just let the matter end there.

"I know you've already been questioned by the patrol team, but can I ask what happened?"

"Of course, since there are women working here too, and even I, a man, was injured, everyone should be careful around here for a while."

The incident happened this morning when he was on his way to work. Mr. Adolph usually arrives at the workshop earlier than others and stays later to practice magic manipulation on his own, so he has the key to the workshop. He is a serious and enthusiastic person, and I tell him not to overwork himself, but it doesn't seem to be very effective. "The pay changes based on the grade and number of artificial magic stones you create, so I can't help but be motivated!!" His positive attitude is appreciated, but I wish he wouldn't overdo it.

I don't follow the work schedule very strictly either...

This morning, as usual, he arrived early and was about to unlock the workshop door when someone grabbed his bag from behind, pulled him down, and hit him before he could react.

"So, they took my bag. It was a mugging, but since I was injured, it's being investigated as a robbery."

"Oh, that's scary... Is this area becoming dangerous? Did you see the attacker's face?"

"Well, I only saw them for a moment when I was in a panic, and they were wearing a hat and had a cloth covering their mouth, so I didn't see much. But I did help with the composite sketch."

"That's tough. What did they steal, Mr. Adolph?"

"Only my work notebook and writing tools, a small wallet with some change for lunch, and a few other small items. I'm glad that's all that happened. But it's frustrating to be injured over such things. If I had just given them the bag, it would have been fine."

"Yes, the injury is the worst part. What a misfortune."

"Really. ...Oh! And... they also stole the key."

Mr. Adolph, who had injured his wrist when he was pulled down, seemed to be recalling the morning as he rubbed his wrist while talking. Everyone was bombarding him with questions like a reporter, and before I knew it, the conversation had moved on without me getting a chance to speak. But most of the things I wanted to know were covered, so it was fine.

"The key to your house? That's scary, you should change it quickly."

"Not just the house key. The key to the workshop was also in the bag... I'm sorry, but the key to the workshop's barrier is difficult to recreate..."

"That's okay, it's easy to make a copy. It's not like you lost it, and you're the victim, so don't feel so guilty..."

I wanted to say, "Don't be," but the words got stuck in my throat. I couldn't help but connect the recent series of "unusual incidents."

"Riana? Is something wrong?"

"…I was thinking... maybe Mr. Adolph wasn't the target, but the key to the workshop was."

The people at the workshop, who had heard about the attempted break-in at the workshop's entrance a while ago, changed their expressions when they heard this.

"What... There's nothing valuable to steal... only the materials for artificial magic stones... Oh!"

"If the target was the workshop, it's more likely they were after the method for creating artificial magic stones..."

I felt a growing sense of urgency and looked at the wall where the built-in magical device for the workshop's barrier was installed. I had chosen this place because it was a former alchemy workshop with a suitable layout, and I had used the existing security measures. I should create a new barrier myself at this point.

Barriers are commonly used for security in alchemy workshops and other places. Unlike regular locks, they can't be opened with just a key, but the risk of unauthorized entry has increased significantly.

I've heard that recipes for potions and other magical items can be targeted because they can be reproduced if the method is known. The artificial magic stones I sell could also be a target. Although I have registered some of the techniques required for manufacturing artificial magic stones with the Alchemists' Guild, I doubt a criminal would respect that.

There have been cases where someone claimed, "We just happened to be making something similar to your product, but it's our own invention," or "We bought the invention from someone else, so we are innocent third parties. If you claim it's stolen technology, prove it." There have even been cases where the other party made a profit during a long legal battle and then disappeared.

If the technology is stolen and taken to a country that hasn't ratified the "Treaty on the Use and Education of Alchemy," we would be almost powerless... This is the worst-case scenario, but it's a real concern.

When I was at home, my brother Germain taught me a bit about the laws regarding technology and patents, and I was frightened by the implications. I never thought I might become a party to such a situation. It's too scary.

"Actually, I was planning to renovate the workshop, so I'll rebuild the barrier at the same time."

"I'm so sorry! I really feel bad! It's all because I lost the key..."

"No, it's fine. I was planning to do this anyway. The other night, when we were working, didn't I mention that I wanted to reorganize the workspace to better suit the production of artificial magic stones?"

"Yes, I remember that, but..."

"I was planning to temporarily close the workshop after completing the current orders and pause taking new ones. I was going to inform everyone today, and I've already contacted the Alchemists' Guild, the orphanage, and the Betametal Viscount before coming here."

To reassure Mr. Adolph that this was part of the original plan, I showed everyone the rough sketches I had already made, saying, "See, I already have the plans. This isn't because of Mr. Adolph's incident." However, everyone looked at me with a mix of fear and respect, saying, "Riana, you can draw plans too..."

---