Chapter 17

The day after the tea party for the Lukiusraria royal family.

In the room with emerald wallpaper, I was once again diligently practicing alchemy.

"So, you mean that by continuously stimulating you, I caused your self-awareness to emerge?"

The entity I was addressing was a spherical flask containing a smoke-like intelligence.

(I request a detailed explanation of what you mean by 'stimulation' and 'emergence of self-awareness.')

It seems the entity can respond, but only to one person nearby. The responses are also rather formal and detailed.

It appears that the entity has been listening to and learning our words, and its vocabulary is actually quite limited.

"Lady Aisha, I have something to discuss with you."

"Ah, Heart? Everyone else too? What's going on?"

My attendants gathered in the emerald room.

"Since the prince left the tea party early yesterday, we've been investigating what happened afterward."

Herkov seemed to be referring to the tea party.

I have already apologized to my father in a letter. Ideally, I should meet him in person, but as his son, and living in the same compound, I can't just casually see him.

"Did the princess of Lukiusraria return safely?"

"Strategus Marquis was also there. It seems there is a kinship between the Lukiusraria royal family and the Strategus family."

Ict seemed uninterested in his superior's background, as this was the first he had heard of it. I recall that the Strategus Marquis has connections with forces outside the empire. So, he has ties with the Kingdom of Lukiusraria.

Incidentally, Duke Yurasion had married into the Lukiusraria royal family, and because of their kinship, they were both helping to search for Diora.

"That's good... but it's not over, is it?"

They are here, after all.

Wearrel chuckled and flicked his green-furred tail.

"Apparently, there was a plan to send the prince out of the palace early to stand on his own. It's not uncommon to send princes with low succession rights to important foreign countries for diplomatic reasons."

"Ah, I see. So, leaving is an option. But I doubt I can choose where I go, and I can't bring my alchemy equipment."

It's like what they did in Japan during the Sengoku period, sending people as hostages and liaisons to important families. This world isn't as chaotic as Japan's Sengoku period, and given the empire's position, I won't be treated badly.

But I need to think more about how to navigate this situation. If I stay here, it might be better for my younger brother. But if leaving is an option, I should consider it.

Heart seemed to be in a bad mood about something.

"What's wrong, Heart? I just said something to avoid conflict."

"Is that so? For some reason, there are rumors that Lady Aisha is dull and ignorant. I know no one as intelligent as Lady Aisha!"

Hmm, is this the bias of a nursemaid? But just from my battlefield cameraman-like speech? It seems better than the rumors of me being mean to my brother.

Thinking about it, the direction has changed from being a mean brother who makes my brother cry.

"It's surprising that just my speech caused such rumors. I thought people would be more wary of me than dismissive. I only spoke to Duke Yurasion, so how did it spread?"

My attendants looked at each other and then scanned the room.

Herkov, who is not good with subtleties, spoke bluntly.

"Your hobby of alchemy seems to have made the lower ranks think they can look down on you. To those who don't know, alchemy is seen as a vulgar pursuit for gold."

"That's not true. I can make gold, but it's not cost-effective, and those who really want to make it would ignore the financial aspect."

"Is that so? I thought alchemy was about easily making gold."

Even Ict had that misconception. It seems to be a common belief.

Scientifically, it's about atoms. The type of atom is determined by the number of protons and neutrons. In theory, any substance could be broken down and adjusted to become gold. However, even in a scientifically advanced Japan, the equipment and energy required would be enormous, and the result would be a single atom, invisible to the naked eye, making it impractical.

"Even with magic, I don't think it's that easy. Unless the Philosopher's Stone is an energy source, but even then, there are better uses than making gold..."

Wearrel seemed interested and asked a fundamental question.

"Are you really that interested in alchemy? The person who gave you these alchemy tools said that alchemy is a study to explore how the gods created the world. What do you think?"

"Creation of the world, huh? I think it can explore that. Magic has different attributes and capabilities, and different races have different beliefs about magic. Alchemy is similar. Some want to make gold, while others, like your acquaintance, want to understand the world. For me, I want to find practical applications, I guess?"

(Detail required)

The entity in the flask started talking.

"I'm still exploring, so I don't have the details."

I tapped the flask with my finger.

But thinking about it, where does this entity get the energy to think? How does it store memories? Its speech is logical, and it can communicate without a physical body.

"Hmm, there's a useful possibility here."

(Detail required)

I held the flask in both hands and repeated the same phrase.

Suddenly, there were loud footsteps and the door opened, but everyone was already here. Ict and Herkov quickly moved toward the sound, and a voice was heard.

"It's bad! Calm down! Marquis Strategus!"

The rude Levan and his superior, Marquis Strategus, had burst in.

I put the flask down and went with Heart and Wearrel to see what was happening. In the blue room, Herkov was holding back Marquis Strategus, who was trying to go further, while Ict was trying to calm him down.

"What did the prince do? Such rudeness, even from a marquis, is unacceptable."

"Enough, don't interfere! I must know! I must question him directly! Why did Princess Diora suddenly propose marriage? What did you say to her alone!?"

"What!?"

I couldn't help but exclaim, and Marquis Strategus noticed me. But wait, I don't understand either.

"Ict, I just calmed her down and took a walk in the garden, right?"

"Yes, you seemed to have a good grasp of Princess Diora's character."

"Well, Lady Aisha..."

Ict's agreement made Heart seem pleased. Levan, who had forgotten to stop the marquis, whistled. He seems genuinely rude.

Why did Marquis Strategus really send someone like Levan... No, he's being rude right in front of me. Maybe they are similar. Can they do this somewhere else?

"Anyway, I haven't heard anything about an engagement, so please tell me more."

If the source of information is right in front of me, I shouldn't let it go. Really, I have a hunch about the rumors, but I know nothing about an engagement.

Still, the princess of the Kingdom of Lukiusraria seems much more mature than I am.

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