Part 35: Chapter 6-5: Revels in the Rain

Part 6-5: Revels in the Rain

Sue! Wanna hit up Firis’ place?

Let’s!


The Master Alchemist’s Insatiable Wanderlust

Somewhere fun? What exactly do you want to do?

Heheh, travel, just travel! My hobby is to visit all kinds of different places.

Travel? In which case, there’s a few good places.

The twins fill her in, but I can’t explicate because the Mysterious series has little worldbuilding; I couldn’t tell you anything about anywhere in Adalet aside from Merveille and the outskirts areas where you gather and which Firis tags along for anyway. After all that…

Hmmm, interesting! You are stirring up my curiosity now! Uwah, I want to leave at once! I can’t wait. But I’ve got jobs to finish first.

Hahaha! Firis, you really do love traveling!

Of course! Seeing the whole wide world has always been my dream! After all… My home is a pretty unique place. I couldn’t even leave it until I was around the age you are now.

Not once?

Yep. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. When I finally did, it was so much better than I imagined! The wide sky, the soothing wind… The relaxing smell of grass, and land as far as I could see! I just loved being outside, you know? And that love has never left me.

I see. So come on, Firis! Will you tell us more about your travels?

Yeah, good idea! We’ve never traveled ourselves, but we’ve always wanted to.

Leave it to me, then! I’ll talk until you’re sick of hearing my voice.

You think so? Well, try us!



Much, much later…

She wasn’t kidding! I lost count of how many hours she spent going on…

Mmm. Anyway, we’re also getting closer to Alt, gradually… I want to check his atelier out!


The Mysterious Boy’s Caustic Concoctions

…

Um… hello? Alt?

Huh? Ah, you want me?

Is there anyone else here? We just want to take a look around…

I don’t mind. I’m busy with research, though, so I’m not giving you a tour.

That’s fine. We’ll just take a look for ourselves. What kind of things might we find?



If Alt’s too busy, then we’ve only one way to find out! …Uwah! It’d probably be a total nightmare if I knocked over these flasks…



That’s a pretty thick stack of notes! And I could spend forever reading all these books…

Hmm… I think that’s about it. Well, that was even more bizarre than I was expecting. So much weird stuff!

Yeah, but they look like powerful items, too. You really are incredible, Alt!

I’m honored that you think so. None of these are especially impressive pieces, though.

They’re not? What about this potion, then? What does it do?

Ah… That turns people into horses.

Wah! What about this bomb, then?

Haha, that’s just a normal bomb. A moderate blast to level everything in the immediate vicinity.

That sounds a little more powerful than “normal!” Is all of this stuff as dangerous as that?



I don’t think that’s a laughing matter… I’m suddenly feeling very unsafe in here…

Alt is totally terrifying… Let’s make sure never to get on his bad side. Psst… let’s step out for now, Lydie.

Right… oh? What’s going on here?


An Unexpected Gesture

Oh, is that so? Then I really want it!

Would I lie to you? At the special price, then, of just 5000 Coll!

Hey… That shouldn’t cost 5000 Coll. That’s one of the first things an alchemist learns how to make!

Yeah. We need to step in…



What? I’m not pretending to do anything! Who are you, anyway?

Who I am doesn’t matter. Stop selling your fake potions. Grass from the side of the road and some pond water? Even alchemy can’t make anything from that! And you’re trying to sell it for 5000 Coll? If you don’t like “pretend”, how about “fraud”?

Ugah! The jig is up! I’ll remember this!



That was great! So cool!

Huh.

W-What’s going on here? I was being tricked?

Rub this on your joints. They should get a lot better.

Ah, thank you. I don’t know what more I can say!

Don’t mind me. I just hated seeing that impostor act like a real alchemist. Well then… take care. It’s back to work for me.

Uwah! Alt is so cool. Fighting for justice!

Yeah! Haha, all that talk about taking over the world was just a joke after all. Hm… was that Lucia I just saw headed to Alt’s atelier?

…Another guest? What now?


Their Childhood Friend’s Ultimatum

You just suddenly turn up at my atelier and say that? Are you picking a fight?

No, not at all. I’m just stating a fact. From your toes to the top of your head… You couldn’t be more suspicious-looking!

Hahaha, I’ve been called suspicious before, but never quite so completely! What’s your plan, then? Are you going to call the guards on me?



Excuse me?

Collude. As in, collusion. The darkness I see in your heart makes you my ideal business partner. You’ve got alchemy skills, too. How about it? Join me in aiming for the top?

Pfft… heh… Hahahaha! No thanks. You’re too green to be my partner.

What!

Not to mention you’ve got “lie” written all over your face. You need to start by fooling yourself! You’re trying to keep an eye on me, then, to protect your precious twins? How naive of you, naive indeed… Did you think I’d fall for that?

Gah! I’ll leave you be, for today!



Off she goes… She’s smart, sure, but also a bit of a soft touch. Which I guess is okay, for an alchemist. I’ll look forward to her future as well, then. What a promising group of young alchemists this is…

Meanwhile, at the Notice Board…

You’re dragging me all the way to the Notice Board… is there something you really need to talk to Drossel about?

Ah, Lydie! Sue! What’s up?

Drossel, could you recommend a good book? Firis told me that you’re a real book lover.

Sure thing! A recent recommendation would be “Den of Dolls”.


Author’s Recommendations

Huh? Oh, then… How can I resist that smile? First then, “False Dreams”. A girl travels her dreams with some surprising twists.


“False Dreams”. Surprising twists. Good, good.

Also, “Mist Talker”. It’s a tale of horror, so don’t read it at night.

“Mist Talker”. Watch out for reading at night. Good, good.

Ah! I can’t forget “Sky Dancer”, either! Romance, this one will make you cry!

“Sky Dancer”. Have a handkerchief ready. Good, good!

Hehe, it makes me happy to see you noting down all my recommendations!

It does? That’s just me, I have to note things down or I can’t be sure.

You’ve got a serious streak, Lydie. It’s far better than forgetting everything, anyway! Those are my best three at the moment, anyway. I’m sure you’ll enjoy all of them. None of them are that expensive, so please give them a try!



Okay!

Gah, I fell asleep standing up again! Lydie, are you done yet?

And Sue has no interest in books at all. Looks like she has her own talents, though!

Teach, Drossel, Liane… Firis sure is connected to all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds, isn’t she?

She is! But I guess it comes with the territory of being an accomplished alchemist and adventurer. Should we go back to pay her another visit?

Meanwhile, at Firis’ atelier…

What are you talking about? That was just you, hahaha!

Hah, not at all! Your teeth were chattering out of your head!


Fast Friends and Insecurities

Hahah, mere friendship can’t define our bond. We are both best friends and eternal rivals!

Enough with the corny lines. Although I’m not denying it.

Oh? You’re not?

If I resist she gets all annoying. I’ve known her a long time, so I understand her well.

Heh. So you are good friends, in the end.

Fated ones, perhaps. Hey, that reminds me! I do have one bone to pick with you!

Ah! I think I know what you’re going to say…

I bet you do! Why are you so big?!

Il, please! I… Excuse me?


For reference, Firis has a full 12cm on Ilmeria, who again, is shorter than the twins

Oh dear… Well, it’s hard to not notice the difference…

Ahahaha, not at all. You’ve grown up plenty, Il!

I don’t need your pity. I’m leaving! Bye-bye!

She just stormed off… Are you alright with this, Firis?

Yeah, why not. This is pretty much how things always go down. I do wonder though, Il. Have you really forgiven me?

Ah… we’ll see you later, Firis!

What was with Firis, anyway? She sounded really unusually downbeat at the end, there. Really guilty…

Mmm… anyway, should we head to the castle? We can go to the gallery from there for some more gathering in the Mysterious Paintings.

En route to the castle…


A Polished Writer

Yes, that’s right! The genius alchemist sisters, the hot topic in town!

Hey, no need to get all embarrassing! We’re regular, just regular alchemists!

Hahaha, no need to be so modest. My dad said you’re pretty good! In which case, I’ve got a real important request! A life-changing question!

Life-changing? Gulp! W-What do you mean?

Don’t tell me, you want a magic potion that turns people into puppets!

I don’t need anything that dangerous! What I need is a tool to hone a blade. A whetstone, polishing agent, something like that…

Why? Why would a puppeteer need to maintain a blade?

An axe, actually. I want to get a bit of a workout.

An axe! You use an axe, Drossel?

Of course! I’m pretty strong! I’ve fought dragons, ghosts, grass monsters, all sorts of creatures, with my friends. Hundreds of battles!

W-Wow… That’s actually quite unexpected.

No problem, though. We’ll make just the item you need!

We might even have plenty of it al-



That’s enough! At least just limit it to “skilled alchemists”!

Hahaha! It sounds promising. I’ll be counting on you!


Means of Inspiration

As I was saying, we have plenty of Polish! This should do the trick for Drossel!

Here we go! The genius beautiful ultimate twin alchemists… uwah, I bit my tongue!

Hahah, you deserved that. Anyway, Drossel! This is what you requested, here.

Ah, thank you girls! Ah, this is going to give me some great ideas!

Huh? What do you mean? I thought you wanted to fix an axe?

Yeah, that’s right. First I’ll use this to repair the axe… Then I’ll get a workout fighting some monsters. Getting a bit crazy in battle… Will be a great change of pace, and give me some great ideas! Well? Aren’t I a genius?

Genius is a stretch. Muscle brain might be better?

Hahaha, give me a break, Sue! A change of pace can be important, anyway. This is all to create the ultimate puppet show.

Ah, you talked about that before. Just what kind of show is it going to be?

Hmm, well, I don’t have any concrete ideas yet… Something that appeals to the audience’s emotions. A wonderful show, in which the puppets seem to be alive! My father and I have always dreamed of putting on the ultimate puppet show! We’ll move the hearts of one and all!

I’d love to see that myself, to be honest!

Me too, me too! Say, Drossel! Once that ultimate puppet show is ready, will you invite us?

Yes, of course! I promise! Hehe, I should work harder! For these two, and for all others who are waiting to see it!

Right! Now, to the castle at last! …Ooh, what have we got over here?

…


King of the Wastrels

Hello, King of the Wastrels!

Hey, hold it! What kind of title is that?

It seems logical enough to me! You’re the unemployed heir to the crown, right?

That’s not what it sounds like! It sounds like I’m the king of idlers or vagabonds!

Really? Sorry about that! What are you doing, anyway?

Reading. I’m reading. Elegantly reading!

Reading! I’m not sure I want to know what kind of book! I bet it’s pretty perver-

Enough jokes! This is what I’m reading!

Alright, fine, I’ll have a look… Geopolitics! And it’s incredibly thick. You really were studying, Mathias!

Yes. Very seriously! What do you think of that?

Amazing, Mathias! Pigs will be flying tomorrow if you keep this up!

What?

Wow, you said it. Better get those umbrellas ready or it could get messy!

Ugh, nasty! Will we ever eat bacon again?



Mathias has acquired the skill “A Heavy Burden”.

A Heavy Burden - Increases Maximum HP.

Anyway… to the gallery!