Part 70: Chapter 10-6: Revels, Rivals and Royalty

Part 10-6: Revels, Rivals and Royalty

Alright, Lydie! What’s on the agenda for today?


A Mark of Trust

This sounds very formal. What’s up, Mathias?

You seem a lot more serious than normal.

With good reason. My dad has been laid up in a bed with a cold.

Your dad, Mathias? …You mean the king?! T-This does sound serious!

Yes, it does! But wait… There hasn’t been any mention of this in the proclamations?

Under my father’s orders. He doesn’t want to worry the people. …It’s more than a common cold, though. He needs to take some special medicine. So we need you to make it, very quietly. Can we trust you with this?

Of course. Are you sure you’ve come to the right place, though?

Surely Ilmeria, or Firis, would be better choices to make medicine for the king himself?



Mathias…! Very well. We’ve got this!

We’ll make some medicine to have your dad up and about in no time!

Great! Thanks! I’ll be waiting at the Gates of Merk when you’ve got it ready. House Adalet is counting on you!



You know what this means, right, Lydie? The whole royal family believes in us! We’ve really moved up in the world!

Right! So we have to make this the best cold medicine they can get! Not just for the king… but to repay their trust!

We have all the ingredients, too… Let’s begin!

48 hours… so we well and truly haven’t a moment to spare!

While that’s going on…


The Alchemists Go Gardening

Perfect, Miss Sophie! She’ll love it here, with all these new friends!

OK. Without further ado, then… Especially since we’ve a lot of seeds…

Phew! Thanks for your help, Miss Sophie!

Oh, think nothing of it. I’ve got a bone to pick with Oskar, though! Taking half your seeds and going off on his own! How selfish!

Don’t be too hard on him. He was all fired up to scatter those seeds across the world! I bet he’s roamed far and wide now, making friends for her everywhere he goes!

Hehe, I bet you’re right. Oskar can really set his mind to something, huh!

He sure can!

Right. Let’s water and fertilize these and then get back to the atelier.

Good idea! Chelsea… you grow up big and strong here, surrounded by all your friends!



Perfect! Now let’s rush this over to Mathias!

Let’s! It was only a cold, said Mathias, but I hope we’re in time…


Delivery and Decisions

Mathias! We’ve made the medicine you wanted!

That’s great! Thank you so much! With this, I’m sure Dad will get better. That’s a big relief.

Phew, all our hard work was worth it. We hope the king gets better soon!

Me too. This has made me realize how old he is getting, though. Even a cold is no joke anymore… It’s about time for someone to succeed the throne and put him at ease. And… I think… that’s my duty.

Mathias…

Hey, girls. Do you think that’s what I should do? Do you think I can really become king?

Yeah, I do. Lydie, you too, right?

Yeah, of course! You study hard, Mathias, and you’re strong and reliable too!



Hahaha, me neither… but I feel the same. I’m sure you can be a great king, Mathias. …Promise with Mom Number 5! “Take action rather than worry!” You just need to give it a try. You can’t judge anything until you’ve experienced it!

That’s right. Otherwise, we’ll have to start calling you the King of the Wastrels again!

Hahaha. No, thanks, please don’t do that. …Thank you, Lydie, Sue. You’ve cheered me up a bit. I’d better get this medicine to my dad, anyway. See you later!



Hehe. He looked a little more cheerful, didn’t he?

Yes. I’m glad we were able to help him, even just a little. Anyway… wanna drop by Firis’ tent later?

Sure! I bet we’ll see something amazing…


Behind Every Master Alchemist



Ah, sorry for the trouble, Liane.



Liane. I seem to have misplaced my encyclopedia…

Ah, I know where that is. I put it on the table over there.

I see. Thank you very much, that’s a big help.



Yes, yes. It will be ready soon, just wait a little longer.

Great! What’s on the menu today?

Hehehe… Peppers stuffed with meat.

Blegh! I don’t need the peppers!

You don’t get to pick and choose, either. …Ah! It’s Lydie and Sue! Sorry, I only just noticed you there… Are you looking for anyone in particular?

No, we just dropped in to see what’s happening… You really are incredible, Liane!

Incredible? Whatever do you mean?

The housework! All this housework! You’ve tidied Sophie’s dirty room all the way up!



Then you told Plachta the location of her missing book!



And then you handled Firis’ picky eating without batting an eyelid!



You’re wonderful, truly! Every home should have one of you!

Hehe, thank you. I’ve always loved taking care of a home, and everyone living in it. …I know! Why don’t you both eat with us? I’ll make something really delicious, I promise!

Thank you! That sounds lovely!

Liane, I’ll give you a hand in the kitchen…

I’ll set the table…

I’ll do my best to eat as many peppers as I can, Liane…

…What’s gotten into the three of you, now?

Hahaha! I think the way of life of Firis and the others is only possible because of Liane!

Guess we gotta hand it to her. Anyway, Sue, we oughta go home and catch some shut eye. We’ve a lesson with Ilmeria bright and early…

Bah! Don’t remind me…

The next morning…

Alright! Let’s-


Revelers from Kirchen Bell

Uwah, that surprised me. Was that Sophie’s voice?

I think so.



She even comes to my defense when Plachta gets angry with me! I really love her, you know?

I see, I see. …Ah, excuse me. One beer, please.

I told you once, already. You’re still a child. No alcohol for you. Here’s some M-I-L-K for you.

I’ve been an adult for quite a while, though…

Plachta is really kind, though, too…! She massaged my shoulders the other day!! “Are you OK, Sophie? You need to release some of this tension.” Haaah, how’s my Plachta sound…? She’s thinking about me, of course…! It makes me want to prepare some stew for her, you know? …Hey, hold on? Are you listening to me, Corny?

Yes, I’m listening. I’m glad to see you and Plachta are still good friends.

Of course we are! Hahaha!

Hahaha. I’m glad to hear it.

Ah! It’s nice to see you smile again, Corny…! Corneria, baby!!

Uwah! S-Sophie, don’t just grab me like that…!

Why not? We’re friends, right? Hehe!

…Uwah, I had no idea! Sophie looks hard to handle when she’s drunk!

Hahaha… That was a bit unexpected, wasn’t it?



Yes, you’re right. That’s probably better for everyone. …Ah! This is bad! We’re gonna be late for our lesson!

Eek! Let’s hurry!


The Alchemists’ Formidable Rivals

That’s it for today, then. Make sure you review all of this!

We will! Thank you!

Thank you! Uwah, my head is splitting…

You’re still not one for studying at a desk, are you Sue? Just relax, I’ll get you some sugar!

Thank you… Uwah, I could use it!

Alright! Now… here’s the fruit candy that Liane cooked for me the other day…



Oh, you’ve done it now! I’m going to bury this room in candy, if that’s what it takes!

Uwah! I want to eat them, but I don’t want to study! What a bind to be in!

You’re just too honest, Sue! Can’t you be a little more serious with your studies?

I can’t hear you! La la la! …Tell me, though, Teach, isn’t there some way to quickly get better at alchemy? I know that studying and practicing are important, but isn’t there another way?

You could choose a rival? Someone to compete against? Like Firis is for me.

I see. A rival! Our rival would be Lucia, maybe?

Yes, that’s a good choice. She’s a skilled alchemist and she hates to lose. But then you sisters are a bit like rivals too, aren’t you?

Hey, you’re right! We started out together, and I definitely don’t want to lose, even to my sister!



What did you just say?! I can’t ignore that, even from you!

Hahaha, I’m sorry, I was just kidding. You’re a powerful rival, Sue.

The more rivals you have, the better. There’s nothing wrong with some friendly competition.

No problem. We’ll be like you and Firis! Sometimes at each other’s throats, sometimes all snuggly!



You don’t? But I’ve seen you looking pretty…

No, we don’t! Never! Gah, you girls just love to mock me, don’t you?!

Wah, this is bad! She’s going into Hardcore Master mode again!

Oh no, oh no… Run for it! See you later, Teach!

…Those girls! I need to write “respect your teacher” on their faces in permanent ink… I’m not getting all snuggly, whatever that means anyway! I’m not… right? Wait… why am I getting so worked up over that comment? It’s just Lydie and Sue being Lydie and Sue… Maybe I need a walk to sort my head out…


Becoming Adults

Ilmeria! I didn’t expect to bump into you here. Maybe this is fate?

Huh? What are you rambling on about now?

It was your birthday recently, right? So now you’re an adult?

Yes, that’s right. You too, if I recall correctly?



H-Hold on!

Right! That bar looks like a good place to do it! Barkeep! Table for two!

Ah…!

Heheh! I’ve been looking forward to being able to drink for a long time!

Seriously. You could have started with that! You gave me all sorts of strange ideas!

Oh yeah? Like what?

Like nothing! Barkeep! A drink, please! The strongest you’ve got!

Hitting the ground running, Il! I like it! The same for me!

Here are your drinks. This is spirytus.

Spirytus…? Uwah, it even smells potent!

Oh dear, getting scared already? You’re still a little girl, Firis!

Gah! No I’m not! Down the hatch!

You can’t get the jump on me! Here goes!



Hahaha, Ilmeria! Weak! Too weak! Hahaha!



Hahaha, you said it. Firis looks like she’ll be quite the hard drinker…

Ah, Lydie! Sue! Hahaha! Whatever are you doing here? Hahaha! Come on, get over here and join us!

Oh no, she’s seen us!

P-Pretend we didn’t hear her, Sue! Just a case of mistaken identity! Keep moving!

Hey! Can’t you hear me? Hahaha! I guess it can’t be helped, Ilmeria!

Zzzzz… Firis… you hear me? Don’t leave my side…

Hahaha! Ilmeria is talking in her sleep! Poke, poke! Hahaha!

Firis! Stop… poking me there…

Hey, Lydie. One thing. When we grow up…



Hahaha! Keep the drinks coming! Hahaha!

Dummy… Firis, you dummy… But that’s just another thing about you… that I…