Once we arrived at the mansion, I got off the carriage with Origol and followed Souma’s lead toward the lord’s room.
Somewhere along the way, Origol naturally slipped her hand into mine, and we ended up walking in hand-in-hand.
…That might’ve been a bit awkward.
「Nice to meet you, Alchemist-dono. I am Walkas, the lord of this town. Thank you for coming today despite the trouble.」
「No, not at all. I should be thanking you for going so far as to prepare a carriage for me.」
Huh… He’s more humble than I expected.
「Oh? You seem to be getting along well with Origol.」
「We’re best buddies! Right, onii-chan?」
「Yeah, we got pretty close on the way here. More importantly, I heard your health hasn’t been the best. Are you all right?」
「Yes. I’m feeling well today. Most days I’m bedridden, however.」
「I see. I’m glad to hear you’re doing better. So then, what business do you have with me today?」
…Yeah, figured as much.
「Let’s get to the point while I’m still feeling up to it. It’s about Renge-dono of the Red Front.」
「I see.」
Well, of course it is.
「I’ve already heard everything from Yasis-dono yesterday. He told me the full story—Renge-dono’s circumstances, and your actions as well. Nothing withheld.」
「So you’re saying what I did was wrong?」
「No, not at all. The results are the only truth that matters. In the end, you weren’t hurt. And if no one is willing to testify that an assault occurred, then even if it did, it can’t be treated as truth.」
「Then why summon me here?」
「Because my health is failing. So when someone like you, who’s been causing so many ripples lately, gets involved in something again, I felt I had to say my piece. Please—don’t stir up any more trouble. Please—don’t do anything that forces me to get involved.」
「…I don’t think most of it is really my fault, but I understand. I’ll keep it in mind.」
「I know that, but the fact remains—trouble, big and small, tends to follow you around. And I worry it’ll keep happening.」
「Fair enough. I don’t want to cause problems either, and I especially don’t want to get caught up in them. I’ll be careful.」
「Yeah, onii-chan just wants to live a slow, peaceful life without doing anything or getting involved in anything. And look, he even gave me this!」
Origol handed the potion I gave her over to Walkas.
Well, I already gave it away, so I don’t mind.
Looks like she wants him to use it.
Not a bad idea—if it’s that illness, that potion should do the trick.
「Grandfather, you can take it. I can’t drink it anyway.」
「Thank you very much. With this, I should be able to slow the progress of the illness.」
「No, I believe with your condition, that should cure it entirely.」
「……」
「Is something the matter?」
「So you noticed after all… Was there some flaw in the act?」
「A flaw… No, I’d say I just had a feeling something was off the moment Origol appeared. From what I’d heard, the lord had no spouse or children. And then suddenly, a granddaughter appears out of nowhere? Naturally, I suspected something was up. Am I correct, Origol-sama?」
「I see… So you thought I was suspicious from the beginning.」
「Well, yeah. Especially when you said something like ‘you’re still young’, I figured you were older than me.」
Well, that was mostly just a guess.
Still, I’d been careful not to say anything that might offend in case I was wrong.
「My apologies, Origol-sama.」
「No worries, really. I think Walkas did a fine job acting. Oh, and go ahead and drink that—you should be cured if you do. It doesn’t work on me, so no need to worry.」
So Origol boarded the carriage and came to meet me despite her illness.
But still… to think someone who looks like that is the lord of this town…
Well, I suppose it’s common sense in this world not to judge by appearances.
Yasis, for example, hides a fathomless depth behind a perfectly pleasant face.
「What exactly is your illness, Origol?」
「Mine? Curious, are you?」
「Yeah, we did hit it off on the ride here. If there’s something I can do to help, I’d like to. I mean, I did trouble you quite a bit.」
「Huh. I figured it was just a passing acquaintance, but you’re more honorable than I thought. Cough.」
I mean, anyone with half a conscience would worry seeing a child coughing like that.
「Well, I don’t mind telling you. It’s poison. Slow-acting, cough, and resistant to all healing potions. I let my guard down… Never expected one of my trusted butlers to betray me. Cough.」
「A butler?」
I couldn’t help but glance, almost reflexively, in Souma’s direction.
「It wasn’t me. It was one of my colleagues… A foolish man. To be swayed by such a lowlife.」
「Lowlife? So someone put him up to it?」
「Yeah. Cough. You know him too, onii-chan. Ring any bells if I say Dadaril?」
「…If he even dares do this to you, he’s seriously beyond saving.」
「True, but he is the son of one of the leading candidates to become the next lord. The butler was aiming for the position of head steward once Darwin takes over. I guess he panicked when he saw I’d commissioned Hayato for a quest. He even tried to slip me a fast-acting poison the second time. But even I’m not that careless.」
「Is he dead now?」
「Yeah. He is. Still… I can’t help but think I was an idiot to fall for a trick from someone that dumb.」
「Did you talk to Reinrich about it? She might be able to cure it, even if it resists normal medicine.」
Reinrich had that sort of aura—like she could cure even poison that defied conventional remedies.
「Cough, cough. …Of course I did. And the result was this: nothing short of a holy elixir can cure it. That’s why I asked Hayato to clear a dungeon.」
「A dungeon?」
「Holy elixirs always appear in treasure chests at the end of dungeon runs. Thankfully, there’s one not too far from this town.」
「I see… So in a way, I owe my life to you calling Hayato here. If he hadn’t been, I’d have been worm food.」
「That’s a bit of a stretch, but I guess you could put it that way.」
She laughed cheerfully, but her complexion still looked pale.
She must’ve been pushing herself far more than she let on.
Even so, she stood and spoke with me rather than lying in bed. Maybe it was pride—her pride as a ruler.
Even in pain, she refused to show weakness to one of Einzheil’s people—a taxpayer under her governance. That much was written all over her.
「But… it looks like Hayato won’t make it in time. I got a message not long ago. One of his companions was injured, and he said they’d have to return to town for now. It can’t be helped, but at this rate… it’ll be too late. I’m a halfling, remember? Small body means faster spread of the poison. Even if they go back again, I doubt they’ll make it.」
「…I see.」
「It’s okay. I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve decided to enjoy the rest of my life—not as a ruler, but as Origol the halfling. That’s why getting to talk with you today meant so much. The silly conversations were fun, but hearing about your world was fascinating. I mean, wagons that run without horses, made of iron? Who would’ve thought?」
「Ohhh… how tragic… Origol-sama…」
Seeing Origol’s carefree smile, Souma began to sob quietly.
He must be a deeply trusted servant who had been by her side for many years.
And to earn that trust, Origol herself must be an exceptional lord.
Considering she governs a city like this—chaotic, wild, and home to people like Yasis, Darwin, and Reinrich—it wasn’t hard to imagine.
「I see… So Hayato’s errand was to get medicine for you, huh.」
「Yup. But don’t worry about it, cough. The next lord will probably be Darwin, but even if he’s not like me, he’s competent. I don’t think he’ll do anything too terrible to the people here.」
「He seems like the type to avoid anything remotely troublesome, though.」
「Even so, if I ask him to, he’ll do it.」
Origol kept smiling the whole time.
She had to be in pain. She had to want to rest in bed.
If that was the case, the best thing I could do for her… was to take my leave.
「Don’t worry about me. I had fun today—that’s more than enough. Just, like I said before, try not to stir up any trouble, okay? I don’t get much free time as it is.」
「Quit it with the self-deprecating jokes. They’re not funny.」
「Haha, you’re such a stiff one. There’s no need to get so emotionally invested in someone you just met today.」
Maybe so… but that’s just the kind of person I am. I can’t help it.
「Well, I should get some rest soon. I’d love to keep chatting, but this is just how it is.」
「Got it. Then I’ll take my leave.」
「Yeah. If we have time again—and if I’m still alive—let’s talk more, okay?」
「Yeah. Anytime. Better yet, you come visit me. It was your house to begin with.」
「Heh, I really wanted to try the bath… and I wonder what you made down in that basement.」
「So come see it for yourself. I’ll be waiting.」
「Haha, you ask a lot. But… yeah. I’ll do my best to come on a good day. So wait for me, okay?」
「Of course. See you then.」
「Yeah. See you.」
Right at the end, even though she smiled, I could see the sadness behind it.
Still, that’s the last time I’ll let her wear that face.
It might’ve been a brief encounter, but it still felt like fate.
Indirectly or not, she helped save my life.
Because she lived, I was able to meet Shiro and Wendy, and cross paths with Aina, Sorte, and Renge.
Thinking of it like that… yeah, it was worth it.
「Oh right, I gave that medicine to the old man over there, so I’m fresh out.」
「So instead—here, take this.」
He pulled out a single small vial.
The magic potion I somehow managed to make that morning.
The timing was so perfect, it was hard not to think it had all been for this moment.
It was something I’d gotten by chance—no reason to be stingy with it.
「Well then, take care. Even if she doesn’t like medicine, make sure she drinks it.」
I handed the potion to Souma, waved behind my back, and started heading out.
「I’ll arrange a carriage imme—wh-what is this!?」
「No need. I can walk. More importantly, make sure she drinks that, got it?」
「Origol-sama! Please, you must drink this!」
「Wh-what’s wrong, Souma? Don’t lose your compo—wait… no, it can’t be!」
I closed the door behind me and walked toward the exit.
What I handed over was likely the one thing she wanted more than anything.
If she didn’t have time to live freely, then all we had to do was give her more time.
Before long, I’m sure she’ll come visit my house for that bath.
Fully recovered by the holy elixir, she’ll show up with that same bright smile.
I’d better make sure the bath is nice and clean for that day.
With the sound of an old man’s sobbing behind me, I left the lord’s estate with that thought in mind.
-0-
At the gate, I spotted a group of three arguing with the gatekeeper.
All three had their tails puffed up in anger, and the situation looked ready to explode.
「I—SAID—if there’s no issue, just let us in already!」
「If you try to stop us, I’ll force my way through.」
「We really shouldn’t, but if push comes to shove, I’ve got your backssu.」
「No, seriously, even if it comes to shove, don’t.」
Trying to barge into the lord’s estate? Yeah, that’s a hard no.
「Master!」
「master!」
「My lord!」
「Ah, Alchemist-sama. You have my thanks…」
「Sorry, gatekeeper. Looks like my people caused some trouble.」
「No worries, sir. Just part of the job.」
The gatekeeper gave a wry smile.
He probably had to deal with this kind of thing all the time…
Next time I visit, I’ll bring him a little something. Really, sorry about all this.
「So, heading home now? I can arrange a carriage at once.」
「Nah, I’m already picked up. I’ll just walk.」
「As you wish. Please take care and do come again.」
「Yeah. As long as it’s not a sudden summons, I’ll bring some souvenirs and drop by.」
「Haha, I’m sure Origol-sama would be delighted.」
I raised my hand with a casual “see ya”, only to find three very grumpy faces blocking my way.
「Lord. We were worried.」
「Seriously! One moment you vanish, the next you’re riding off in the lord’s carriage—what were you thinking!?」
「I knew it… it’s definitely my fault, isn’t itssu…」
「Well… sort of, but not really. Anyway—」
I pulled all three of them into a tight hug.
「Hmm, lord, you’re squishing me」
「H-hey! Wha—wha-wha-wha!」
「Such a passionate embracessu! Are we all getting eaten together tonightssu!?」
「Don’t tease. Thanks for worrying about me.」
I’d hugged them before I even realized it—because I was just that happy.
They’d truly been concerned about me, and it showed.
Honestly, I was glad to be alive.
If I get to experience moments like this, then yeah, it’s all worth it.
「Hmm… lord, were you scared?」
「Nah. Not at all.」
「T-then let go already! The gatekeeper’s been staring at us this whole time!」
「Probably jealous. But you’re mine—no way I’m sharing.」
「Master, you really act like a kid sometimesssu. Should I let you nap on my lap tonightssu?」
「With my head or my hips?」
「…On second thought, never mindssu.」
「Tch.」
「He just clicked his tongue. Total pervert.」
「That’s so lord.」
I really thought I could keep the flow going there…
Shame.
A real shame.
「Anyway, let’s head home. Where’s Wendy and Aina?」
「We had them stay behind so we wouldn’t miss each other. Getting Wendy to stay was tough. Left alone, I think she really would’ve blasted the lord’s mansion with magic.」
「…Good job, Shiro.」
「We helped too, y’knowssu!」
「Wendy totally loses it whenever it comes to you…」
「Yeah. I know. Thanks, both of you. Let’s pick up some treats on the way back to make it up to them.」
「Meat!」
「I want something sweet.」
「I want boozessu!」
「Yeah yeah. We’ll pass through the marketplace, and while we’re at it, let’s stop by and let the shopkeeper know Renge’s okay.」
「Ah, good ideassu! I wanna apologize to the bearkin shopkeep toossu. And we should let the other shop folks know toossu!」
And so the four of us made our way home, strolling through the northern district’s shopping street and picking up some things along the way.
Merchants who knew Renge ended up giving us a bunch of stuff for free, and I felt bad enough about it that I ended up buying even more than I planned—necessary expenses, I’d say.
After we got home, Wendy clung to me and refused to let go, so I couldn’t even cook for a while.
The four of us ended up suffering through our hunger together…
But hey, that definitely wasn’t my fault.
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