"Sir, my plan isn't for a small workshop. I'm going to use all the buildings on the temple grounds to create a full-blown alchemy center."
An alchemy center, huh... Shen Tian nodded slowly. She'd need a ton of alchemists for that. So that's why she wants me.
"So you want to make me the head and then gather other alchemists?"
"Yes. Of course, I plan to pay a corresponding price. I'll guarantee a decent social standing, a place to live, and work for all the alchemists who settle in the Grand Duchy."
Status! For alchemists who were illegal residents, guaranteeing their status was a reward more tempting than anything else.
Neither I nor the other alchemists had any reason to refuse.
"……Hmm."
However, Shen Tian pretended to be troubled and cleared his throat. There was one more thing he wanted, wasn't there?
Even if he couldn't get guaranteed status, residence, and a job, there was one thing he still wanted.
The recipe for making the Elixir of the Gods!
Shen Tian licked his lips. Would she tell him about the recipe too?
However, the young Grand Duchess just sat still, waiting for his answer with sparkling eyes.
Should I play hard to get? As Shen Tian was thinking this, Row suddenly interjected.
He held Kinemia's hand tightly and said in a serious tone.
"I will do it."
"What?!"
"Master, stop wasting your days boozing and smoking. Let's do some good for once. The fairy's asking you, come on!"
"That little punk!"
Shen Tian raised his voice in anger, but—
Oh, a good person…! Contrary to his reaction, Kinemia's eyes lit up.
Kinemia and Row looked at each other with sparkling eyes and held hands tightly.
"Let's make this work."
"Yes, my Fairy!"
"Are you not listening to me?"
It was the moment when they were trying to finalize the contract in such a high-handed manner.
Snap-
Suddenly, a finger-snapping sound was heard from behind.
Whoosh-
Then, Row's hand, which Kinemia was holding tightly, slipped away, and he disappeared without a trace.
"……?"
Kinemia turned her head with a dumbfounded expression. Ahyan was suddenly right next to her, grinning from ear to ear.
"When did you get here…? No, what was that just now?"
"I just got here. Warp magic."
Ahyan answered the series of questions step by step.
"Warp magic?!"
Why suddenly?!
"Uh, where did you send him?"
Ahyan smiled brightly at Kinemia.
"The Dark Forest of No Name."
The 'Dark Forest of No Name' was the largest habitat for high-level monsters. Known to be more dangerous than dungeons, this forest was one of the three forbidden areas that humans should never approach.
"Bring him back right now!"
"Why?"
"How can you send someone to such a dangerous place!"
"Well, I'm your bodyguard, and you were being grabbed by some shady guy, weren't you?"
That lunatic... Kinemia's face was turning as white as a sheet.
"Are you angry?"
Ahyan tilted his head.
"Bring him back quickly!"
"Okay. Okay, don't be angry."
He lightly stroked Kinemia's cheek, spoke sweetly, and snapped his fingers.
Snap-
Then, Row reappeared in the same spot. He reappeared in a fighting stance, looking like he'd been through hell. His clothes were ripped to shreds, and his hair was a total mess.
"Are… are you okay?"
Kinemia asked cautiously, and Row rolled his eyes around. After checking on Kinemia, who was looking at him with worried eyes, and the room, he relaxed his stance.
"Oh, Fairy."
"Are you okay?!"
"Of course. This much is nothing... but…"
Row, who was smiling, whispered.
"Watch out. There's a wicked wizard here."
"Uh-huh…"
Kinemia, who answered vaguely, 's eyes wavered. He had perfectly grasped Ahyan's nature already, even though they hadn't even properly greeted each other yet.
"Shane, Ririne."
Kinemia called the maids and told them to prepare a bathroom and clothes for Row.
Ahyan, tilting his head, followed Row with his eyes as he returned unharmed, as if he was disappointed.
And Shen Tian, who had been watching all of this, put a cigarette he'd taken from the table in his mouth.
'That guy.'
More than his striking, beautiful appearance, what Shen Tian felt from the boy was…
'That guy... he's got a screw loose.'
It was the same feeling he got when he faced that psycho tyrant, Sing Kakan, back when he was living with the imperial family in the Eastern Continent—no, maybe even worse.
"It was a mistake. I won't do it again, so don't be angry. Okay?"
Shen Tian puffed out smoke while watching that crazy guy pretending not to be crazy and acting cute to the Grand Duchess.
'With a creep like that latched onto her, our young Grand Duchess is in for a rough time.'
Kinemia moved away from Ahyan and approached Shen Tian.
"Mr. Shen Tian."
In the back, the crazy guy was standing, facing the wall with his head bowed. It was because of Kinemia's order to stand like that until the conversation was over.
Shen Tian stroked his chin while looking at Ahyan's drooping shoulders.
'...Or maybe the young Grand Duchess has him wrapped around her finger?'
Shen Tian stopped himself from grinning widely, as he watched Kinemia approaching him with quick steps.
"Young Grand Duchess, about the offer from earlier…"
"I'll give you the recipe if you agree to just one condition."
"……!"
Shen Tian smiled. A bold young lady.
"What is that condition?"
"A lifetime contract with the Leon family."
"A lifetime contract?"
Shen Tian blinked at the unexpected words.
Kinemia nodded in affirmation.
Divine power is strong, but it's not very efficient. It takes one priest a long time to heal just one person.
On the other hand, potions can be mass-produced.
In the original story, as alchemists gathered and began to show their skills, the power of the clergy waned, and everyone was scrambling to scout alchemists.
'I can't let anyone poach my alchemists.'
To prevent the alchemists from being taken away, Shen Tian must be kept.
How? With a lifetime contract!
Kinemia waited for his answer with a nervous face.
"Ha-"
Shen Tian raised the corners of his mouth as if he found it interesting. A lifetime contract for alchemy, which is not common in the Western Continent. Isn't it too adventurous? However, in Kinemia's eyes, there was a firm belief in alchemy.
Yes, if she didn't believe in it, she wouldn't have made such a plan in the first place.
Besides.
'The recipe for making the Elixir of the Gods…!'
Shen Tian had learned about liquor from his master.
"*Xinghai*, I'm telling you, the Elixir of the Gods exists somewhere in this world."
But even his master couldn't find the Elixir of the Gods until he passed away. Wasn't this child the only one who had the recipe to make that Elixir of the Gods?
The owner of the recipe he had been searching for his entire life.
Considering the lifetime contract, the Eastern Continent, and the recipe, Shen Tian quickly came to a conclusion.
Unless the imperial family of the empire collapses, there is no chance of returning to the Eastern Continent anyway.
As long as he had status and the Elixir of the Gods, he didn't care where he lived.
Then there was only one conclusion.
Groaning lightly, Shen Tian stood up and looked around the room.
"Alright, young Grand Duchess. Where do I sign?"
Kinemia's face lit up, and her eyes started to twinkle.
'Cute.'
Shen Tian raised his sleeve and stroked Kinemia's hair. Kinemia blushed and smiled brightly.
"My aide will bring the contract soon. Please wait a moment."
"Alright."
"I thought it was a long shot, so thank you for agreeing."
Shen Tian burst into laughter.
"You're a real sweetheart, young Grand Duchess. I'm happy to be working with someone like you."
"Thank you for seeing me in a good light."
It was when the two were having a pleasant conversation, laughing and joking, that Ahyan, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watched the two with a face that showed he was not at all pleased.
'An alchemist, huh?'
Ricashine Ahyan knew more about alchemy than others.
If the temple ignores the Grand Duchy, then an alchemist is a good choice—no, it's a very clever choice.
But Ahyan was fidgeting with his hands, wanting to send the alchemist who was stroking Kinemia's hair away right now.
The instant he saw that ape holding Kinemia's hand, a knot of unease twisted in his gut.
Moreover, the very sight of Kinemia smiling brightly and being adored in front of that man was somehow displeasing.
It's not like he was trying to interfere with Kinemia's work, and he had no intention of doing so.
Ahyan lowered his gaze to the floor. His mind was a mess.
He wanted to rip open his chest and tear out whatever was making him feel so damn frustrated.
"Ah, it seems like they've brought the contract. Just a moment."
Kinemia said brightly and hurried off.
Ahyan, who'd been clenching and unclenching his fists for no reason, abruptly turned away.
