Kays Translations

Chapter 169 Icehouse, please look forward to it!

　The next morning, just like yesterday, I saw my brother Alex off before heading to the royal castle. The elder brother gave me a mouthful. “Be quiet,” he said to me.

　If you’ll allow me to say so, I’m always mature. Trouble comes from the other side with a leek on its back. It’s not my fault.

“I just wish everyone would shut up.”

“Not so fast, little Julius. Our employer is Master Alex, who is now in command of this townhouse.”

"Hmm, aren't you planning on joining my command?"

　He shook his head. He said he didn’t want to. He hates me.

　While I was feeling a little disappointed, a royal carriage arrived at the gate. Today, just like yesterday, the national emblem of the country is clearly displayed on the front.

　It’s only a matter of time before this becomes a rumor. A royal carriage passes by the Margrave Heine family townhouse every day. Is this good? I’m sure father and brother will have their heads in the sand.　I don’t think it’s my fault. Maybe.

　The carriage sways along the road leading to the royal castle. The reason Dona Dona's song didn't come to my mind right away is probably because there is a glimmer of hope in the place I'm about to go.

　After all, I can make my favorite magic potion. Although I cannot make it freely right now, it will be possible once I teach them some things to a certain extent. My dreams are getting bigger and bigger.

　Just like yesterday, the carriage entered the royal castle without any particular checks being carried out. I wonder what would happen if I tried to bring something dangerous into the castle. I’d like to think that’s how much they trust me.

　I have swordsmanship practice today, but of course I didn't bring my own sword. it is forbidden to bring weapons into the royal castle. The same goes for high-ranking aristocrats. Only knights are allowed to carry weapons.

　There were already people waiting to greet me at the stop. There are five of them today. The surrounding knights and mages watched the situation, twisting their heads in wonder. It's only a matter of time before there are rumors about me in the royal castle. I have to do something before that happens.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Julius-sensei.”

　I managed to stifle a smile even though my face was about to pull away. Smile, smile. I don’t want any rumors to get out that I was scolding the Royal Court Potion Masters. I headed straight for the headquarters of the Royal Court Potions Division.

“You see, Giovanni-sama, I have memorized the way here, and I also have servants. So you don’t need to come pick me up in the morning.”

“But everyone wants to go. Today, too, we were all going to go together, but we were afraid that it would be too conspicuous, so we drew lots and decided only five would go.”

　Yeah. I recognize that effort. I admit it, but something is different. If all 15 of them had come, there would have been an uproar. If something like that were to happen, the servant would have written it down in his notebook. Oh, he’s writing this right now.

“It’s all right. I can get here on my own, so from now on I won’t need to be picked up.”

“Oh, no.”

　The royal potion masters look disappointed, but I respond with a taunt. I mustn’t let them indulge me here. If I do that, the rumors about my presence will become even bigger. I must stop it at this point.

“Well then, today we’ll start making the advanced recovery potions. From what I gathered yesterday, the quality of the materials isn’t very good, so we won’t be able to make a high-quality product, but you can still learn how to make one.”

“I understand. Julius-sensei, I look forward to working with you today!”

　Everyone spoke in clear unison. Ah, the servant is writing something in his notebook again. I don't think I can make any more excuses.

　It seems that the method for making advanced recovery potion I taught them was revolutionary, and the scales fell from everyone's eyes.

“Julius-sensei, is it okay for you to teach us a secret technique like this?”

“No, it’s not a secret technique. It’s normal, okay?”

“This is normal. As expected of Margaret-sama. She was a disciple of the world’s greatest potion master.”

　Grandma was a disciple of an amazing person? No, but yes. The “book of magic potions” that I inherited from her was obviously different. Even if there were some scribbles, the characters used were different from those of the current era. Where did Grandma’s master get it from?

　The mystery only deepens, but no one will ever know the truth of it again. I wish I had heard more about it from Grandma.

“Both the quality of the advanced recovery Potion  and the strong antidote must be improved before the quality of the panacea can be improved beyond that. It is a skill that is absolutely necessary in order to make a proper panacea.”

"I can't believe you would be so generously teach us that. Julius-sensei, we will never reveal this secret technique to anyone."

　Everyone nodded with serious gazes, including Giovanni-sama.

　Yes, I don’t mind if you let it out. This is a technique that I will reveal to the public once I become an adult and become a full-fledged potion master. It’s just that it will speed up the process. Or rather, it might be quicker if a royal palace potion master were to propagate it. 

　But asking them to do that would be a bad idea. I’m sure they won’t like it, and they’ll definitely put my name out there. The idea of a pre-adult child revolutionizing the way magic potions are made is dangerous!

“Well, I think it can’t be helped if some secrets are leaked. However, I ask you to keep what I have taught you to yourself. If the secret gets out, my life may be in danger.”

"That's certainly true."

"We can't talk about this. Shouldn't we make a 'blood pact'?"

“Don’t do that.”

　Oof. I said something I shouldn’t have. If you sign a “blood contract” with me, aren’t you one step away from becoming my slave? Oh, don’t write down those lines in your notebook.

　Deciding that it was not a good idea to continue this conversation any further, I decided to forcefully bring up the icehouse.

“By the way, I’ve drawn a blueprint of the ice house I told you about the other day. I’d like to hear your opinions.”

“You’ve drawn the blueprints for the icehouse?”

“In one day?”

　All the royal potion masters are looking at each other. Maybe they really didn't expect me to come up with the blueprints? But this is a matter that needs to be dealt with immediately. There is little point in the refrigerator.

　Everyone looks at the blueprint I spread out on the table. There is no response from everyone. It seems that they’re in a daze. I knew building an icehouse was a bad idea after all.

　But you know, I think it would be worse to make a box for long-term storage. That’s not only because it’s ancient technology, but because it uses technology that doesn’t exist in this world. It’s not even on the level of “op arts”.

TL Note:

*Dona Dona”, popularly known as “Donna, Donna”, is a song about a calf being led to slaughter, written by Sholom Secunda and Aaron Zeitlin

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