Chapter 199: Watchdog and Escort

　While I was talking with them about magical tools, it was time for dinner. Apparently, dinner would be brought to our room. Thank goodness I wasn’t eating with His Majesty the King or anything.

“I’m going to check on the compounding room until dinner is ready.”

“We’ll be right behind you.”

“Eh, me too!?”

　Ijidol frowned, perhaps remembering that smell from the compounding room, and let out a voice of surprise. Axel wanted to take Ijidol with him, although he had no intention of forcing him to come.

“Yes. We are Julius’s watchdogs and bodyguards.”

“I-I see.”

　Ijidol seemed to understand, and got up from the sofa. It seems that he is aware of his role as a watchdog. …I guess that’s what you think, right? Am I the kind of person who’s unpredictable? I’m a little depressed.

　The mixing room was still filled with a peculiar smell. However, there was nothing in particular to point out, whether it was my good guidance earlier or the skill of the royal potion masters.

“Everyone is doing really well. Since this is the case, you won’t need my guidance anymore.”

“What are you talking about? It’s because Julius-sensei’s instruction was precise and very easy to understand.”

“That’s right. We’ve broken new ground in temperature control and pressure control.”

　I thought that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but apparently it wasn’t, and everyone’s eyes sparkled. It seems they are also sharing my teachings with others.

　With this kind of unity, we can create a panacea without any problems.

　If they can make a panacea, they’ll be able to make magic potions of the same level of difficulty without any problems. Advanced magic potions take several people and several days to make.

　This is the real world. It’s not like in the game. It’s not the same as me with my cheat ability.

　After confirming that the panacea was being completed safely, I instructed them to take turns eating, resting, and sleeping. I told them so repeatedly that no one could blatantly ignore me.

　When I finished checking the compounding room and returned to our room, dinner was ready. Apparently, they started preparing it the moment we left the compounding room. All the food was still warm.

“It’s so luxurious!”

“Ijidol, you must wash your hands with soap and water. You don’t want to catch a cold.”

　After making sure to wash my hands and gargle, I took my seat. As usual, I pray to God before eating my meal. Today’s dinner consisted of roast beef, golden soup, bread, and fresh salad. Everything was delicious.

“I never thought I’d be able to eat something so delicious. I never expected it.”

“I know. I have to make sure I really taste it.”

“You can have a second helping, so feel free to eat.”

　Saying this, the three of us eat our meals together. I don’t care about table manners. It’s always better to eat as you like. Thank goodness the two of you are staying with me. If it had been just me, I would have had to eat with His Majesty the King and miss Daniela.

　It’s outrageously exhausting to eat while being constantly concerned about table manners. It would have tasted absolutely terrible.

“I’m glad you two are here.”

“What’s up with you all of a sudden?”

“Did something happen?　You want to talk to me about it?”

　That feeling alone is enough. When I said that, I received strange looks from the two of them. With this, I also made friends in the royal capital. If there are encounters, there are also partings. That’s what it means to be alive.

　I was worried about Chloe-sama and Miss Carolina, but it’s true that there’s nothing I can do about it. This world is dominated by an aristocratic society. We have no choice but to follow that flow.

“Now that you mention it, you came to the royal capital to teach the Royal Palace Potions Masters, right? What will you do when that’s over?”

“I’m going back to my territory capital when it’s over. I wasn’t planning to leave the capital in the first place.”

“So you won’t be coming back to the royal capital again?”

　Axel’s eyes wandered. I shook my head and denied it.

“There may be times when His Majesty the King calls on me, as he did this time. Besides, there are a lot of new things coming into the royal capital. In order not to be left behind by the current of the times, I will try to visit  as much as possible from now on.”

　Naturally, I have no intention of living in the royal capital. I don’t have any freedom here. Besides, there are people I care about in the capital. I can’t abandon them.

“I see…then it might be a good idea for us to go to the Margrave Heine territory.”

“At that time, I will welcome you. The Margrave Heine territory has a variety of specialties that are just as good as those of the Royal Capital.”

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be there for sure.”

　The meal proceeded as we talked like this.

　After the meal, while the three of us were playing a card game, a servant brought a letter. It was a letter from Axel and Ijidol’s parents.

“Perhaps it says something about not being allowed to stay over?”

“Of course not. If it says that, I would ignore it.”

“Are you sure you can do that?　Your father will beat you.”

　Ijidol looked worried. Axel laughed at Ijidol.

“Well, then your father will burn you.”

“He won’t do that!”

　He’s right, he wouldn’t use magic at home. Well, if he did, the guards will catch him. A little bit nervous, I cut the seal on the letter with a paper knife the servant had given me.

　Both letters did not condemn the accommodation, but said please give my best regards.

　That’s right. If a powerful aristocrat asks you to say help him, you can’t refuse, and in fact, it’s normal to rejoice at the connection you’ve made. It would be a different story if my bad reputation had spread, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at the moment.

“It did say, “Best regards to you both.”

“Well, of course it did.”

“I know, right?”

　Ijidol let out a sigh of relief. I guess he thought they might get angry. Axel isn’t like that, but Ijidol seems to be more sensitive. I need to be careful with him about that.

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