Chapter 550: Talking with Everyone

As soon as breakfast was finished, I headed straight for the indoor training hall. Work was already well underway when I arrived. Somehow, there seemed to be more people than the last time I’d been here, and the air itself felt charged with motivation, as though everyone’s spirits had been lit from within.

In the midst of that bustle, one of the guards who had accompanied us all the way from the Kingdom of Spencer noticed me and turned in my direction.

“Good morning, Julius-sama! I’ve heard all about it. They say the miracle powder bestowed by the gods has finally shown its true power!”

“You mean the purification powder. So the news has already spread to everyone here as well, has it?”

“Yes. Last night, Giovanni-sama told us all about it, and he was practically bursting with excitement. Thanks to that, this place is livelier than ever. After all, we’re part of that effort too.”

At his words, everyone present stopped what they were doing and turned toward me with bright, eager smiles.

So this is what a ray of hope does to people. It made them shine so vividly it was almost blinding. At this rate, though, I could easily imagine them pushing themselves far too hard. It was a good thing, of course—but I couldn’t allow their bodies to be ground down to nothing as the price for it.

“I don’t mind at all if you’re motivated, but you must make sure to take proper breaks. And if you feel even the slightest abnormality in your condition, stop working immediately and consult the alchemical pharmacists. You can come to me as well, of course.”

“Julius-sama… understood. We’ll make sure to do exactly that.”

They all nodded with serious expressions, so it should be fine. I trust you all, you know?

As I continued listening to their chatter, it seemed the story from last night’s dinner was rapidly spreading throughout the castle. A few people who’d caught wind of it had apparently come rushing over here as well.

Those newcomers claimed they were “just free at the moment.” Really now? Were they trying to give up their day off? I couldn’t let that slide.

I told anyone moving suspiciously to “make sure you actually rest on your days off” and sent them away. Drawing clear lines was important. If I allowed an exception here, it would surely turn into an endless slide toward year-round magic stone crushing. What was this, some kind of black company?

“Ahh, I’m really glad I came to check first thing in the morning.”

“I do feel a little sorry for them, but if they kept working without rest and collapsed, that would be a far bigger problem, wouldn’t it?”

Fabienne’s eyebrows curved into worried arches. It seemed she understood exactly how I felt. Playing the role of the heartless one wasn’t easy, either.

Still, judging by the situation, we’d probably need additional earplugs sooner or later. I should head to the workshop as is and place an order for more.

After firmly reminding the magic stone crushing team once again not to overexert themselves, I made my way to the workshop.

When I arrived, earplug production was already in full swing. Apparently, the dinner conversation had reached here as well. Or perhaps they’d heard it directly from the researchers. The two groups seemed to be on friendly terms, after all.

“Good morning. I was thinking of asking for more earplugs, but it looks like that won’t be necessary.”

“Julius-sama! Good morning! We’ve heard everything. You did it!”

“It’s thanks to the earplugs you all made, too.”

When I said that, everyone in the workshop laughed cheerfully. Maybe they thought I was joking? I was being completely serious, though. After that, we helped out with making earplugs ourselves while I lightly recounted what had happened during the purification trials.

I’d assumed there wouldn’t be much to tell, since they’d likely already heard from the researchers, but there were more questions than I’d expected.

I should probably explain things properly to the magic stone crushing team again as well. Later, I’d invite them to take a break and talk it through.

At the end of the morning, I headed to the compounding room. There, the alchemical pharmacists were busy producing purification powder and beginner-grade stamina recovery potions. It seemed they were currently waiting for another shipment of powdered magic stones for the purification powder, so they were making other potions in the meantime.

“It looks like the work is going smoothly.”

“Julius-sama! We heard the field test was a success. The researchers told us all about it.”

“Yes, the results were exactly the same as our tests here.”

The alchemical pharmacists nodded with bright smiles. This was a major step forward. They must feel proud of what they’d accomplished.

“I’ve just come from observing the magic stone crushing site. I suspect the number of people assigned to crushing magic stones will increase from here on out.”

“That’s wonderful news. Just as you were worried about, Julius-sama, we’re definitely short on magic stone powder.”

“If only we had an orichalcum grindstone… but in the end, we’ll have to manage through sheer manpower.”

We were currently having people search for an orichalcum grindstone. If one turned up, things would become a little easier. Unfortunately, no one had ever even heard of such a thing.

Even if a blacksmith did own one, they’d probably keep it secret out of fear of theft. It couldn’t be helped. The chances were slim, but for now, it was all we could cling to.

After finishing the inspection, I returned to my room and had lunch with Fabienne and Nero. I’d invited Lionel as well, but he declined, saying he wanted to gather information. For Lionel, lunchtime seemed to be an important opportunity to deepen connections with others. I’d have to be careful not to get in his way from now on.

“We really are short on magic stone powder, huh.”

“It does seem that way. Is it impossible to turn magic stones into powder using magic?”

“Hmm… I’ve never heard of that.”

“Then what about using some kind of potion to turn magic stones into powder? Ah—if that were possible, we’d already be doing it, wouldn’t we?”

Nero answered his own question and slumped in disappointment. If only it were that simple. Magic stones were among the hardest substances in this world. The common understanding was that breaking them was outright impossible.

“Magic stones that have already been used up as fuel for magic tools are easy to break, though.”

“Then… could you pour magic power into those crushed stones again? Ah—if that were possible, we’d be reusing magic stones over and over, wouldn’t we?”

Once again, Nero concluded on his own and looked crestfallen. Fabienne, sitting beside me, let her shoulders droop as well. It seemed she’d arrived at the same thought.

If only that were possible. There was no magic tool in this world capable of recharging magic stones with mana.

…Though, in truth, it could be made.　

Now then—what should I do about that?