Kays Translations

Chapter 98: I Overdid It

Lionel immediately accepted my hygiene recommendations. After I repeated the instructions to the assembled knights, I tried to leave before their gratitude became unbearable.

“With these measures, we may finally eradicate athlete’s foot from the knight order,” Lionel said. “Thank you, Lord Julius. Many of the men have suffered from it.”

“I understand. I should have made the ointment sooner.”

Apparently, athlete’s foot plagued a great many people. A widely available cure could help thousands and earn a fortune.

Unfortunately, revealing that I had created it would be dangerous, and I couldn’t simply sell the recipe to the Magic Pharmacists’ Guild. Potion development was tightly regulated. Publishing a new formula required multiple approvals, and I would need to become a high-ranking magic pharmacist first.

That goal remained far away.

“Lord Julius, we’ll remember this kindness for the rest of our lives,” one knight declared.

Was it truly that serious?

Perhaps I could distribute it secretly through an unofficial route.

That might actually work.

“Lionel, the Plant Nutrient is also finished. Send someone to collect the barrels tomorrow, and prepare another trip to Mount Claire.”

“You’ve already completed it?”

His eyes widened, and his face tightened.

I had probably moved too quickly again. Perhaps I should have pretended the compounding required another day. Still, the saplings were in genuine danger; delaying would have been irresponsible.

“I’m relying on you.”

I hurried away before my expression betrayed me. Behind me, the knights erupted into cheers of “Long live Lord Julius!”

I fled.

Dinner was ready when I returned to the mansion. Rosalia and Mira were already in the dining room.

“Am I late?”

“We only just arrived,” Rosalia said. “Where were you?”

“At the knights’ quarters, delivering medicine.”

“I thought something had happened. Mira kept looking out the window for you.”

“Kyu.”

The response sounded like agreement.

Had I worried them?

“I’m sorry, Mira. Next time I leave, I’ll tell you first.”

“Kyu!”

Mira rubbed their head against my hand. Evidently, I was forgiven.

As the servants brought dinner, I asked Rosalia about her project.

“The water-producing magic circle is finished,” she said. “But I still can’t decide on the device’s shape. I’m testing different forms because the water doesn’t travel far enough.”

That was encouraging. She spoke about each failure with genuine delight. Enjoying experimentation was essential for any inventor.

“How did your work go, Big brother?”

“The potions are complete. I’ll probably return to Mount Claire soon.”

“As expected of you!”

Rosalia beamed.

Her praise made me uncomfortable. My success came from memories of the game, not extraordinary wisdom.

“I think you need a dedicated magic-tool workshop,” I said.

“A workshop?”

“Yes. Your bedroom and the salon limit what you can test. A water-producing device can’t be trialled safely indoors. A room designed for construction would be far more useful.”

I had never insisted on a workshop for myself because magic-tool making was secondary to potions. Rosalia, however, appeared ready to pursue it seriously. Without a proper room, she might eventually flood or destroy part of the mansion.

Perhaps she already had. I was afraid to ask the servants.

“I would love one, but will Father allow it?”

“I believe so. We have spare rooms, and future guests can use the annex instead. I can also say that we’ll share the workshop.”

“Then I’ll ask him.”

Father was hopelessly indulgent towards his daughter. He would almost certainly agree.

Rosalia wouldn’t always have this freedom. As the daughter of a margrave, she would probably marry into another noble house. Until then, I wanted her to pursue the work she loved.

My own path was easier. Like Grandmother, I could become a magic pharmacist employed by House Heine. The frontier offered political protection, financial support, and access to high-quality natural ingredients.

Had Rosalia been born a commoner, she might have become an independent master craftswoman. As a noblewoman, marriage could restrict her ambitions—although it would also provide status and security.

“Kyu?”

Mira watched me with an unexpectedly sorrowful expression.

“What’s wrong? Are you hungry?”

I smiled reassuringly and offered a piece of tangerine. Mira accepted it happily.

Perhaps I had imagined the sadness.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mira had understood more of my thoughts than I intended.

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