Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

Chapter 19: Five Obstinate People Under the Earth

Chapter 19: Five Obstinate People Under the Earth

. Hrmm.

In a private study also commonly known as an atelier set up within the lab, I, who have just finished touring around most parts of the facility, am indulging myself in my thoughts. Save for the lacking manpower and a lot of points that need improvement in terms of sanitation, this new laboratory has been running in an extremely smooth manner. Mining, smelting and refining activities; weapon development; pharmacology research; magic experiments. Theyre all going well, but.

It seems like that theres a bit of an excess in resources

Thats right. Originally, the deposits lie far in the remote recesses of the mountains, and it would be difficult to develop them using ordinary means. In exchange, however, the reserves of ores they held were vast. To the point that Laubert wasnt at all talking big when he said about it being comparable to the average annual revenue of the country. Though, that means, dig too much of it and the resources will pile up too much too, which will then result in a capacity shortage in the storage facilities.

Anyhow, the material known as gold is a heavy one. Like, seriously heavy. Gold is about two to up to five times the weight of iron at the same volume. Though I read it from some sort of a book in the previous life, there seems to be a case of a whole floor giving in, damaging the building in the process, due to an excessive storage of gold. Im not so sure if that kind of thing wont happen in this underground facility, even when this place has been reinforce through alchemy here and there.

I have to figure out some sort of ways to make use of them. In the first place, I made this large vein into a lab because I had wanted to make use of the various materials excavated from the place. Experiments and productions that are currently being carried out are an extension of the research that Ive done up to the present. Id like to make use of the special quality of this facility and commence some extravagant research using this abundant gold and silver any time now. Theres not one single alchemist who can conduct their research under these favourable conditions, even in the research history that I read back in the academy. Isnt it such a waste to leave these resources to rot?

Well then, how should I put these gold and silver into practical use?

How about arms and armour for Uni and the Opus Series? Theres a lot of things I want to do in this regard, but in truth, Victor and the officials stopped me from doing so. I understand that even their present equipment rivals, or even exceeds, the equipment of the strongest knights order in the kingdom. As it is, itd be inevitable that the higher-ups will carp at me if things turned out badly and they were to discover these items, and with my current political circumstances it would be dangerous for me to be having any more of these problems. So to say, if I were to reason that the expansion of these armaments were for the sake of national defence, Ill draw the enmity of other countries instead. If I were to do this, Ill just bring ruin to myself.

Then, why dont I use them as materials to be used for the labs environment improvement plan? No no no, that wont do, that wont do. The place would be all glittery and it would be hard to settle in. A lab coated with gold and silver would drive me crazy, I would die. It wont be a suitable place to live for humans with properly working nervous systems. And besides, processing stones is much more economical than using gold. Its not a problem of money, its just the problem of labour when producing these building materials with alchemy.

I had thought of making a large magic tool like the portal gate or the cooling device in the mansion, but it would be a waste of time to make these large things without a purpose in hand. The resources dedicated for my main research to probe into the concept of immortality is not to be sneezed at as well. Well, it doesnt take that much, but I dont feel like devoting the labour needed for the invention Id fancy about.

Almost there, is there really nothing I can do with them? A practical and meaningful way to use these silver and gold

- Thats it. Why dont I make a golem?

Inspiration suddenly came up to me. Thats right, golem sounds good. There are, more or less, various ways to utilise them, and above all, I dont have that much experience when it comes to making golems out of those materials. During my time in the academy, Ive tried making golems out of diverse materials, but the Alchemy Department there was a destitute one. And as one might expect, I dont have any experience of making golems using those precious materials. I might as well make the golem so elaborate to the point that its ridiculous just for the kick of it.

Hm? Now that I think about it, simply making them out of gold and silver would be boring. Rather, why dont I make a gold-silver based magic alloy instead? Right, that sounds good. Lets go with that.

When I decided so, for some reason theres this indescribable feeling that I used to feel back in my childhood days.

Like I said, Im an advocate of efficiency. But Im a romanticist at the same time. If I dont have a fragment of that romance in me, then Ill end up just spending my time in vain when I reach immortality. If its indeed possible for me to reach immortality, then Id like to keep this pure feeling at that time, and also all the way up until that point.

Right, somehow I can feel motivation and creative urge rising and stirring inside of me!

So this is the so-called inspiration? Ideal materials and swell ideas, and the explosive desire for action born when both of these factors combined. In my life, this feeling has often yields me great results. Its a feeling like what I felt back when I performed my marvels on Uni. The ingenious idea of having the potential-laden Uni and utilising alchemy to polish that very aspect has given me my crowning work of all.

Surely, this time, I can make something magnificent. Shivering with the premonition of that masterpiece-to-come, I merrily work on the raw materials that will be the masterpieces basis first.

Master? Th, this is..

Perhaps out of her concern to the fact that Ive shut myself in the atelier for quite a while, Uni sticks out her face from the entrance door.

Eh. thats strange? From what I know, unless I call for her directly, it isnt often for Uni to enter without knocking.

Ah, eh? Uni? Just now, did you knock?

The voice that came out from my throat was hoarse, almost like it was ridden with rust. Hmmm? Did I catch a cold or something?

Upon hearing that voice, Unis face quickly loses its colour.

. Master. My apologies for replying your question with my own question, but when did you last go to sleep?

And then she curiously stared my way.

Aaah. Could it be that Ive been shutting myself here for days?

Yes, today would be the fifth day.

He, hum, is that so..

What, five days!? Did she say it has been five days!?

Im astounded in spite of myself. Now that she said that, I remember that I told Uni to make me whatever meals just for me to preserve myself and stay away from this place for awhile. Ive been in such a rush in this creation of my personal pastime, that the reality that Ive been here for five days slipped through me.

. You shouldve called when I was midway of it.

I know Im in the wrong here, but for some reason the words of complaint were rushing through my mouth.

My apologies. But.. I did call several times, but, errrr, every time I did so, Master replied, I, Im busy

Wow, now the faults completely mine.

And now that she said that, I kind of remember that there were several exchanges with someone from the other side of the door. But, as I thought, I couldnt remember what I said then. Eh? Back then, when Uni was recalling my replies, didnt she hesitate, like there was something she couldnt say? Could it be that I said something in a terribly harsh way that I cant seem to recall now? Something like, Keep your trap shut! My hands are bloody tied right now!?

Just imagining it depresses me. What am I, like some kind of a shut-in useless son shouting angrily at his mother for worrying about him? Oh wait, thats exactly the case now is it.

Im sorry.

Master?

I spontaneously go down on my hands and knees and lower my head. Just what is this remorseful feeling my heads all spinning and my mood is crashing down. It feels like I want to plant my head on this very spot of the floor right now.

Im sorry for being born. Im really sorry for being alive..

. Ma, master? Are you going mad? Did Opus-04 bit you? Get a hold of yourself!

As she said so, she grabbed me by the nape of my neck and dragged me outside the room. She dragged me as it is through the teleport gate bound for the residence. As I take that feeling in, my consciousness grows hazier

And so, here we are.

Are you a moron? No, Your Excellency, perchance, might you actually be intellectually challenged?

Give it a rest, Victor. The lord has already said that hes reflecting, and the fact that hes indeed sorry has already made clear, so lets stop rebuking him over and over again now.

And so on, the two among the top brass of my ranks of vassals has been persistently lecturing and continuously rebuking me. These two sure have some fine personalities. Especially Laubert, who smoothly delivered the killing blow while laughing.

TL Note: fine personalities may also be translated as great guts

I already said sorry, alright? Im reflecting. I wont do it again.

Please say I absolutely wont ever do it again instead.

At my words, Victor makes the gesture of placing his hand on his forehead as if hes enduring a headache.

If your head hurts that much I can fix it with lobotomy, though.

To that he said,

Rather than a symptomatic therapy; Id say I need a radical treatment more.

And so I was cut off.

After that incident, I understand that Uni dragged me out, brought me back to the residence, washed me like how shed wash the dishes, and left me to sleep for an entire two days. On paper it seems to be quite terrible, but the fact that I got away with just that is all I couldve asked for. At worst, its not impossible for me to drop dead due to overwork after working for five days straight without rest. If I were to die because I got too absorbed in my hobby before I reached immortality, then why bother in the first place?

As I thought so, Victor shifted his gaze from me who didnt even grumble to Uni, whos refraining by my side.

Madam Chief Maid, please do not spoil His Excellency too much. Surely theres at least some will left in you to say something at times like these?

. I am terribly sorry.

Uni obediently lowers her head. Seeing my number one Opus being talked down like this makes me a bit irritated.

Hold on there. In this matter, Uni isnt that much at a fau

Yes, the primary offender here is His Excellency.

And at that very moment Laubert pursued me. What a shrewd man. Although Im glad he didnt turn into an enemy, even as my ally he still gives me the tingles and I cant help it.

No, Master isnt at fault here. The fault lies in me, who couldnt fulfil the role of remonstrating my lord-

Yes, ah, right. Thats right. Please take care of His Excellency properly from this point onwards, Madam Chief Maid.

As Uni stands up to protect me, Lauberts face twitches.

Just whats with this atmosphere Its not Unis words, but, did being around Charl really infect me with some sort of a strange disease?

Well, putting that aside

Please dont try to end the topic, Your Excellency. But, well, certainly, this has been quite the fruitless discussion..

Victor agrees, while his face seems wants to say: it cant be helped. Then lets advance the topic right away.

As I thought, its important to avoid losing the sense of time when shutting myself inside a large room where the sun doesnt shine. No, its not only me, how was it for you when you were there, Laubert?

Lets see. It feels like its always night-time down there, it does make me forget even things like what day is today again?. Though for a vampire like that man, it seems that hes always healthy in a place like that Certainly, Charl would be stronger in a place in a dark and sealed environment where the sunlight would be nothing but harmful to the inhabitants like that. But vampires are fundamentally like that no matter where.

That said, Id like to propose to adopt the sunlight to the environmental improvement plan, how does that sound?

Sunlight, in the undergrounds?

Yes, among the byproducts of our gold-mining, we also have quartz too, yes? If we use that and make them into glass tubes and stretch them, its possible to transmit the sunlight from the ground up to the deep undergrounds through the tube.

Its also commonly called as optical fiber. If this method succeeds, itll be possible to cultivate greens which require sunlight as a necessity in the undergrounds as well. Itll also be possible to secure the necessary amount of sunshine for human body to work properly, and will also contribute to normalise the residents biological clock. Apparently, those advantages clicked with the clear-headed home affairs expert pair too.

So even that is possible. But if the sunlight reaches the undergrounds, then itll be hard on the vampires.

Of course, Ill restrict the light to reach select sections only. Direct sunlight will damage some of the materials, and its effect on paper is not good either. Well, the current, rather humid and dusty, environment is also as bad in these regards, though.

A little amount of sunlight wont put Charl in pain, but he still wont feel good about it. At the end of the day, this lighting plan is merely to refresh humans, and also, agriculture. Since the plan takes time and labour, as expected I have no intention to completely illuminate the undergrounds.

Hmm, its indeed an interesting plan. If this can be realised, it wont be impossible for that underground space to attain complete self-sufficiency. By any chance, Your Excellency, have you planned this out for quite some time now?

I just feel that I have to tackle things starting from this matter as early as I can. In truth, I had wanted to start by expanding the underground space first.

Then why dont we start from there? If we want the environment to be more comfortable, then shouldnt we by all means do that? Besides, I think that its easier to plan early where theres plenty of room for expansion, rather than later.

Laubert said. Since he knows the pain of going way under, his remarks was valid.

Theres just a bit of a problem there. See, were going to bring light from the outside, yes? Which means, the facility to let the sunlight in must be built on top of the lab.

Aah, I see.

Imagine. In the depths of a remote mountain, there lies a mysterious facility of glass tubes, piercing the earth towards the undergrounds. Due to geographical factor, people wont run into them that quickly, but when people do run into them, that sight will stand out. I mean, really stand out. Then rumours like there must be some sort of a secret hideout below will spread like wildfire. In the unlikely event when people actually approach them, were out.

TL Note: out in the sense of baseball out.

And it just so happens that the development of the new mines for business in Marlin has just been tendered out. Depending on how much revenue they make, some prospector will want to look for a new vein throughout the region and they will come one after another. If someone among them made the wrong turn and broke into the mountain where the lab is located, its a given that the lab will be discovered too. And then the information will find its way to the capital, where my brother and Victors father remains.

But thatll only be a matter of time, right? And so, theres this considerably large vein in Lauberts report. This vein can also be pinpointed by the gold dust in the river bed. Lets defiantly expand the facility as much as we wish here. It lies literally in the middle of nowhere, far in the depths of the mountains, itll take days for a small band of prospectors to discover it.

But since Your Excellency took the trouble to say all these things, I suppose theres some kind of a good-for-nothing countermeasure in place there too, yes?

As expected from one of the pair of famous young official whos running these frontiers. What fine decisiveness and foresight.

Yeah. Theres still time until the results of the mine revenue are out and prospectors begin to move, add to that the interval between them moving and them discovering the facility. With that, theres enough cards to play in our hands. Though, as Laubert said, the plan is a good-for-nothing one.

Ah, figured so.

One of the pair shifts his gaze toward heaven, and the other shifts his gaze the other way. As to who did what, well, it doesnt matter.

As both of them seems to have lost their will to ask further at the same time, Uni came to ask.

Then, Master, what is your plan?

Yes. Needless to say, Marlin is a hinterland in the frontiers. And for that, we do have an abundance of nature and plenty of pristine lands where humans hands dont reach. Our lab is among those lands.

And thats why I could do something like digging and drilling during the wintertime. I could do something like moving huge golems to excavate the grounds, since the land is so secluded to the point it was impossible to be found out by any single soul.

However.. In a pristine secluded land like this, youd think there should be at least one or two undiscovered dungeons, yes?

Victor stood up, not realising he was making clatters and loud noises as he rose. His face turns so pale its almost worrying.

Not minding Victor, Uni nods.

I see, so on top of the lab thats substantially similar to a dungeon, Master is planning to make another new dungeon.

Another dungeon? I wont do something so stingy like that. Two. I did say one or two back then, didnt I?

. So the lighting facility will be placed on a dungeon, and the surrounding mountains will also help to achieve the purpose of camouflaging the facility.

Madam Chief Maid, why are you being so calm here?! Were talking about dungeons here! Setting aside the covert place where the underground space where the lab lies, to think the very mountain will be turned into a dungeon itself! If those people in the capital were to catch a whiff of this, itd be good if it could end with just a summons from the high court! At worst, a whole army of the strongest knights order and adventurers could come knocking, you know!?

Still pale, Victor keeps rattling on about his objections. Well, of course he would. What Im proposing here is basically picking a fight with the kingdom just so the underground labs environment can be improved.

However,

No, I think its quite the good idea, though?

Laubert!? Have you gone mad? Did he perform another readjustment on you when you were down under?!

Well, what he said was a bit rude. However, it seems that Laubert has noticed the merits of the plan.

Im in my right mind. Well, I wonder if a someone whose head has been tampered with can be right in their mind, though. Victor, you were saying about if those in the capital were to catch a whiff of this, but like His Excellency said, Marlin is one of the most remote regions, even in the southern parts of the kingdom. If someone were to learn that theres a dungeon here, as long as they dont know that His Excellency made it himself, it wont lead to his impeachment.

What did you say?

Indeed, Marlin is a frontier, and the location of my lab is among its most secluded place unprecedented by any human intelligence. If there were to be an undiscovered dungeon in such a place, it wouldnt explicitly lead people to question my management responsibility as its lord. As more people enter into mine development than ever before, they happen to stumble upon an undiscovered dungeon as well. I can do with this answer.

Well.. thats certainly.. no. but, theres still a problem there, Your Excellency. Even if you manage to tell people that the dungeon you constructed yourself is an unprecedented discovery, what about the materials used to construct the dungeon itself? If you want to fortify the mountain, then itll be fine if you deploy tree-type monster there, but the lighting facility will be placed there as well and itll be a considerably large artifact. If people were to use Detect spell on it and figure out when it was built, then doesnt that mean that we risk losing everything here?

As expected from Victor, you certainly make a good point. However, you do know that alchemists do have an alias, yes?

Swindler, isnt it? No, its not like Im doubting Your Excellencys skills though

No, Im not talking about that. Its just that its the prevailing view. Here, look.

All of a sudden, a bundle of parchments were thrown at him. From the look of it, they look considerably aged.

Oh. What is this? Hmm, these seems to be two hundred years old, I see. Its curious that nothing is written here, though.

And, he skillfully appraised the parchments age. Actually, Victor has some magic potential with him. If its only basic spells, even him can use it. A spell like Detect would have great use in assessing fine arts that is indispensable for those of the nobility, so of course hed know the spell.

For this time only though, his answer was way off.

Those are parchments for official document use that I bought a while ago.

Ah, I see. So, youre not trying to pull one on me, yes? I know that Your Excellency is an eccentric person, but just who would buy a useless parchment like this?

You still dont get it?

Dont get what?

I was just about to tell perplexed Victor the answer when someone interjected.

No way did you disguise a brand new parchment as a two-hundred years old by using alchemy?

It was Laubert. What he said was correct, but I wish he had read a bit more into it. Even though I had wanted to make a joke about it with a posed look

He got it. So, your appraisal spell has just given you the wrong answer, how do you feel about it?

How!? .. The washed-up colour can indeed be forged, but, theres no way it could fool an appraisal spell..!

Somehow Victors role is to be the surprised one here. Perhaps its because hes just serious by nature.

Well, I vamped up the parchment so it gave an impression that it is two hundred years old when its appraised by a spell. Its possible that the alchemists of old used to profit by forging fine arts. If they did that, its possible for them to get filthy rich even if they couldnt turn lead into gold. Hence the swindler alias.

I havent heard anything that could substantiate that account though. Well, alchemy is a minor field in this world. Just how many barristers at that time were wise enough to expertly prove that a fraud was taking place? In the first place, how many victims realised that they were scammed in the first place?

Uni gives an additional explanation to the shaking Victor,

As there are many things that are irreversibly impaired over time, renewing old things prove to be a difficult task, it is however surprisingly easy to make new things seem old. Its possible for another alchemist as skilled as Master to see through the ruse, but

At the very least, you wont find anyone like that in this kingdom. And I have the confidence to insist on that. So far, the only alchemist comparable to me that Im aware of is the professor who used to be my mentor.

And theres no people with spare time whod bother bringing an alchemist to appraise a dungeons building material, nor theres people whod put their trust in this field in the first place. Besides, Professor Graumann is a foreigner. Even if someone from this country were to request him to do so, hes not obliged to comply. Hes also currently busy researching immortality as well, just like me.

What a staggering amount of preparation. For someone who has yet to reach twenty, its impressive that youve came so far on this path. Is there some sort of a secret behind it?

Victors words were more of an expression of astonishment rather than a praise. Perhaps he never thought that alchemy- a field that is, albeit a discipline in the arcane, minor would have so much impact in this world, starting from the fact that he was brainwashed using knowledge from that field. And come to think of it, the fact that someone whos not even in their twenties could master that field to this extent mightve been a menacing one.

From my point of view, its just that, it seems that the other alchemists are doing their research in a terribly roundabout way.

Theres a lot of unseparated portions between alchemy and natural sciences. For some reason, the knowledge of medicine-making and chemical composition is included in the field of alchemy. In my previous world, it seems that before the age of Newton, alchemists were once viewed as scientists, it seems that this world has the same confusion as well.

So, as a person who have received a basic education in a world where science has made progress, I could tell the noise in the field and concentrate only on the alchemy portion. That is why my rate of progress was different than my fellow student.

If theres another factor to it, then,

Also, he performs more human experimentations than any other people, that counts too, I suppose?

I see.

Victor nods at Lauberts words. Seems like another rude remark was thrown in there, but well, Laubert was correct. The data obtained from human experimentation has been most useful. For you see, as the outcome of the research is aimed for humans, the research should also be actually experimented on human bodies. Once, there was a certain country that turned out victorious in a war, and they took the research data obtained from human experimentation from the defeated country. They didnt take it to turn it into evidence in the court, they took it so they could make use of it and advance their own countrys medicine and weapon development. That harvested data was just that valuable and helpful. Well, its something that happened in my previous world, so my memory about it is all fuzzy.

As I think about those miscellaneous things,

Master, you should return to the original topic.

Whoops, right, theres still that. So, the point is, even if we were to make a dungeon in the depths of the mountains, the possibility of connecting that to me is minimal. It can instead obstruct people from discovering the lab, and that there is a plus.

I see, I understand that it may be good for Your Excellency as an alchemist. However, as the lord who governs this land, just what kind of dungeon which is technically a monsters den will you personally make? If the monsters were to overflow from there, for a territory with inadequate armaments like Marlin, things will be rough.

As a home affairs official, that opinion was becoming of him. However, Im not negligent enough to forget about those parts.

Since itll be built in a remote place, I feel that the impact on the people will be minimal, though? Well regularly thin them out so they dont increase too much. Materials that can be harvested from them are valuable, you see. Its convenient to have a ranch nearby for research purposes as well, and itll also be a training field for the Opus series. Well be hitting two birds with one stone.

Then what will you do when the dungeon is finally discovered? Adventurers in search of new hunting grounds will rush in there. When that happens, I think that the risk of the lab being discovered will rise.

Victor.

Yes.

Have you been listening to me?

Hes not an incompetent person who is just going to act all surprised at my proposal. Ive consulted my policies and strategies with him many times. Hes a victim of what Im doing here as well. Surely, when I say this, theres no reason for him to still not understand this and ask me something like then what are you going to do with the people whos coming to investigate you? or how are you going to use these people?.

Sure enough, he sighs as he answers.

The dead dont talk. And the material you were talking about is not limited to the corpse of the monsters. Am I correct?

Well put. If I had to add anything to that, catching them alive wouldve been more preferable, right?

Indeed. If people were to go missing in some kind of remote mountain while theres nothing there, others may come to suspect the incidents. But, what if people were to go missing in a dungeon, or better yet, the near-deepest parts of a it? Well, maybe the monsters offed them. I can do whatever I please to those who cant talk. And strong experiment materials will absolutely come, so Id say this makes me want to shout screams of joy. Even if they end up dead, I can make them into a fresh golem, or maybe do something on a grander scale with Charls help.

What do you think, Laubert?

Yes, I think its a good plan. Adventurers will come to the dungeon, so thatll be a positive impact economics-wise. Its also a good opportunity to establish new industries. Facilities they will patronise, like lodgings, smitheries, supply shops, entertainment.

That idea didnt cross my mind.

Ah, right, the dungeon itself is an industry. Now that I think about it, a dungeon is like a workplace for adventurers. If I make a place where they can work, then of course those seeking for work will come. Thisll be the birth of a new economy.

And theres also Marlins primary trade product, potions. If the adventurers were to buy and consume them locally, itll be considerably more profitable for us, see? Theres no intermediary margins for the wholesale merchants, and theres no freight cost too. If we can get new customers ourselves, the merchants will be pressured to revise the transaction value of the potions. Ah, thats right, in addition, how does mobilising the mass-produced slaves to manufacture equipments to be sold for the adventurers sound?

With flowing eloquence, he keeps on proposing new policies. Perhaps since this man had been unemployed for so long, he becomes energetic as soon as he finds a place where he can make use of his talent. Well, if its useful for me, I dont mind the way he is.

Laubert, I see that His Excellency have mostly tainted you as well.

Quietly remarked Victor.

At his colleagues remark, Laubert leaked out a dry laugh.

Well, we wont be able to get away from the lord so long as we live, Victor. Might as well let yourself be tainted quickly.

A sensible judgement.

Thank you, Chief Maid.

Indeed, indeed, familiarising yourself with your workplace is a good thing. You can work without being stressed that way. Victor, if you do a bit more of that, that headache of yours will considerably occur less often too.

And so, in addition with the plan of the labs environment improvements, I think that we should also press forward with the plan to develop the dungeons in the outskirts. At the same time, theres a lot of manpower required here. Pick up some people with magic potential among the new slaves bought for the copper mine development and send them my way. I will handle the construction and the structural alteration of the lab and mobilise the Opus series to collect monsters to be released in the dungeon.

Who will be the person in charge? If youre sending out someone conspicuous, your brother and my father the centralists information network will be involved.

Itll be someone conspicuous though, Ill be sending Drei out. With her evil eye, itll be easy for her to capture her prey, and she can quickly travel long distances by using teleportation magic. Besides, I dont send her to the front stage, so even if shes spotted, therell be nothing to tie her with me.

Right. If its a collared dark elf, then those who witness her, theyd think her to be nothing more but an outcast adventurer. Besides, people are starting to know about Madam Chief Maid and Sir Due being Your Excellencys subordinate, and Sir Vampire is, well, how should I put this

Well Sir Vampire is a Lord class. If people were to witness him, a band of A-ranked adventurers will be sent to suppress him. Even if he wouldnt be discovered, his character makes sending him out impossible.

Really, how did his personality become like that? Even I, who readjusted him, am the one most baffled here.

I dont have a problem if its Drei. She looks young, but shes among the long-living species. Shes at least one or two hundred years old, and she mustve already get used to acting alone in secluded lands.

I strongly recommend her myself too I was just thinking of what to do if it was zero-four instead.

Uni is unexpectedly being harsh. I get where shes coming from though.

Well then, this matter is concluded. Let us figure out the details for these plans at a later time.

Right. Well then, lets move along to the original important topic that Your Excellency pushed aside. First, about the progress of the copper mine development

So, after I finished my job above, I came back to the lab.

Well that idea is just out there now, isnt it? Making an underground dungeon isnt gonna cut it, so lets make another aboveground, just what to say about this

Still, quite an interesting job you have there, Master. I myself have been recently bored, for theres no opponent to show my strength to.

Tsk, how enviable, Drei-senpai. I wanna go to the outside once in a while too

Those were the Opus series reaction to the new plan. Due doesnt seem to be very enthusiastic about it, Drei seems to be brimming with motivation, and Charl is just out of the question. Uni is in favour, so if Im going with the majority vote, thatll be two ayes, one nay, and one invalid vote the motion is adopted. Not that it matters though, since my order takes precedence.

By the way, shouldnt Charl at least mind the fact that were going to bring sunlight into this place a bit more?

But, Oubeniel-kun? I wonder if youre biting too much than you can chew here. Just as it is, youre wearing another hat as the feudal lord here, adding to that, youre going to expand the lab and create dungeons. You also shut yourself in the atelier sometimes for some reason. At this rate, our research will be put into a halt yet again.

How unusual. For this man to make a reasonable comment

Wa, thats cruel! Just what do you think I aaam!?

Charls opinion certainly hits the mark.

However, theres the matter of necessity.

I get it, however, this is a necessary investment. Itll be even more dangerous than ever if people were to discover this lab at this time. Also, as the environment of the lab interior is a rough one, wouldnt it be better for us to improve things now, instead of postponing it for later? And besides, like Ive explained before, the research profits from this too.

A ranch for experiment materials, huh. well at least therell be a plenty of people to spar against my sword, so I guess I can be happy about it.

The one who said that was Due, whose resentment has been building up for having to stay in this place. I suppose hell be a bit sunnier if he can let off some steam. It is also my wish to be able to satisfy his peculiar preference of living on the edge as he duels people to death. I will surely get myself a lot of fine experiment materials.

In addition, Ill be expanding the number of the mass-produced slaves. In the first place, compared to the originally planned number, were pretty much really short of them right now. If possible, Id like to at least increase them threefold.

Its mainly because Dues purchase of Drei. But since I got myself an excellent piece thanks to that, its fine.

Then, at my remarks, Charls eyes shines

So, youre going to get me slaves too, yes? Virgins. Virgins!

Ah, yes. That

Of course my mood would be spoiled by that. Hed say something troublesome in an inappropriate time like this, even if he gets beaten up by Uni and the other Opus as a result. Does he want a virgins blood that much? Well he probably does. Hes a vampire after all.

Just leave that perv of a vampire alone.. by the way, Master. Hearing the new plan almost made me forget to ask this, just what exactly did you do in the atelier the other day? You seemed to be so immersed in your work, to the point you didnt reply when Uni tried to call you.

And so Drei asked me about the matter that had started all this. Well, of course shed be wondering about it. Her lord had basically changed class and messed about for five consecutive days.

TL Note: class change into a hermit (hikkikomori), it seems.

Nah, well, about that. Its just that I was pondering about a way to use the excess material from the mineral section, and when I began the research that actually was my pastime, I unexpectedly got too immersed in it. Before I knew it, I got recklessly absorbed into it. Im still reflecting now.

. Then, Master, just what exactly did you try to make back then?

Attentively, Uni smoothly advances the topic. Even though she was the one who was bothered with the most trouble in this matter, what a do-well slave. Perhaps I can understand why Victor said that she has been spoiling me too much.

Im grateful for what she has done, therefore shy as I am, let me answer her here.

Its new kind of golem. Something different than those disposable golems used for civil engineering and mining works. Plenty of high-grade materials are used, and its design was made from scratch, for it was intended to be deployed permanently. Upon its completion, this golem will be Opus-05.

Oh

The opus wont be something based on a high-grade experimental material like us, itll be literally born from nothing.

Theres flickering heat in Unis eyes. The aura of how wonderful Master is! that she emits is, how to say this, making me bashful.

As a fellow mage, Drei seems to be immensely curious about the creation of this golem as well.

As for the men.

Golems huh. So blood wont be flowing in its veins.. I know that Im forbidden from tasting the blood of my companions, but this is hah

Oi, Charl. Just why are you assuming that Ill be making a female-type?

This bat man is seriously without manners. Well anyway, quite the hearty story youve got the, Milord. Making a golem out of gold and silver.

Ha? Who said that I was going to make it from silver and gold?

I tilt my head at Dues remarks.

He gave me a blank look in reply.

Hah? No, didnt you say it yourself? You said you were trying to figure out a way to make use of the materials mined here.

Ah, so thats it. Well I dont plan to use the silver and gold to construct the golems body. Its a new high-tech material that will serve as the basis for the golem. I made an alloy from those materials with alchemy and am planning to use that alloy.

In any case, its still quite the extravagant talk. so, what kind of alloy did you make from melting those gold and silver?

Im interested as well. At that time, among the specimens in the atelier, there was a metal Im not familiar of..

Uni said. Well, shes been my assistant for many years now. Shes sharp-sighted, not only for the matter of the run in the mill magic, but in alchemy-related matters as well.

Oh, that? I think youve seen them before, though.

Have I?

Yes, when I was studying abroad at St. Gallen, We should have seen an ingot like that at the Academys museum.

I pointed that out to her. Even for me, it wasnt something thats so easy to make. Ive only seen its successful synthesis once. Well, actually, I asked Uni to sneak in with me to touch the alloy thoroughly and take a tiny sample of it.

. What is he talking about? Do you know anything about it, vampire?

Weeell, I was at the academy at that time, but. a rare ingot that adorned the academys museum, you say? If its something that can be made from existing material from this place, I guess he made mythril from silver or something?

Dont ask me, its something entirely out of my expertise.

While the other Opus couldnt reach the correct answer, as expected, Uni, who could get near to the answer in the first place, quickly noticed.

Master.

What is it?

That vermillion-coloured metal with that rainbow-coloured luster about it. that sample, could it be. an orichalcon?

Her remarks made the air froze.

Next thing I know, with a noise that almost seem like a creak, Drei constrainedly faces my way.

Ori, chal.. con? Could it really be that orichalcon?

A, AHAHAHAHA! M, Maid, youre unexpectedly good with jokes! As if something like that could exist!

Its annoying, but Ill have to agree. By orichalcon you mean that famous legendary metal, yes? Even someone whos not an expert knows about that. And then, youre saying that you made that so you can use it for your golem? A fine jest, Id say.

And then these simultaneous attacks. Ah, as I thought, this kind of reaction hurts me.

Well, if it cant be helped, Id say its indeed cant be helped. Orichalcon is that kind of metal. Its luster outperforms even gold, its elasticity is superior to silver, and its easier to process than copper. It is a legendary material, considered stronger than anything in this world. Its an ultra-rare legacy material that can only be found in an archaeological excavation of a slightly prehistoric ruins of a civilisation as weapons or small ingots, which cant be found in this era at all. That is what Orichalcon is.

If I were to hear that a certain alchemist somewhere managed to successfully synthesise it, Id also not only doubt the information itself, Id also doubt the sanity of the person who told me the information itself.

Well you might say that, but it cant be helped that I successfully synthesised it.

As I said so sulkingly, the other three stopped dead in their tracks yet another time. The only calm one is Uni, who understand my skills more than anyone else.

.. Did you really synthesise it?

Didnt I just say so?

Seriously?

Seriously.

Thats impossible.. I cant believe it. Huh!? Did you perhaps send the maid to steal it from the academy or rob it from the treasure chest of the royal family?!

You want me to mess with your brain, Charl?

Everyones still half-convinced even now that Ive asserted it again. And in the chaos a certain someone would blurt out something thats pretty much improper Wait, isnt this just the usual?

Ive grown tired of this skit, so Ill continue talking.

I understand what you feel, but calm down and listen to me. Orichalcon.. do you understand the meaning of the word in the first place?

If I were to remember correctly, its mountain copper in ancient language. Eh? Could it be-

Dreis main job is related to magic, so of course shed know. Because shes already familiar with these things, she caught on quickly.

Yes, thats it. I had a sample of copper drilled for the pilot project, I did several trials and errors. And I finally got to synthesise it.

So. does it mean, you can make orichalcon by mixing copper with gold?

If it were that simple, people wouldve been able to make it ages ago. Generally, you can only make a gold-copper alloy out of that. Its appearance and characteristic is different, and theres only five percent of gold mixed in it.

Gold is one of the most important substances in alchemy. Of course its also used to make the finest alloy that is Orichalcon in large quantity. Theres no way you can make that alloy with less than ten percent gold in it.

However, the concept is close. Using alkahest, I was able to draw out the characteristics of copper and mixed it together with gold. By doing that, I was able to figure out that the properties similar to copper can be applied to gold. When I combined it further with silver, the silvers properties were also added to the alloy. Hence the magically melded substance from the three metals. When I examined that material, I see that it was almost identical to the orichalcon I saw in the academy once.

Wait a minute, alkahest? Did you just say alkahest like it was nothing?

Yes I did. Its a miraculous solvent to draw out the characteristics of gold well, its still not the finished product yet, so its not yet able to do that with gold.

By the way, its staggeringly corrosive. Its reputation as a universal solvent isnt just for show, it literally can melt just about anything. When using it, you will have to apply the correct amount on top of the material you want to synthesise. Failure to do so will result on it ruining not only the material, but its container as well.

People sometimes confuse it for aqua regia, but of course theyre two different things. In contrast to the imperfect alkahest I use, while it can melt gold, it cant melt silver. Alkahest does not corrode a material by oxidizing it, it instead literally just melts and dissolves the material, which itself is a mysterious phenomenon. Its a substance to draw out the spiritual essence of a material that dwells inside its physical elements. As it completely melts and dissolves anything to nothing provided that it has the same mass, rather than a chemical, alkahest is closer to antimatter. Well, if it were to follow the principle of annihilation between matter and antimatter, then from what Ive done, the whole Ithuselah continent will be blown to bits without a trace, so of course it is not exactly antimatter.

Drei left her trembling mouth open.

Doesnt that count as one of the secrets of alchemy?

I guess. So what?

No, what do you mean so what..

Drei-senpai, did you forget who this man is? Hes our master, Oubeniel, alright? Hes someone who could tamper with the head of a dark elf, or artificially make a Vampire Lord like me, alright?

Its very convincing. But Its frustrating that I have to hear it from you!

And suddenly Charl was on his knees. Was it that much of a shock?

Its not something to be surprised about, yes? Alkahest is used to make the Philosophers Stone, which is a necessary element to obtain immortality, but here were just using it to melt gold.

Philosophers Stone is a tool that has been considered indispensable to attain the most arcane in alchemy since ancient times. I understand that it is used to create gold or the elixir of immortality. Of course, making it is also one of my goals.

However, I do not know how much effect it will exert as I never see the real thing. I would be stumped if I were to manage to make the real thing and it turned to be a fluke compared to its reputation. It is also a legendary existence that the famous alchemy pioneers could not reach. Its also possible that I still wont be able to make it when my lifespan runs out.

Therefore, its essential to learn about methods to extend my life using other aspects as well. A high-level experiment in regard of vampirisation, such as Charls augmentation, is among those efforts.

Setting whether I can make alkahest that can melt gold aside, if the failure were on this side, Id think that its weird even if I were to manage to successfully perfect it.

I dont think thats the problem, though sigh, I got picked up by an utterly ridiculous lord

Due said as he scratches his head.

In the other hand, Charl appears to be spellbound.

Still, Master sure is wonderful! Regardless of the alkahest improvement, you still managed to make orihalcon. The orihalcon! You managed to make something like that! When the orihalcon golem finally can be mass produced, you can even conquer this continent! Hey, hey, Master! When you have finally conquered the continent, can I have at least one country? Its fine, right?

It seems that for some reason he has just conjured a preposterous diagram of future plans in his head. Though Due and the rest of the Opus series commented something like again, this guy. as they stared at him.

If I leave him as he is, his imagination is likely to go to a ridiculous direction, so first, Ill correct that mistake for now.

Dont say something so ridiculous. Didnt I tell you? Its difficult to handle alkahest which is needed for a step in production of orihalcon. So I cant mass produce it.

Eeeeeh.

Dont eeeeeh me. Whats impossible is impossible. With the exception of the high-end model that is Opus-05, well be making the mass-produced version from silver-derived mythril.

But what about conquering the continent?

.. Ive ran out of riposte already.

Besides,

I separated my words. The important thing is after this.

First, what happened to that ancient civilisation that was able to utilise its orihalcon abundantly? It was completely destroyed and theres virtually no trace of it. Was it consumed by internal fighting while possessing technology that was too advanced in its age? Or perhaps it was destroyed by the demons in the crisis hundreds of years ago? Theories that explain the end of that civilisation varies, but whatever the true cause was, at the end of the day, the result remains unchanged. Save for some old ruins, theyre all extinct. They all died out and disappeared its not a joke.

Yes, its really not a joke.

No matter how prosperous you get, it is all pointless if youre dead.

That literally empty state where you cant feel the heat nor the cold, where yout feel joy nor pain.

That kind of fate, I sincerely pass.

Thats why, its not enough.

HYIH!?

Orihalcon? If its only that, then its far from enough. Because this is the very proof that the ancients who lived thousands and ten thousands years ago failed to attain immortality. If they managed to attain it, then wouldnt their splendour remain until this day? So, its too early to be festive just because of this. Its nothing but a single rare metal, were still going to die that way. What is it Char? You look pale.

I had make quite the unusual long speech, but when I realised it, Charl seems to be strange. His face, which is already pale in the first place, has become even paler now, his face is almost ashen in colour.

. Could it be that he doesnt have enough blood? The amount of cultured blood that I gave him should be sufficient Maybe he really needs the blood of a living virgin that he requested over and over again?

A, A, AHAHAHAHHA! I was, being, ca, careless now, wasnt I? Thats right. Masters purpose, is to attain immortality, yes?

Thats correct. Dont forget that. What Im doing here to the very end is to plan so I dont die. After that, well, I figure out a hobby so I can enjoy that life itself. I dont have the spare time for world conquest. Though whether that can be achieved or not is a different matter entirely.

I shifted my gaze after I said so. For some reason, Charl is currently stuttering, just like him before his operation. Apparently hes really in a bad condition. Somehow, I feel bad just by looking at him.

Hmm, have I been caring too much about the probability of him rebelling against me that it gave him excessive stress? Even though Im troubled by his insubordination, Im certain that hes a necessary human resource for my research. As I thought, hell need some care.

Cant be helped. Maybe Ill splurge a bit and allot some slaves for him. Though if I were to say something here hes just going to be carried away again, so Ill be silent until I actually give him what he wants.

As I think about that matter, Uni abruptly gave me a bow.

Its good that Master hasnt forgotten his original purpose.

Just what are you saying so suddenly, Uni? Of course theres no way Id forget now, is there?

Then, please keep good care of yourself so that youll be able to avoid being too absorbed in your research, harming your own body in the process.

.. It hurts if she puts it that way.

I already told Charl, but the reason why I kept going for nights until I collapsed was because I was too absorbed in my zeal when I was trying to make orichalcon.

Now that my do-well follower has said that, Ill make sure that Ill be careful next time.