"I-I'm ready!"
Chloe set down today's completed materials with a thud.
"Okay. That's enough to meet the deadline. We start delivering to Mokhwi Palace next week, so manage everything carefully."
"Yes!"
My alchemy is still faster and more precise for pharmaceutical production.
Once her skills improve, I plan to let Chloe handle production for deliveries too.
I told her to post a job listing since we'll need more hands, but there haven't been any applicants yet.
I open my status window to check my skill list.
―――――――――――
○ Alchemy C
· Enhancement C - Property Alteration C
· Compression C
· Synthesis C - Extraction D
· (Unlearned)
○ Medicine C
· Diagnosis C - Blood Test C - X-ray Imaging D
· Prescription D
· First Aid D - Surgery(Basic) C
· (Unlearned)
―――――――――――
My skills have grown considerably, so I need to use them efficiently.
Medications that utilize raw material effects, like aspirin, are quickly made with compression and enhancement processes.
Medicines requiring chemical processing must start with extraction, which takes longer to produce.
"Teacher, the materials have arrived."
"Oh, just stack them over there."
Tanya carefully placed a large box in the corner. The office was turning into a warehouse at this point.
We definitely need a larger space.
Right now, I most want to make digestive medicine.
I've been collecting all sorts of ingredients for it—pig pancreas, corn, various herbs, and whatnot.
"This takes too long. Mass production would be impossible."
I gave up on making digestive medicine ingredients.
It's inefficient to spend so much time on basic medicines.
Using simpler ingredients would reduce effectiveness, making them unusable for patients.
If I'm going to spend this much time, I should make powerful items like painkillers, strength potions, or mana potions.
Essentially, special techniques.
I'll postpone digestive medicine until we establish a mass production system.
"Maybe I should just make carbonated water for now."
Carbonation does have some digestive benefits.
Though too much can actually harm the stomach.
I miss cola...
I move on to creating a special technique. Fortunately, I have something nearly complete after several days of tinkering.
I prepare liquids for two syringes.
The idea came from those chemical warfare kits distributed with gas masks in the military.
"An antidote."
This antidote temporarily neutralizes neurotoxins, buying time for treatment.
Surprisingly, most antidotes are themselves toxic. The saying "fight poison with poison" exists for a reason.
The inspiration came from when Camilla recalled that group of black magic practitioners.
Black magic typically causes hallucinations or deals damage over time.
The Celestial Dragon's curse is technically black magic. Asella got caught up in it during the tournament, and it could happen again.
If Asella were to die from poisoning? Without question, I'd face a Bad Ending.
This antidote is insurance against that.
"The small one is atropine, the large one is oxime."
These are the results of my alchemical grind, searching for poisonous herbs in the northern mountains of the Imperial Palace.
"Synthesis."
I complete the final process with an incantation.
Mmm, lovely.
Since it's for emergencies, it would be better if I never need to use it.
I tuck it into my coat, making sure it's secure.
I've memorized the exact positions of my various syringes to avoid confusion.
"Teacher, shouldn't you be heading out to prepare for the party?"
I check my pocket watch at Tanya's suggestion.
"We still have three hours left?"
"That's why you need to go now."
"It only takes five minutes to change clothes."
"Are you serious? With that hairstyle?"
What's wrong with my hair?
"T-teacher, it's an important occasion... leave the office to us."
Chloe nervously pushed me toward the door.
When they're both insisting like this, I can't refuse. Besides, Asella would scold me if I were late.
I set off for Wolgwang Palace.
***
Darkness settled over the Imperial Palace ballroom where the party was being held. The twinkling stars were drowned out by the brilliant lights.
The fact that the Western Duke's family had a traditional bloodline that had served the Empire since its founding, or that they had recently achieved victory in a small battle against the kingdom—these were certainly important matters.
Important, yes, but Asella sighed for different reasons as she gazed at the scenery from the balcony.
As heir apparent, recruiting nobles was essential. Becoming Emperor would be pointless if rebellion broke out immediately.
She would have had to enter society eventually. Today's gathering was particularly significant, with all the powerful young nobles who would become heads of their houses when the generation changed.
But currently, she was busy growing her faction within the Imperial Palace and keeping other heirs in check.
There was simply too much to do.
Growing her faction, managing the palace, recruiting nobles, studying.
She was confident she could handle it all simultaneously. Indeed, Wolgwang Palace had visibly prospered since Camilla's time as the power behind the throne.
The tasks Asella handled were superhuman in scale, but they were expected of someone with imperial blood.
Perhaps it was a bit burdensome.
The sigh she secretly let out came unconsciously from accumulated stress.
And she desperately hoped she wouldn't suffer stomach pains suddenly in this crowded gathering.
That was the main reason she had declined Lauga's invitations until now.
Showing weakness in front of nobles would be difficult to recover from.
She had planned to make her social debut later, in two or three years.
'Still.'
Now she felt even more ambitious.
The Emperor was aging.
As if next year might never come, he strained himself to display his vigor.
Hadn't he insisted on continuing the martial arts tournament despite the epidemic and monster attacks?
Ironically, the Emperor had slept through most of the tournament from the second day onward.
His court physicians and healers had worked overtime as a result.
Though not extremely old, he had exhausted his vitality in his youth.
With uncertainty about when he might collapse, she needed to prepare more quickly.
And...
She felt that even if some unforeseen accident occurred now, she would be fine.
Just hold on a little longer.
That's when it happened.
"Asella."
Asella turned at the voice calling her name.
Camilla, elaborately dressed and adorned, had emerged onto the balcony from an adjacent room.
"Mother."
"You seem to be doing well."
Camilla smiled bitterly.
She appeared less venomous than before.
"I'm somewhat surprised you've managed Wolgwang Palace so well without me."
"I am a Princess after all. What brings you here?"
Asella, judging that Camilla wouldn't approach her without purpose, wanted to get straight to the point.
"I've concluded an agreement with Georg."
"What kind of agreement?"
"As you know, the Second Empress, like Lauga, is a woman unsuited for politics. She's a caged lady who's only known luxury her entire life."
The Second Empress was the mother of Georg and Lauga. She was a foreign princess of extraordinary beauty whom the Emperor had taken during a conquest war 25 years ago.
"If Georg has a disadvantage compared to Gunther or Heike, it's the absence of a well-connected Empress Dowager."
Camilla stepped toward Asella with a click of her heels.
"In exchange for my cooperation with Georg, he will honor me as Empress Dowager after his ascension and grant me authority. That is our agreement."
It meant that Prince Georg would essentially recognize Camilla as his political adoptive mother.
Conversely, it meant Camilla was completely severing her ties with Asella and the Imperial Palace.
"Asella, I needed an Emperor who would be my ally. His Majesty turned his back on me long ago."
"I know."
"It's true that I did terrible things to you out of excessive greed. I'm reflecting on that."
Asella calmly listened to Camilla's words.
"Perhaps I placed too heavy a burden on you, the youngest of the imperial family. From the beginning, my war should have been fought alone."
Camilla raised the corners of her mouth regretfully, her eyes filled with melancholy.
"Asella, you no longer need to fixate on succession. Live happily enjoying imperial privileges like Lauga."
"...Is that allowed?"
At Asella's question, Camilla brightened and replied:
"Of course. Leave the troublesome matters to me now. You don't have to study, manage the palace, or learn magic. I've consulted with my Sage."
Camilla raised her voice excitedly.
"He said we can remove your magical talent and its price. Asella, from now on, you can live freely as an ordinary person."
"I see."
Unlike the impassioned Camilla, Asella maintained a cool demeanor.
Her sharp gaze pierced through Camilla.
Then she calmly delivered a single sentence.
"I refuse."
"What?"
Camilla's brow furrowed, her previously gentle expression nowhere to be seen.
Asella remained perfectly straight-backed, not moving an inch.
The reason for Asella's composure was simple.
She had seen through Camilla's act from the beginning.
"I said I refuse. My desire to become Emperor is entirely my own will. Even without your wishes, I have countless reasons to pursue succession."
"H-how can you speak so firmly?"
"Your voice rises in pitch when you lie, Mother."
"What did you say?"
"You've spent your entire life using every means possible to make me Emperor. You wouldn't throw away years of investment in time and resources. Did you really think I, Asella von Württemfelt, would fall for such cheap acting?"
"Ha, you little...! So you finally...!"
Camilla revealed her true colors, knocking a glass off the table.
The glass shattered loudly on the floor.
"I've been raising a monster all this time! How dare you defy me like this!"
Like attracts like—both Georg and Camilla still couldn't control their tempers.
She had severely underestimated Asella. Did she think she was dealing with a child who would easily fall for sweet promises?
If she truly cared about Asella, she would have first brought up the Celestial Dragon that attacked the tournament.
Besides the Sage, there was no greater magical expert in the Imperial Palace than Camilla.
If she truly cared for Asella, wouldn't she have at least asked if she was hurt?
Even now, Camilla was filled only with her own greed.
Asella tried to guess why Camilla had approached her.
'The most peculiar part of our conversation just now.'
She showed no interest in taking Wolgwang Palace's resources, such as knights or funds.
'The part about consulting with her teacher is a lie.'
Why would she bring up the sweet story about removing the price of magic?
'She wants to remove my talent?'
Asella quickly deduced Camilla's purpose from the circumstances.
If she had completely decided to make Georg Emperor, she needed to secure all the assets she had built up.
While Wolgwang Palace would be her primary target, there was something she needed to secure first.
Asella possessed something more valuable than Wolgwang Palace.
'She doesn't want to remove my talent—she wants to steal it.'
What could I possibly have that would make Camilla act like a caring mother to steal it?
How would Camilla even know about it?
Come to think of it.
'Mother has never once called me her daughter.'
She had never referred to herself as my mother.
Her first-person pronoun was always "I."
Asella confirmed once more.
Camilla was a demon obsessed with power and an enemy.
The vibrations of the orchestra playing music echoed from below.
With the adults' ceremony honoring the Duke concluded, it was time for the young nobles to enter.
"It's my turn, so I'll excuse myself. I'd appreciate if you'd put any future business in writing."
"Asella!"
Ignoring Camilla's cry, Asella turned sharply and entered the room.
Her heart was racing, though she didn't show it.
The confrontation just now had, in a way, provided confirmation.
Camilla was no longer her mother.
Nowhere in the Imperial Palace... did Asella have family.
Asella crushed and imprisoned the emptiness that was creeping up inside her.
She ignored it and turned her eyes away.
'I've always been alone anyway.'
Nothing would change going forward. There was nothing to be disappointed about.
Hadn't she prepared herself? Didn't she know?
The path to becoming Emperor would be lonely, treacherous, and bloody.
Yet she must become one.
If she becomes Emperor.
—As Emperor, she would dye the world in destruction.
Without noticing her quickening pace, Asella headed into the corridor with the help of her lady-in-waiting.
And then.
"Princess."
A voice called out.
A man was waiting for her.
The dark feelings that had been rising through her body slowly subsided.
The turbulent boat in her mind gradually caught the wind under the calm moonlight.
...It was truly remarkable.
Asella examined him carefully.
His snow-white hair, meticulously cut and styled, exuded elegance.
The skinny formal wear accentuated his slender body. Though lacking in ruggedness, his silhouette strangely enticed women, stimulating protective instincts.
Yet with aristocratic manners ingrained in his being, he extended his hand respectfully, making her feel like a queen.
Lars tilted his head.
"Are you alright? Your forehead seems a bit flushed. Perhaps I should examine you..."
"Just take my hand, Young Lord."
"Yes."
Asella gently placed her gloved hand on his.
They walked down the corridor.
She could easily tell he was matching his stride to hers.
"Young Lord."
"Yes?"
"Stand confidently, shoulders back."
"Of course I should. How disrespectful would it be to tarnish the Princess's reputation?"
"Keep quiet and save your words. Don't say a word if any lady approaches you."
"Yes."
What a high-maintenance man.
Asella unconsciously kept glancing at his profile.
—"Entering now: the jewel of the Imperial Palace shining like the moon in the night sky, Princess Asella von Württemfelt of Wolgwang Palace, and her betrothed!"
The entrance doors opened, and bright light poured in.
Asella and Lars stepped forward with their right feet simultaneously.