Published: August 2, 2025
“I fully understand that you dislike being in a constrained position. I have no intention of forcing you.”
Right after the invitation to become a technician.
Before I could say anything, Mr. Reinhardt told me that he understood that point.
“For the same reason, I don’t think you would serve some other noble family elsewhere. But the problem is this: once word gets out about your knowledge and the serum, there will undoubtedly be many nobles who, without considering your feelings at all, will try to snatch you up. You understand that, right?”
I silently nodded in response.
Even just one miracle cure for cursed wounds, once it spreads in society, it’s natural for patients and their families to seek it out.
Merchants and nobles who want to profit by selling it at high prices will also appear.
Unfortunately, it would be strange if there weren’t people who would stop at nothing to seize vested interests.
“If that happens, we intend to assist you, but right now, things are somewhat difficult.”
At present, my status is that the Duke's household treats me well in many ways, but I am still a "commoner."
I'm not a retainer of the Duke's household—in fact, I am just a child who’s been given a little special attention.
Even so, ordinarily, that would reduce unnecessary interference.
After all, no one wants to get on the bad side of the Duke's household, which holds immense power.
I am a single adventurer, a small shop owner, and a boy entrusted with managing an abandoned mine.
Though I have some unusual ideas and knowledge, that much was considered enough for now.
“But if you have the knowledge to create a miracle cure for cursed wounds, that’s a different story. Even though we hold great power, it’s not that there’s no way to resist us.”
I was getting a feeling of intrigue and conspiracy when madam seemed to sense it and chuckled wryly.
“Perhaps I won’t deny what Ryoma-kun is thinking, but think more simply. Well... Ryoma-kun is in a position where you can decide whatever you want about your own shop, and you have that right, yes? But if you act too selfishly, various people will stop you, right? Depending on what it is, you might get away with it once or twice, but if it happens repeatedly, you risk losing the trust of those around you. It’s the same thing here. We have strong power, but we can’t wield it as we please.
In this case... if Ryoma-kun becomes a technician for our household, then this boy is our technician, and since he has no intention of leaving, we can say firmly that we won’t allow him to be poached. But right now, since you’re not a subordinate and we don’t intend to make you one, if we interfere, they would just reply, ‘Don’t meddle in matters that don’t concern you!’
Of course, they’d probably cover it up on the surface, giving a suitable reason like awarding a rank fitting your achievements, but at least they wouldn’t give up easily. It’s that valuable.”
If I were to pretend none of this was said and keep the serum’s existence secret, it might be fine.
But that would mean living forever with the risk of it leaking out.
Also, if knowledge about the bloody slime and serum spreads and research flourishes, there’s the potential to treat not only cursed wounds but other diseases as well. While no one can predict how big this might become, it could save many lives that would otherwise be lost. To hide that is not just a waste — it’s beyond words.
“...Could you tell me a bit more about the technician position? If I accept, what specific changes would occur?”
“Well, as I said before, a technician is a skilled craftsman employed by nobles. You get assigned jobs when needed to demonstrate your skills or provide technical consultations. If you can handle that, work style is fairly flexible. Many highly skilled artisans have their own hard-to-understand preferences.
For example, in our case... the 'pharmacology' technician lives on-site, but the 'blacksmith' technician has a workshop and store in the town’s merchant district and runs a normal business. Even though they are employed, we don’t intend to monopolize their excellent skills and keep them underpaid.”