Published: July 3, 2025
"Kenneth! Is Kenneth here?!"
A man dressed in a robe resembling a mage was shouting something at the entrance of the Royal Alchemy Workshop.
After several shouts, there was finally a response from within.
"Ah, yes, yes, just a moment, please."
However, the person who came out was not Kenneth.
The robe-wearing mage, Ryo, felt disappointed, but the face that appeared was one he recognized.
It was Raden, Baron Kenneth Hayward's subordinate.
"Huh? Ryo-san, is that you? It's been a while!"
During the turmoil in the royal capital, Ryo happened to be at this alchemy workshop and had led Kenneth and his subordinates to evacuate to the Baron of Run's residence.
He remembered evacuating the man in front of him, Raden, along with them at that time.
"Wait, before that... why are you in front of the entrance? There were guards at the gate when you entered this premises, right?"
Raden was puzzled by Ryo's sudden appearance in front of the entrance.
He was sure there was no communication from the guards...
"Don't worry. For some reason, they didn't notice me!"
Ryo replied with a nod, looking somewhat distracted.
"Um..."
Raden hesitated on how to respond.
While he was pondering, Ryo continued speaking.
"Raden, I came to see Kenneth. He should be investigating something."
"Eh..."
Raden's eyes widened in shock.
How did this mage in front of him know about information that was supposed to be tightly held?
He had been saved during the turmoil in the royal capital, and he hadn’t forgotten that debt of gratitude, but that was one thing, and this was another.
The alchemy workshop could be said to be a very sensitive organization when it comes to information leaks.
This was due to its past as a royal direct organization and its significant role in producing alchemy tools commissioned by the royal family.
In particular, Kenneth, who was the chief, had been quite insistent on the need to be cautious about information leaks.
Yet, sadly, information about "Vaidra" had leaked from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"Ah, please don't be so wary. I have permission to observe 'that' through the Guild of Adventurers' Grand Master in the royal capital. I believe you can confirm that..."
"I understand. Um, for now, let's go to the reception room..."
"No, I'll go closer to 'that.' I think it's best if Kenneth confirms it directly with me."
Of course, this was far from the proper procedure, but under Ryo's pressure, Raden found himself unable to resist.
"Well, if that's the case, please follow me... and make sure not to go anywhere else. Just follow behind me..."
"Yeah, I got it, so let's hurry."
Ryo smiled.
However, Raden realized that day that "nothing is as scary as a smile."
Ryo, following behind with a smile, was indeed acting correctly since he had asked to follow him... but Raden was secretly half in tears.
The Royal Alchemy Workshop was spacious.
The grounds were large, and the building was also expansive.
However, the number of people working there was not that many.
Excluding administrative staff, there were only about ten alchemists.
Yet, because of this, being an "Alchemist of the Royal Alchemy Workshop" meant being recognized as one of the top alchemists in the kingdom.
Currently, the one overseeing these alchemists was Baron Kenneth Hayward, who, at the tender age of twenty-two, was known as a genius alchemist.
He was in one of the largest rooms in the alchemy workshop, known as the "analysis room," filled with various equipment.
The room was not only spacious but also had a ceiling height of over twenty meters, creating a vast space.
In the center was the golem in question, surrounded by various lines.
Kenneth, who was deeply focused on his work, finally removed the gauntlet he had been wearing on his left hand and took a moment to catch his breath.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Kenneth placed the removed gauntlet on a nearby workbench and turned to face the knocked door.
In walked Raden and the water attribute mage he hadn't seen in a while.
"Ryo-san, it's been a while."