Published: July 3, 2025
"Your Grace, in Juzvalla..."
At this moment, Chief Advisor Rash faltered in his report.
"What happened?"
The one-eyed head of state, Cornbano della Russo, urged him to continue.
"Yes... Our Republic Defense Force has been decimated. The forces of the United Kingdom are advancing while capturing the city," Rash reported regretfully.
"Indeed, it seems we were no match without the golems," Chief Advisor Lord Barley said, shaking his head multiple times.
"What do the engineers and alchemists say?"
"Ah... They still do not know the cause," Rash replied to Cornbano's question.
"Damn it. We can’t wait any longer. We have no choice but to summon him!"
"However, if we ask for his help even once, he has a stipulation to leave the country..."
"It can't be helped! At this rate, our nation will truly perish!"
Cornbano said this with a bitter expression.
"I will go directly. Prepare the carriage."
(So it's the fusion magic brooch! That is indeed very interesting. Is it really alright to receive such a souvenir?)
(Of course. I acquired it as a gift for Kenneth. Please look forward to returning home.)
Ryo and Viscount Kenneth Hayward were conversing using Abel's "echo of the soul."
During this time, Abel himself had to keep his left hand on the "device."
Being the king is tough.
(By the way, I heard you saw the design of a new ship using alchemy the other day?)
(Yes, indeed. It was quite impressive. I thought the Rain Shooter was amazing when I saw it in Whitnash, but this one had several new features just in the design alone. The shape resembles a clipper, and it should be quite fast. I was surprised to find that Neil Anderson was involved in the design, the same Neil Anderson I delivered a letter to.)
Ryo spoke while recalling the new ship design he saw at the Franzoni Shipping Company.
However, Kenneth's demeanor changed at that moment.
(Ryo-san, what did you just say...?)
(Huh? Several new features...)
(No, the next part.)
(Clipper...)
(No, the next part.)
(Ah... Neil Anderson. The mage I delivered a letter to.)
(Neil Anderson... no, could it be... the possibility of having the same name...)
Kenneth murmured something.
(Kenneth?)
(Ah, excuse me. Ryo-san, what type of person is that Neil Anderson?)
(What do you mean by type? He is nearly two meters tall and has a slender impression. His white hair is trimmed short, he has a hooked nose, and wears a monocle over his left eye. He seemed a bit nervous.)
(That's quite a detailed description. But, it sounds a lot like the appearance I’ve heard about...)
(Huh? Kenneth, do you know Neil Anderson?)
Ryo was surprised.
He never expected Kenneth to know a mage from the Western Nations.
(Yes. If he is the same Neil Anderson I know... he is a former alchemist of the Empire.)
(Huh...)
At that moment, the discomfort within Ryo melted away.
When the chairman at the shipping company had introduced Ryo as "the duke of the Naitorei Kingdom," Neil Anderson had murmured, "What a... kingdom..."
That was strange.
If he were from the Western Nations, he wouldn’t have said such a thing.
There are many kingdoms in the Western Nations. When they hear 'kingdom,' they should think of the ones located in those Western Nations first.
Hearing "Naitorei Kingdom" and saying "What a... kingdom..." indicates someone from the Central Nations.
If as Kenneth said, he is a former alchemist of the Empire, it makes sense.
Then Ryo remembered something else.
It was quite some time ago.
Before he met Kenneth.
The first time he was recommended a book on alchemy in this "Fai" at the South Library in Run.
He was introduced to three books.
All three of those books...
(The authors were Neil Anderson...)
(Ah, Neil Anderson has left behind numerous works.)
Kenneth supplemented.
(Neil Anderson is an alchemist from two generations before my friend and master, Frank de Verde. He was an exceptional alchemist.)
(That's quite impressive...?)
(Yes, indeed. To put it bluntly, alchemy in the Central Nations had stagnated for hundreds of years since King Richard’s time. He was the one who reignited it, Neil Anderson. One could say he laid the foundation for the Empire as a great alchemy nation.)