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When we were living with Grandpa, our staple food was mostly potatoes. There were times when he’d bring home some kind of hard bread that was almost like a cookie, but I don’t remember thinking it tasted good. Sufi liked it a little because it had a good chew to it.

But come to think of it, the Church had solidified its power and influence through solid, practical benefits rather than just matters of faith.

They possess Faith Magic that heals physical wounds and the Medical Guild that treats illnesses other than injuries. Using those two as weapons, they’ve forced salt distribution and bread-making techniques to submit to them

Many are injured due to Magic Beasts, and wars are still breaking out all over the place. Every country is desperate for medical technology. By exploiting that, the Church has succeeded in controlling the lifeline of the people.

That is why it maintains such influence in the West, even after nearly collapsing once.

“So that’s why they despise the Alchemists’ Guild…”
“It’s probably because we’re infringing right into the Church’s vested interests.”

Medicines, technologies, and tools that enrich daily life. Their very existence steadily erodes the Church’s influence.

In fact, even though the majority of this town’s residents are followers of the Luminism Church, the Church’s grip on power is weak. That’s because, if push comes to shove, the Alchemists’ Guild can provide alternatives. The story goes that the lord maintains close ties with the Alchemists’ Guild precisely to try and reduce the Church’s influence, even if only slightly.

“That’s probably why both Old Chytis Haumass and we were seen as a nuisance.”

The court alchemists of the Kingdom of Roud were branded as the ‘bizarre group of people with suspicious arts,’ but when Grandpa first joined them, they steadily achieved results.

Just then, an assassination attempt on a member of the royal family occurred.

The culprit identified was a Third-Tier Alchemist—Chytis Philip’s own teacher. Given no chance to defend himself, he was dragged away by soldiers led by the Minister of Justice and executed without a proper trial.

It was Grandpa who saved Chytis Philip, who had nearly been executed as an accomplice.

“To protect those of us left behind, the Old Master renounced all his magic implements and his position and left the court.”

Grandpa pleaded for the lives of Chytis Philip’s fellow disciples who were about to be executed, offering up all the magic implements he had created, his research materials, and his entire fortune in exchange. Though the newly christened king was a complete puppet of the ministers, the previous king reportedly dragged himself out of his deathbed to intrude into the council meeting and decided on the forced exile of Grandpa and the others.

“I was so mentally overwhelmed back then that I didn’t realize it, but I think His Majesty must have done that to let us escape at the very end.”

Probably, Grandpa knew that too, which is why he traded his position and wealth to buy us some time.

“It’s thanks to Old Master Haumass that I’m alive and well today. That’s why… I wanted to protect you at least while you were in this town… Though I feel pathetic for being so utterly powerless.”
“…No.”

Chytis Philip had been strangely kind to us. Now I understand why.

Honestly, if Chytis Philip hadn’t taken us in, we wouldn’t be able to spend our days so peacefully like this.

By now, we’d probably be hiding in some back alley, or perhaps we’d have been snatched up in the chaos of the uproar… At the very least, things certainly wouldn’t have turned out well. Even if there was still a chance we might have been taken in by the Sister’s orphanage, our travel preparations certainly wouldn’t have gone this smoothly.

“If it weren’t for you, our travel preparations would have taken much longer. You’ve been a huge help. Thank you.”
“Hearing you say that makes me feel a little lighter.”

Chytis Philip, wearing a gentle smile, exhaled quietly.

“I’ll look forward to hearing that you’ve arrived safely in Alveria.”
“…I’ll definitely send a letter.”

If everything goes according to plan and there are no complications, it will be a long journey lasting two to three years.

If only we could use the airport in Bayer, it wouldn’t even take half a year—what a terrible detour.

“Oh, right, before I forget… I’ve also written a letter of introduction to the Alchemists’ Guild in Panadia. I’ll definitely come to see you off.”
“Okay.”

I took the letter, sealed with wax. Gripping the surprisingly thick envelope firmly with both hands, I gave a small nod.

■■■■■

“…I’m sorry”
“No, it’s fine.”

Just as we were about to leave the Alchemists’ Guild, with Sufi and the others looking a bit worn out from being fussed over too much by the older sisters. An alchemist from the West suddenly apologized to me. I’m not so foolish as to ask what he meant.

“I couldn’t accept that a half… a beastkin child who appeared out of nowhere had far more talent than us. Even now, I can’t help but feel bitter about it.”
“Mm.”
“But it was an attitude unbecoming of an alchemist. Even if I’m called immature, I can’t argue back.”
“…I think my attitude was bad, too.”

Looking back now, I feel like my “I’m not really interested” attitude wasn’t good. Even though I was overwhelmed, it was only natural that we clashed.

How should I put it? It feels like ‘the techniques for dealing with jerks I learned in my past life’ and ‘Alice’s bad habits’ have fused together like a demonic merger. I might have to be more conscious of it and watch my step from now on.

“You’re much more mature than you look… I’ll be praying for your safe travels.”
“…You, too—good luck with your research.”

We didn’t exactly make up, nor did we come to understand each other. But we took a step forward.

After watching the alchemist walk away briskly, I turned to face Sufi and the others, who were wearing complicated expressions.

“…He doesn’t seem like a bad person anymore.”
“Somehow, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy anymore, nya.”
“Maybe it’s just how we met and interacted.”

In my past life, I was constantly feared and avoided, and eventually I gave up on taking an interest in others. In this life, I never really had any interest in others to begin with, and with so many good-for-nothings around, my bad habits only got worse.

If only I’d been able to interact with the alchemists from the West with a bit more genuine interest… Maybe we could have gotten along a little better.

It’s such a waste to just pass each other by when we finally met in a way that allowed us to exchange words. From now on, I’ll try to live my life with a little more interest in others. …Within reason, of course.