Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 272

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 272 – Unraveling at the Research Institute

When they arrived at the inn, the three of them went to their rooms to rest.

However, Chris rested in a room set up inside Ain’s, the kind of room servants would use.

Although the interior had changed slightly, the essential parts remained the same, and Ain was able to enjoy his time there.

As the sun rose, Ain looked through some documents in the living room.

Chris had not yet woken up, so Ain was alone.

“Ah, there must be many research institutes struggling with financial difficulties.”

He said this while looking at the documents Katima had given him and shaking his head.

The documents contained information not only about the Ancient Biological Research Institute but also about various other circumstances.

As he read through them, he learned about the many research institutes that had been closed down in the past.

There must have been many cases involving money.

Research required money, so financial difficulties seemed inevitable.

If everyone were a saint, but that’s impossible.

“It’s impossible, though.”

He placed the stack of papers on his desk with a thud.

He learned the location of the Ancient Biological Research Institute and its research results.

However, the results were not particularly noteworthy.

Then there was the background of the director of the institute.

(…The director used to be a researcher at Ist Grand Magic Academy—that’s about it.)

He seemed to be a fairly talented researcher at the time, but he made a decision to go independent.

Since then, he struggled to make a name for himself, and it seemed like he was just one step away from failure.

Ain suspected there might be a connection with Oz but was relieved to find this wasn’t the case.

Katima seemed to know about the researcher and said she would take care of it.

After finishing reading, Ain looked out the window.

“Well, let’s give it a try.”

With a sigh, he slowly stood up and walked over to the window.

He took the flowers out of the nearby vase and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know if you need the soil, but I’d appreciate it if I could have it.”

Ain smiled as he placed his hand on the neck of the vase.

His hand glowed dimly, and the vase pulsated as if transmitting his heartbeat.

He swallowed once, and the vase shook slightly.

“Ah… Ah…?”

“…Hey, good morning.”

Like a single rose, it stared blankly at Ain.

“How are you?”

“!?”

It shook its neck—or rather, its head—and looked around curiously.

Ain smiled softly, thinking it was a surprisingly cute gesture.

“Hmm, I wonder what’s inside?”

Ain tried to peek inside the vase.

Then,

“! —!”

He—or maybe she—shook her head vigorously in refusal.

“I see… Maybe its will is stronger than I thought,” Ain thought happily.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I know; it’s embarrassing. Yeah… Even Man-Eaters are alive, after all…”

The creature in the vase was a Man-Eater.

Unlike Cain and Sylvia, who were part of the Magic Stone Group, it was a pure servant.

Many mysteries surround how they were born and how they lived, but it was difficult to pursue them further.

For those who experienced the war in Heim, especially the Magic Stone Group, it went without saying that they found these creatures extremely troublesome.

However, man-eaters were merely loyal to their master, Ain, and did not adhere to the doctrine of original sin.

“Actually, I’m in trouble. Could you give me a hand?”

As usual, Ain took a long time to get to the point.

The Man-Eater turned her eyeless, flower-like face toward him and tilted her head as if to ask a question. Her mouth was half open.

(…I think she’s cute.)

He felt something akin to parental affection; she was surprisingly cute for such a small creature.

If she opened her mouth wide, she would reveal her ferocious fangs. Perhaps because she was in a calm mood, though, she did not show any signs of her true nature.

Besides, she seemed to understand him well.

They were able to communicate with each other.

He couldn’t tell what the Man-Eater was thinking, but she seemed to understand him clearly when he spoke.

Feeling relieved,

“Actually, there’s a place I want to investigate…”

He began to explain the situation to the Man Eater.

It must have been a strange sight to anyone watching.

Talking to a flower might seem cute, but at that moment, it was indescribable.

“Can you do it? You can’t eat the researchers or destroy the lab. You also can’t eat the research subjects. There are so many things you can’t do…”

“…Haaahh…”

The response was an incredibly loud sigh.

“…Huh?”

“…?”

At that moment, Ain remembered the previous summoning.

The image of a certain Man-Eater flashed through his mind.

“You—didn’t you sigh at me before?”

This had happened when he left the August Trading Company and was attacked by men in robes at the port.

One of the Man-Eaters had sighed in apparent dissatisfaction with Ain’s orders.

“You were there, right?”

“…Mm.”

Ain thought grimly as the Man-Eater nodded.

The two exchanged suspicious glances at the overly expressive Man-Eater and remained silent.

After nearly a minute, Ain sighed and said,

“If you sigh like that again, I’ll call you Logas.”

“Aaaahhhhh…!”

Like Marco, it was a gesture that made you wish you could see their facial expressions.

“I see. Maybe you’re reliable after all.”

They seemed to get along well.

Feeling that things might work out, Ain began to explain the plan he had been thinking about.

In the end, the Man-Eater turned out to be an obedient subordinate, and Ain settled the battle by giving her a magic stone.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The second day.

Chris was holding something in her hand in a private room in a restaurant in the center of Ist.

It was a letter prepared by Warren.

It was delivered to several research institutes early this morning.

“In the name of First Princess Katima, we will visit the relevant institutions—is that correct?”

On the first day, Chris woke up and went out into the city.

She didn’t gather any particularly noteworthy information, but she ended the day having confirmed the location of the Ancient Biological Research Institute.

She noted that she felt nostalgic when she saw the monster arena along the way.

“Is this okay?”

She looked at Ain with a sidelong glance and put the food she had ordered into her mouth.

Incidentally, this place had a surprisingly nice atmosphere.

They chose a high-end restaurant because it would be easier to talk in a private room. However, Chris also seemed to be enjoying the food.

“I didn’t just ask her to come without thinking. Katima-san came to Strohm because of her connection to the research institute, after all.”

Ain could come up with any number of reasons for the invitation.

Chris sighed at his shrewdness.

“Huh… Ain-sama, who used to be so pure, has learned such tricks without me noticing…”

(Was I ever pure?)

He wasn’t blaming others, but he did have an excuse.

Since childhood, Warren had been his mentor in the arts of civil service.

As the saying goes, foxes were cunning, and Ain had skillfully absorbed the techniques.

“Still, that’s a valid reason. I guess.”

“Right? Next time, it’ll be my quick thinking—or rather, my thinking—that’ll be needed.”

Ain pointed to a wooden box next to the table, and Chris looked at it, too.

“Is this the gift you mentioned the other day? Is it something this small?”

“I had it made smaller. Inside is…”

Ain explained.

He explained what was inside and how he planned to use it.

Naturally, Chris put her hand to her forehead in exasperation.

She held a fork stuck in the food with one hand, looking rather sad.

“…Are you planning to send in a spy?”

A spy, indeed.

If it was someone who studied ancient creatures, then they would be attracted to one.

“That’s a harsh way of putting it. I’m not thinking anything like that. It’s just that it’s a valuable creature…”

“Come on, this is ridiculous.”

“…But this way, there won’t be any hard feelings.”

He had made sure to explain everything well to the Man-Eaters.

Perhaps tempted by the reward they would receive for their work, they nodded energetically at the end.

This way, even if it turned out to be white, there wouldn’t be any strange damage.

They were acting suspiciously, but it couldn’t be helped.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting-nya.”

Then Katima arrived, guided by a waiter.

She had been traveling with Warren’s subordinates and had just arrived from another research institute.

“Good work. How was the other research facility?”

“I took care of some work that had piled up-nya. This investigation may have been more meaningful than I expected-nya.”

“Hmm… Then, let’s go to the Ancient Biological Research Facility.”

Chris finished her food quickly and stood up.

She wished she could have stayed a little longer, but Ain stood up and started walking, too.

The bill had already been paid, and all that was left was to leave the restaurant.

“Nyaa, Ain.”

As they walked through the quiet restaurant, Katima spoke to him.

“Yes, yes. What is it?”

“How does the Man-Eater in the box come back-nya?”

“When I experimented with it, it dissolved in water, so I guess that’s how it works.”

He planned to use its whiteness to make it disappear.

Perhaps because it was created with magic, it was useful in this regard.

“I see-nya… They’re convenient minions-nya…”

“I’ll have it search the entire lab tonight. I’ve ordered it to return to the vase in my room by nightfall.”

With that, the three left the restaurant and set off on foot for their destination.

The cityscape remained unchanged, with many streamlined objects scattered about.

They were all magic tools, which was typical of Ist.

They passed the large clock tower in the center of the city, which they had seen before when they came to Ist.

With that eye-catching sight in their peripheral vision, the three walked through the bustling city of Ist.

“Oh, that reminds me…”

After walking for a few minutes, they approached the clock tower, and Chris’s tension rose.

On the other hand, Ain and Katima were optimistic.

Ain was confident that everything would be fine.

Katima had an inexplicable confidence that everything would work out.

“What should I do when we get to the Ancient Biological Research Institute?”

Just as they were about to arrive, Chris tilted her head and asked.

“Chris, just stay put!”

“…Is that okay?”

“Well, there’s not much for us to do anyway-nya.”

Katima answered with a wry smile.

“Yeah. Katima-san will take care of the paperwork. Then, I’ll give them this and tell them it was found on the other continent. After that, we’ll head back.”

“I see. Then I guess I shouldn’t say anything.”

They quickly made their plans before heading back to the inn.

They avoided anything unnecessary.

“It’s a hassle to arouse suspicion. We’re here investigating because something seems fishy, so we shouldn’t act suspicious ourselves.”

Their strides were different, yet they walked in step, as if they were accustomed to it.

After discussing the investigation, they engaged in casual conversation.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

When they arrived at the entrance of the research facility, Ain noticed a slight difference.

Security was much lighter than when he visited the Ist Grand Magic Research Facility.

There were hired adventurers standing guard, but the scale was significantly lower.

According to Katima,

“Well, they can’t hire security if they don’t have money-nya.”

That was her explanation.

Using the prestige of the royal family, the three of them entered without any trouble.

They were shown to an ordinary reception room and asked to wait for the person in charge of the research institute.

It was an inappropriate place to receive royalty, but no one seemed to mind.

“That aside, the atmosphere inside is a little different…”

“…That’s true.”

Chris agreed with Ain’s murmur.

She gently closed her eyes and exhaled.

“Is this the basement? It seems quite spacious, contrary to its appearance.”

The research facility must be divided into different levels.

The first floor was a typical hallway with magic lamps on the ceiling and cheap materials on the floor.

The ground floor didn’t feel very spacious; it felt more like a few ordinary houses connected together.

At least, walking down the hallway, the difference from the Ist Grand Magic Academy was significant.

“Um, did you use magic to check?”

“Yes, I just tried to feel the wind that I’m sensitive to.”

“That’s nice,” Ain smiled.

He would like to learn how to do that if he had the chance.

“Unlike Chris, I felt that the atmosphere was somehow different.”

“Ahaha… Perhaps you understand it better than I do?”

“After all, you are the Demon King,” she teased.

As they exchanged pleasantries, the door to the reception room opened.

An average-looking man of medium height entered, wearing a white coat like a researcher.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting… Oh?”

He smiled and approached them. His expression, to put it bluntly, was slack and insincere.

Chris was irritated by his attitude, but since she had said she wouldn’t do anything, she endured it.

The man focused his attention on Katima, but in the next moment, looked at Ain with surprise.

“I heard that the First Princess was here, but could that be…”

He blinked repeatedly at Ain.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m just accompanying her today.”

“…I apologize. I’m just a researcher, and I didn’t mean to intrude.”

The man seemed to have noticed Ain, which wasn’t surprising, but he wondered about his attitude.

(This is unusual. There’s royalty here… Not only Katima-san, but I’m here too, yet he seems so calm.)

He didn’t seem nervous at all.

He made Ain and the others wait, yet he seemed careful not to show his thoughts on his face.

Without pausing, he flashed a relaxed smile and hurried over.

“I apologize for my late introduction. I am Noish, the director of this research institute.”

He sat down in front of Katima, looked up, and waited for her to speak.

“Did you read the letter-nya?”

“Of course. I heard that you are recruiting engineers in Strohm and have come to Ist for that purpose…”

Scratching his temple with one hand, Noish said with a forced smile,

“However, I don’t think this is something the First Princess would do herself.”

“I have other work to do-nya. That’s why I’m here this time-nya.”

In fact, she did have other work to do.

She had been doing it before meeting Ain, so she wasn’t lying.

“I see, I see. So that’s how it is.”

The man’s expression remained relaxed.

He slowly reached out and gulped down the tea on the table.

Just as he let out a satisfied sound, his face contorted the next moment.

“However, I was wondering if our research institute could be of any help. We are actually a small institute with only five researchers, including myself.”

“I see-nya. That makes it difficult for you to come to Strohm-nya.”

“Yes, yes. So, how should I put this? Here at the Ancient Biological Research Institute, we…”

“That’s enough, isn’t it?” Ain heard a voice that made it clear they wanted them to leave quickly.

Katima sighed and…

“That’s too bad-nya. But actually, I have another job I’d like to ask you to do-nya.”

Now it was time to get down to business.

Following Katima’s words, Ain placed the wooden box he had brought with him on the table.

What could be inside? Noish’s gaze darted between the box and Katima. He asked,

“…What’s in there?”

“It was found on the other continent. An adventurer from Heim sent it, and I’d like you to take a look at it.”

After exchanging glances, Ain opened the lid of the wooden box.

Inside was a small potted plant with a Man-Eater growing out of it.

The Man-Eater looked weak and moved its mouth slightly.

“I’ve never seen this before. Is it a new species?”

“I want you to investigate it-nya. I’d like to ask this research institute, which specializes in ancient creatures, if you don’t mind-nya.”

“I’m honored, but is this small research institute really okay?”

The atmosphere seemed to change slightly.

Come to think of it, it was ridiculous to ask such a small institute for help.

“Was it Noish-nya? I know about your past-nya.”

“My past…?”

He opened his mouth wide, his eyes widening.

“Yes, the researcher at Ist Grand Magic Academy-nya… The man who was also the chief researcher-nya?”

“Hahaha… No, I was just lucky back then.”

Ain looked at Katima.

That’s probably why she said she would leave it to her; she knows the details of the situation.

That made sense. It’s more convincing than what Ain said.

“You have a proven track record-nyn. The research institute may be small, but I thought you could handle this one-nya.”

In this vast Ist and on this vast continent of Ishtar.

The Ist Grand Magic Research Institute was well known. It’s such an authoritative research institute, after all.

It was not strange for Katima to say that. Regardless of the current situation, his achievements should be acknowledged and praised.

“Of course, the royal family owns all the necessary equipment and paid for it-nya.”

“…I see. So you have such high regard for my skills.”

Katima nodded, and Noish began to think.

He wondered what to do, then looked down and found himself staring at the potted Man-Eater.

He seemed intrigued and spent more and more time looking at it.

He stroked his unkempt beard, smiled wryly, and looked up.

“It would be rude to refuse a request from the royal family. Please leave it to our institute.”

“Oh, that’s good-nya.”

Did he give in to his curiosity or agree because he lost his reason to refuse?

In any case, Ain’s plan has definitely moved forward.

“By the way, you said it was from the adventurers of Heim. Was it sent from there?”

“That’s right-nya.”

Noish gazed at Man-Eater with keen interest.

(I’m glad I gave the Man-Eater some acting lessons.)

Ain breathed a sigh of relief.

He had instructed the Man-Eater to appear as weak and unenthusiastic as possible.

He thought that if the Man-Eater acted too energetically, it would be difficult to handle.

“I hear that various items are gathered in Birdland on the other continent. I purchased some items from a merchant there before.”

“Hoho, what did you buy-nya?”

“Just some common monster materials. I was curious if the monsters there are different from those in Ishtar.”

Ain thought he’s an excellent researcher.

He didn’t like that he notices such things and takes action.

That said, he was still on guard.

“The merchants of Birdland are also excellent. They delivered it quickly from Heim on their ship.”

“!

At that moment, Ain’s body twitched.

Chris looked at him, wondering what was wrong. Katima and Noish didn’t seem to notice, though.

Chris looked at Ain with concern. Ain moved his lips as if to say that he had noticed something.

――It’s okay.

“Katima-san. It’s about time for us to leave.”

“Nyaa, nyaa. Yes, it’s about time for us to leave-nya.”

When Ain suddenly stood up, Katima also stood up.

She was a little confused, but she didn’t argue and did as he said.

“Well then, Noish. That’s how it is-nya. A knight or an assistant will bring you the documents for the settlement later, so please take care of it-nya!”

“Leave it to me. If I learn of anything, I will report it to you immediately. We’ll discuss the details at a later date.”

“Well, shall we go-nya?”

In the end, they left the reception room with a rather casual air.

This was exactly as planned, and neither Katima nor Chris felt particularly suspicious.

Only Ain had noticed something.

“Ain, did you notice something-nya?”

After walking down the hallway for a while, Katima asked when they reached a place where there was no one around.

“This research facility… That man, Noish, is hiding something.”

“Nya… Nyaa!”

“Um, Ain-sama… How did you know?”

“I thought it might be a misunderstanding on Noish’s part, but he said ‘from Heim’ without hesitation.”

The two of them didn’t know what had made Ain realize this.

They stood next to him as he walked quickly and waited for him to explain.

“…It’s always been like this. Ever since Elena-san came here.”

“Elena… Is something wrong with Krone’s mother?”

They still had no idea.

But when Ain spoke next, they understood why he had realized it.

“The merchants of Birdland don’t have any ships in Heim… ever since my mother and I left.”

He spoke quietly and continued.

“It’s a remnant of the severed diplomatic relations. That’s why the merchants’ ships have only been in the northern country of Rockdam since then.”

This was the moment when something became clear.

Ain’s new goal was solidified, and the future was decided.

(There must have been transactions that couldn’t be done openly.)

If taken on its own, it might be wrong, he thought.

But, considering the circumstances, it was impossible to think it was wrong:

(Dragon worship, the flow of money, and research that broke the law.)

The story Leonard had told him about the black dragon flashed through his mind:

“But isn’t that red dragon dead now? If so, I don’t think it can be revived.”

“You’re right. So I don’t think the dragon is an option. Even so, we can’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on.”

He thought back to their conversation the other day and finally realized how it all connected:

Bring it back to life and carry out the legend. He didn’t want to think about it.

It was not impossible for a dragon to become attached to a human.

The twins thinking of Ain as their parent was a good example, even though it was a special situation.

If it were brought back to life and thought of the first person it saw as its parent, then it would be possible. Ain couldn’t help but think so.

“The Man-Eater will return tonight. Depending on the outcome, we’ll make our move tonight.”

“…Huh!”

——And a few hours after Ain and the others returned to the inn.

The Man-Eater returned with burns and ended up inside the vase, just like the other day.

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