I Regressed and the Genre Changed

Chapter 32 – Saint

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 32 – Saint

The conversation with Rudine ended right there.

I left without any particular response, and Rudine watched my departing figure until the end.

There may not have been any achievements, but at least I realized one thing for sure.

That she wasn’t just crazy, she was completely insane.

What? Granting everything I desire?

Telling me not to abandon her?

‘Still gives me chills.’

Nonsense.

How am I supposed to stay in this world when I still have thoughts of leaving?

The only emotion left after the conversation was discomfort, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any gain.

‘Isabel being trapped… a blessing in disguise.’

Having slapped the Royal Family in the face, it would be difficult for Isabel to be freed easily no matter how much she uses the power of Count Yustia.

In other words, at least for the time being, she won’t be interfering with my path.

However, if there’s a problem…

◆ Scenario Progress:

: 40%

The progress rate has risen once again.

I have a rough idea why.

Most likely, it’s due to Isabel’s current situation.

Clack, clack—

I walked for a while and then abruptly stopped in front of the entrance of a building.

An arched iron gate adorned with various mysterious patterns.

It was the entrance leading to the Imperial Alchemy Association, the only one of its kind in the Empire.

Without hesitation, I attempted to knock on the door.

After raising my hand to knock, the door made a creaking sound as it opened, as if on cue.

“…What?”

I stared at the dimly lit crack in the door and walked inside.

At that moment, a man who had been waiting at the entrance approached.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

His face seemed vaguely familiar.

He’s the one who always appears like a ghost whenever one visits the Alchemy Association, guiding them through the building.

“I’ve heard about the situation. Please follow me this way.”

I followed him as we started to climb a narrow staircase.

The interior of the building was eerily quiet.

It was as if no one existed inside the building at all.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

The authority wielded by the Imperial Alchemy Association is immense.

And the title attached to the organization’s name signifies the influence it holds.

Among all the associations in the Empire, the Imperial Alchemy Association is one of the most prominent.

The very foundation of the Empire’s civilization, despite magic and divine powers, ultimately lies in alchemy.

Would the Emperor himself have bothered to accommodate a mere organization within the embrace of the Imperial Family?

That’s how significant each discovery of the Alchemy Association is.

After several twists and turns, a faint light began to appear at the end.

At the destination was a massive magic circle.

It was exactly like the scene from the game in my memory.

“If you could stand in the direction I’m pointing to.”

I stood in the middle of the magic circle as instructed.

The man confirmed my position and then scattered some unknown substance onto the magic circle.

At that moment.

Kwoooong!

The ground shook as a loud noise erupted from somewhere.

A tremendous vibration could be felt beneath my feet.

It felt as if the entire building was shaking.

Five overlapping elemental circles above the magic circle.

A burst of light emanated from them.

Simultaneously, a blue vortex descended from the sky.

Woooong—

I barely managed to steady myself amidst the surging magical force.

My hair fluttered wildly in the rushing magical winds.

It was always a tumultuous experience no matter how many times I witnessed it.

“…”

Soon, the vibrations ceased.

The once eerily silent interior of the building was now filled with bustling noise.

When I turned my head back, a door had appeared on the dead-end stone wall that hadn’t been there a moment ago.

Or, can this really be called a door?

It didn’t even have a doorknob, nor was there any mark to pull it with your fingers.

“Just a moment, please.”

The man who had been guiding me moved slowly.

He gazed seriously at the door, then reached out and touched it.

That was when it happened.

Swoosh—

The door swung open, revealing a new space.

It was a vast and luxurious space, so grand that it was unimaginable from its shabby exterior.

A familiar sight.

“Welcome to the Alchemy Association.”

The Alchemy Association.

I had finally arrived.

****

Reception room of the Alchemy Association.

“We’ve heard about the situation. You need to make an Elixir, correct?”

The head of the association, Esdel.

She confirmed the information she had received with a gentle voice.

I nodded slowly.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve encountered a situation like this.”

Esdel took a moment to catch her breath before continuing.

“I’m not sure how to handle a situation where the Imperial Family has brought in an outsider so recklessly… how to accept it…”

“Don’t worry too much. The status I’ve been given is just ‘temporary’ after all.”

“Well, aside from that…”

Esdel tapped her desk with her fingertip.

Her scrutinizing gaze felt sharp.

Esdel let out a sigh and pushed a document towards me.

“Exactly what are you manufacturing that the list of materials sent for it looks like this? I’d like to hear an answer if you don’t mind.”

“Do you really need to know?”

“Yes, I think I do. What on earth are you manufacturing that requires raiding almost half of the Imperial Treasury, and why is the Royal Family supporting you with conditions that defy common sense? It’s absurd, isn’t it? Trusting someone like you, who has never even learned alchemy, so blindly.”

To cure the Emperor’s baldness.

I barely managed to swallow my words.

Given her fiery gaze, it seemed impossible to beat around the bush.

Hoping to change the subject, I asked her.

“Do you have the ingredients?”

“If you want my cooperation, I’d like to hear the answer to my question first. I’ll make sure to keep the secret.”

‘What can I say about this…?’

[Translator – Peptobismol]

My goal is to manufacture an Elixir.

The method of manufacturing the Elixir is known only to me in the current Empire.

Or rather, it’d be more appropriate to say that no one is aware of its existence.

The Elixir is a legendary potion that could only appear in ancient scrolls.

Since I need to manufacture such an item, the cooperation of the head of the association is absolutely essential.

Then.

Is Esdel a trustworthy person?

‘Trustworthy enough.’

In the game, and in the official setting.

She’s a woman who keeps her promises to the end, even if it costs her life.

Above all, I have had numerous experiences of manufacturing the Elixir in the game.

And out of the five attempts, Esdel has never once disappointed me.

But.

“I can’t tell you.”

“…What did you just say?”

“I said I can’t tell you.”

Esdel’s eyes widened in astonishment.

I raised my head and insisted once again.

“It’s strange. No matter how high the authority of the association is, it shouldn’t rival the authority of the Royal Family.”

“…”

“Especially not to the extent of defying a decree. And it’s not just you. Even I came here under an Imperial decree. In such a situation, why would I trust you with confidential information? My life is at stake here.”

She stiffened, her body tensing.

It seemed like an unexpected answer.

Esdel soon let out a short sigh.

“…I understand. I was out of line.”

Although it doesn’t sit well with me, it’s an unavoidable choice.

I must return to my world no matter what.

That’s why I can’t trust anyone fully in this damned world.

“We’ve prepared most of the ingredients by raiding the Imperial Treasury. However…”

Esdel paused and carefully continued her words.

“Blue Orchid, Soulstone, and Sacred Solvent.”

Familiar names.

Among the ingredients, I remember the Blue Orchid being the most difficult to obtain.

“The Blue Orchid is scheduled to be auctioned at a national auction, and negotiations for the Soulstone are currently underway with the Torte Merchants. The problem lies with the Sacred Solvent.”

“I’m listening.”

“The Sacred Solvent is a precious item owned by the Holy See. The Royal Family is willing to offer a substantial price for it, but negotiations aren’t easy.”

The Holy See does have considerable influence.

But it’s not so high as to stick to its position to the extent of refusing negotiations with the Empire.

It’s clear that sooner or later, they’ll concede to the Empire’s hefty offer under certain conditions.

“Once the prepared ingredients are ready, they’ll be kept in a private research lab. Except for you, no one else will have access, so you can rest assured.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Accommodation and meals will also be provided, so feel free to make yourself at home.”

The matter was settled.

Just as I was about to get up from my seat.

Knock, knock—

A light knocking sound echoed a few times in the air.

“Come in.”

At Esdel’s words, the door opened and in came none other than a girl.

She smiled warmly, carefully placed the bunch of papers she was holding on the table where we were sitting, and then left.

“What’s this?”

“Oh, it’s the newspaper.”

Esdel opened the newspaper as if she had been waiting for it.

I glanced through the unfolded newspaper out of the corner of my eye.

Debutante ball, banquets, social gossip…

All meaningless news.

That was when it happened.

The headline on the next page caught my eye as if it were piercing through my eyes.

[Her Majesty the Empress has revealed… Lady Isabel Yustia, Possesses the Ability to Purify the Black Mist]

[Cannot Exclude the Possibility of Becoming the Saint of this Era, Turning the Empire Upside Down…]

[The Holy See Demands a Meeting with Lady Isabel Yustia…]

“…”

…Unbelievable, truly.

[Translator – Peptobismol]