Volume 7 Chapter 22 Margrave Birk's Marriage
Alkei and Cecilia were riding in a carriage together.
In front of Margrave Birk's mansion. The guard, seeing the unfamiliar crest on Alkei's carriage, stopped them. "State your name. You don't have an appointment for today's visit."
Alkei opened the window and leaned out, calling out in a low voice, "Over here." The guard approached Alkei with a suspicious look.
There, Alkei subtly took out a handkerchief infused with a fragrance and pretended to wipe her mouth, letting the guard catch a whiff.
The guard was at a loss. But Alkei had already finished her work.
"I had an appointment for today's visit, Alkei Fragrance. May I pass through this gate?"
"...Ah, forgive me. Open the gate!"
The gate opened, and the carriage proceeded. After they passed through the gate, Cecilia spoke up.
"That was impressive. As expected of the top alchemist, 'Fragrance of the God,' you would be able to pull off something so bold."
"Alchemy is the highest form of magic, Princess Cecilia."
"Every magician thinks their magic is the best. It's all about strengths and weaknesses."
"...You have a keen eye, indeed."
"Stop it, stop it. It's pointless to exchange empty flattery. We're in a place like this, surrounded by humans, and yet we're of the same kind. We shouldn't be concerned with social status and just speak our minds."
Alkei thought that Cecilia's royal-like haughtiness and noble-like sincerity were hard to read, like a complex abdominal art. This young elf, who was over 100 years younger than her, seemed to see right through her.
"There's no need to speak our minds, anyway. We'll be at the main house soon, and there's nothing to talk about."
"That's true. I was just trying to provoke you, seeing how well you could hide your emotions while looking upset. And now it's gone, Princess."
Cecilia laughed mischievously and got out of the carriage as the door was opened for her. Alkei muttered under her breath, "Just a little more patience," and followed after her.
They followed the guide servant to the room where Margrave Birk was. The room labeled "Office" was clearly not a reception room for guests.
"It's fine, you can leave now."
Alkei sniffed the scent on her fingertips and had the servant leave, then stepped into the office with Cecilia.
The moment the door opened, Margrave Birk didn't seem to think of Alkei and the others as outsiders. While working on documents, he said, "Hey, when you enter, knock and state your business," and looked up.
And then, the margrave froze. Alkei quietly placed a flask containing a powerful perfume in the room and began her greetings. "Hello, Lord. I apologize for the sudden visit."
"I'm Alkei, a gold-ranked Sword adventurer, and I move with my platinum sword, 'Oath.' I'm also the head alchemist of 'Fragrance of the God.'."
"This one is an elf, Princess Cecilia Princi Akasia of the Akasia clan. This one's husband may not look impressive, but that's fine. The sl*ve hunting business is already well-known."
Margrave Birk was clearly on guard, trying to do something. But Alkei's perfume had already filled the room.
"Stop, Margrave Birk."
"!?"
The margrave stopped, unable to move. Alkei approached him, asking,
"'Answer me, Margrave Birk'. What were you trying to do just now?"
"...I, too, am a weak magician. I was trying to resist using earth magic."
"Hmm. It seems you didn't cooperate with 'Slow.' He's quite clumsy for being under that arrogant king."
"..."
Margrave Birk was sweating coldly, staring at them with a stiff expression. Since he was ordered to answer, he should respond. So, had he really not cooperated with them?
"As for the political struggles, even a amateur like me can do a good job, and so let's hurry up and get things done. Princess Cecilia."
"Hmph."
Cecilia steps forward in front of Margrave Birk.
"Well then, nice to meet you, Margrave-dono. This one, by the Roman Emperor's order, have become your wife. I may look small, but don't underestimate me. This one is a woman who will truly become just a wife."
Hehe, Cecilia laughs mischievously.
"'This one' have no ill intentions towards you. As a wife, I'll do my best, bear children, and become a family. I'll love you, and be loved by you. And with that, this one's hidden thoughts will be fulfilled."
"...That crazy emperor must be thinking something like that. Truly, it's mind-boggling..."
Ggh, Margrave's teeth grind as his limbs tremble. But as long as the incense is effective, resistance is impossible.
Alkei says.
"Margrave Birk, our plan is like that. This time, let's settle your marriage and forget about the circumstances and details. You're a capable person, so you won't be harmed."
Then, she smiles faintly.
"Forget your hatred towards the Emperor, and enjoy your married life with the beautiful princess. That alone will make have no choice but work under the Emperor's rule, won't it?"
Alkei sniffs the air around her, manipulating the flow of scents with her fingertips. Simple commands only require a slight whiff, but to manipulate deep subconscious thoughts, a stronger scent is needed.
She creates a scent trap in her palm. There, she gently blows her breath. Then, the scent trap flows, reaching Margrave Birk. Margrave's consciousness wavers.
Alkei gives an order.
"Margrave Birk, you are――――."
"Oh, all the gods that love me! I'm grateful for this setup! Please, behold! The thunder that breaks through walls! The judgment of non-killing that doesn't kill people!"
A loud thunderclap and intense light fill the room.
Alkei guards her head in surprise, panicking. The lightning that fell nearby temporarily paralyzes everyone in the room, stopping them in their tracks.
Just then, a gust of wind blew.
"You're still as reckless as ever, young lady. But I'm thrilled to be entrusted with a crucial mission like this."
Alkei sensed the fragrance of alchemy spreading from around her, carried by the wind. The 'Fragrance of the God' was a school of alchemy specialized in closed spaces. The wind in open areas was like a natural enemy.
It was only after she barely regained her vision that she realized the situation had completely turned around.
A massive hole had opened in the wall, and above it, the 'mystery' person was floating in mid-air. Cecilia and Margrave Birk were being carried away by a young person in a butler's uniform, about to be taken from the scene.
"―――Stop! I won't let you!"
Alkei waved her hand. The remaining fragrance swirled in the air, and at its center, a flower bloomed. The intense smell was an attack intent in the mysteries of alchemy. There, she threw in an alchemy flask.
The fragrance was thistle. Its flower language was 'revenge'. What she threw in was alcohol.
"Now, explode!"
A blast of flames assaulted the enemy.
"Wind Spring!"
"Oh, God! Grant me a magnificent performance with flames, and the colors of the wind!"
However, an open area was still not the domain of the 'Fragrance of the God'. In an instant, the flames' magic was stolen by the druid user, and the wind magic butler escaped quickly.
In a closed room, shw might be the 'God of the Fragrance Box', but in an open area, she was just an ordinary alchemist. Against an opponent with environment-changing abilities, she was extremely weak. That was Alkei Fragrance, the adventurer.
Alkei furrowed her brow, feeling helpless, and let out a sigh.
"To be honest, I wanted to handle this on my own, but... Arthur, can you help me?"
"It's my pleasure, Alkei."
Following Geas, Arthur the 'Oath' appeared out of nowhere. The druid user, who had been scattering magic around, grew wary, thinking, "So, you weren't here just now, huh?"
"But we're not done yet. ―――Now, it's time for the main act! Let's go all out!"
With that declaration, someone descended from above with an impact.
It's not sure if it's appropriate to use such an expression for a human, but that's exactly what it was. It shattered the tiles, kicked up dust, and swung a greatsword as he appeared.
"Yo, 'Oath'...! I've been looking forward to our rematch for a long time."
'Slow' Wade. His eyes sparkled with a fierce glint, and despite losing an arm, his fighting spirit didn't dwindle as he stood before Alkei and the others.
"It's a political struggle, and I've been thinking about how you guys would come at me, but honestly, fighting is the most fun, don't you think? You think so too, don't you, 'Oath'?"
"...Heh, heh, haha, ahaha. That's right, 'Slow'. I, too, would rather abandon politics and go to war."
'Oath' laughed beside Alkei. Alkei felt a chill run down her spine, thinking, "This is bad." There's no way 'Oath' wouldn't be delighted to have such a worthy opponent challenging them head-on.
"...Arthur, I'm going to chase after the one who stole Princess Cecilia and ran away, so don't get in my way."
"No way! I won't allow it! I won't permit it, and neither will God!"
With the sound of thunder in the background, the Druid user floated in mid-air, maintaining a stern expression. Alkei felt even more desperate, thinking, "And there's him, too..."
"Not to mention 'Slow', but you're famous, too. The 'Narcissistic Bard' of the Fist of the Dragon army. Will you fight me as well?"
"Taking on someone of your platinum level is too much for me. However, I can make up for Wade-kun's shortcomings and use the remaining power to suppress Alkei, the alchemist."
The 4 of them glared at each other in the ruined lord's office. 2 vs 2. A gathering of powerful individuals. 'Oath' was one thing, but Alkei was in a situation where they faced the risk of death.
'Slow' raised his voice.
"Ah, I guess I need to introduce myself. Hello, 'Oath' camp. I'm Wade the 'Slow' of the Wade camp. I've come to have a fun fight with you guys."
"Likewise, I'm Roman, the 'Narcissistic Bard' of the 'Slow' camp. Nice to meet you all."
"This is a polite thank you. To rephrase, it's Arthur the 'Oath'. 'Slow', I'm really happy to have misjudged how quickly we could have our next battle with you."
"...Alkei Fragrance, that's me. Ah, why did it have to come to this, already!"
There's no choice but to make up her mind. Alkei is not very good at fighting, but as a corrupt golden Sword adventurer, Alkei pulls out an alchemy flask from her waist.
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