Chapter 83 Amber Eyes
While I was preparing alone in the synthesis room, there was a rhythmic knock on the door. For a moment, I thought it was Basilio-san, but the knocking sound was too light for him. He knocked more slowly, almost too politely.
Without knowing who it was, I replied, "Please come in." Then,
"Laura-chan, pardon the intrusion."
The person who entered the synthesis room was Marcedes-san, Arnold's mentor and the current caretaker of Elvira.
She often visited the synthesis room with Elvira, but this was the first time she had come alone to visit me since coming to the royal capital. I wonder what could be the matter.
"Marcedes-san, good morning."
"Sorry for the early visit. Elvira asked me to inform you that she wants to take a few days off from her synthesis studies starting tomorrow."
If it's starting tomorrow, that means she will come today. If Elvira is absent, the training we have been doing recently will be disrupted. I reconsidered the schedule for the upcoming days.
I thought about introducing my two juniors to my mentor, but Marcedes-san apologized with a troubled expression before I could say anything.
"I'm really sorry for Elvira's selfish request. It must be causing trouble for the new recruits as well."
Marcedes-san bent over deeply. Seeing her beautiful, long hair touching the floor, I hurriedly said, "Please lift your head!" But she remained bent over, raising her face slightly to look at me.
Her hair still touched the floor.
"I heard that you spent your holiday with her, Laura-chan. She's causing trouble every single day――"
"I don't think it's troublesome at all!"
I cut off Marcedes-san's words and said firmly.
It was unlike her usual cheerful self. She may be struggling with a girl who behaves freely in an unfamiliar place, but even so, was Marcedes-san always such a gloomy person?
――As I thought about it, I realized that Marcedes-san might also be harboring complex emotions in this place.
Marcedes-san was the disciple of Berta's mentor, and she seemed to get along well with Annette-san, the granddaughter of my mentor who passed away from the self-destruction disease, and she used to call Kasper-san "Kasper boy." I don't know the specifics of where and how they spent time together, but it's certain that Marcedes-san's father apprenticed to my mentor, the Royal Alchemist, so she must have definitely spent time in the royal palace, and it wouldn't be strange if her memories of this place and her difficult childhood were intertwined.
It's all just speculation, but I worry that these things might be causing Marcedes-san to have a darker expression than necessary. That's why I wanted to alleviate Marcedes-san's worries even a little, so I spoke up again.
"Elvira-chan just wants to express her gratitude to Arnold-san, and if I can help with that, it's just a thought. And with Iris... guiding the two new recruits through Elvira-chan, it allows us to conduct training that we wouldn't normally be able to do. It's something to be grateful for."
I said it quickly.
Marcedes-san looked surprised to see me so talkative for the first time, then softened and smiled. I felt relieved at that expression.
"When you say that, it makes me feel relieved. Thank you."
It must be tough looking after a young girl in a place with painful memories. It's not anyone's fault in particular, but it leaves an unsettled feeling.
Our conversation ended, and Marcedes-san ended up helping me with the preparations. She showed a smile that seemed to regain some energy and said, "Let me do this much," to my apologetic self.
In the midst of a pleasant atmosphere, just as the preparations were about to finish, *Bam!* There was a loud sound as the door to the synthesis room opened. Whether it was the innocent Iris, or――
"Laura!"
The voice that shook my eardrums in the next moment belonged to Elvira, the future hero I've grown accustomed to hearing recently.
As I turned around, Elvira came running over and, to my surprise, embraced me. I was momentarily frozen by the unexpected contact, but quickly covered it up with a smile.
"Good morning, Elvira-chan."
"Big brother is happy"
Elvira blushed and said that without even greeting. It seems she was so excited that her tension rose, and Arnold seemed genuinely pleased with the gift from his beloved sister.
Seeing Elvira express her joy with her whole body made me feel happy too.
"Really? That's great!"
"She's really attached to you, huh..."
As I bent down to meet her gaze, Marcedes-san muttered quietly behind me. Well, I've felt that she's been opening up to me lately, and it makes me genuinely happy to think that others can see it too.
I let out a carefree chuckle, but Elvira suddenly let go of me. Then, she dashed towards the entrance, where Arnold stood, looking uncomfortable.
"Arnold-san..."
"Can I observe today? ...I might be able to take a break for a little while."
Arnold's words struck a chord. Elvira was going to take a break from studying synthesis starting tomorrow, and Arnold said he might be able to take a break too. Surely, for a while from tomorrow, Rocco's sibling will have a peaceful time without being caught up in work.
I nodded vigorously to Arnold's offer to observe today's training.
*
If a senior in the synthesis room acts presumptuously, how would the two juniors react? The answer is ―― while one turns pale and stares at the senior with widened eyes, the other eagerly wanders around the senior with a curious expression. It's like a picture-perfect contrast, and a small smile escapes me.
Basilio-san, who turned pale, quietly stood next to me and asked in a hushed voice,
"L-Laura-san, why is Arnold-san...?"
"It's for Elvira-chan's observation."
"I-Is that so? I'm so nervous my hands are shaking... Oh, Iris!"
Meanwhile, Iris, who had been watching Arnold with sparkling eyes, couldn't contain herself any longer and approached Arnold. Ignoring Basilio-san's attempts to stop her, she approached him with a bright smile.
"Hey, hey, Arnold, you're the youngest person to become a Royal Alchemist, right?"
"That's right, but..."
"Wow! Which one is more amazing, my mentor or you?"
Ignoring Arnold's seemingly disdainful sharp gaze, Iris innocently smiles. As I was impressed by the strong spirit of my junior, Arnold turned his gaze towards me as if asking for help, so I hurriedly approached the 2 of them.
The pushy type is definitely not Arnold's favorite.
Standing behind the excited Iris, I gently touch her shoulder. Her amber eyes, looking up at me, are shining more than usual, and I inadvertently smile wryly.
"Iris's mentor is Reinhardt-san, right? I greeted him on the day of the announcement, the red-haired one..."
"Yes! Reinhardt is amazing!"
Puffing out her chest, Iris seems very close to him. While I watch Iris, proud and smiling, I suddenly hear her voice, "Ah!"
Iris made a suggestion in a light, sing-song tone, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise at her sudden loud voice.
"Right, next time, let's take Laura and Basilio to our house! He asked to invited you, but I completely forgot!"
The topic unexpectedly shifted, but I noticed Arnold sighing with relief in the corner of my eye. He must be truly relieved that Iris's attention has shifted away from him.
"Will Elvira come too?"
"Nope."
"Aww, I think Mentor would be really happy if you came!"
Elvira, who always speaks her mind, and Iris, who complains about her but laughs aloud, have a good relationship.
While listening to their conversation, I try to remember the figure of Iris's mentor, Reinhardt-san, whom I've met twice.
"Oh, right! Hey, Laura. Since Elvira won't be coming for a while from tomorrow, why don't you come to our house and train? There are plenty of medicinal herbs growing, and we have a great synthesis apparatus. I think it will be fun!"
Iris's unexpected proposal leaves me at a loss for words.
Not only in the established environment but also in various places, it would be a good experience to synthesize. Moreover, it would be a perfect fit for Iris to receive guidance from her familiar mentor, and it would be a fresh experience for Basilio-san.
I understand it's a generous offer, but starting from tomorrow is a bit too sudden.
"Is it close to the royal capital?"
"It's close! Because it's in the forest right near the royal capital!"
The words "forest near the royal capital" make me nervous. After all, that forest is――
"Has there been a monster sighting in that forest..."
As if taking over for me, Basilio-san anxiously mutters.
――Yes, it's the forest where Vake lost his right eye in a monster attack. Monsters invaded the northern forest near the royal capital.
As the atmosphere suddenly stiffens, Iris, however, smiles nonchalantly.
"It's not like that at all. We've never been attacked by monsters. Besides, my mentor and the others will come to pick me up!"
I don't distrust Iris. She doesn't lie. It's a fact that she's never been attacked by monsters. But I can't help but be concerned about the monster attack incident.
I look at Arnold as if seeking his judgment. Then he quietly says,
"...Ampère, the decision is yours."
My judgment has been entrusted with everything.
To be honest, I'm interested. I'll be raising a genius girl named Iris and her mentor, Reinhardt-san, who will make her amazing. And I'll be the same as the "Last Brave" heroine who has the same "amber-colored eyes" as someone close to Iris.
It will be a good experience, not only for Iris and Basilio-san but also for me.
I tightly clench my fist and, with every breath, I utter those words.
"If it seems dangerous, I'll come back immediately."
Upon hearing my words, Iris and Basilio-san exchange glances and smile. Seeing the two juniors' reactions, I am relieved that I haven't made a wrong judgment, at least for now.
On the other hand, I start thinking about the schedule after the training today. First, I'll talk to the Knight Order and ask if they can help me, if possible. Even if that's not possible, they should have detailed knowledge about the forest. I just want to hear their opinions.
Also, it seems that I'll be working on synthesizing self-defense poison until late tonight. I almost let out a sigh, but I swallow it back, not wanting to let the two juniors see.
* * *
During the training, Iris and Basilio-san were busy under Elvira's guidance, leaving me with free time occasionally.
Elvira will be taking a few days off starting tomorrow, so Iris, in particular, doesn't want to leave her side. Even though it's Basilio-san's turn to assist Elvira now, Iris stays by my side, completely devoted to Elvira.
Left alone, I try to make good use of my time by promptly cleaning the utensils I used. Arnold helped me with that.
"Arnold-san, are you going to be with Elvira-chan starting from tomorrow?"
"Yes, that's right."
While cleaning the utensils side by side, we exchange small talk.
The voice that answered my question seemed somewhat cheerful.
"Enjoy your time. It's a precious opportunity."
"Thank you. Please take care, both of them too."
"Yes, thank you."
After that, our conversation lulls, and a comfortable silence flows between us.
Amidst the sound of water washing the synthesis tools, I hear a sigh from beside me. When I look over, Arnold hesitates and opens his mouth.
"That newbie, Iris, with those amber-colored eyes, I feel uneasy when she looks at me. It's like she can see right through me."
What resurfaced in my eardrums was the voice of the future Hero-sama that "I" heard.
――When you look at me, it's like you can see right through everything. It makes me a little uneasy."
That's what Hero-sama said to the heroine with the same color eyes as Iris.
"...What's wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I just remembered someone who said something similar to Arnold-san before."
I also remember feeling restless and uneasy when I first met Iris. Now, her "amber-colored" eyes that gaze at me are always filled with joy, and I find delight in being the recipient of her gaze.
Whether there is a connection between the "Last Brave" heroine and Iris or if it's just a mere coincidence, it's a question that remains unanswered. Even though I know that, the question keeps swirling in my mind, appearing and disappearing.
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