The next morning, I go to the square while rubbing my sleepy eyes.
“Uhyah. He really transmuted all this in one night?”
I can hear Zahle’s surprised voice.
“It’s unbelievable, but we don’t have time to be shocked. Hey, you people! Start loading the mules!”
Shouts Zahle.
“Good morning.”
I greet him and the others.
“Oh! You really are incredible. Our village chief says you’re a really great alchemist, but you’re even better than I thought. Ohh, I know! Let me go get that big shot.”
Zahle leaves, and comes back with a uniformed man and Taula.
He introduces me to the man and we exchange greetings. Apparently he’s an office worker under the lord of the neighboring dominion, and his name is Memels. He was placed in charge of this transaction.
Both Memels and Taula look shocked at the pile of magic crystals I transmuted last night.
We all head to Kalin’s tent. He says he’s going to pay for this batch of magic crystals. Apparently Toma’s village chief recommended to his lord that he should have payment ready. I’m still impressed at how attentive he is.
Memels’ subordinates bring him a small metal box, and he takes out a parchment made of gold leaf and a magic item pen. Memels quickly starts filling in the parchment.
Next, he is handed a fist-sized stamp, which is also a magic item.
I’m an alchemist, so I can see the magic elements Memels is putting into the stamp.
He presses down hard and stamps the parchment. Rather than using ink, it is burned with magic elements.
Right after he’s done affixing the seal, it’s dark and clearly visible, but it soon becomes transparent, and eventually invisible.
I get a peek of the amount of money written on the parchment, and it’s more than double the budget the basic research department got last in its year.
“Knight Kalin, here is the stamped check. Please accept it.”
Says Memels very respectfully while handing her the parchment.
“Very well. Consider it accepted.”
Says Kalin while taking it and handing it to a man who appears to be a secretary.
“Please pay Master Rust’s share in accordance with the contract. Also, I hereby announce the creation of this dominion’s alchemy research department, under my direct control. And I appoint Master Rust as its chief.”
Proclaims Kalin after standing up. There wasn’t even an unofficial announcement prior to this, so I start blinking rapidly without noticing.
Still, it’s not like I’m not used to Kalin’s erratic behavior, so I smile awkwardly and take a knee. The rest of Kalin’s subordinates in this tent do the same.
“This is an official proclamation of the lord of this dominion, Kalin Admiral. For the time being, the aforementioned department’s budget will be the money earned from the sale of magic crystals, minus Master Rust’s share.”
The secretary quickly writes down what Kalin is saying. I say a prayer in my heart for him, thinking about the amount of clerical work he’s going to have to do.
Kalin looks at Memels and continues speaking.
“Well then Mister Memels. We will send the crystals to their destinations, including your dominion as was previously agreed.”
“Understood, knight Kalin. I will handle the details without issue. I am anxious to put all these strategic resources to good use.”
Say Memels and Kalin with smiles on their faces.
Hmph. Kalin really is at her best when she’s scheming. Oh well, it’s easier for me to leave the details to them.
“Yes. Well then Mister Memels, I am sure you need to make preparations to leave, so I am ending this meeting. Don’t go just yet Rust.”
I stay, hoping for a more concrete explanation, and Taula talks to me before leaving.
“Congratulations on your new post, Rust. I will use the information you gave me to continue my pursuit of the one who cursed me. I will continue guarding these people before leaving this remote region, but this is goodbye for now. I hope you stay in good health.”
Says Taula while gesturing a prayer.
“Yes. I hope you succeed in your revenge.”
I watch as Taula leaves with purpose in her step.
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Aw Taula won’t be sticking around for now