CH 42

“This is the closest one.”

Tortake and the others went to a storeroom previously used by the basic research department.

“If we tidy this up a bit, we’ll be able to fit everything here. Let’s throw out those old wooden boxes.”

Said Skihni while pointing to some dusty wooden boxes.

“I can’t read what’s written on the boxes, it’s too scratched.”

Said Tortake.

“It’s probably just equipment from that destitute basic research department. It’s no big deal.”

Responded Skihni.

“Hm. Let’s just open them.”

Tortake and the others started opening the wooden boxes, and found bottles lined-up inside.

“They all have this colorless transparent liquid inside, and there’s a magic element reaction coming from them. If they’re colorless and transparent, that probably means they’re all defective potions.”

Said Tortake while holding up one of the bottles.

He opened it and let a single drop fall on the back of his hand.

“No doubt about it.”

“Being that poor means they were good at keeping things. They even stored these useless things.”

“You’re right Skihni, dump it all in the river. Everyone else, start putting away the boxes and bringing in the new-style magic crystals.”

Tortake started giving instructions.

On the back of the lids of the boxes that were being taken out, there was actually both the name of their contents and a warning to handle them carefully. 『Concentrated magic element solution』. But Tortake and the others were completely unaware as they dumped everything in the river.

This concentrated magic element solution was something Rust used a lot during the early stages of his basic research. Making concentrated magic elements took time, so he made a lot in advance and stored it.

Fortunately, magic elements were not harmful to humans, so they would not hurt anyone even if they were dumped in the river. On the other hand, the lack of any immediate damage also meant that Tortake and the others did not realize what they had done until it was too late.

◆◇

“Sabasa! How did it go!?”

Rihalzam ran into the communications room while screaming.

In this room with the latest telecommunication devices, Sabasa sat with a pale expression, before handing a parchment to Rihalzam.

“Master Rihalzam, we have a big problem. Apparently there are a lot of old-style magic crystals on the market.”

Said Sabasa with a shaking voice.

“It can’t be! Impossible! If one of the association’s alchemists betrayed us like that, he’d be thrown out on the spot! And unlicensed alchemists don’t have the skill to do that, and imports are completely blocked. I can see someone smuggling some in, but not much!”

Ranted Rihalzam.

“I-I don’t know, it’s just that our clients are returning new-style magic crystals left and right. What do we do? It’s all dead stock.”

“How are sales?”

“We managed to recover a little but… We’re deep in the red.”

Said Sabasa while handing Rihalzam a rough estimate of the losses.

“R-red!? That can’t be! If we do end up in the red, I’m going to have to beg that Rust to come back. If I’m going to be humiliated like that I’d rather…”

Rihalzam’s voice became increasingly quieter until it became an inaudible mumble.

And then, he was called by the president.

“Hey, do something Sabasa!”

“W-what!? There’s nothing I can do.”

“Damn it damn it damn it!”

Screamed Rihalzam.

And thus, sales throughout the entire association fell well below their goal, and the president was holding Rihalzam accountable.

At the same time, the river with an unusual concentration of magic elements continued flowing downstream into the sea, where there was a large outbreak of armored salmon.