CH 446

“Hipota, we’re finally back.”

I’m in the outskirts of the capital, and I’m going to meet an old friend from school and head to a developing land.

It’s been a few years since I graduated and became a freelance alchemist.

My life was pretty difficult at first, after saying no to the alchemist association.

I went around the borderland getting rare materials and transmuting, but it’s hard for an alchemist without any real achievements under his belt to sell his items.

But I kept going, and my transmuted items slowly found buyers, and now I’m able to earn a daily wage.

But then, a request suddenly fell on me.

“A long term request means my easy-going life is going to be put on hold… Well, it’s for her, so…”

My friend’s face crosses my mind as I stretch on top of my partner, a hippopotamus transmuted beast called Hipota.

“Bumomo.”

Hipota’s voice prompts me to face forward. More and more people are coming out. This is a main road connecting to the capital, and an important traffic route of this country. This combined with the pleasant weather means all sorts of people are coming and going.

I’ve been in the borderland for so long, that it’s been a while since I even heard people talk to each other.

“Listen, Sabasa and Tortake. The picking spot is…”

“Ah! Watch your step.”

“Uoh!”

I see a stout person that looks to be a colleague, accompanied by a few people.

That big body stumbles, and the others rush to catch it.

“What do you think Zoroa!? With this perfect disguise…”

“Shh! You’re being too loud…”

There are three ladies on top of riding beasts. I think they’re nobles.

“Douga.”

“What, Deden? Getting scared?”

“Of course not…”

Adventurers.

Lots of people pass by.

I can finally see the entrance to the capital. There are transmuted beasts of all sizes there.

“Hey!”

A small redheaded girl waves both arms. She’s loud too. I can hear her all the way from here.

There are two people by her side who are wearing foreign looking cloaks, and have cloth covering their faces.

I get a strong sense of deja-vu when I see them for some reason. It makes me dizzy.

My body… I guess I pushed it too far, transmuting all night long and then traveling…

I feel like I’m floating, as I slip and fall off Hipota.

“Hello, traveling gentleman. Be careful.”

I open my eyes, and see a beautiful woman with silver hair, who is wearing a nun’s outfit.

She doesn’t have bruises on her face, and looks well. That’s nice…

“Y-yes. I’m all right sister. Thank you.”

Uh? What just crossed through my mind?

I quickly thank her and get up.

“She is an actor, traveler. She caught you when you fell from your riding beast.”

“Ah, thank you very much, actor. I’m truly ashamed.”

I respond to another person next to me who seems to be an actor. I say thank you again, and show them I’m not hurt.

“That is good to hear. Kahelone… Ah, it seems you are not here alone. Good. Well then, may the divine protection of the rose of love be with you.”

They leave a prayer as they leave, and I see Kalin running this way.

“Hey! Are you all right, Rust!? I saw you fall all of a sudden! I was worried!”

“It’s been a while, Kalin, Ahri, and Roa. You look well…”

A tear falls down my face for some reason.

“What’s wrong!? Didn’t that person from the church catch you? Did you get hurt!?”

“No, I’m fine… Sand got in my eyes.”

I can’t stop, and I don’t know why.

My tears keep dripping on the ground.

“…Ahri, do you know him?”

“…No, I can’t say I have ever met him.”

Behind the surprised Kalin, Ahri and Roa speak quietly with puzzled sounding voices.

Why can’t I stop? And now that I think about it, how come I know their names?

Kalin still looks concerned, and I still can’t control my tear glands.

“…Lady Kalin spoke of a frontier alchemist whose name reached even the capital, but…”

Says Ahri, seemingly because this is going nowhere.

But I feel relieved to see she is still the same. Before I know it, I have an awkward smile on my face.

“I’m sorry you had to see that. My name is Rust, and I will be under your care for a while.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rust. My name is Ahri Forth, and this is my younger sister, Roa Forth.”

We exchange handshakes, and Kalin claps her hands.

“All right! I don’t really know what just happened, but that takes care of the introductions. Now we’re leaving for my new dominion!”

Announces Kalin.

We start walking, and this is how I begin my new job.

～The end～

Author’s comment:

The web version of The frontier alchemist ~ I can’t go back to that job after you made my budget zero is complete!

Thank you very much for reading over two years of serialization and over half a million characters.

I’m thinking about uploading extra chapters coinciding with releases of new chapters of the manga.

Best regards.