CH 12

“Well then, shall we start working right away?!”

“No, wait a moment, Head Department. First, explain the facilities and job details.”

“Oh, right~ I’m just so happy that Aria-chan is here that my emotions got the best of me~.”

“Head Department-san is always like that, aren’t you?”

Hisui-san looked exasperated while Yuren-kun made a face that said “oh well”.

It seems that Laura-san from the Head Department is someone who goes at her own pace.

In the royal palace, there wasn’t someone like that, so it feels very fresh to me.

Are the two of them a little tired?

“Um, before we get started with the explanation of the job, well…basically, it’s the same as your previous work. We make things requested from above and develop things that are likely to be useful. That’s pretty much the gist of it.”

“Isn’t that too vague? Aria, did you get that?”

“Yeah, I’m okay with it if it’s similar to what I did before.”

The role of a Transmutation Master is to create new things.

I don’t think it will change no matter where you are. If there’s something different, it would be the environment of the workplace and knowing what is most necessary.

“Excuse me, Head Department-san.”

“Just call me Laura. What’s up?”

“What are you researching here mainly?”

“We focus on potion development and inventing new plants.”

Upon hearing her response, I was a little surprised. Potion development is expected everywhere, but research on new plants is not often heard of. At least, no one was researching them in the previous palace.

“Why plants? Plant research is even more difficult than researching living creatures, and the usefulness is often low.”

“That’s true, but~”

As Head Department-san said this, she glanced at Yuren-kun. It was a signal for him to take over and talk.

“How much does Aria know about the circumstances of this country?”

“Um, I’m sorry. I don’t know much about it.”

“Yeah.”

When I was working, I was too busy with my research and blocked out any unnecessary information.

All I knew was that the neighboring country was a nature-rich one.

“You didn’t have the chance to see it on the way here because it was difficult, but we are surrounded by nature. We have fewer cities and man-made structures compared to normal countries. Do you know that?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, do you know about the four seasons?”

“I’ve heard about that, too.”

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Perhaps it’s because we are surrounded by vast nature, including mountains and the sea.

Apparently, the Salem Kingdom has four seasons.

“The four seasons themselves are not unusual. They exist in other countries and regions, too. The problem is that the environmental changes depending on the season are extreme.”

Yuren-kun talks.

The four seasons in Salem Kingdom are slightly different from the ones we know well.

Specifically, the temperature difference between cold and warm is sometimes strong and sometimes weak, depending on the year.

In some years, summers that can be described as scorching were followed by cool ones the next year.

In addition, natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes, cold waves, and dryness frequently occur.

“Although it is a relatively calm period now…winter is coming soon. Winter is always harsh every year, and it’s also a season where you don’t know what will happen.”

“That’s why crops are hard to grow, and all plants quickly wither or rot.”

“If plants don’t grow, animals can’t survive. So we’re working hard to develop plants that can withstand harsh environments.”

Yuren-kun and Head Department-san took turns explaining, and I understood.

If there are such circumstances, we must work on plant development, no matter how difficult it may be.

For the sake of our lives, not only for us, but for the people living in this country as well.

“We’re working on animals too, but it’s impossible with our technology. We’re working on plants because we might be able to manage it somehow. Well, the results are not that good though.”

“I also personally investigated it, but unlike simple synthetic materials, plants are alive. It’s difficult to handle living things, no matter what. But…”

Yuren-kun looks at me.

Head Department-san and Hisui-san continue.

Their eyes were shining, and I felt filled with their expectations.

“If Aria is here, I feel like we can make it work.”

“Yeah, yeah! It’s reassuring to have you around~ It’s been difficult to take care of the new recruits, and now I can’t focus on my research.”

“The previous potion was also amazing, so I understand why Yuren has high expectations.”

“Uh, y-yes.”

It’s kind of itchy.

I didn’t realize how restless it would make me to have their expectations.

“I’ll do my best to meet everyone’s expectations.”

“Yes, but don’t push yourself too hard. If you feel pressured, it’s okay to take a break, and if someone bullies you, just tell me right away.”

“Yuren is overprotective~.”

“You’re annoying, Hisui. Also, keep an eye out for anyone bothering her. I don’t think there is, but still.”

Hisui-san just responds with an indifferent “Yeah, Yeah.”

Because of his attitude, Yuren-kun gets angry and says to do it seriously.

“I get it~.”

“Is that really true? If you do it half-heartedly, I’ll reduce your salary!”

“Wow, that’s harsh. You’re being tyrannical.”

“Fufufu.”

I’m also in this lively space.

Until recently, it was something I couldn’t even imagine.