The Frontier Alchemist ~ I Can't Go Back to That Job After You Made My Budget Zero

In Kalin's tent, after reporting that I had finished adding water bottles, I was handed two sheets of parchment.

They must have come from the communication device. One has already been opened and the other is still wrapped around the parchment and sealed when it is ejected.

"Rust, you're working fast as usual. Even that original water bottle with the water purification function would have taken an average alchemist several days to make.

"Well, it might take that long to draw the magic circuits by hand. Please go take a look at it later," I replied, looking at the spread out piece of parchment I had received.

It is addressed to Kalin from the lord of the neighboring territory.

Normally I would have said no before looking at it. However, if he took the trouble to give it to me, I don't mind, so I read the contents as they are.

Kalin says, "I have been informed of this matter, but I am surprised at this.

Well, Toma village chief, you have made sure that we are well informed about this.

"The conditions look good," he tells Kalin.

"Not good at all. It's unbeatable, to say the least. What kind of a trick did you pull, Rust? Karin comes up to me with her hands on her hips.

I look down at her red hair and raise my hands in surrender. If she grabs me by the collar and shakes me by the neck, my brain will be shaken to its core.

I hastily think back to my words and actions.

Then I read through the parchment again and finally come to an agreement. After the treatment for the endemic disease, I had reported to him when we had dinner together, but I think I had only told him that a request for a trade of magic crystal stones might come from the neighboring territory.

And the parchment only mentions magic crystal stones.

"Ah, Kalin. It's not a trick or anything, but the deal is for the old type(s) of magic crystal stones."

"What!???A magic crystal stone for the H-32 magic gun!???Hey, can you make it, Rust!???No, you can make it. I sighed heavily when she saw my face.

"That makes sense. You can't get it anywhere anymore, not at all", she repeats.

"Do you keep H-32 magic guns here too?"

No, most of the combatants here are my former subordinates. They all know how to fight," boasted Kalin.

"Oh, that's great!"

"Well, that's good. This is a direct challenge to their interests in King's Landing, you know that, don't you?

"Just in case," I reply as I open the second parchment and look it over.

"Oh, come on, is it my job to do something about that?" Karin said to herself.

"Well, I was just making an inquiry to Harold about that. You'll get a reply," I said, handing her the parchment I had just finished reading. This is the reply I had given in Toma village. Harold has been a friend of mine as well as Karin's since our school days.

"Harold, yes, he's an accountant for sure. I see," Kalene mutters as she looks over the parchment.

"It seems that King's Landing is in trouble. I've heard reports from Ary and the others, but I didn't expect it to go this far. Kalene smiles wickedly.

"We should do it all at once. I give her a wicked smile and say, "We're always ready. This exchange reminds me of my school days.

"Okay, okay. You can look forward to it. I'll get you something that you'll be proud of," said Karin.

"I'll take it," I replied with a bow.