Are You Going to Break off the Engagement and Expel Me at the Same Time? ~I’m an Alchemist Who’s End

Chapter 25: The alchemist at the border

The day after the coating was completed.

A violent storm broke over the land as if it had been waiting for us.

Did the sky wait for us to finish our work?

The view out the window is gray, rain and wind swirling debris and tearing the surroundings to pieces.

But everything is fine now.

Even if you don’t use your magic tool, the building won’t be damaged.

The days of shivering in our rooms, relying on the magic tools to meet their end when they failed, are over.

From now on, there is no reason to be afraid.

Iru-chan and I talk while looking through the window in the corridor.

“Isn’t it quiet?”

“Yes, it is. The layer in front of the wall makes it harder for sounds from outside to get in. Of course, it’s harder to hear from the inside out.”

“Oh, so it’s not just hard?”

“Yes. After all the hard work we’ve done, it must be so useful.”

I’m glad we made it in time.

—In the meantime, I want to check on the people in town when the storm is over.

I’ll talk to Thomas later.

“Thomas is at work, isn’t he?”

“That’s right — he’s finishing up some paperwork he hasn’t done in the last few days… He said it’s better not to talk to him while he’s working because he wants to concentrate…”

“…That’s not fair. He told me to take a day off, but he’s working.”

I got a day off today.

He used his position as Lord to order me to take a day off after a hard day’s work.

I have no choice but to obey him, but I do my job.

“That’s fine. Wouldn’t you normally be happy if you were told to rest?”

“Well, I’m happy.”

“That’s fine then… Sister Lia really wants to work… that’s why the Lord is trying to force her to rest.”

“Well… I wonder~”

No, I think it’s like that.

I’ve been realizing that more and more lately.

I’ve spent most of the day at work… So I feel uncomfortable most of the time when I’m not working.

I rarely had a day off, but since I’ve been here, I rest all the time.

I don’t want to work because I like it.

I’m just afraid that people will think I’m lazy if I don’t work.

Thomas has told me several times to get used to the way things are.

“It’s normal… Isn’t it?”

You get paid for the work you do and have a reasonable amount of time off in between.

You don’t have to take on an excessive amount of work.

You can do as much or as little as your abilities allow.

None of us lives only for our work.

We do not live only for work.

 ◇◇◇

The next day.

The next two days.

The storm subsided and the sun shone again.

Thomas and I went into town to check on people.

“It was very good! The sound of the storm has lessened, and I sleep better at night.”

“I can see that. I’m glad to hear that.”

“Yes. I owe that to the alchemist. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much.”

“N-No, I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

The reactions of the citizens were all positive.

Many of them started crying and bowed their heads in gratitude again and again.

Every time I felt embarrassed, I shook my head or turned away.

But I also felt happy.

We walked around the building and checked the condition of the building.

None of the buildings were damaged.

The wind was as strong as ever, and there were rocks and trees flying around, but the buildings didn’t seem to be damaged.

“Are you relieved?”

“Yes.”

“Now, we’ve got one problem solved in this territory, thanks to Amelia.”

“I didn’t do it alone, Thomas and the others worked very hard too.”

It wasn’t just me, it was Thomas and the others.

I could never have done it alone, not even the post-alchemy work.

Thanks to everyone’s willingness, I can still walk around town like this.

Everyone praises me and is glad that I came to this territory.

But more than they think, I think to myself.

“Thomas, I… I’m glad to be here.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I just felt like I needed to say it out loud. I’ve never felt this way before.”

It’s hard to put into words.

I feel happy.

It’s a mixture of different feelings, all of them good.

“You look happy.”

“Yes. I’ve been working a lot… To be honest, I’ve never really enjoyed my work.

“That’s true. From what I’ve heard, it’s the worst place to work.”

“Hahaha… But I’ve always loved alchemy. It’s exciting to create something new with your own hands. I think I forgot that feeling a long time ago.”

It finally came back to me.

Coming to this area, working with Thomas and the others, hand in hand with everyone.

I think that’s the reason.

For the first time in my life.

“I’m enjoying my work. It’s been fun working with everybody!”

“Best of all. There’s more to come, all right? It’s only gonna get busier.”

“You can count on me. I’ve worked hard all my life to live up to everyone’s expectations.”

I did as I was told and drifted.

This boring life is going to change now.

In this place, I can start anew.

My days as an alchemist at court are over.

As an alchemist in a borderland.