Editor: Tseirp
“This is Pastra-san, the person in charge of this experint.”
“Experint?”
Abel tilted his head as Ryo explained.
“Yes, an experint. A grand one… although I don’t know all the details myself.”
“Hey…”
“When the field of research is different, it’s hard to keep up. It’s just the way it is.”
Ryo replied, pushing his glasses up with a gesture.
Apparently, Ryo has an image of researchers always wearing glasses…
“Ryo, the fact that you’re a researcher in the first place is…”
“I’m a researcher of water-attribute magic and alchemy.”
“Oh, right…”
Abel conceded when Ryo declared this in a firm tone, leaving no room for argunt.
If that’s how he identifies himself, so be it.
Without a formal certification process, being a researcher is essentially self-declared.
“By the way, Abel. Pastra-san here is extrely powerful, so please show her proper respect in your words and actions.”
“Why just …?”
“Duke Helb is naturally respectful to those he ets for the first ti… as long as he acts human.”
“Indeed, that’s true.”
Duke Helb said with a graceful bow to Pastra.
“Ooh… Such a perfect bow, even for an Illusionkin. As soone devoted to research, I’m a bit moved.”
Pastra nodded approvingly.
“I almost forgot… Duke Helb always wins people over with his impeccable bow.”
“Exactly.”
Ryo agreed as Abel recalled the incident at the garden party.
Respectful conduct was clearly his forte.
“Show respect, huh…”
“Does it make sense if I say Pastra-san is on par with Leonor?”
“Surely not…”
“Indeed, that’s exactly it.”
As Ryo spoke, he raised his index finger to his lips.
A silent ‘keep it to yourself’ gesture.
The word ‘Akuma’ wasn’t sothing to casually say aloud.
Especially with Duke Helb present.
Although they collaborated this ti, Ryo didn’t consider him an absolute ally.
It was just a feeling.
Not based on concrete evidence.
Ryo was also hearing the term ‘Illusionkin’ for the first ti.
He assud it explained the “part human, part sothing else” vibe he sensed.
“May I confirm sothing? Can we assu… there will be no more transformations caused by the Death Dragon in the future?”
Duke Helb asked Pastra politely.
“Indeed. The Death Dragon seems to have withered. I’ll try again if I find another one… but they’re rare. This one was the first in two thousand years…”
Pastra glanced resentfully at Ryo.
“You shouldn’t have done it in front of . It’s not my fault.”
“Hmph.”
Pastra pouted as Ryo firmly dismissed the accusation.
“Then how about cooperating in experints…”
“Nope!”
“What if it’s not a dissection experint? Perhaps an observational one at my… no, your place. Where I only asure that ‘essence’. No pain involved…”
“What’s in it for ?”
“W-What’s in it for you? Contributing to research is a duty of all living things…”
“I’ll pass.”
Ryo dismissed Pastra’s explanation with a heavy finality.
His expression stern, and his words, grave.
“Propose sothing that offers tangible benefits to . Depending on your proposal, I might consider cooperating.”
“T-Truly?!”
Pastra nearly leaped to embrace Ryo… and actually did so while confirming.
“Yes, but think carefully before you propose. If your offer isn’t acceptable, negotiations will end.”
“H-Hmph…”
“Take your ti and think it over.”
Ryo emphasized the ‘take your ti’ part significantly.
(Ryo, that’s just postponing the problem.)
Abel thought to himself, shaking his head slightly.
(These Akumas’ sense of ‘ti’ must be incredibly long. I’ll buy myself decades, maybe centuries! Long enough for to be gone.)
Ryo had his own strategy in mind.
Whether it was the right or wrong decision, no one could tell…
Pastra left the scene.
Using the sa pitch-black ‘gate’ that Leonor and Jean-Jacques always used.
“I’ll definitely get Ryo to agree!”
Pastra declared as she departed…
anwhile, Ryo and Abel successfully returned to the Lone Dark, a ship of the Suje Kingdom.
They politely declined Duke Helb’s offer to host them on his vessel.
Preferring so quiet ti.
While the Lone Dark crew were familiar faces, the Duke’s crew were strangers.
The risk of an ambush couldn’t be ruled out.
In comparison…
“On the Lone Dark, all I need to watch out for is Abel attacking .”
“Huh? Why would I attack you?”
“To dissect and investigate the cause of my overflowing essence… fairy factor.”
“Oh, so that’s what a certain Akuma was aiming for earlier. I wouldn’t do that.”
“And how far should I trust that…?”
“If you can’t trust , just stay awake all the ti.”
“Ugh… I can’t do that…”
After this exchange, the two began snoring within seconds.
Resting in their hammocks.
They succumbed to exhaustion…
With its sleeping swordsman and magician aboard, the Lone Dark set sail toward the Free City of Kwebasa.
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