Territory Pioneering 2
[Sophichan's point of view]
I had spent a couple days now stressing out over how I would be punished for speaking against Nannuzzi-sama. Today was the first time I had felt a sense of relief since then due to Ester-sama offering me a sliver of hope. She believed that I overheard Nannuzzi-sama planning to steal the idea for her new potion and she also believed it had been stolen from none other than Tanaksan.
I find it hard to believe that such a coincidence is even possible.
"B-But, umm…what if I just misheard her…."
"No, I’m certain."
As usual, we were in Tanaksan's dorm.
The Elf-san, Ester-sama, and myself were seated around a table in the living room. There was a feeling of uncertainty filling the room.
"Even if she didn’t mishear her, it’s not like this problem will have a simple solution."
"Why wouldn’t it?"
When the Elf-san voiced her doubts, Ester-sama snapped back at her as if she had just been personally attacked.
Just, please, no fighting. We’re all on the same side.
"He performed a public presentation of this technique in front of that noblewoman, correct?"
"Y-Yes, that’s right. It was during the exam in a classroom full of students."
"Then he’s already made it public himself. We can’t accuse her of stealing something that had already been released to the public even if her presentation was the first official one."
"But he was the one that came up with it! He developed the technique that that woman used in her presentation based off of your research! The result of both of your work is that advanced level mana potion!"
"I gave it to that man. It was up to him to decide what to do with it and whatever comes from his use of it doesn't matter to me.
"…how can you say that?"
How can the Elf-san feel nothing?
She doesn’t look bothered that her research was leaked to the public and now someone else is receiving credit for her hard work. Well, Tanaksan was the original source of the leak which may be why she’s not upset.
"She was the first to officially release this discovery to the world. There's nothing we can do about that. The world is filled with people theories and research into wonderful and amazing technologies that don't exist. Everyone is working to be the first to make a public display of their discovery and she beat us to it. That's why most people keep their research secret."
"T-That may be true, but…."
"All of this means that that guy is capable of making a potion of similar strength to the one this woman has put out. There's nothing to set his apart."
The Elf-san looked lonely when she spoke about Tanaksan.
I wonder if Tanaksan would've accepted her appraisal of his skill level.
"…."
Her words seemed to have a similar effect on Ester-sama. Both of their eyes fell to the ground and silence filled the room. This is the moment where I should say something to improve the mood, but no words came to mind.
Then, the Elf-san finally spoke.
"There's one thing I'd like to know."
"…what is it?"
"Where is that man?"
"He's in his territory."
"So he really did become a noble."
"Yes, he was given the title of baron thanks to me."
"…I see."
Ester-sama and the Elf-san are staring daggers at each other. I think I can even see sparks flying. Their faces are stiff. They may both be beautiful, but when they get serious like this they're scary.
What kind of relationship does the Elf-san have with Tanaksan?
Tanaksan mentioned that she was his teacher.
"Well, whatever, that's enough talk about that man for now."
"…yeah, I agree.:"
Ah, my heart won't stop throbbing.
My armpits are starting to sweat and I can hear a wet sound whenever I move my arms. I feel like I've started sweating a lot recently and it's starting to become an unfortunate habit. It's a painful truth for any woman to face. Would any man want a sweaty woman capable of producing her own broth?
"Everything I've said so far is true and there's nothing that can be done about it now. However, based on what that maid has told me, this noblewoman learned about this technique from Tanaka during a lesson. This was the first time he had shown this technique in public when he was the student and this Nannuzzi woman the teacher. At the very least, it wouldn't be inaccurate to tell the public that Tanaksan and Nannuzzi came up with it together."
"That's right! I was gonna say that too!"
Ester-sama slammed the table and stood to her feet.
When I see someone that calls themself my friend working so hard for my sake, a warm sensation fills my chest.
And even the Elf-san is helping me too.
"It might be worth trying to fluster this noblewoman."
"Fluster?"
"I will try to speak to her as an equal. The average alchemist would want to tell anyone that would listen about such an amazing discovery. I'll probe her knowledge using more technical information to see how much she truly knows."
"And what will that accomplish?"
"If what that maid said is true, this woman will lack the knowledge necessary to create this potion on her own. If this lack of knowledge on her part can be dragged out into the public eye, it will give credibility to that maid's claims."
"…do you really think that will work?"
"Probably."
"That works for me."
"Sounds good."
"Would you like me to ask Lord Fahren to speak with you about it?"
"Are you okay with asking him that?"
"Yes, I can't help out much with this plan so I'm happy to offer whatever assistance I can."
"It will be a great help."
"I'm not doing it for you. I only care about Sofi and that man."
"Of course."
These two people have united to help me for different reasons, but I suspect there's one man at the source of both of their motivations.
The fact that this matter directly involves me yet I might as well not have been in the room while they came up with the plan has me worried. I'm concerned that even though these two are working together now, their opposing interests will end up causing discord in the near future.
***
[Sophichan's point of view]
We left Tanaksan's dorm and were now in the same parlour we had been in when I confronted Nannuzzi-sama before. This place has become a second home to Fahren-sama while the Academic Conference has been going on.
He's using what precious little time he has available to hold this meeting now.
Besides Fahren-sama, the Elf-san and Ester-sama are both here. They were both seated on the sofa and I was standing behind them. Fahren-sama was pacing in the centre of the room.
I wonder where the Dragon-san has gone. She was sent to find Tanaksan but hasn't been seen since then and that was a few days ago. I've experienced the Dragon-san's speed first hand and I'd expect her to be able to travel there and back in two days at most.
I shouldn't be concerning myself with what the Dragon-san is doing right now. I should be worried about myself.
"I'm extremely busy at the moment. You understand that, don't you, Richard's daughter?"
"Yes, which should tell you that this is an important matter, Lord Fahren."
"…hou?"
Fahren-sama stared down at Ester-sama.
The atmosphere was quite tense.
"Is it about the matter involving that maid? I told you I won't do anything to accuse a fellow aristocrat as long as that man isn't here to backup your claims. I won't budge on that point. This matter has already caused enough trouble for the event."
Fahren-sama's gaze shifted to the other person seated on the sofa.
"I-I was the one that wanted her to ask you! I-I'm sorry, I didn't think about how busy you'd be!"
The Elf-san was sweating as much as me as she stuttered out her reply.
I silently apologized to her in my mind.
Thank you so much for helping me.
"Really? You should have said that from the beginning. I'll hear you out."
"Thank you.”
After receiving his consent, Ester-sama started questioning Fahren-sama. It was the same matters she had discussed with the Elf-san in Tanaksan's dorm.
Naturally, I stood silently in the back as she spoke.
"Lord Fahren, what is the purpose of the teachers in this academy?"
"What does that have to do with anything? Well, needless to say, the teachers here exist to transfer the knowledge they hold to the students in pursuit of advancing the study of magic for future generations to come. A student’s accomplishments should be viewed as a source of pride for the teacher."
"Yeah, that sounds about right."
"Why do you ask?"
"So what would you say if a teacher were trying to claim the achievements of one of their students as their own? Wouldn't this directly conflict with your claim?"
"Then that teacher would've broken the one oath a teacher should never violate."
"I agree."
"What are you trying to say? As director of the academy, any failings of my staff are due to my own shortcomings. I would rather you just say what you want to say, Richard's daughter and remember, that you are responsible for whatever claims come out of your mouth. And I won't even humour any rumours or anything of that sort."
"Of course, which is why I will only talk about something I saw firsthand."
"Something you saw?"
"Yes, involving my alchemy teacher. I had these two describe the contents of Nannuzzi's presentation and I can confirm that I saw another presentation that followed the exact steps she followed to a T."
"…what are you trying to say?"
"Since you are the director of the academy, I'm sure you can recall the exam schedule this past year. There was an alchemy exam not long ago that required the students to create a magical medium, a mana potion. What he managed to create during the exam is exactly what she created onstage."
"You don't even take any alchemy classes."
"I wanted to be by his side as much as possible."
"…."
Ester-sama's undying love for Tanaksan is on display once more. This even caught Fahren-sama off guard. That love might actually be what saves me.
I hope I can find someone to love as much as she loves him.
"Something to say?"
"Ahem, I understand where you're coming from."
Fahren-sama cleared his throat and gave Ester-sama a small nod.
But there was a bitter look that spread across his face.
"However, even if what you say is true, she was the one that presented this research to the public. He has nobody to blame but himself for ever showing off this technique without properly presenting it to the public as his own discovery. I'm sure you can understand this as a student of this school."
"Yes, I completely agree with you on that point."
Ah, so the conversation with the Elf-san in the dorm was practice for this conversation.
It prepared her well.
"But that's not what I'm here to discuss. You actually touched on it a moment ago. The problem I see is that a teacher took credit for her student's work. Didn't you say a teacher should take pride in their students' achievements?"
"I did say something to that extent."
"Isn't the statement I just gave enough when you include Sofi's claims?"
"…."
Both of our stories were suspicious on their own, but they only really started to hold weight when they were finally put together. It's just like seasoning a dish.
But this still wasn't enough to convince Fahren-sama.
"Do you have any evidence? We could ask the other students to confirm your statement, but even that wouldn't be enough."
"T-That's…."
"Humans are imperfect creatures. It wouldn't take much to convince the public that you, the maid, and any other students were just mistaken about what they saw or heard."
"…."
"But, don't be mistaken, I'm not doubting your claims."
"…what?"
"If I believed that maid's accusations were completely unfounded, I would've punished her as I would punish any other servant speaking out of turn. However, just as there is a lack of evidence to convict Nannuzzi-san, I don't have enough reason to believe the maid is making all of this up. Until evidence proving one side the victim comes to light, the decision on her punishment will have to wait."
Fahren-sama says he's not going to rush to any decision as long as there is no evidence. I assumed he'd side with a fellow noble over a simple commoner, but I guess I should've expected this from him.
He's more concerned about what kind of impact this will have on the magic research rather than choosing a side.
"I actually have a suggestion regarding that."
I almost forgot the Elf-san was here when she suddenly spoke.
Her eyes were serious as she stared at Fahren-sama.
"A suggestion?"
"Would it be possible to arrange a special presentation during the Academic Conference? If you invite Nannuzzi as your guest onstage I think I'll be able to expose her to the audience once I speak with her.
"…hmm, I see."
Fahren-sama nodded and turned away.
He was probably able to guess the Elf-san's plan.
"What do you think?"
"Fine, but I'll be attending as well."
"That's completely fine."
It's going just as they wanted.
Thank goodness.
But if they're going to be on stage, does that mean I'll be with them? Centre stage during an important conference is no place for a maid to be. I wasn't thinking about how I'd be involved in the plan when I came here.
"The easiest solution would be to hear from the person all of this controversy is focused around. Have we heard from him yet?"
"Nothing yet. There must be something going on there as well."
"…I wonder."
Fahren-sama's shoulders drooped when he heard Ester-sama's answer.
It's rare to see him so dejected.
"Where did that dragon go…?"
Please, never come back, Dragon-san.