Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?

The day after Margrave Volton, Earl Rockford, Lord Simon, and Viscount Packard were all present in the Sanctuary, Madam Rose and Emilia-chan were happily drinking tea with Madam Elizabeth in my mansion.

「Ahh, this tea is awfully delectable.」

「Indeed, as to be expected of tea leaves from the Sanctuary.」

「This cookie is delicious too~」

In particular, Madam Rose and Madam Elizabeth were acquaintances in parties at the Royal Capital, and they were reminiscing. Emilia-chan was happily eating cookies. Perhaps wanting to avoid being the only man in the group, Rod-kun joined Earl Rockford and Margrave Volton in the games room of the Lodge.

「Mabel, could you accompany Madam Elizabeth and Madam Rose? I’ll go take a look at the Lodge. Even though they said they need no guidance or reception, we can’t just leave Margrave Volton, Lord Simon, and the others to themselves.」

「Understood.」

「Shall I accompany you?」

「No, Sophia you take it easy. We’re just going to the Lodge so I’ll be fine by myself.」

This is the Sanctuary so an escort isn’t necessary, and yet Sophia still wanted to accompany me like always, so I asked her to take it easy and I went out to see how they were doing at the Lodge.

I could go there in an instant if I teleported, but I wasn’t in a hurry so I will go there using my bike.

Riding my bike, the breeze in the Sanctuary felt amazing.

The Sanctuary residents used bikes as the practical mode of transportation, but recently, there’s been an increase in cycling enthusiasts.

I think using a bike to enjoy the breeze and scenery was also acceptable too.

Perhaps because it’s early summer, the Sanctuary’s climate was hot but not humid, so it was passing easily.

Under such warm sunlight, I enjoyed the pleasant breeze as I rode my bike and arrived at the Lodge’s bike parking.

I got off my bike and locked it, then I went into Lodge and tried asking where Lord Simon and the others are.

「Sorry, a minute please?」

「Takumi-san, Lord Portfort, Margrave Volton, Earl Rockford, and Viscount Packard are all enjoying themselves in the games room.」

「Thanks. I’ll go check on them for a bit.」

When I showed up, the Sanctuary resident working on the front desk of the Lodge, perhaps knowing what I wanted to ask, told me where Lord Simon and the others were.

I greeted everyone working on the front desk and headed to the games room.

In the games room, I could see that the knights of Lord Simon, Margrave Volton, and Earl Rockford were having fun playing billiards, table tennis, darts, and cards.

At the bar counter, Xervus-san was chatting with Doganbo-san while having some drinks. Several other people seemed to be enjoying the cocktails made by Golan-san, so I suppose I was right to install a bar counter.

When I looked for the key figures, who would have thought that I’d find Lord Simon, Margrave Volton, Earl Rockford, and Viscount Packard sitting around the mahjong table.

Resisting the urge to ask them how their observation was going, I approached the four playing at the mahjong table, and for some reason, there was tension in the air.

「Richi!」

「Kuh, …… come on, connect.」

「That’s a Ron, isn’t it?」

「Ughh!」

「Richi, once, mentanpin, oh, and a dora. That’s a hit, isn’t it?」

「Kuh, it’s a hakoten! That’s already a hanchan!」

Viscount Packard secured a richi, then Margrave Volton timidly threw away a tile to get a hit. When he went bankrupt, Margrave Volton yelled.

「Fuu~ I’m saved. I somehow got 3rd place.」

「Hahaha, I’m going for the top this time.」

It seems Lord Simon was in 3rd place, while Earl Rockford was in second place.

It was then that Lord Simon noticed me approaching and talked to me.

「Ohh, Iruma-dono. This Mahjong thing is quite entertaining. I would love to take it home with me.」

「Ohh, in that case, I want my own set too.」

「Iruma-dono, may I also have one set?」

「Of course, myself as well!」

「We’ll be able to give it to the front desk by the time you return.」

Omitting greetings, Lord Simon stated that he wanted a mahjong set. Without a moment’s delay, Viscount Packard, Earl Rockford, and Margrave Volton piped up about wanting one too, so they can pick it up at the front desk on their way back.

「Well then, Iruma-dono, I apologize but we are in the middle of a game. We must rely on you for the observation tomorrow.」

「I have no plans to do an observation, but please tell Elizabeth and Charlotte to make an appearance tomorrow.」

「I will also request a tour tomorrow. I will ask Rose and Emilia.」

「Umm, how about Rod-kun?」

「Ahh, isn’t Rod bowling with the knights?」

Lord Simon and Earl Rockford postponed their observation for tomorrow. For the time being, they still have some intent to do so.

And Margrave Volton spoke.

「This can’t end with my loss.」

「Y-yes.」

He shuffled the tiles and spoke without even turning around.

Did he bet on something?

***

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