“This is Pastra-san, the person in charge of this experiment.”
Abel tilted his head as Ryo explained.
“Yes, an experiment. A grand one… although I don’t know all the details myself.”
“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…
“I’m a researcher of water-attribute magic and alchemy.”
Abel conceded when Ryo declared this in a firm tone, leaving no room for argument.
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 extremely powerful, so please show her proper respect in your words and actions.”
“Duke Helb is naturally respectful to those he meets for the first time… 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 someone devoted to research, I’m a bit moved.”
Pastra nodded approvingly.
“I almost forgot… Duke Helb always wins people over with his impeccable bow.”
Ryo agreed as Abel recalled the incident at the garden party.
Respectful conduct was clearly his forte.
“Does it make sense if I say Pastra-san is on par with Leonor?”
“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 something to casually say aloud.
Especially with Duke Helb present.
Although they collaborated this time, 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 time.
He assumed it explained the “part human, part something else” vibe he sensed.
“May I confirm something? Can we assume… 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 me. It’s not my fault.”
Pastra pouted as Ryo firmly dismissed the accusation.
“Then how about cooperating in experiments…”
“What if it’s not a dissection experiment? Perhaps an observational one at my… no, your place. Where I only measure that ‘essence’. No pain involved…”
“What’s in it for me?”
“W-What’s in it for you? Contributing to research is a duty of all living things…”
Ryo dismissed Pastra’s explanation with a heavy finality.
His expression stern, and his words, grave.
“Propose something that offers tangible benefits to me. Depending on your proposal, I might consider cooperating.”
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.”
“Take your time and think it over.”
Ryo emphasized the ‘take your time’ part significantly.
(Ryo, that’s just postponing the problem.)
Abel thought to himself, shaking his head slightly.
(These Akumas’ sense of ‘time’ must be incredibly long. I’ll buy myself decades, maybe centuries! Long enough for me 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 same pitch-black ‘gate’ that Leonor and Jean-Jacques always used.
“I’ll definitely get Ryo to agree!”
Pastra declared as she departed…
Meanwhile, 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 some quiet time.
While the Lone Dark crew were familiar faces, the Duke’s crew were strangers.
The risk of an ambush couldn’t be ruled out.
“On the Lone Dark, all I need to watch out for is Abel attacking me.”
“Huh? Why would I attack you?”
“To dissect me 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 me, just stay awake all the time.”
“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.
TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations.
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