Chapter 72: The Alchemist (1)

“What?” Ketal’s eyes widened. “Is that really true?”

“It’s a pretty well-known story,” Milayna explained.

Back in the day, a proclamation was issued in the Empire, calling for the strongest to join its ranks. The offer was enticing: if a Transcendent pledged allegiance to the Empire, their wish would be granted. But, of course, no such warrior ever responded.

Transcendents didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Even in kingdoms, there were only one or two, and they were treated with exceptional regard. There was no reason for them to join the Empire’s army.

The recruitment of powerful individuals was common in many organizations; the Empire’s offer wasn’t particularly unique. In truth, the proclamation was effectively meaningless.

That changed one day when an alchemist stepped forward with an audacious claim. The alchemist approached the Empire with a proposition.

“I can create a Transcendent for you,” she said, “But in exchange, you must fulfill a request of mine.”

From the Empire’s perspective, it was surely seen as nonsense. A Transcendent was someone who reached the pinnacle of ability through innate talent and a life devoted to training. It wasn’t something that could simply be

created.

It wouldn’t have been surprising if the alchemist had been dismissed as a lunatic. Yet, for some reason, the Emperor indulged her.

The Emperor had asked the alchemist to make his son into a Transcendent.

“So, he used his own son as an experiment?” Ketal asked.

“That’s one way to look at it. The Empire... is a strange place” Milayna said with a confused expression.

The Empire—the continent’s strongest force—was shrouded in mystery. It often felt as though it existed beyond the realm of normal human affairs.

“Do you refrain from trading with the Empire?” Ketal asked.

“The Empire conducts no transactions with outside organizations. They handle everything internally.”

“Hm?” Ketal’s face showed surprise. “How is that even possible?”

The larger a group, the more resources it required. In humanity’s long history, it was almost unheard of for any organization to operate entirely without external intervention. Yet, the Empire—a massive entity—ran smoothly on its own. It was hard to believe for Ketal.

“That’s why merchants like me are always curious,” Milayna admitted. “What on earth could the Empire be hiding to make total self-sufficiency possible? But outsiders can’t enter, so we may never know.”

Returning to the story, Milayna continued, “The alchemist stayed in the Empire and conducted numerous experiments. And in just one year, the prince became a Transcendent.”

The alchemist had succeeded. She turned an ordinary human into a Transcendent.

“Oh wow,” Ketal said, with his eyes gleaming.

“I am not lying. If it were a lie, the Empire would’ve hunted the alchemist down by now.”

The alchemist’s name spread across the continent: Arkemis.

And that alchemist was here, in the Denian Kingdom.

“This is interesting,” Ketal muttered. He remembered something Kain had once told him—about a Transcendent who had been created through alchemy. That had to have been the Emperor’s son.

“But why would he come here? Surely, he would’ve been better treated if he stayed in the Empire,” Ketal said.

“I asked her about that as well, but she didn’t answer. I also don’t know what she requested from the Empire,” Milayna said, shrugging. “It doesn’t matter to us. The important thing is that he is here now, and we’ve secured a contract with him. He is working on various projects for us.”

The Akasha family’s reputation had soared thanks to their association with Arkemis. Having the alchemist who had created a Transcendent on their payroll was an unmatched badge of honor. The cost was high, but it was worth every coin.

“Alchemy, huh?” Ketal mused, his eyes glinting with intrigue.

A man who turned someone without the knowledge of Myst into a Transcendent,

Ketal thought. This meant that Arkemis had somehow managed to make an ordinary person to wield Myst.

“I have a favor to ask you,” Ketal said after a moment. “Anything,” Milayna replied.

“Would it be possible for me to meet the alchemist?”

“What...?” Milayna blinked, caught off guard. She knew he was a curious individual, but she hadn’t expected him to want a meeting with Arkemis. Stammering slightly, she asked, “May I ask why?”

“There’s something I’d like to request of him,” Ketal said plainly. “A request...” Mialyna trailed off, unsure how to respond.

“Can I not see him?” Ketal asked.

“No, it’s not that,” she said hesitantly. “I just don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

“Does she have a difficult personality?” Ketal inquired.

“Not at all. If anything, she’s more on the clumsy side,” Milayna admitted.

“Then please arrange it. If you’re worried about me being disrespectful, I will make sure to behave myself.”

“That’s not my concern,” Milayna said quickly. To her, Ketal was the epitome of politeness. She couldn’t imagine him acting rudely.

Her hesitation stemmed from something else entirely. After a moment of contemplation, she finally nodded. “Alright, I will take you to her.” “Really? Thank you!” Ketal said, his excitement evident.

“However, there’s one thing I need to explain first,” she said.

“What is it?”

Milayna began to explain, and as she spoke, Ketal’s eyes widened.

***

Milayna guided Ketal through the outskirts of the capital. They left the city walls behind, hedging into a dense forest that few dared to traverse.

Ketal watched as Milayna struggled to push aside thick branches and foliage, her frustration evident in every movement. Stepping forward, Ketal raised a hand, and with a light motion, the branches snapped and cleared the path ahead.

“Thank you,” Milayna said, grateful.

“Does the alchemist live out here in the forest?” Ketal asked, glancing around at the overgrown wilderness.

“He says it’s peaceful,” Milayna replied with a hint of exasperation. “Peaceful for him, but a nightmare for me every time I have to come here.”

As they pressed further into the forest, they finally reached their destination—a wooden house nestled deep in the greenery.

The house was no ordinary structure. Vines crawled up the walls, and trees had taken root on the roof, their branches extending into the sky. It was as if the house were a part of the forest itself.

“That’s impressive,” Ketal said, unable to hide his admiration.

Milayna, however, muttered under her breath, “I spent a fortune building that house, and in less than a year, it’s already like this.”

Ketal found it charming. The place resembled the archetypal home of a witch from a fantasy story. As they approached the entrance, the scent of verbs and the bubbling potions greeted them.

Milayna turned to Ketal. “Please wait here for a moment. Let me speak with her first and introduce you properly.”

“Understood,” Ketal said, stepping to the side of the door.

Milayna knocked lightly.

“Who is it...?” a groggy voice called out from inside.

“It’s me, Milayna,” she answered.

“Ah,” came the response, followed by soft, unsteady footsteps. The door creaked open.

Standing in the doorway was a woman with waist-length brown hair, her golden eyes half-lidded as if she had just woken up. Her beauty was otherworldly, and despite having seen her many times before, Milayna still found herself momentarily breathless.

The woman wasn’t human. Her pointed ears marked her as an elf.

“Hello, Milayna,” Arkemis said with a lazy smile.

“Good day, Arkemis. I see you’re wearing... that again,” Milayna replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Arkemis wore what could barely be called clothing—a makeshift outfit that resembled a sack thrown over her shoulders.

“Didn’t I provide you with proper clothes?” Milayna asked.

“They got ruined,” Arkemis said casually.” Potion stains.”

“So you decided this was acceptable?”

“What does it matter? I live alone,” Arkemis yawned and leaned against the doorframe. “What brings you here, boss? I finished that last request, didn’t I?”

“Finished? You call that finished?” Milayna's voice was tinged with disbelief.

“You asked for a shield that could repel anything, and I made it. What’s the problem?”

“Yes, you did—but you also cursed the handle so it could never be let go once held,” Milayna retorted, crossing her arms.

Milayna had specifically asked for a shield with a sturdy handle that wouldn’t break under pressure. Arkemis had taken that request literally—so much so that anyone who gripped the handle found it permanently attached to their hand.

“If I hadn’t been wearing gloves when testing it, I would’ve lost some skin,” Milayna added, her exasperation clear.

“Well, you didn’t specify a detachable handle,” Arkemis said with an unapologetic shrug.

Milayna fell silent. She shot her a withering glare, causing Arkemis to flinch slightly.

“Sorry,” Arkemis said quickly, her voice small. “I didn’t do it on purpose. I was likely exhausted from working through the night and made a mistake...”

Milayna sighed and waved a hand dismissively. “Just be more careful next time.”

“I promise I’ll do better,” Arkemis replied, her tone unusually earnest as determination filled her golden eyes.

As if sensing her employer’s doubts, Arkmeis awkwardly shifted her gaze before changing the subject. “So, what brings you here today?”

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

“There’s someone who wants to meet you,” Milayna replied.

“Someone wants to meet me?” Arkemis’s interest was immediately piqued.

“Yes. He heard about what you accomplished in the Empire and seems to have taken an interest.”

Arkemis’s expression lit up with undisguised pride and excitement. “Well, of course! My work in the Empire was groundbreaking. So, he admires me and wants to see me for himself?”

“I wouldn’t quite call it admiration...” Milayna muttered under her breath.

Oblivious to Milayna’s words, Arkemis began to mutter to herself, “It’s only natural for people to be curious about me. Even before I signed a contract with you, I had offers from everywhere. People practically begged me to join their ranks—it was exhilarating!”

Milayna sighed quietly, watching the alchemist’s self-congratulatory ramblings.

This is the best alchemist in the kingdom, apparently.

If not for her untenable track record, Milayna might’ve written her off as nothing more than a delusional braggart.

“So, where is this admirer of mine?” Arkemis asked, her excitement barely contained as she glanced around.

“He’s right outside,” Milayna said. “But I should warn you— he’s... unique. You might find him surprising.”

Arkemis scoffed, her smile brimming with confidence. “Milayna, do you know who I am? I’ve worked with the Emperor. There is no one in this world who could surprise me.”

“We’ll see about that,” Milayna replied, her voice trailing off as she glanced toward the door.

Milayna had learned during her year working with Arkemis that while the elf had undeniable skill, her personality often clashed with her lofty reputation. Despite her claims of composure, Arkemis was an open book—her emotions were raw, her reactions exaggerated, and her confidence often bordered on arrogance.

Still, Milay na knew Arkemis’s capabilities. She was a woman who had earned the trust of the Empire itself. Surely, she could handle meeting Ketal.

Turning her attention to the door, Milayna called out, “Ketal, you can come in now.”

“Finally,” Ketal said, stepping into view. He approached with steady steps, his towering frame casting a shadow over the smaller elf.

Arkemis tilted her head up to look at him, her golden eyes widening as she took in his imposing figure.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Ketal,” he said, his voice calm and polite.

Arkemis didn’t respond. She just stood there, frozen, her mouth slightly open, staring at Ketal as though he were a ghost.

Ketal, noticing her lack of response, tilted his head curiously. “Can you hear me?”

“Oh, uh...” Arkemis finally managed to stammer. Her eyes gradually filled with an unnameable emotion, something between awe and shock.

Milayna sighed heavily, already predicting what would come next. “I knew this would happen.”

And just as her words ended, Arkemis let out a piercing scream that echoed through the forest, startling the birds into flight.