The Abandoned Heiress Gets Rich with Alchemy and Buys an Enemy General
Vol. 1 - Ch. 13 - The Monster in the Northern Mountains and the Non-Magic User Julius - 2

The guiding light orb proceeded without hesitation through several twists and turns, aiming for the summit.

While it was possible to illuminate the cave using light magic, it was inefficient to keep consuming magical energy just for that purpose. Moreover, I'm not good at light magic.

Being the cherished daughter of a noble family, I never planned on engaging in battles, so I never practiced handling magic seriously. Consequently, I wasn't very adept at using magic. I could only use basic attacks and healing magic. Bring an alchemist, my true power was unleashed when I used alchemical tools.

As we walked through the cave, I couldn't help but feel anxious, hoping Julius would inquire about where the light orb was guiding us.

Ever since I was abandoned, I didn't have many opportunities to share details about my alchemical creations. Although I do explain them properly when conducting business with the people I sell them to, I would have loved to talk about them while actually using them myself. As an alchemist, the alchemical items I created were like my own children, and I would have loved the chance to share more about them. Wouldn't it be nice if he asked?

I glanced up at Julius while walking through the cave, feeling a bit restless.

Julius seemed displeased, possibly because he'd been accused of plotting to usurp the royal family under the pretext of revenge. However, he always looked like that, so there was no need to be overly concerned. Even though I've only been acquainted with Julius for a few days, I've come to understand him to some extent.

"...Julius-san, don't you want to know about those floating, fluffy light orbs?"

Since Julius was blatantly ignoring my gaze, I decided to initiate the conversation myself.

"You mentioned something about the guiding light orbs. Most likely, they guide us by illuminating the specified location as they lead the way," Julius said as he walked beside me.

What a revelation. He hit the nail on the head. Since the guiding light orbs served only that purpose, I couldn't come up with a follow-up response. It truly was a direct hit.

"You really did pay attention... Julius-san, do you know how challenging it is to create an alchemical item that can do that?"

"I'm not an alchemist, so I couldn't care less."

"Well, that's true, but..."

How boring of you, Julius-san.  There's no need to get so upset about not having a place for Helios-kun. And besides, isn't Julius-san technically my servant?

Why do I have to go through so much trouble as Julius's master, to keep his beloved dragon Helios?

Admittedly, Helios was adorable. I would love to let him fly around freely, feed him, and pat his head to my heart's content. But my alchemy store was located in a very advantageous location, and the cost of space was quite expensive. When having a store, I had to pay a store tax according to the location, and the more sales I made, the more I had to pay a stupidly high tax.

From the hard-earned money I toiled and sweated for, they extracted taxes, and Cyril and Aliza enjoyed a luxurious life. Thinking that made me sigh.

Considering that, I wonder if revenge might actually be profitable.

Usurping the royal family or reclaiming the ducal house---in terms of cost-effectiveness, with the money it took to fund just Julius, one could potentially seize control of the entire country. Not that I would do it. Absolutely not. Definitely not.

"Where's that insightful Mithra you were talking about?"

"We might encounter one or two before reaching the summit."

"How far is it to the summit?"

"We should reach the summit by evening. Encountering a Mithra would be considered lucky. They provide good materials, but they're quite troublesome. They're not very common, especially among strong monsters. After all, they usually emerge sporadically from gates to other realms."

"I don't know. Monsters are outside my expertise," Julius said while shaking his head.

I became anxious. Will it be okay? While I can manage on my own, I'm not strong enough to protect Julius while fighting.

"...Julius-san, what kind of life have you led? Surely you're not suggesting that there are no monsters in the Dystiana Empire...? They emerge from gates to other realms, formed in places where the world's miasma is dense. The other realm is like the land of the dead, where those laden with sins are cast down, unable to ascend to the heavens. Resentment and hatred give rise to monsters, and they come out through the gates of the other realm, driven by the desire to return to the mortal realm. The gates to the other realm are essentially a sort of self-purification mechanism for the other realm."

At the Noble Academy, first-year students are taught basics like gates to other realms---it's the most fundamental aspect of world history.

"I'm aware of that, but dealing with monsters is not the duty of nobles. Moreover, by the time I could wield a sword, we were already in the midst of war. I spent more time in garrisons and on battlefields than at the estate. So there was no time for me to learn unnecessary things."

"But Julius-san, you were still young, right? Wasn't there a Noble Academy in the Empire?"

"The Dystiana Empire is surrounded by small countries on all sides. Astoria Kingdom was not the only potential aggressor. We were lacking in numbers for both soldiers and skilled commanders. Relying solely on individual strength in battle is foolish."

As Julius shared this information about himself, I nodded without interjecting. Maybe he's opening up to me? Perhaps his favorability towards me has increased. Well, I am a good master, after all.

"I inherited the title of Duke Craft and went to the battlefield when I was fifteen."

"...Did something unfortunate happen to your family?"

I asked cautiously, feeling like I might be prying into something I shouldn't.

"...Are you curious about me?"

Julius looked down at me with a sarcastic smile on his face.

He turned the tables on me. Julius truly listened to people and remembered what they said. I guess I needed to be careful not to say anything unnecessary.

"Of course, I'm curious. After all, Julius-san is my precious slave. The total cost was one million gold, after all"

"Chloe..."

Suddenly, Julius tugged at the collar of my cloak.

Naturally, I went, "Eek!" The sound that came out was surprisingly uncharacteristic of a woman. I struggled to breathe, thinking I was going to die.

As I stumbled in surprise, an unexpected sight emerged from the dark path where the light orb was absent. A white figure floated towards us.

It was a white, eyeless floating woman in priest-like robes. 

Looking at her small mouth, high nose, and slender neck, she seemed beautiful at first glance. However, from the waist down, many partially melted faces filled with agony were growing.

"Julius, it's the Mourning Siena. The Mourning Siena!"

"What is that?"

"It's a vengeful spirit-type monster! It's classified as an upper-middle-class vengeful spirit-type, so it's considered quite strong! The Mourning Siena attacks by emitting ultrasonic waves from the faces on its lower half, so be careful!"

The faces filled with agony on the lower half of the Mourning Siena all turned towards us simultaneously.

I hate vengeful spirit-type monsters; they're so creepy.

The agonized faces began shedding bloody tears and from their wide-open mouths, an ear-piercing sound wave transformed into sharp blades, heading straight for us. Before I could react, Julius grabbed me by the collar and tossed me to the edge of the cave.

The shockwave from the sound waves roughly tore through the cave walls. Bits of chipped stone fell around me as I was thrown directly underneath.

"...Ugh, why'd you do that?! For your information, I can handle a Mourning Siena by myself, you know!"

"The prosthetic eye you gave me seems to have an effect on vengeful spirit-type monsters. I can clearly see where to strike for a fatal blow."

Julius drew the sword hanging from his waist.

It seems he left his spear on Helios's back, probably because the cave was too narrow to use it effectively.

Julius raised the sword, gripping it single-handedly and aiming the tip at the Mourning Siena.

It all happened in an instant.

I thought he was just pointing his sword, but instead, the faces on the lower half of the Mourning Siena were sliced off and sent flying through the air. The Mourning Siena recoiled, and another massive lump of blood was vomited from the remaining mouths towards Julius.

The lump of blood, which Julius effortlessly avoided and dodged, melted the ground with a sizzling sound upon impact.

"Gross, gross! This is why I hate vengeful spirit-type monsters!"

While monsters never have cute forms, the Mourning Siena's attack methods were particularly disgusting and repulsive. It's the worst. I absolutely don't want to touch any gooey mass of blood vomited from those eerie mouths.

Normally, physical attacks wouldn't hit the Siena, as they would just pass through it. However, the True Anagram effect added to the prosthetic eye was working perfectly.

"You're pretty good at cutting through vengeful spirit-type monsters quite well, Julius-san! Isn't my alchemical prosthetic eye amazing?"

"Shut up, you're annoying."

Since Julius seemed likely to get angry if I joined the fight, I quietly cheered for him, trying not to attract attention while staying on the sidelines. Even though I still got scolded.

The Mourning Siena trembled all over. Just above the numerous faces, two human-like white arms sprouted, holding a twisted large sword.

Julius blocked the Mourning Siena's attack with his blade. 

Simultaneously, another massive lump of blood was ejected from the faces on its lower body. 

Before being drenched in the blood, Julius kicked off the ground, effortlessly rising into the air.

Executing a mid-air spin, he landed with grace, cleanly severing the upper half of the Mourning Siena from its lower abdomen.

Numerous faces, contorted in agony, flew through the air as their necks were severed. With a delicate yet unpleasant dying scream, the Mourning Siena disappeared like smoke.

In the corner, I stared at Julius with my mouth half-open, looking somewhat foolish. 

Julius, as if nothing had happened, sheathed his sword.