Yor and Sergio’s quarrels weren’t anything new, but both of them had aspects that defied common sense, so if left alone, they’d cause tremendous chemical reactions.
Once, Yor mixed chemicals into equipment Sergio had made, causing an explosion incident, and the phrase “do not mix” became popular within the military. That happened.
Incidentally, there was also the side note that the reason Yor’s laboratory was in the facility where Raze worked was actually because she’d been assigned as Yor’s watchdog.
“Yay! If Raze asks cutely, he definitely won’t refuse. I’m counting on you.”
Even though it wasn’t certain she could get it made yet, Yor laughed happily, saying “Now my research will progress!”
She really loved researching monsters and vermin. Raze could only shrug and smile wryly.
“Now then. This soundproofing device is already running, right?”
“Yes. It’s properly set up, so please talk without worrying about it.”
“Okay~”
Yor while examining the poisonous wasp. Raze while drinking the coffee Frey had brewed. The two of them got to the main topic.
“The other day, the matter that almost leaked to the Church about the Demonic Virus seems to have been caused by magic stone smuggling conducted in the Empire. A mutated species was found.”
“…The Empire, huh. Really, they keep causing nothing but trouble. I wish they’d manage that stuff properly…”
Raze placed her hand on her forehead and let out a grand sigh.
“When returning from Baluda to Ordiana, thorough sterilization is mandatory, but the problem is that few people know why.”
“But even if we hypothetically explained it and got the general public to recognize the safety of soldiers traveling between continents, if that led to a deep dive into the Demonic Virus, we’d be in trouble.”
“That’s the biggest problem. At worst, soldiers would be persecuted. If it got out that they have vaccines in their bodies to counter the Demonic Virus that turns people into monsters… well, confusion would be unavoidable. Especially the Church’s reaction would be too frightening.”
Yor answered Raze while dripping chemicals with a dropper.
With a solemn expression, Raze opened her mouth again.
“…Yor-Professor. Would you believe me if I said a child with the power of purification appeared?”
“Eh? Is that true?”
Yor raised her face with an extremely surprised expression. She was so surprised that excess chemicals were spurting out from the dropper.
“Today. Or rather, just now. A man who developed severe [Black Wounds] from being stung by those monster-turned poisonous wasps was completely healed.”
“No way~. So one really existed~!”
Raze nodded. Needless to say, it was about Folia.
Because the Demonic Virus had low infectivity, it was rare for people to turn into monsters. However, when infected, one would feel physical discomfort to about the degree of a cold, and gradually become unable to manipulate magic stones. While it didn’t lead to death, it was still a terrifying virus.
And when that Demonic Virus entered the bodies of monsters in Baluda, its form would change. The bacteria they carried would turn black when mixed with human blood. This was called [Black Wounds], and the wound on Raze’s abdomen was one of those.
It was known that if one ingested excessive amounts of the mutated Demonic Virus through Black Wounds and accumulated it in the body, humans could also turn into monsters.
Due to the nature of their work fighting such monsters, soldiers were given vaccines to reduce the risk of turning into monsters.
In the unlikely event of complete monster transformation, there was currently no established treatment method, and the only hope was the power of purification said to exorcise demonic corruption, remaining in ancient texts.
(…The monster Carne-sama talks about might be about turning into a monster…)
Such a thought suddenly occurred to Raze. At the end of the otome game, the villainess Carne apparently turns into a monster and attacks the heroines, and there was a possibility that this monster was the form of a human who had become a monster.
However, in Ordiana, the Demonic Virus could only lie dormant using vermin as a medium. Monster transformation of vermin was extremely rare, and the probability of humans turning into monsters on this continent was close to zero.
The poisonous wasp from earlier was “ultra-rare” in that it had turned into a monster, but that speculation wasn’t very realistic.
Just as their debate was heating up, there was a knock on the door, and they stopped talking.
“Wait, can you hear outside noises?”
“Yes. It’s designed to prevent conversations by people within the usage range from leaking outside. It would be a risk if we couldn’t hear sounds when something happened outside.”
After answering Yor’s question, she signaled to Frey who had been standing by, and he opened the door.
“Y-Your Excellency!?”
He then raised a surprised voice at the person who appeared before him, and hurriedly turned to look at Raze as if seeking help.
Today once again, the appearance of the beautiful Grim Reaper Chancellor Wellrain-exellency.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Hey. You don’t need to be so on guard. I thought I’d join in on the conversation too.”
“…If you had contacted us, we would have prepared a proper seat…”
Raze stood up and formally greeted Wellrain.
“A proper seat would just be stifling. Of course this is informal. Think of me as not being here and continue your conversation. I’ve been interested for a while in what kind of discussions the military’s two geniuses have.”
He had even brought tea sweets. Moreover, they were sweets from the Eastern country that she’d been thinking of acquiring from München Trading Company through Yuge when she returned to school—dorayaki with cream filling.
(A-as expected of exellency… Excellent taste!)
Having no reason to refuse, the conversation resumed with Wellrain included.
When she briefly explained what they’d been discussing, Wellrain formed a bewitching smile on his handsome face.
He really was poisonous to the eyes. Even Yor, who took no interest in other people, had eyes that said “I’m not good with this type of human.”
“Thank you for the explanation. Well then, please continue.”
Smiled at by the unfathomable Wellrain, the two felt somewhat uncomfortable as they returned to the conversation.
“Um. I’d really like that child who can use purification to come to the military. If we could purify Black Wounds, wouldn’t everyone feel relieved? Even the meatheads are probably concerned about those wounds, right. They just can’t ask because of the gag order—”
In a tone that asserted this was her territory despite an out-of-place noble sitting in the laboratory with a well-worn mug in hand while unable to hide his elegance, Yor began to speak.
“…That seems a bit difficult. Her guardian is a cardinal.”
“Ugh… That’s tough. But every country can’t hide the Demonic Virus forever, right. While we have a specific remedy, I think it would be better to negotiate with the Church in the form of seeking protection.”
Raze thought that was right. Wellrain was nodding too.
(But then. The day when everyone finds out I’m a soldier will come soon. …What will Folia and Carne-sama think. About me…)
Even though they’d just become close. They might find her creepy.
To begin with, a person with the title “Wolf Fang” at this age wasn’t normal. Honestly, even she was put off by it.
They say a prodigy at ten, talented at fifteen, just an ordinary person past twenty, but she needed a bit more time to become just an ordinary person.
(—I don’t want it to be found out that I’m a soldier until graduation.)
Without answering immediately, she stared at the coffee where ripples were spreading in the cup.
Then suddenly a hand extended from the side and placed itself on her head with gentle pats.
She looked at the person in utter surprise.
“We’re making you do all sorts of unreasonable things, aren’t we. Orphan-kun.”
“Eh—”
At Wellrain’s gentle expression, Raze was dumbfounded. She’d been waiting to see what he’d do, so she was surprised to have her head patted.
“My wife scolded me for relying too much on you, my son’s friend. …I’m sorry. At first I was trying not to treat the excellent you like a child, but it seems I’ve been taking advantage of you before I knew it.”
“N-no, I…”
Unable to believe what was happening before her, she was flustered. When the Grim Reaper-exellency, who would issue orders to mercilessly kill using any means necessary when considering someone an enemy, directed such kindness at her, it made her nervous instead. She suspected it might be a prelude to something bad, but in a corner of her mind, she was convinced that the recent drastic reduction in her workload was thanks to Lady Vanessa.
“Leave this matter to me. Keep it confidential from anyone else. We’ll make our move in earnest after the child graduates from the academy. I’m glad I could hear good opinions. Thank you.”
Wellrain placed down the mug that had somehow become empty, smiled cheerfully, and stood up.
Despite being someone busy dealing with massive amounts of information and documents every day, it seemed he already had a grasp on Folia’s situation.
After seeing Wellrain leave the room, Raze placed her hand on her head where she’d been patted, looking dazed.
“…So the Grim Reaper Chancellor is human after all~”
Yor’s voice sounded distant somehow.
“–Exactly…”
Raze murmured softly.
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
