252: You can’t shift your mood without action.

Ryuko slowly closes the diary. That’s it—she’s read it all.

This diary was written by my mother. At first, it was just a regular journal. There were entries about her pregnancy, everyday life.

Then, right after I was born, demons and monsters attacked this hidden village. The leader was Lucas—someone with a grudge—and his superior, a demon named Grootis.

In the end, the hidden village of alchemists was wiped out.

At the end of the diary, there were a few notes about their research. The world tree exists in three places. If all three are cursed, demons will stampede whenever they sense humans.

And something about the Alchemist of Dusk. Once, it was just a theory. A symbol long awaited, said to save humanity.

I stare hard at the mark on my left hand.

The sigil of the Alchemist of Dusk. My steadfast companion, the one who’s changed my life, the one who’s always been there. But now it suddenly feels heavy. Solid. Like it’s pressing down.

Save the world? Can I really do that?

At that moment, I must’ve looked something awful—my robe’s hem yanked sharply, head snapping up.

Maina looked up at me, eyes full of worry.

...Yeah. That’s not like me. I need to shake this off!

I ruffle her hair roughly.

“Don’t sweat it! Honestly, I’m surprised I’m from the Alchemist’s lineage!”

I make a big show of it, and Maina’s face lights up instantly, her breath coming fast.

“Craft-sama, you really are amazing!”

“Hmm. Whether I’m amazing or not, I don’t know. But if you say so, I’ll have to keep trying!”

Maina nodded rapidly, over and over.

I steeled myself, scanning everyone.

"Right. The World Tree’s definitely ahead. Let’s get ready and move out."

Eva reacted instantly.

"There’s this unknown giant creature called Nidhöggr. What should we do about it?"

"Don’t know what kind of enemy it is. Feels sorry for it, but if it’s hostile, we take it down."

Jabir gave a small grunt this time.

"Aye. Even top alchemists spent years trying to lift that curse. Even Craft’ll need time to find a solution."

"Right. Kyle’s revival comes first. That’s non-negotiable."

"Aye. Glad you haven’t lost sight of the goal."

Leifan! Perfect timing—clean up this basement a bit, then set up the portal. The one connecting to the outside wall of Golden Dune’s castle’ll do.

Yeah. Got it!

This is where we first linked up with the Mizoho Shrine Nation.

Trade hall, reinforced with alchemical hardstone all around—just in case—but eventually abandoned after we installed a large portal inside the city walls. Still, it’s perfect for our needs this time. We’re setting one here.

Gotta talk to Van first. Once we get Maina and Professor Javir back to safe ground in Golden Dune, we’ll head straight for the World Tree.

Jitarou grins, warm and open.

I’ll help too!

Yeah. Count on it!

Jitarou’s got the Matagi crest now—strong enough to rival a colored crest bearer. Naturally, we’re counting on him as a frontline asset.

After contacting Van via the communication golem and reporting our situation, we wait for the gate’s permission to activate.

Me, Leifan, and Professor Javir will set up the gate. The rest of the crew heads out for another perimeter sweep. Lilirily’s tagging along with Maina to watch us work—but she’s acting weirdly excited, breathing heavy, like she’s about to lose it. I’ll just ignore it.

That is, until Lilirily decides to come at me herself.

“Craft-sama, I wish to assist—teach me step by step, hand by hand, foot by foot, ear by ear, jaw by jaw, oh yes, *nuhuhuhu*.”

She slithers up to me like a slime, pressing close. Ah! Don’t whisper in my ear!

Before I could even pull her away, Maina started tugging on Lilirily. Unexpectedly strong—Lilirily was slowly pulling away from me.

Come to think of it, at Kyle Academy, we had sports class with that legendary stamina potion. The grades were terrible, sure, but Kendall brothers were just freakishly strong. Most people probably had decent stamina. Makes me nostalgic thinking back to when I was sickly.

Oh, wait—Persia, the sorry knight, is crying too.

“…No. Don’t interfere.”

“Nuhuhu. Maina-sama, don’t worry. I’m fine being second, third, fourth—any of them. What matters is making a good impression to get first place.”

“!”

Maina flinches at Lilirily’s nonsensical words. Seriously, she wants to help that much!?

Even Maina’s clinging to me now.

"Craft-sama, I'll help."

Appreciate the sentiment, but there's nothing I can do to help Maina with setting up the portal transfer. Still, did you really want to help that much, right from the start?

When I'm stuck, Eva—already poking through the basement remnants—lets out a sigh and gently pulls the two of us apart.

"Maina-sama, you're really getting in the way now. Please don't take that pervert's nonsense seriously."

"Nuuh……"

"Rilirily. Next time you whisper something weird into Maina-sama's ear, I'll kill you."

"Wha—?! That's scary!?"

"Not a threat. I mean it. Sorry."

"Even scarier now!"

Maina reluctantly steps back. Rilirily trembles and backs off. Damn, Eva’s sharp.

I give her a quick wink in thanks.

She turned bright red. Guess she’s the type who feels awkward about doing good deeds.

It was strange how Maina stared at Eva with eyes wide as saucers.

And the two working side by side—Leifan and Professor Javil—muttered quietly.

“Honestly, I hope she never stabs anyone someday.”

“Ah, so that’s what ‘natural’ really means. Quite terrifying.”

Yeah, I worry about Lililily’s naturalness too. But is Leifan actually serious about Eva stabbing someone?

“This face doesn’t understand anything.”

“Hmm. To a simpleton like me, words are useless.”

Wait—does that sound kind of like me?

“Yes, Craft-kun! Just keep your mouth shut and keep working!”

“Y-yeah…”

Something about that still bugs me, but I get back to work.

Setting up the portal was second nature—finished in half a day. Probably because we’d warned them ahead of time, a contingent of Holy Knights, led by Alphard, was waiting at the destination trade district.

“Good to have you back, Craft. Glad Lady Maina’s safe.”

“Hmph.”

“Thought the King himself would be here.”

“Ah. The King’s coming in just as we’re securing the World Tree. Said to gather our best here.”

Alphard looked worn. Probably argued against it, but lost.

“Does that old man ever just… stay put?”

“Mostly agree. But watch your tone.”

Quiet enough that he didn’t get reprimanded further. But the sentiment was the same.

“Alphard. After we finish a bit more checking of the alchemist village, we’ll all head back together. We’re gonna decide the date for securing the World Tree, with the king included.”

“Yeah, I heard that.”

Alphard shifts his gaze from me to Maina.

“Wouldn’t it be better if Maina-sama returned first?”

“…I’ll come back later.”

“Understood.”

The teleport gate’s already open. Alphard follows Maina without complaint. We can always come back if something comes up.

We returned and resumed the search of the village. All we found was total destruction. Nothing but the journal. No other gains.

Back at Goldendoon, we all took a rare, relaxed break. Mountain travel had been hell because of Persia.

“Alright, everyone. Good work. We’ll meet tomorrow at the castle. Until then, take it easy.”

I said that and called it a day. Jitarou was the first to bolt off.

I'll be showing my face to Sir Seelra!

Jitarou’s always full of energy, huh.

Alchemist's Crucible Volume 8

Available August 30th!