Edward was delighted. He was delighted that from now on, he too would be a "public servant." This time, his mentor Wilson had really come through for him. He'd solved all of Edward's worries in one go and secured him plenty of benefits.
He'd thought he could just take everything home and hang up the sign. He hadn't expected there to be so many more things to take care of.
First, under Kaydelin's guidance, he found the Letter of Appointment issued by the Alchemist Association, the Chairman's Badge, the Official Alchemist Badge, and a robe in the supply crate.
At Kaydelin's insistence, he followed the maid Jessica to the changing room in the back and put on the Standard Robe issued by the association. At last, he looked like everyone else.
Kaydelin looked at Edward in his new robe and nodded.
"Now you need to decide whether to put the Alchemy Guild branch's address at the Magic Tower or your home."
"Is there a particular reason to choose one or the other?" Edward asked.
"If you put it at the Magic Tower, the two guilds will share an office. That's common in other small kingdoms, but you'll have to come in every day. Putting it at your home is fine, too, but you'll have to pay for guards to deliver documents and notices back and forth. You'll also have to handle the Magic Tower's monthly routine maintenance of its Magic Array."
Edward thought, I've had enough of going to work every day in my previous life. In this life, I'll work from home whenever I can! So he firmly chose the latter.
He then signed a series of documents with Kaydelin. At the end, she asked him:
"How are you planning to handle the Hanging Ceremony?"
"Do I have to hold a Hanging Ceremony? Can't I just hang up the sign when I get home?" Edward asked, puzzled.
"The opening of an Alchemist Association branch is a major event in White Eagle City. Usually, you'd invite the Grand Duke, the Speaker of the Council and all the councilors, the mayor from City Hall, the Customs Director, and the heads of all the guilds and associations, like the Adventurer's Guild, Mercenary Guild, Shipping Association, Fishermen's Association, and so on. You'd also have to treat everyone to a meal. They might not come, but you still have to send them invitations. And you'll need to hire a band..."
Kaydelin rattled on like a machine gun, just like people in Edward's previous life, and he grew dizzy listening to her. The last time, he'd been excited by the novelty and made his opening ceremony a little too lively, which had brought the Knight Princess and a young Mage to his door. If he made a fuss like that again, who knew who else might show up? It would completely undermine his "low-key" image.
"Please wait a moment, Ms. Kaydelin. You can see that I'm the only one in our Alchemy Guild branch. I really can't manage all that. Is there a simpler way?"
Kaydelin understood that Caster were generally solitary by nature and poor at socializing, so she said, "There's another option. You can simply hang up a sign at home, then visit all the guilds and associations in the city to introduce yourself. Remember to leave them your contact address. If you really don't want to go around, you can send them letters instead. I can write to notify the Council and City Hall for you."
"Thank you very much." Edward readily chose the low-key way of hanging up the sign.
Edward then put the long box sent by the Alchemy Guild into his Spatial Ring and prepared to take his leave. But he noticed the princess and her cousin smiling as they followed behind him. The tall captain of the knights stood behind them, watching him like a hawk, and behind him trailed the princess's personal maid, Lulu.
"Your Highness, are you heading out as well?" Edward asked with a puzzled smile.
"Yes, Mr. Smith. We'll come with you to the Alchemist Association branch's Hanging Ceremony," Princess Andrea replied with a smile.
"Isn't that a bit too grand?" Edward said awkwardly.
"Boss, are you too stingy to buy us lunch?" Alice teased the newly appointed Alchemist Association branch president. Her mother had been keeping a close eye on her these past few days, leaving her no chance to go out. Now that she finally had an opportunity, how could she pass it up? Besides, she was full of anticipation for Smith's Today's Meal.
"How could I be? It's my honor to have you all visit my home. I couldn't be happier to welcome you." Edward smiled, then turned and asked Kaydelin, "Madam President, will you be joining us? I don't mean to boast, but I'm a pretty good cook."
Kaydelin shook her head.
"I'll pass. Andrea and Alice can represent me. I still have to stay on duty at the Magic Tower."
"That's a shame. I'll treat you another day."
Before they left, Kaydelin reminded Alice and Princess Andrea not to stay out too late and to head home early.
The group turned to leave. Jessica, the Magic Guild's receptionist and Kaydelin's personal maid, sidled over and whispered:
"Master, are you really comfortable letting the princess and the young lady spend time with that Alchemist? They're both young. What if..."
Kaydelin glanced back at Jessica with a strange look and asked, "Do you know what Andrea's sword is?"
"Of course. It's a Semi-divine Artifact. Everyone in the Duke's Mansion knows."
"Then what could someone who can make a Semi-divine Artifact possibly want? Nothing but..."
Kaydelin didn't finish, but Jessica understood her tone. It was like the saying from Edward's previous life: "What could someone who can afford a Rolls-Royce possibly want? Nothing but a taste of my niece."
Jessica was so shocked she gaped, then immediately covered her mouth to stifle a gasp.
Kaydelin glanced at her and added:
"Do you know how ancient kingdoms got their hands on Semi-divine Artifacts? They sold land, mountains, castles, and princesses. And they didn't just sell one—sometimes they still couldn't buy one!"
Jessica was so stunned she couldn't speak. These were secrets beyond the ken of a poorly informed maid like her. After finally recovering, she asked, "Then why were you so cold toward that man, Smith, just now?"
"I was testing him. He seems like a decent young man, not the sort to get arrogant just because he's talented. And he's from our own country, and lives nearby. If Andrea can get along with him normally, perhaps things could turn out well in the future..."
Kaydelin wore a very "aunt-like" smile. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned to Jessica with a stern expression.
"Also, tell those gossipmongers in the mansion to keep their mouths shut. If word gets out to other kingdoms, someone might get ideas. If that happens, I'll find whoever spread the rumor and tear her mouth apart!"
"Y-yes, Master," Jessica replied meekly.
By the time Edward and the others stepped outside, a carriage was already waiting. As before, it was an ordinary carriage from the Duke's Mansion. They weren't using the princess's own blue-and-white carriage with its elaborate decorations. The Knight Princess glanced back at the captain of the knights following behind them. Reinhardt's gaze wavered; he awkwardly turned his head away.
The princess didn't seem to mind. She ushered everyone into the carriage, while the captain of the knights rode ahead to lead the way. The group headed straight for City Gate Street.
High-alert warning for the next chapter: Edward's old flame is coming...
Before you continue