Chapter 39: The Absolutely Correct King Arthur
"Your Majesty, regarding the popularization of alchemy equipment, the effects of the alchemy devices you provided are excellent, and the blueprints and alchemy techniques you employ are regarded as priceless treasures by Camelot's alchemists... However, alchemy is not a technique that creates something from nothing, so we're beginning to struggle with funding."
Kay stood before Noah, his brow slightly furrowed as he reported the problems encountered in the task of popularizing alchemy equipment.
"With your permission, Camelot's funds have indeed been mobilized on a large scale, and with some adjustments, the funding issues could potentially be recouped through these alchemy devices... But at least for now, we are severely short of funds."
After saying this, Kay turned his gaze to Noah.
He felt that Noah should have a solution to this problem.
After all, his impression of alchemy... to be honest, when he first heard about alchemy, it was from tales of the so-called 'Philosopher's Stone' and 'immortality'.
But after developing an interest and learning more, he realized that concepts like 'Philosopher's Stone', 'immortality', and 'resurrection of the dead' represent the highest achievements in alchemy—things that only exist in legends or theories.
They are not something ordinary alchemists can accomplish.
But that should just mean those alchemists aren't skilled enough in alchemy, right?
If one reached Noah's level in alchemy... while 'immortality' and 'resurrection of the dead' might be impossible, 'Philosopher's Stone' should be achievable, shouldn't it?
When Noah saw Kay apparently expecting him to accomplish one of alchemy's highest achievements—'Gold Transmutation'—he found it utterly ridiculous.
Fou, lying beside his desk, also gave Kay a disdainful look.
However, Noah had no intention of educating this layman about alchemy, so he simply addressed the issue directly.
"Camelot's treasury still contains some valuable items. For now, use those if we're short on funds. We just need to get through this period. I have other plans regarding money matters—after this time passes, we will no longer lack funds."
Hearing this, Kay hesitated somewhat, but when he met Noah's gaze and saw the confidence in his eyes, he simply lowered his head.
"I understand."
Kay acknowledged the instruction and then left Noah's study.
After Kay departed, Fou opened his eyes to look at Noah, and then Mary's voice sounded directly in Noah's mind.
"I recall you don't seem to have any recent plans about increasing wealth, do you? Or can you actually accomplish 'Gold Transmutation'?"
After their brief contact and the establishment of their cooperative relationship, Mary had gained some understanding of Noah.
The aspect of Noah that felt most inconsistent with King Arthur's identity to her was his remarkably high attainment in alchemy.
That's why she asked this question.
Facing Mary's inquiry, Noah slightly shook his head.
"I admit I have some ideas about Gold Transmutation, but there's still some distance from truly accomplishing it."
Moreover, "If you're only doing gold transmutation for money, isn't that quite a slow way to get rich?"
Huh?
Mary stared in surprise at the man who had just claimed that creating the Philosopher's Stone was a slow way to make money, momentarily at a loss for words.
Noah, while handling documents in his hands, chuckled lightly as he spoke.
"The nobles of the Southern Six Territories are quite wealthy. If they're willing to make sacrifices, we could acquire wealth much faster than through gold transmutation."
Hearing this, Mary recalled Noah's arrangements regarding Vortigern, then settled back into her original position, closing her eyes again to use her Clairvoyance to locate Manaka Sajyou while monitoring the situation in Rome.
Once she learned Noah had a plan, she didn't inquire further.
She knew that this man, who should possess Clairvoyance capable of seeing past and future, would never make mistakes once he set his goals.
He was the absolutely correct King Arthur.
...
Kay emerged from Noah's study and, after greeting Artoria who stood guard at the door, prepared to take Noah's handwritten order to retrieve treasures from Camelot's vault.
The importance of a royal vault to a king was likely comparable to their personal safety, border security, the people's welfare, and the main gate of the royal castle.
Thus, Camelot's vault had always been guarded by specialists, and now this duty had been assigned by Noah to the White Knight, Vortigern.
Having a dragon guard the treasure... This could be considered making the most of resources.
"White Knight, I've come to retrieve items from the vault by the King's command."
Kay handed Noah's order to the knight whom Noah had brought to Camelot Castle this morning and referred to as "White."
He was somewhat curious about White.
He had never heard of any knight called the White Knight being active in Britain before this.
However, his adoptive sister Artoria was similarly unknown, so Kay only felt mildly curious about White.
"Enter."
After seeing Noah's order, White opened the vault door and watched as Kay led the patrol team directly into Camelot's vault, removing two-thirds of its wealth.
Witnessing this, White questioned Kay.
"Is the King in urgent need of money?"
Hearing this, Kay—knowing this knight would likely become another of the King's close confidants—sighed helplessly while the patrol team moved the treasures.
"Money is indeed crucial for Britain now, but the King said he would find a solution."
After exchanging a few more words with White, Kay left with the patrol team and the money. He still needed to use these funds to popularize alchemy equipment and was quite busy.
Unbeknownst to him, after watching him leave, White became thoughtful about Kay's earlier words.
"So the King needs money."
White muttered to herself, then leaned against the recently closed vault door and closed her eyes.
The island's problems were her problems!
Therefore, she had no intention of remaining a passive observer.
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