Bonds of Gold

Okay, that's most of it cleared up. Honestly, Master was such a slob everywhere outside his research!

There's dust everywhere, and the records and labware are scattered. Like this! What's this document?

...Huh...

...Is this a diary? It looks very old.

Helloooo! We're coming in!

Oh, Lele and Aldo. If you'd told me you were coming, I'd have waited for you by the entrance. They didn't give you any trouble on your way in, did they?

None at all! I guess they all remember us from last time. That's nice of them!

Besides, the upper floors aren't blocked off anymore, right?

Right. I want to eliminate the old barriers between the ranks. We should all be free to share our knowledge and research, to help enrich alchemy even further.

That's a great idea.

Yeah, I think so too! And if everyone can come visit you, you won't be lonely, either!

I-I'm not lonely! I'm just fine on my own!

Haha. Good to see you're in high spirits.

And wow, you've really got this place tidied up since last time.

I was just cleaning now, actually. It's my lab from now on, after all. Though, the more I clean...

The emptier it feels. I was never allowed in here without him, after all.

Alma...

...Haha, listen to me. I can't stand around moping! I have to lead the Guild forward into the future, in his place.

Yeah! I know you can do it!

But that's for later. What can I help you two with?

Oh, I just came to see how things were doing around here. But, Lele...

I have something! Something to give you, that is!

For me?

Yeah! So let's go moonbathing tonight!

Tonight? Why not just give it to me now?

Nope! It has to be there! Not here, definitely not!

O-okay, I get it.

Yay! It's a promise!

Pardon me. Is now a good time?

Who are you?

I haven't seen you before. Are you new to the Guild?

......

Um, hello? Why are you staring at me?

Ah, forgive me. I was caught up in a memory.

My name is Jan. I'm unregistered, but I am an alchemist, for what my skills are worth. You must be Alma, yes? I'm what you might call your elder disciple.

Huh? Elder disciple?

You mean, you studied under Paracelsus too?

No...I don't believe you. Master never said a word about any disciples other than me!

...He wouldn't have. I left the Guild, and his tutelage, in disgrace, after all. Here. This may not serve as convincing proof, but...

Aah! It's one of those Argent thingies!

At the time, I was the youngest Argentum inductee in history. Though I believe you've handily outstripped me on that front, among many others.

Huh... But why did you leave?

...To pursue my own ideals. Ones I couldn't make real under the Guild's auspices. But when I heard the Master had passed, I couldn't bear to stay away.

Ah...

I really was shocked. To think the Master lost his life in a failed experiment...

He, um...

No, there's no need to speak. I have no intention to pry. The loss must still be fresh, especially since you studied directly with him.

......

But, with the passing of one Aurum comes the birth of another... And Master's daughter, no less.

Huh?! H-how did you...

Do you know Alma, Mister?

But I thought that was a secret...

I was still Master's disciple when Alma was born, after all. I was told in strict confidence. I even held you as a baby, you know. You were very unhappy with me. You even tried to bite me, I recall.

Wh-What?!

And once you got used to me, it was the reverse. You bawled if I ever tried to put you down...

Yeah...I could see that...

I-I was just a baby! Besides, that has nothing to do...

...Nevermind.

...... In any case, one thing hasn't changed. You're still little more than a child.

That's why I've returned. To offer you my support.

Support?! I don't need anyone's help!

I've heard from the others already. Everyone agrees that you're an alchemist of the highest talent.

Huh?!

But no matter how skilled you are, the Master's legacy is too much for one of your short years to carry. While the Guild is very hands-off, the leader still has responsibilities, Internal and external both. If you ever need help with Guild administration, I would be happy if you would rely on me.

B-but...

And you are, after all, my dear junior disciple.

......

...He doesn't seem like a bad sort. Why not take him up on his offer?

I think so too! I like seeing more people signing up to help you!

You two...

...You're right. And he was Master's disciple, so...

Alma! Alma, we have trouble!

What is it? What's going on?

S-soldiers... From the palace!

They want everyone out of the Guild, immediately!

What?!

Out of the Guild? What does that mean?

...I don't know. Let's get to the entrance hall!

So the vultures from the palace have arrived already, have they...

Hey, you! What's all this about?!

Alma! These soldiers...

Hold on! What do you mean, a search?

The Guild is an independent organization. You don't have the authority to just barge in!

Foul play? You mean...

...!

Weapons?!

We do craft homunculi specialized for combat use, but weapons?

Above your pay grade?

Likely the work of the court magicians. With Master's death, they now have a chance to crush the Guild they hate.

The court magicians?!

Damn those paper-pushers! We'll never give up our Guild!

H-hang on! Everyone, calm down!

What?!

Tempered Arms?!

Damn it, they're too strong!

They're gone... What was that?

Was that...alchemy?

Hey, this is bad, right?

What do we do? They said they'd wipe us out!

... Listen to me, everyone!

Huh?

My name is Jan! I was Paracelsus's first disciple!

A disciple of Master Paracelsus? I thought Alma was the only one!

Is that true? I've never heard of him...

It's the truth. He was, indeed, Paracelsus's student.

It was a long time ago. But I cannot simply sit idly by as the Guild is threatened by outsiders. This is an unprecedented crisis. If the Guild falls, the art of alchemy will vanish from history.

We have no choice. We must fight!

H-hey, Jan!

We must not fear the tamed dogs who beg at the King's table for scraps! Now is the time to show the court magicians that alchemy stands above all other disciplines!

Hold on! This is all wrong!

Yeah! No fighting!

You don't understand. If we allow them to take our pride, then we have nothing left at all.

You all know the truth of this.

......

I'll fight alone, if I must... But if any of you have the drive to resist, stand alongside me. I will be preparing in the Argentum chambers. I hope some of you will make the right choice.

He really stirred them up... He can't possibly mean to fight the royal guard?

We have to stop him! Magic and alchemy ought to get along like friends!

...Let's go talk to him. He said he would be in the Argentum chambers, didn't he? Elder disciple or not, this is...!

Hold it right there!

Alma.

Those weapons that attacked the guards... You made those, didn't you? There are no alchemists capable of transmutation like that without a furnace registered in the Guild.

That's right. Those are war automatons produced by my own independently crafted formulae. They have antimagic formulae inscribed into them. I call them, hmm... "Armored Arms" will do.

Antimagic? Then you knew from the start that things would go like this?

In fact, you provoked them on purpose! What are you after, huh?!

You really don't understand. It's not a matter of provocation; we've been at war for years. The vultures in the court have wanted an excuse to destroy the Guild for many decades now. They see our power as a threat to their position of authority and favor, nestled in the capital's bosom.

You have it all wrong, mister. The court people aren't all bad!

I'm well aware of that. But it's the bad ones that are the problem. I came back to the Guild to protect this place from those who would seek to destroy it. With the Master's death... There was no way they would let such an opportunity pass.

But that doesn't mean it has to come to war, does it?

This will never end otherwise. A conclusion must be reached, one way or the other. If we can prove alchemy's power and use through this battle, we may finally earn the court's backing.

...I can tell you really care about protecting alchemy's legacy. But this isn't the way to do it! Why can't alchemy and magic work hand-in-hand to...

Haha...how many times did I hear that? You really are his daughter, in truth.

Huh?

None of you understand. This isn't a dispute that can be solved by playing happy friends.

Playing...?!

It isn't playing! We've seen it. What stopped Paracelsus's dangerous experiment and saved the Guild was Lele and Alma working together.

Oh...is that so? But you must see that the Guild has only lasted this long due to the Master's grand reputation. Can two young children like yourselves truly fill the shoes he left behind?

I...

We have no time to waste on what-ifs. This is reality, and we must face it. What good will your baseless optimism do for a Guild that has been crushed under its jealous enemies?

Do you have the resolve, the vision, necessary to preserve our Guild and our art, no matter what?

......

Alma...

As I suggested, you may leave the Guild and its matters to me. You have your own vital role to play. A homunculus, achieving the rank of Aurum...you are living proof of the heights we can achieve.

What?!

You knew Alma was a homunculus?!

As I've said, I knew you when you were nothing more than a babe. I always suspected, though. Not even the Master could completely fool me. I see you're hiding your true identity, but it's such a shame. You are the very glory of alchemy itself.

Hey now! Alma's a person, not a thing to show off how you like!

...Ah, we'll have to put this talk on hold for the time being.

Have you made up your minds?

...Yes. We talked it over. We'll fight alongside you.

Huh?! Wait, wait...

Forgive us, Alma.

Then it's decided. They'll attack soon, most likely. I still have preparations to make; please pardon me.

You all... But...

We can still fix this! Let's talk to everyone! I'll help...

...Go home, Lele.

Huh...?

This will be a battlefield soon. You shouldn't be here.

Are you giving up, Alma?!

It's like he said. No matter how I struggle, I can't be like my Master.

But...but you have me and Aldo!

I said, go! I don't want you two to get dragged into this mess for me!

Alma, we...

Aren't we invincible when we work together?

......

Ah, Alma!

I figured I'd find you here.

Aldo...

Why don't you want to work together with Lele?

I mean...her grandfather Simon is a court magician, you know? If he takes the field, he and Lele could end up fighting each other. I can't have that happen.

Well, sure... but isn't that why we want to stop the fighting? Are you worried about what Jan said to you?

...He made me realize something. Aldo...I put in so much effort to become a great alchemist. I worked harder than anyone. But that was just because I wanted Master to acknowledge me. I've never thought about what I want to do with alchemy, or... Or the vision for it. There's no way someone self-centered and hollow like me could shoulder the entire Guild's future.

......

It's the same with Lele. She's so gentle, and driven, and she always has my back... But that's not "working together." That's just her making up for all my failings and weaknesses.

You're wrong.

Huh?

She's not making up for anything. You've helped us so many times, and saved us over and over.

Lele and I may not be able to fully understand the pressure you're under. But we can help you in other ways, and we want to, if you'll let us.

Aldo... But... Master was able to protect the Guild all by himself, and I...

...Hom? What is it?

Kyaa?! Hom! What are you doing?! Don't just start pawing at...

...Aaaaaah!!

What is it?!

M-my badge... there's a scratch on the back of the badge. Even though Master entrusted it to me...

Oh, I really am hopeless...

Calm down. Would it really get scratched just from a cat pawing at it?

...Now that you mention it...

Huh...it almost looks like the scratched part is a different material entirely from the rest of it.

You're right. Like this part has just been plated over. It looks so similar I didn't even notice. But why? What's the point?

Should we try scraping it off?

I guess so. Here goes nothing...

How's it looking?

I got most of the plating off. There's writing underneath... "To my lifelong friend, Paracelsus. From the future Grand Sage, Simon."...

...Simon?!

Wait, really? That means this badge...

...Was originally a gift from Simon?

...Ah!

Wait, that diary I found...

Transmutation of magic and alchemy...

Paracelsus held the same ideals that you do, Alma.

...I see. Master wasn't fighting his battles alone, either.

No matter how great someone is, there are times when they can't manage alone, after all. It doesn't make them weak to rely on their friends and allies... And it doesn't make you weak, either.

...Really? I wonder.

And you're not self-centered or hollow, either. No way. You drop everything to help anyone who needs a hand, no matter who. I know you feel lost right now, but I think it's more that you're still just looking for your answer.

......

...The sun's gone down.

Yeah.

I'm afraid I might look pretty pathetic in the next little while. Will you stick with me, even so?

You mean, more pathetic than when you were being all sniffly before?

S-shut up! Forget you saw that!

Haha! Glad your spirit's back.

Don't worry, I'm with you. I know she's waiting for you, too.

Right. Let's go.

Lele.

Oh, Alma...

Haha. It's like the inverse of last time, isn't it?

...Sorry. You told me to go home, but...

I just couldn't. I wanted to give you this here.

It's... a necklace? How beautiful...

Look at the back, too.

The back? ...Oh! My name is written here...

Hehe. I messed up a lot, so I had to do it over a ton. But it matches with mine. See? "Friends Forever," it says.

Oh...

...Okay. That's all. I'm going home now. Bye-bye.

Wait, Lele!

Huh?

I'm sorry. I didn't consider your feelings at all. I just decided that this was my problem to solve on my own, and I didn't want to involve you. I'm the one who ought to apologize. So... I'm truly sorry.

Alma...

So, let me make it right. Um... I...

Hmm? What are you feeling, Alma? Won't you tell me?

H-hang on just a moment! ...Ugh, I'm so awful at this sort of thing!

Just say what's in your heart.

Nngh...

T-the Aurum alchemist Alma hereby formally requests the cooperation of High Magistrix Lele! I propose a joint operation pursuant to our shared goal of de-escalating tensions between alchemy and magic!

......

Hmmm... I don't really get it. That's all too complicated for me. I want you to say it more simply, in your own words, so I know what you mean.

Urk! O-oh, fine...

I'm still weak! I can't fix this on my own! So I need your help, Lele!

Does it have to be me?

I don't want it to be anyone else!

So, I don't have to go home?

You can't go home, no! I'm going to do my best to solve this whole misunderstanding... And I need you by my side to do it.

......

Teehee! Yaaay! I really, really want to stop everyone from fighting, too. But I didn't know how to help, and I didn't wanna get in your way. So I'm really happy to hear that. Thanks so much, Alma.

Aw...

A-ahem. Let's hurry and get planning! Burn the midnight oil. We can sleep when this is all over!

Hooray!!

What are we going to do about Jan's Armored Arms? We'll need a plan to handle them.

Don't worry. I have an idea. The three of us working together should be able to handle it easily.

Are you the Guild spokesman? I represent the Court magicians. My name is...

Spare us both the pleasantries. What's your business here?

...Hmph. So be it. Your Guild is no longer recognized as a valid organization, as of today. You are to disband immediately.

T-that's ridiculous! You can't just force this on us!

Oh? If we're speaking of force, then what of the weapons turned on the messengers sent to serve notice?

T-those were...!

The messengers report "a sudden assault by weapons of unknown make and capability." His Majesty has been gracious to your "independent organization," and you repay him by developing weapons? It was a mistake to allow your heretical practices to go on for as long as we have. This is an era of magic. Your alchemy is neither needed nor wanted, and it will not be tolerated any more.

Hah. Was it magic that secured your cozy position in the palace, or was it that fawning mouth?

Y-you dare...!

We will hear no more of this! Magic soldiers, advance!

Y-yes, sir.

Come forth, golem!

A g-golem?!

Haha! Behold! This is a creation far beyond those mud dolls you upstarts play around with!

Dolls, you say?

Push forward! Bring the tower down! If anyone resists, kill them!

W-what was that?!

Is that all? It seems even our "dolls" are far superior to yours.

Amazing! He destroyed the golem!

Tch... I see. So this is the mysterious weapon? I'll do you the honor of destroying it myself!

What?! My magic had no effect?!

This is the power of alchemy. An art that any can pursue, whether they possess inherent magic or not. Our hard work and daily study have raised alchemy to these great heights already. See now, and know... The age of magic is over!

You talk big! But I will not...

What?!

Now, Aldo!

On it!

What is the meaning of this? You claim to be Alma's friends, yet you aid the enemy?

No one here's an enemy! We're stopping the fight!

I see you're resolved not to listen. This is no place for a stubborn child. I see Alma has shut herself in her room...but I will have to lecture her later about her choice of friends.

Sorry, but we know Alma way better than you do. You don't know how hard she's worked or how much she's suffered to make her dreams a reality. And we're not going to let someone like that decide the future of the Guild she leads!

...Try and stop me, if you can.

If you can make it past my magic- immune Armored Arms, that is!

Without even breaking a sweat.

What?! What was that transmutation?!

Aldo. Lele. Thanks for buying me time.

Buying time? No... Not even you could break down the Armored Arms' formula so fast.

I already did. I just needed a good look at it.

The formulae are overwritten. Magic will work just fine, now.

You overwrote such a complex formula in such a short time?!

You may be my "elder disciple"...

But don't you look down on an Aurum alchemist of the Guild! Come on, Lele! Aldo!

Let's bring it down!

It's over!

My Armored Arms was defeated? I don't believe it...

H-haha... So much for your vaunted powers of alchemy, upstart! I don't know who you children are, but you've done well. Now, tie that man up and...

You shut up.

What?!

Do you understand what you've done? The Guild is finished, now.

Not if I can help it. Jan... alchemy isn't a tool for war. It's meant to help people, and make them smile.

......

I know that's just an ideal. It'll take time to make it a reality. But if we won't take the first step toward understanding others, how can we ask them do what we won't? That's one thing I've learned now.

You're a high-ranking mage, right? Take me to the Palace.

Excuse me?

I'll tell you everything, no secrets. About the Guild, the incident... And about me myself, too.

Alma?

I'll need to tell the others, too.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you all. The truth...the truth about me is...

I was made by Master as a ho...

Aaaargh! You got me!!

What?!

How frustrating! I was so close. I was this close to stirring those Guild fools up for a rebellion. This plot, and the creation of the weapon, were plotted by me alone. The Guild had nothing to do with it.

Hah! As if we would believe such a convenient story!

Attention!

I bear a message from the Palace! The dissolution of the Alchemists' Guild is to be halted immediately!

Halted?! That's ridiculous! We submitted the proper paperwork and claims to dissolve them officially!

Unfortunately, a mage of higher standing filed a conflicting request, and seniority dictates...

Higher standing... Not him again! Damn the man! Come on, soldiers. We'll be back!

Hey, wait!

Jan?

No need to pursue them. It's over. You've won.

......

Alma's looked sad for a while. Do you think...?

Yeah...

I'm glad the Guild wasn't destroyed, but what happened, exactly? They said something about another mage...?

The mages aren't a monolith. It seems the Guild has an ally in high places over there.

...... Hey, Jan. Why did you stop me from telling the truth about myself? You said having a homunculus achieve Aurum rank was proof of the glory of alchemy, didn't you?

Haha, did you take that seriously? I was only joking.

Joking?! There's a limit to bad humor, you know!

My apologies. I wanted badly to stop you, and I said too much. You are a precious and unique being, Alma. I had no idea what they, or your guildmates, might do to you.

You mean, you did it to protect Alma?

In any case, I believe that hiding your true identity is the safer option, for the time being. I have no right to pull rank as your elder anymore, but please do consider my advice.

...Okay.

Now, I must be going to the Palace. As an outsider, if I shoulder all responsibility for this incident, the Guild should remain blameless. They will have no further cause to strike at you all, at least for now.

Are you sure, though? What will happen to you?

At the very least, I'm sure I'll never be permitted to practice alchemy again.

...I spoke with Master before I left the Guild, many years ago. I showed him the formulae for the Armored Arms, and my desire to protect alchemy from the court. He told me that I was a disgrace to the art of alchemy, and to never say such things again.

......

I couldn't bear it, so I left. I continued my research alone. But, I have no regrets anymore. Alma...the path you have chosen is a perilous one, with many enemies and even more pitfalls awaiting you. But I know you will make it through. As long as your bonds of gold remain strong and brilliant.

Bonds of gold...

First Paracelsus, now your elder disciple...

Yeah...

Oh, it's you.

Alma. Please, forgive us for what we've done to you.

Huh? What you did?

You had only just lost your dear Master, after all. We didn't want to place any more burdens on you. We wanted to protect the Guild with our own two hands, and we let that man mislead us. I am truly sorry.

S-so that's why?!

No one asked you to do that! I'm not under any burdens at all!

Ho ho. If you say so, that's good to hear.

Ah, please let us thank you, as well.

Us?

If you had not stepped in then, our Guild would no longer exist. Especially you, young mage. Please continue to look after our Alma, would you kindly?

Sure I will! We're friends forever! It says so right on our necklaces! The necklaces of Alema!

It seems like everyone realizes not all the mages are their enemy.

Yes. Thank goodness...

...Also, Lele. What was that you said? Alema?

That's their name now! There's an Alma necklace, and a Lele necklace! So the necklaces of Alema!

No, rejected! We already have a better name for those! We'll use that one!

Huh? We do?

Anyway, show me where you found the stones for these sometime soon. They seem useful for alchemy. ...And, um... It would be nice. If you helped me gather some.

Okay! Let's find lots and lots of pretty stones together! Yay, I get to go on an adventure with Alma! Let's go right now!

Hey, wait a minute! Right now?!

"Why continue practicing alchemy..." I'm sorry, Master. I haven't found my answer to that question yet. But what I do know is...

Right now, I just want to keep walking along this path. The same path that you once walked.