Lulus - Prince of Alchemia - Main Story

Lulus - Prince of Alchemia - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Clear Observant Eyes

Kingdom of Alchemy, Alchemia, May... 

A gentle breeze smoothed down a vast plain. 

MC: !

When a ring shined in the middle of that plain, a new prince was freed from a slumber. 

MC: Are you okay!? 

??: ...My head still feels foggy, but... I'm all right... You are? 

His clear eyes looked at me as if he was making an assumption about me. 

MC: ...I'm MC.

Lulus: ...Hmm. I'm... Lulus. 

With a blank expression, Lulus-san stared at me. 

(Somehow... It feels like I'm being observed.) 

The moment I felt a little uncomfortable as I was unsure on what he was thinking of from his cold eyes... 

Lulus: ...

MC: !

Suddenly, his long fingers took hold of the ring that had a chain going through it around my neck. 

Lulus: ... 

When we were at a distance, where we could hear each other's breathing, my heart became noisy. As he was observing the small ring, he blinked once and looked at me. 

Lulus: Did you use this ring's power to wake me up...? Which means that there's no mistaking that you're the Traumerei Princess, right? 

MC: ...Yes. 

Lulus: ...I see. Traumerei really does... have a mysterious power. Alchemy has once again established the laws of another dimension... 

(Alchemy...?) 

When his gaze returned to the ring again, he looked down at it carefully. 

(I wonder what he's thinking of.) 

MC: Um...

The moment I spoke up boldly... 

Lulus: ...It's deeply fascinating. 

When he murmured that, he smiled a little. 

(Ah, he smiled...) 

The smile that he showed all of a sudden felt really gentle. 

(His presence is close, but... What a mysterious person.) 

When Lulus-san got up, he took a glance at the castle and turned towards me. 

Lulus: I want to try talking to you more. Also, I must pay back to the benefactor that saved me. Wont' you come to the castle? 

MC: By castle...? 

Lulus: The Kingdom of Alchemy... Alchemia's castle. 

The strange creature in his staff that he was holding looked at me happily... 

 

Chapter 2 - An Unamusing Conversation

Lulus-san took me to the castle of Alchemia. 

(What a strange castle...) 

As many people in long robes were going back and forth in the hallway, they were carrying thick books and minerals that I've never seen before. 

Lulus: What's wrong? 

As my gaze was wandering around restlessly, Lulus-san took a glance at me. Then, when I looked at his face, the creature in his staff made an odd look as well. 

(How cute.) 

MC: Lulus-san, that creature... 

Lulus: You can just call me, Lulus. I hate formalities. 

MC: ...Then, Lulus. 

Lulus: Yes, there's no need to be hesitant like that. 

(Ah, he smiled again.) 

His warm smile that he showed unexpectedly at that moment felt very charming for some reason. The next moment, a well-dressed man approached Lulus when he saw him. 

Noble Looking Man: You've finally returned. Of course, someone that's been called a genius would be so composed. 

Lulus: That's not true. 

Noble Looking Man: Since it didn't take you so long to return, has the castle finally become an interesting subject, aside from your own alchemy substances? 

The man looked at Lulus maliciously as he grinned, but... 

Lulus: That's not it. Once I get the substance, I don't continue the research. 

Lulus said that in return very seriously. 

Noble Looking Man: Honestly... The genius Lulus-sama surpassing our understandings. 

The man sighed in disgust and left from there. 

MC: ...Just now was? 

Lulus: One of the alchemists in the kingdom. In this kingdom, aside from the royal family and nobles, the common folk are all alchemists too. 

(Alchemy...) 

Even though I've heard that word before, it made me imagine what it was like when he said it just now. 

(But, that person just now... He spoke so cruelly to Lulus though.) 

Lulus: That guy, come to think of it, I feel like I've met him at a session about the research results... Oh, well. 

When Lulus murmured those words next to me, he checked out the vast hallway. For quite some time in the castle that was pretty empty, it felt like no one is looking at Lulus with any discomfort. I... 

///Choices///

 

- Isn't anyone worried? (☼)

MC: Isn't there anyone worried about you? 

Lulus: Worried? Ah, the castle is usually like this. But, there isn't anyone like that here. 

- Is this normal? (☽)

MC: Are you used to the castle being this empty for so long? 

Lulus: No, it's normal for most of the people in the castle that are doing some research. 

 

///Choices///

Lulus: I told you earlier, this is the Kingdom of Alchemy. Alchemists would devote themselves to their research and won't leave their labs, so this is the common everyday life in this kingdom. That guy from earlier is a bit of a joke for an alchemist. Don't worry about it. 

MC: A joke... 

(He sounded jealous, but Lulus doesn't seem to care about it at all. Or maybe... He doesn't notice?) 

As I thought how strange it was for Lulus to not care about it, I looked at the man that left. Then, Lulus... 

Lulus: That joke, there's nothing interesting about him... Don't you think so too? 

As he lightly shook the staff in his hand, he said that to the strange creature in the flask shaped glass. 

(Ah, that's right. This creature...) 

Just as I was about to ask again, the white furball looking creature looked at Lulus happily. 

Lulus: That's right. 

MC: ?

When he suddenly looked like he got hit by something, he quickly started walking. 

MC: Lulus!? 

Lulus: Sorry. Seeing the power of your ring earlier gave me some inspiration. I need to hurry to the lab. I want to do some experiments, so won't you come along too? 

MC: Eh... Sure. 

When I walked up next to Lulus, his eyes were shining brightly. 

Lulus: Since the power that functions in your ring is the same as the spirits' powers, theoretically speaking, it's a new kind of energy. The component ratio of the six elemental spirits' magic powers changes, so when the energy changes... 

As Lulus was muttering, the creature in his staff looked at him happily... 

 

Chapter 3 - Elixir

Lulus' lab was a little dusty and there were various kinds of chemicals that were filled with strange smells. 

(What's that black furnace in the center? It's very messy though.) 

When I heard the brisk sound of chalk in the middle of the lab, Lulus was writing something on a black board that was really far away. 

(...An equation?) 

Lulus: ...

With his back facing me, Lulus continued scribbling down with the chalk silently. 

(Such amazing concentration... I don't want to bother him, so I shouldn't speak to him.)

At that moment, we heard a knock and the door to the lab opened. 

??: Ah... Lulus! What a relief, you're all right!

Lulus: ...Mother? And Father too. 

King: We've been told that you have returned!

Queen: That's right, you're the one who gives us hope in alchemy after all. 

The two of them surrounded their son and sighed in relief from seeing him. Watching them do that gave me a warm feeling. 

(Even though it seemed like no one cared about Lulus in the hallway earlier. What a relief... There are people that were actually worried about Lulus.) 

Lulus: ...Sorry. I have something that I want to write down now. 

Queen: Yes, we understand that you're focusing on making the elixir. Once you complete the elixir, this kingdom... It's our dearest wish, so please research it more. 

Lulus: ...Yes. 

Lulus' hand that stopped once moved again and scribbled down some kind of equation on the black board. 

(Elixir?) 

I tilted my head to the side the moment I heard that unfamiliar word. 

King: By the way, am I not mistaken that woman over there is the Traumerei Princess paying a visit? 

MC: !

The moment Lulus' gentle eyes were looking at me, they suddenly felt somewhat cold... 

///Choices///

 

- That's right (☽)

(I wonder why... He's kind of scary.) 

MC: Y-Yes, that's right. 

Responding with that somehow, the king's gaze made my heart very noisy. 

Lulus: The power that her ring holds saved me. 

- Be silent (☼)

(What...?) 

Feeling uncomfortable, I couldn't come up with an immediate response and looked at Lulus. 

Lulus: It's just as you said, Father. I invited her to the castle, so that she can assist me. 

MC: Yes, please pardon my intrusion. 

 

///Choices///

King: I thought so! The hidden dream power that the royal family of Traumerei holds, I heard that it's amazing. I'm sure that we'll get a hint in the elixir research if we talk about it. Princess, do you mind? 

MC: Ah, I... 

I looked up when the king suddenly held my hand. 

Lulus: ...Father. 

With a bit of a loathsome look, Lulus cuts in between me and the king. 

Lulus: ...If you don't mind, I need to continue the research. 

As it felt like Lulus' back was protecting me, I sighed in relief. 

King: ...Hm, that's right. Lulus, treat her with some hospitality. 

Lulus: Yes. 

After Lulus nodded, the king and queen left the room satisfied. As soon as the door has closed, Lulus sighed deeply.

Lulus: Sorry about that. 

Towards Lulus' words, I... 

///Choices///

 

- I'm okay (☽)

MC: I'm okay. 

Lulus: I see. You have some guts. Father and Mother are good people, but when it comes to the elixir... 

- I was a little surprised (☼)

MC: I was just a little surprised. 

Lulus: Whenever it comes to the elixir, those two become a little... 

 

///Choices///

MC: Speaking of which, what is the elixir? 

Lulus: Ah, the elixir is... 

When he sat down at the edge of the desk, he answered my question. The "elixir" can grant any kind of wish, an ultimate substance that any alchemist dreams of making. 

Lulus: Although, no one has actually made it successfully yet. Right now, I've been known to coming close to making it so far in this kingdom. 

MC: I see. That's why your father had such high expectations. 

Lulus: Yeah, I'm sure that Father thought that Traumerei's dream power would help in making it. It's true that your ring's power is deeply fascinating... It's deeply fascinating, but... 

He looked at the ring below my neck and took a step closer to me. Next, he narrowed his eyes as he held it in his fingers. 

(What is he thinking?) 

His golden eyes that were forgetting to blink while staring at the ring made my heart noisy that it made me feel like I was forgetting to breathe. After silence visited us for a while... 

Lulus: Anyway, I need to hurry and do some experiments with the inspiration that I got earlier. 

Lulus lets go of the ring and headed to the black board again. 

Lulus: You can take your time and make yourself at home during your stay in the castle. I'm going to start my research, so there might not be a lot for you to do. 

MC: ...Okay. 

When he said that to me without looking away from the black board, I nodded. 

(Just...) 

The king's gaze and Lulus' words. Their behavior and the existence of the elixir... 

(Why, my heart is so noisy...) 

Although, as I was unsure on the reason behind that right now, I couldn't do anything else, but look at Lulus' back... 

 

Chapter 4 - Inquiring Mind

The next day, there was a clear vast blue sky outside the window.

(Lulus said that he would be researching all day.) 

When I looked at the courtyard from the window, people in robes were producing fire and water inside large flasks. 

(The Kingdom of Alchemy, huh... Since I'm here, I might as well go check out the town.) 

After I left the room, I headed to the lab to invite Lulus, but... When I entered the room with a knock, he didn't notice me at all. 

Lulus: ... 

He was looking at the long numerical formula that was written on the black board while thinking of something this whole time. 

MC: Um... Lulus...?

Lulus: ...! You were here? 

When Lulus finally noticed me, he went back to looking at the numerical formula again. 

(Is he busy with researching? I feel bad for interrupting him...) 

Just as I was about to leave the lab, he reached for my shoulder. 

Lulus: You must be bored being with me in the lab, sorry... 

MC: No, that's not it...

As I frantically denied that and looked at his face, I saw some dark circles beneath the long slits of his eyes. 

MC: Could it be that you didn't sleep? 

Lulus: ...Come to think of it, it seems that way, I must've forgot. 

MC: You forgot... 

Surprised, I continued asking him questions. 

MC: Have you... eaten any food yet? 

Lulus: ...

MC: Lulus? 

Lulus didn't answer back though. His gaze turned towards the black board intensely. 

///Choices///

 

- Look at the creature in the staff (☼)

When I moved my gaze from Lulus to the white furball creature, my eyes met with it's big ones. 

(Ah...) 

Then, the white furball creature moved around in the staff as if it was defying Lulus. 

Lulus: Ah... Sorry. 

When Lulus noticed, he slowly turned towards me. 

Lulus: It seems to have taken a liking to you. How rare. 

- Look at Lulus' back (☽)

Even so, I stared at Lulus' back. 

Lulus: ...? 

After a while, Lulus turned towards me. 

Lulus: What's wrong? Glaring at me like that. 

MC: Ah... 

(...I must've been looking at him too hard.) 

 

///Choices///

When Lulus came next to me, he smiled with a chuckle. That small smile gave me a ticklish feeling. 

(Really... His smile is so innocent.) 

Although... 

Lulus: How about you go check out the town? 

///Choices///

 

- Am I bothering you? (☼)

MC: ...Um, am I bothering you? 

Lulus: ...? Are you saying that to me? 

MC: Eh? 

Lulus: No, it happens often. Don't worry about it. 

- The town of Alchemia... (☽)

MC: What kind of place is the town of Alchemia? 

Lulus: Since you're from another kingdom, you'll find it interesting. It's a town that's flourished with alchemy. 

 

///Choices///

Just as Lulus placed the chalk next to the black board, he stood before the room door. 

Lulus: People will be coming, so you should go check out the town at least. I'll be continuing my research. 

MC: ...Okay. 

(I know that it's not like he's rejecting me, but he might be a little sad about it...) 

Lulus: ...MC?

As Lulus looked at me, he tilted his head to the side oddly. 

MC: Ah, no... It's nothing!

Lulus: ...Okay? 

MC: Please excuse me...!

When I ran from Lulus as he blinked, I left the lab... 

The town of Alchemia was a town that had many kinds of strange creatures going back and forth. 

MC: This kingdom has so many kinds of people. 

(Also, it seems like everyone can use a mysterious power. Is that... alchemy?) 

As some creatures that looked neither living nor machine were walking alongside the people, they were easily carrying some luggage that cannot be carried with the strength of a human. 

Servant: Alchemia is close with the Kingdom of Spirits* and since they pledged a friendship treaty, there are those from the spirit race living here too. 

T/N: Foia, Kalt, Shao, Zant, Fruys, and Ritz' kingdom

MC: Then, the townspeople use those mysterious tools and power? 

Servant: Lulus-sama puts the spirits' powers to good use and creates things with alchemy. 

The servant said that while looking at the people that were carrying large luggage so easily on the roadside. 

MC: Then, Prince Lulus must receive a lot of respect from the kingdom's people. 

When I said that, the servant held in his words. 

Servant: Who knows... It's unnecessary for us lower class people to understand him after all. 

(Eh...) 

Servant: Lulus-sama is a genius. That enough... is what the people can understand about Lulus-sama. 

When the servant became a little sad, I looked at the tools that were made by Lulus as they were being used...

 

Chapter 5 - This Fella is "This"

After going around the town of Alchemia, the sun started going down by the time I returned to the castle. 

-Flashback-

 

Servant: Lulus-sama is a genius. That enough... is what the people can understand about Lulus-sama. 

 

-Flashback-

While I was curious about what the servant said, I visited the lab to see Lulus. 

MC: Lulus... Are you there? 

Lulus: MC, you can come in. 

When the lab door opened, Lulus showed me in. 

Lulus: I was experimenting in making the elixir just now. You can come look. 

When Lulus pointed towards the desk that had various kinds of tools on it, he smiled aggressively. 

MC: This silver liquid is... 

Lulus: Don't touch that! It's a deadly poison. 

MC: Eh!? 

He strongly grabbed my hand that was about to reach out towards the beaker. 

Lulus: Don't touch it, okay? 

Lulus touched my fingers as he checked them carefully. My fingers became warm from his caring touch. 

MC: I'm sorry... Thank you. 

Lulus: It's a good thing that you didn't get hurt. 

After saying that, his hand was about to let go of my fingers, but... 

Lulus: ... 

While holding my hand, Lulus didn't move at all. 

MC: Lulus? 

Lulus: ...Such pretty fingers. 

MC: Eh...

When he suddenly said that, my cheeks became warm. 

Lulus: ...Ah, I'm going to try out an experiment, so wait. 

After Lulus lets go of my hand, he started mixing various chemicals. 

(What was that just now? My heart is still beating fast a little...) 

I touched the fingers that he touched. I strangely felt Lulus' body warmth that was still remaining on them. After that, just like whta he promised, he showed me the elixir that he was experimenting with, but... 

(Ah...) 

In the flask on top of the staff that Lulus was holding, the white furball creature took glances at me repeatedly. 

(I completely forgot to ask about that creature.) 

I... 

///Choices///

 

- Ask Lulus (☽)

MC: Um, what's that in your staff... 

Lulus: ...This? 

Lulus stopped experimenting and lightly shook the staff. Then, when the white creature's fur was turned upside down, it shook angrily in the flask. 

- Look at the top of the staff (☼)

(I wonder if I shouldn't look at it so much.) 

I stared at the strange creature in his staff. Then... 

Lulus: Are you curious about this more than the experiment? 

When he placed down some kind of catalyst at the spot, he lightly lifted the staff. 

 

///Choices///

Lulus: It was created when I made a mistake in a mixture before. I don't really know what it is. But, it seems to be alive. 

MC: Does it have a name? 

Lulus: A name... I never thought of one. I usually call it you or this. In other words, this fella's name is "This"... I guess? 

When Lulus looked up next to him, he frowned as he tilted his head to the side. That expression was so different from when he was focusing on alchemy that it was kind of cute. 

MC: Fufu... 

Lulus: ? Why are you laughing? 

MC: It's just that you're kind of cute, Lulus. 

Just as I said that, Lulus' eyes widened in surprise. 

Lulus: ...That's the first time I've been called cute. 

MC: I'm sorry. Actually, I thought that you were kind of hard to approach at first... 

Lulus: I've been told that a lot. There's no need to worry about that. 

He laughed foolishly as he looked at "This" in the flask with a smile. 

MC: But, isn't it rude to call you cute since you've been called a genius-

The moment I said that. 

Lulus: ...

Lulus' face suddenly became stern. 

MC: Lulus..? 

Lulus: I didn't know that the people in the castle and town call me that, but I'm not a genius. I can assert that in the first place. There aren't any geniuses in this world. 

The words that he said were unexpectedly strong that it made me speechless... 

(Ah...) 

When I saw Lulus' hand as it stroked the flask, his skin was rough because of the chemicals. Also, there were large piles of books and mountains of notes with different kinds of formulas written on them in the room. 

(Even though he says that there aren't any geniuses... Lulus might be one.) 

Just as I looked at Lulus, he suddenly started to look at the results of his experiment. 

(He's surely... a really hard worker.) 

I got a warm feeling from that serious gaze... 

 

Chapter 6 - Purpose for Researching

-Flashback-

 

Lulus: I didn't know that the people in the castle and town call me that, but I'm not a genius. I can assert that in the first place. There aren't any geniuses in this world. 

 

-Flashback-

While going through the results of the experiment earlier, Lulus continued to focus on writing them down. 

(Lulus...) 

When I looked at the mountains of documents and books, I realized how much research that Lulus does. 

(...I shouldn't bother him.) 

Just as I thought of that, I quietly left his side that moment and... 

MC: Ah... 

A single sheet of paper fell from the edge of the desk that Lulus was facing. 

(This is... A document from another kingdom?) 

The document with unfamiliar writing had some kind of official seal on it. 

MC: Lulus, this is...

When I spoke up reservedly, Lulus stopped writing and looked at me. 

Lulus: Thank you. This is something important. It'll be bad if I lost it. That was close... 

After sighing in relief, Lulus looked at the messy lab. 

(It must be troubling looking for lost materials in the room.) 

When I made a wry smile, Lulus got caught up in it and smiled too. 

Lulus: Hey, do you know about the relationship between the Alchemia Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spirits? 

-Flashback-

 

Servant: Alchemia is close with the Kingdom of Spirits* and since they pledged a friendship treaty, there are those from the spirit race living here too. 

 

-Flashback-

MC: Yes. 

Lulus: Then, that'll make the conversation quick. The princes from the Kingdom of Spirits are my childhood friends. There's nothing wrong with that, but in Foia's kingdom, Arc Plant, if we help out with their facility*... All sorts of other troubling things will happen.

T/N: Check Foia's story for more details

After saying that, he placed the document on top of the desk. 

Lulus: This is a written order to crystalize the spirits' powers with alchemy. I need money for the elixir's research, so I need to earn some income every once in a while. 

MC: I see. 

When I looked at the black board that had his written formulas on it, there were many other similar sheets of written orders on it. 

MC: It must be troubling to continue your research. 

Lulus: It is. But, that's how I live. 

(Just so he could make the elixir...) 

I remembered what Lulus was like in the lab these past few days. Forgetting to eat and sleep while continuing the elixir research in the room... 

MC: Lulus. 

Lulus: Hm? 

MC: If you do succeed in making the elixir, what will you use it for? 

Lulus: ...What, use it? 

(Huh...?) 

Lulus' eyes widened. I... 

///Choices///

 

- Do you have some kind of purpose? (☽)

MC: Don't you have some kind of purpose into making it? 

Lulus: Purpose... Reason... What to use it for. 

As he tilted his head to the side, he looked at "This" in the staff that he was holding. 

- You never thought about it? (☼)

MC: Could it be that you never thought about it? 

Lulus: ... 

He placed his fingers on his mouth and looked down at the floor for a while. 

 

///Choices///

Lulus: I... I was only looking to see if it exists by testing out my theories. Once I reach that point, I wonder how I would use it to continue on from there. Alchemists are unknown fascinating beings. That's what I think... That's how I lived in this kingdom. 

MC: In other words, your whole purpose in life is making things? 

Lulus: ...I guess so. 

Lulus narrowed his eyes as he held the staff with both hands. 

Lulus: But, what's going to happen from here on... I never thought of that. What's next after reaching the goal... Managing to get the elixir, the ultimate substance, is the greatest challenge for an alchemist like myself. I make things for that sort of reason... Would I be useless if it weren't for that? 

As he looked at me demandingly, I spoke out my own thoughts. 

MC: In town, I saw the things that you created. I heard that you made everyone's lives abundant. 

Lulus: ...

MC: I can't put it into words, but... You have the power to create the future. So, I want you to create a future that you thought of. Besides, you work harder than anyone else. 

Lulus stared at me as he listened carefully. Although... 

MC: Lulus...? 

I softly placed my fingers around his hand. 

Lulus: The future... The making of the elixir... 

It felt like his uneasiness was being conveyed from the spot that I'm touching. 

Lulus: That reason is why I've been thinking about completing it before... 

Within the lab's dusty atmosphere, his soft voice was mixed in... 

 

Sun End

Moon End