Lulus - Prince of Alchemia - Sun End

Lulus - Prince of Alchemia - Sun End

Chapter 7 - A Private Conversation in the Dead of Night

-Flashback-

Lulus: The future... The making of the elixir... That reason is why I've been thinking about completing it before... 

-Flashback-

A few days later since Lulus has said that in the lab... It seemed like Lulus has been researching a lot since then. One day, I was bringing a light meal to him while he was being cooped up in the lab and when I opened the door... 

Queen: Well then, Lulus. Please continue without haste until you complete it. 

King: Make sure to report it's completion to us first, okay? 

Lulus: Yes. Father, Mother. 

Just as the king and queen were paying a visit to him, we passed by each other at the lab's entrance. After the two of them lightly greeted me, they left. 

MC: Just now was... 

Lulus: Yeah, they've been coming here a lot just to check on the status of the research. Even though they've heard the results before, they've been visiting every day. 

(How much longer will it take for it to be finished?) 

Lulus: ... 

While Lulus was looking at the huge black cauldron in the middle of the lab, he lightly casted his eyes down and tilted his head to the side with a serious expression. 

A few days later, late at night, I left the guest room when Lulus suddenly called for me. 

(Did something happen at this hour of night?) 

As I was walking towards the lab, my footsteps echoed throughout the empty hallway. At that moment, I saw a small light in the courtyard and heard a hushed conversation. 

(That's...?) 

When I took a peek from the shadow of a pillar, there were the king and queen. 

King: ...Well then, while aiming for the elixir's completion, we should be making preparations soon. 

Queen: Yes, by switching the spirits' power to our alchemy power, we'll be taking over this continent... 

(Taking over...!? No way... Does Lulus know about this!?) 

I ran towards the lab, where Lulus was waiting in a hurry... 

Chapter 8 - The Parents' Intentions

As soon as I opened the door to the lab, I ran over to Lulus. 

MC: Lulus...!

Lulus: MC?

MC: Ah... 

At that moment, I held in my words. 

(What will Lulus think if he knows about it too... Also, this is the kingdom's problem.) 

Lulus: ...MC? 

Using his hand to stop me, my heart throbbed when Lulus looked at me as I was being anxious. Then... 

Lulus: Tell me. 

He looked straight at me to get the truth out of me. 

Lulus: Did something happen? 

When he asked me that gently, I slowly spoke. 

MC: If that happened, your research will... 

Lulus: ...I... see. If Father and Mother are... going to use the elixir's power, the Kingdom of Spirits... 

While looking at the beaker that was placed on the desk, Lulus murmured that feebly. 

MC: Lulus... I... 

Lulus: ... 

MC: Lulus...!? 

When Lulus silently got up, he held my hand and started walking... 

Just as we arrived at the courtyard, where the king and queen were before, the two of them were just about to leave. 

Lulus: ...Father, Mother. 

Royal Couple: !!

When they saw Lulus' face, their complexions changed. Although, they immediately hid their agitation and looked at Lulus the same way as usual. 

Queen: ...What's wrong? At this time of night. If it's about the elixir's research, this isn't the time to do-

Lulus: What were you talking about, tell me. Father and Mother... You were going to start a disturbance in the kingdom once I make the elixir. This whole time... Your expectations of me. Was it all for that reason? 

King: -!!

The next moment, the cool night air in the area shook.

Queen: How did you...? 

Lulus: From that reaction... It looks like MC was telling the truth. 

The royal couple gave me a sharp look. 

MC: ...

Just as I was about to step back, Lulus stood in front of me to defend me. 

Lulus: I'm the one asking the questions. All that MC did was tell me the truth. 

I can tell that he was clenching his fist strongly in the midst of the night. 

King: ...Since you're an adult, you understand, right? It mieans that it'll bring prosperity to the kingdom. If you do complete the elixir, Alchemia won't need to borrow the Kingdom of Spirits' power. No, in fact, it'll be the reverse-

Lulus: I don't want to hear it!

His angry shout echoed throughout the darkness of night. 

King: Lulus...!

Lulus: ...I'm leaving. 

Turning his jacket over, Lulus placed his hand on my back. As Lulus was walking, he didn't look at the king and queen at all... 

In the jet black night sky, stars were lightly twinkling repeatedly. 

Lulus: ...

As he wasn't saying anything, he just had both of his hands on the railing while looking at the faint lights in town from afar. 

MC: Lulus... 

When I went up next to him, I called out his name. 

Lulus: Even though I was just aiming for a high goal in alchemy... Father and Mother were- 

When he murmured those words bitterly, my heart felt pain. 

Lulus: The future... huh. Using the elixir... I never thought that Father and Mother would use it like that.. 

MC: Lulus... You didn't do anything bad. I'm sure that things will change from here on-

Then... 

Lulus: MC... Sorry. Just leave me alone for now. 

Those rejecting words that he said softly pierced my heart...

Chapter 9 - What's Up Ahead

-Flashback-

Lulus: MC... Sorry. Just leave me alone for now. 

-Flashback-

A few days later since that night... I haven't seen Lulus' face since then. 

(I wonder... if there's anything I can do for Lulus.) 

As I was thinking frantically, some alchemists in the courtyard entered my vision. While I was watching them produce fire and wind, I came up with something... 

With the town of Alchemia being the same as usual with various kinds of people coming and going since my last visit, the people made the atmosphere lively with the alchemy that they were blessed with. 

(Even though I thought that he was going to say no... I'm so glad.) 

Lulus: ... 

I invited Lulus to see the town. 

MC: Um... Lulus, can I ask a small question? 

I turned towards Lulus as he was walking slowly behind me. 

Lulus: Sure...

When Lulus responded listlessly, he looked at the people going back and forth. Ahead of that gaze were the crystals that he made with alchemy being used. 

MC: Those spirit crystals, are there various kinds of them?

Lulus: ...That's right. 

MC: Were they all made from your alchemy research? 

Lulus: ...Mine? I guess so. 

When he returned his gaze towards the people once more, everyone was using Lulus' crystals in a lively way all over the place. 

MC: You really are amazing, Lulus. 

Lulus: Do you really think so...? 

MC: Yes. Besides... You've been useful to everyone's lives. 

Lulus: ...

When his golden eyes looked at me strangely, they turned away soon after. 

Lulus: The process related to the making of the elixir was made by chance. It wasn't made for anyone. I just... 

When he stopped his words there, he bit his lip. 

Lulus: Ever since that day... I've been thinking this whole time. But, I was unable to find an answer. 

Lulus stared at the palm of his hand. 

Lulus: Even though I could assemble alchemy theories so easily... Even though I can understand the composition of substance materials easily. I can't understand a single thing about my own feelings. 

MC: Lulus... 

Lulus: Up till now, I... Up till now, I... Where will I go once I complete the elixir...? 

The words that he murmured got drowned out by the gentle breeze that was blowing through the town. 

Lulus: But... Looking at everyone in town made me understand one thing. 

MC: Eh...? 

Lulus: Tonight... Come to my lab. 

He looked straight at me with a determined look in his eyes... 

Last Chapter - With Flames

That night, clouds were covering the starlight... 

-Flashback-

Lulus: Tonight... Come to my lab.

-Flashback-

I thought that Lulus' lab was going to be messy as usual, but it was different that day. 

(Huh...?) 

The piles of documents, notes and research logs that crowded up the floor and desk, they were all on top of the large desk in the middle of the room. 

MC: Did something happen? 

Lulus: I don't have any use for these. 

When I looked at Lulus' face while standing next to him, I couldn't figure out his true motive. 

(What is he thinking...?) 

While looking sad... Lulus showed a nostalgic look as his eyes only trembled. As Lulus wasn't saying anything, he looked at the results that he made. When those eyes softly narrowed, his sigh blending in with the chemical smells that filled up the room and at that moment... 

Lulus: I've been thinking about your question this whole time. What was I making the elixir for... 

MC: Lulus... 

(A place he wanted to reach...)

I remembered what he said in town. 

Lulus: Researching is fun, the moment of making the impossible into the possible has always fascinated me. Still, after that, everyone just gives up. That's not my choice... But, going to town earlier has made me realize the answer somehow. My research that made people give up, I want it to guide their hands. That's what I realized. 

After saying that, he silently looked down and took out a brightly colored crystal from his pocket. 

MC: That is? 

Lulus: It's a fire spirit crystal. It's the first thing that I succeeded in making by using the spirits' powers in alchemy. 

Lulus gripped the crystal that was shining brightly. The red light that was omitted through the gaps of his fingers shined on the edge of his face. 

(What is he going to do...?) 

I gulped when his expression became filled with resolution. My heart... It became noisy from nervousness and a bit of fear. The next moment... 

MC: !!

When Lulus opened his hand, the fire crystal emitted a bright light. In that instant, a flash of flames took form and burned the results of his research on top of the desk. 

MC: Lulus!

Just as I shouted his name... 

Lulus: I'm giving up on the elixir. 

MC: ...!

While looking down at the valuable documents that were surrounded by flames, he continued to speak softly. 

Lulus: What I want to aim for isn't to make people unhappy with alchemy... What I want to see is these kingdoms supporting each other to make the people in the Kingdom of Spirits smile. 

MC: Still, by doing this... Your ideas for the elixir from here on will-

Just as I was about to shout as Lulus narrowed his eyes from the burning flames, I heard his gentle voice. 

Lulus: It's fine. I'm used to failures. It's time to end it and go back to zero. My head will begin anew and pursue new ideas... Right now, I'm sure that is what I need. 

As he said that while feeling refreshed, he no longer looked lost. 

MC: ...Is that the answer you came up with? 

Lulus: Yeah... 

While watching the documents and results turn into ash, Lulus casted his eyes down somewhat sadly. 

Lulus: Of course, I'll be continuing my alchemy research. It's my life's work after all. But, from here on, I won't just be devoting myself to researching, I need to take action into political duties more strongly. I will try to stop Father and Mother's scheme. Well, until then, I'm going to take my time into settling down. 

MC: ...

At that moment, the path that he's thinking of taking from now on was giving me pain. 

Lulus: MC. 

MC: ... 

Lulus' arm reached out to me and held me towards him. 

MC: Lulus...? 

Lulus: ...Sorry, was that a little sentimental? Even so, I wanted you to hear it. There's no one else, except you that has given me determination... 

His arm that was covered with his black jacket hugged me gently. 

Lulus: That's why, I want to show you from now on. I don't want to forget these thoughts for eternity... 

MC: Yes, Lulus... If that'll give you strength. 

The documents that were burned by the flames turned into a soft big pile. His progress up till now turned into ash as it disappeared in the flames. Although, it felt like that was the birth of a new hope of light... As I was in his arms, we watched the flames continue to burn until the very end... 

Main Story

Moon End