A Non-combat Magic Artifact Researcher ー Actually Was an Extroadinary S-rank Mage～ Though He Worked Overtime Without Compensation and Contributed Greatly, He Was Labeled as Incompetent and Was Fired - CH 67

Ch. 67: Hati’s Memory

Between a Dragon and human being, the biology of the body, the culture, and traditions are very different.

So living together with a Dragon, it is inevitable that we encounter inconveniences and conflicts.

But we can communicate with words.

So we just need to talk it out with each incident.

Hati: “……but my Lord…”

Werner: “What is it?” Hati: “Wasn’t there a young female that was trying to get in the bath with you?”

Werner: “…….yes, she was probably trying to help wash my body.”

The girl Hati was referring to was one of the mansion’s servants.

She tried to follow Hati and I into the bathroom.

Hati: “Were you not embarrassed?” Werner: “……..among the Nobles, there are those who do not wash their own bodies.”

Hati: “Oh? And, is it not embarrassing?”

Werner: “……now that you mention it, I wonder why it doesn’t feel embarrassing. I don’t know the reason either.”

Hati: “There are things even my Lord doesn’t understand～”

Werner: “Of course. That will always be the case.” I pondered on what Hati was saying.

The Nobles are rarely embarrassed about being naked in front of others.

I simply took that for granted.

A while back, when I was still a student, it was at a public bath that someone realized that I was a Noble.

The elderly man who found out my Noble background laughed and explained that he immediately knew that I was from a Noble family because I was used to being naked in front of people.

That man apparently served in a Noble’s mansion back in the day.

Werner: “When I was a child, it was normal to have others in the bathing area with you to help you clean yourself….maybe that’s why…”

Hati: “Hmmmm, I guess that would make sense～”

Hati seemed more distracted swimming in the bathtub than the answer to her question.

Werner: “Now then, Hati.” Hati: “What is it?” Werner: “How good is your sense of smell?” Hati: “Hmmm, Hati has quite a keen sense of smell.”

Werner: “Would you be able to follow a scent of blood?” Hati: “It is not impossible……oh, my Lord, would you like Hati to follow the trail back to your sister’s attacker?” Werner: “Well, yes. That would be the best outcome……”

Hati: “Back then, Hati did follow the scent, but they erased the trail, and Hati could not follow it anymore. And much time has passed since then……”

Werner: “Yeah, you’re right…”

She’s right. Too much time has passed already.

Even a trained hunting hound would have a difficult time following the scent by now.

Werner: “But even if we couldn’t follow the trail, would you be able to identify the owner of the blood if we cross paths?” Hati: “That, Hati can do!”

Werner: “Then we need to find the owner somehow.”

Hati: “Is that really possible?” Werner: “It is difficult, but we’ve completed the Artifact, so it’s a good time as any to get some physical exercise.”

As I spoke, Hati’s face lit up with realization.

Hati: “Oh, were we taking a bath so the other servants could not overhear us?”

Werner: “Not only that. If we wash our clothes and bodies, it would be difficult to identify us by our smell.”

Hati: “Then, we will be on the move as soon as the bath is over?” Werner: “Once we’re done here, we’ll return to the lab and then depart.”

Hati: “UーUnderstood! Hati can’t wait!”

And Hati and I exit the bath.

We got dressed, drank some juice, and after taking a slight break, we returned to the laboratory.

There, I took out the blood sample I had stored carefully.

Werner: “Now then, Hati. Can you take a sniff of this scent?” Hati: “<sniff sniff sniff> Hati has memorized the smell!”

Werner: “And this too.” I took out the Artifact that was returned from his Imperial Highness. It was the Artifact the enemy used.

Hati: “<sniff sniff sniff> This one, the scent is too weak, so I cannot tell. But…..I do smell bread on it.”

Hati tilted her head in wonder as she spoke.

Werner: “I wonder if the scent of bread from the Bread Baking Artifact transferred to it when we transported it all together?” All the items that were returned from his Imperial Highness was placed inside my Magic Bag.

But it would not be easy for smells and scents to transfer like that.

Hati: “It is a different scent than the bread my Lord makes with the Magecraft Artifact.”

Werner: “Hm? Do you know where the bread came from then?” Hati: “Hmmmm, this is……..”

Hati looked serious as she continued to sniff the Artifact carefully.

She was trying to identify the smell with her memory.

Werner: “…………….”

I did my best to not interrupt her while Hati was thinking and waited silently.

I think I heard from somewhere that smells can be strongly connected to past memories.

I don’t understand why, but it aligns with my past experiences.

I held high hopes as I waited and watched Hati scrunch her face with intense concentration as she rummaged through her memories.

Hati: “……..Hati…..believes……she remembers…..”

Werner: “So which bread is it?” Hati: “Umm….it is the same bread as the bread store that is closest to the Capital’s gates.”

Werner: “That’s not a bread store I’m familiar with. Hati, when did you eat the bread there?” I don’t recall a time when I bought bread from there for Hati.

Besides that fact, I was not aware that there were any bakeries in that area.

The area closest to the Capital’s gates would have been farthest from the Mages Academy and equally distant from the Marquis’ Mansion.

On top of all that, there are no other businesses of interest either.

The area Hati is speaking of is outside of my day to day living.

I have lived in the Capital for a while now, but the Capital is also massive.

There are many things I wouldn’t know about if it’s outside of where I would normally go.

Werner: “I guess you have had some opportunities to explore the area on your own.”

There were times when I was in my Research Lab alone.

It might have been during those times that Hati got a taste of the bread.

That was what I thought butーー

Hati: “Hati has never eaten the bread there.”

Hati spoke plainly in a matter of fact tone.