Kays Translations

Chapter 47: Room for Improvement

Rosalia and I took tea together in the salon. Summer had ended, and autumn was rapidly approaching. The weather was already cool enough for warm herbal tea.

The herbs had been gathered from my medicinal garden and were of far higher quality than ordinary local produce.

“Big brother can do anything!” Rosalia declared.

Watching me make potions had clearly left a strong impression on her.

“Well, I’m fairly confident when it comes to making things.”

Her expectant gaze made me boast more than I normally would. I had God’s blessing for magic-potion making, so confidence in that field was justified. With magic tools, however, there were surely craftspeople far more skilled than I was.

It was entirely possible that someone else had been sent to this world with a divine mission to develop magic tools, just as I had been sent to develop potions.

I shouldn’t become conceited.

“May I come with you?” Rosalia asked.

“To the knights’ quarters? You may, but it isn’t a particularly interesting place.”

The knights might have objected to that description, but Rosalia spent most of her time in the elegant main building. The barracks were plain and rough by comparison.

“I don’t mind as long as I’m with you.”

Her trust in me was almost excessive. My presence wouldn’t make the building prettier, but if she wished to come, I saw no reason to refuse. Perhaps it was time for her to see more of the world outside the manor.

After tea, we went to the knights’ quarters. Lionel was waiting in his office, where the wooden crate rested on a large table.

A medic was present as well. His eyes widened when he saw Rosalia accompanying me.

“Lord Julius, Lady Rosalia, welcome.”

Lionel showed no surprise. He had probably expected her to come.

“Please sit down,” he said in an unusually gentle voice. He was likely trying not to frighten Rosalia with his stern appearance. “Would you explain what’s inside the crate?”

“Of course. First, look at these.”

I removed one green bottle and one red bottle.

“The green one appears to be an elementary healing potion,” Lionel said. “What’s the red one?”

“Rosalia suggested improving the healing potion’s flavour so that it would be easier to drink. The red bottle contains an elementary stamina-recovery potion. Its ingredients make it rather unpleasant.”

“An elementary stamina-recovery potion…”

Lionel and the medic studied the bottle. They had never seen such a potion and were clearly wondering what it would do. The medic’s expression mixed anticipation with anxiety.

“Would anyone be willing to serve as a test subject—or rather, to sample it?” I asked.

“We’re currently conducting combat exercises, so finding someone with a minor injury for the healing potion should be easy,” Lionel replied. “What precisely does the stamina-recovery potion do?”

“It restores physical strength, relieves fatigue, and helps the drinker feel alert. I need someone who’s already tired to test it.”

“In that case…”

Lionel turned towards the medic. The man’s eyes widened as he realised what was coming.

“Me? Well, I…”

He plainly wanted to refuse but couldn’t bring himself to do so.

“You have complained every day that you’re exhausted,” Lionel said. “This potion is supposed to help. Why not try it?”

“Understood.”

The medic reluctantly took a bottle of red liquid. He swallowed nervously before breaking the seal and sniffing it. His face twisted slightly, although it should have smelled far better than many ordinary potions. My Odour Resistance had helped during production more than I had realised.

“Then I’ll drink it.”

He stiffened, closed his eyes, and swallowed the entire bottle. His face contorted.

“It’s bitter! But it isn’t impossible to drink. Wait…my body feels lighter. My head is clearing, as though a fog has lifted. Hooooooo!”

The medic released a strange cry. His complexion had visibly improved, and his eyes were sparkling.

“Commander, you must try this! You’re always saying fatigue lingers longer now that you’re getting older. Here—drink it!”

He thrust a bottle towards Lionel with shocking disrespect. The potion seemed to have raised his spirits along with his energy.

“Calm down. I didn’t expect such a dramatic change.” Lionel accepted the bottle. “Very well. I’ll try it too.”

He made the same expression as the medic as he swallowed it.

“This is…”

Lionel suddenly looked so lively that he appeared years younger. Evidently, he too had been carrying a great deal of accumulated fatigue.

The two energised men immediately launched into an animated discussion.

“This would be invaluable during operations that require several consecutive nights in camp,” Lionel said. “We could maintain morale and continue the mission without exhausting the troops.”

“Exactly. Knights who begin falling behind from fatigue could recover and keep pace with the formation.”

They nodded enthusiastically. The stamina-recovery potion clearly had practical value, and its ingredients were easy to obtain. Producing a reserve would be worthwhile.

“Some people may refuse it because of the taste,” I warned.

“That’s true,” Lionel admitted. “It’s far better than the old potions, but making it easier to drink would help.”

So flavour was the main weakness. Perhaps I could remove the harsh compounds while preserving the effect. Carbonating it like an invigorating drink might also make it refreshing and easier to swallow.

There was definitely room for improvement.

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