Kays Translations

Chapter 48: Trouble in the Knight Order

After leaving the office, we went to the training ground, where combat exercises were underway. Since we were already there, I decided to watch with Rosalia.

We sat beneath the roof of a small viewing stand and looked down upon the field.

Groups of knights clashed below us amid clouds of dust and angry shouts. It looked almost like a real battlefield. Rosalia immediately clung to my arm.

“Are you frightened? The knights of House Heine sometimes have to fight like this. They battle not only monsters, but people as well.”

“Why do people fight each other?”

“Because people are greedy. They want possessions, money, or the power to make others obey them. When those desires grow too strong, conflict follows.”

I couldn’t tell whether she fully understood, but she watched the training with a serious expression.

After a while, the knights took a break and returned in small groups to the resting area. Several headed towards the infirmary.

This was the perfect chance to test the newly flavoured elementary healing potion.

“I’m going to the infirmary, Rosalia.”

“I’m coming too.”

She tightened her hold on my arm, so I took her with me. No one appeared seriously injured, and she wouldn’t have to witness anything traumatic.

The infirmary smelled stale and unpleasant. Rosalia wrinkled her nose.

Lionel and the medic were already waiting inside.

“I thought we would find you here, Lord Julius,” Lionel said.

“We’re fully prepared,” the medic added with suspicious enthusiasm.

The wounded knights exchanged puzzled looks at the two men’s unusually high spirits.

The medic removed several green bottles from the crate.

“This is a newly flavoured elementary healing potion developed by Lord Julius. I can hardly wait to hear what you think of it.”

“I have no doubt about its effectiveness,” Lionel said. “What we need is your opinion of the taste. If it’s well received, the knight order will adopt this version from now on.”

The knights accepted the bottles with strained smiles, clearly wondering what had happened to their commander and medic.

Rosalia watched without blinking, curious to see how the potion would affect them.

The men opened the bottles and smelled the contents.

“It has a refreshing fragrance. Even that makes me feel less weary.”

“I agree. Now, the taste…”

The first knight took a cautious sip, widened his eyes, and quickly drank the rest. The others followed.

“It’s mildly sweet and wonderfully refreshing. It feels as though the heat has been washed from my body.”

“The old elementary healing potion was tasteless but drinkable. After trying this, I doubt I could willingly return to it.”

“I agree. This is extremely easy to drink, and the pleasant freshness lingers.”

Laughter filled the infirmary. The new recipe was an obvious success. If potions were easier to drink, knights would be more willing to use them even for minor injuries. Prompt treatment should reduce the number of wounds that later became serious.

“It appears to be well received,” Lionel said. “I would like to try it myself, but I’ll save that pleasure until I’m injured.”

That was a disturbing thing for a commander to say. Lionel was unlikely to be wounded unless a battle had become extremely dangerous. I hoped that day never came.

“That’s amazing, Big brother,” Rosalia said. “Their injuries healed immediately. So this is what a magic potion can do.”

This was the first time she had seen a healing potion’s obvious effect. The stamina-recovery potion’s results had been harder for a child to understand.

“That’s one of the wonders of magic potions.”

I patted her head. She gazed at me with such admiration that I became embarrassed.

“We have another potion for you to test,” the medic announced. “This is an elementary stamina-recovery potion, also made by Lord Julius. Its effectiveness is guaranteed. The Commander and I drank it ourselves, and as you can see, we’re perfectly well.”

“An elementary stamina-recovery potion?”

The knights stared uneasily at the red bottles. Nevertheless, they accepted them, seemingly unable to refuse.

“It removes fatigue,” I explained. “However, it’s still a prototype and tastes unpleasant. You may decline.”

“It smells awful…” one knight muttered.

After hesitating, the men swallowed their potions. Their faces twisted exactly as Lionel’s and the medic’s had.

“It certainly is bitter.”

“I can drink it, but after that delicious healing potion, this is difficult.”

“I intend to improve the flavour, so please reserve judgement.”

I tried to reassure them, although I didn’t know whether it helped.

Then the potion took effect.

“What’s this? I’m bursting with energy!”

“Hooooooo! Power is overflowing from me!”

“Incredible!”

The knights became unnaturally excited. Perhaps distribution should be suspended until I better understood the effect. I didn’t think it was addictive, but watching them behave like this was alarming.

Rosalia was clearly frightened by the gleaming eyes and wild enthusiasm. She pressed herself tightly against my arm.

“Lord Julius, this stamina-recovery potion is magnificent as well,” Lionel declared.

“Th-thank you, Lionel.”

I could only offer an uneasy smile. The potion hadn’t affected me so strongly when I tasted it. Perhaps its effect intensified when taken by someone already exhausted.

Before issuing it widely, I would need to conduct many more tests.

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