Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 196: This Is a True Magic Potion…!
The compounding room and the potion storeroom were connected by an inner door. Rows upon rows of magic potions lined the storeroom shelves. At the impressive sight, Axel's and Ijidol's expressions stiffened. Apparently, neither of them had fond memories of magic potions.
"This is where the potions are stored. To be honest, I wouldn't recommend using any made by the old method."
"The old method? The way you say that makes it sound as though there's a new method."
Ijidol tilted his head as he asked. Axel was looking at me too, evidently intrigued. Excellent. Curiosity was a good sign. Since we were already here, I might as well let them try one and experience it for themselves.
"The Royal Magic Pharmacists have devised a new method of making potions. Potions made that way don't taste or smell awful."
"Really?"
Axel sounded doubtful. Since he practised swordsmanship, he must have been injured before. He had probably been forced to drink one of those vile elementary healing potions at the time. I carried one over to him as he regarded me through half-lidded eyes.
After I had taught the new compounding method, the storeroom had begun keeping old-method and new-method potions clearly separated. The new potions were also placed on different shelves according to who had made them.
That made it possible to track who had produced which potion and how much of each ingredient they had used. The ingredient ledger was doing its job properly. This ought to improve the quality of their materials as well.
"This is an elementary healing potion I made. Smell it first."
"O-Okay."
Perhaps my confident manner reassured him, because Axel accepted the bottle despite his pinched expression. He opened it and cautiously took a sniff.
"It doesn't smell of anything. No, wait. It's a little sweet."
"Really? Let me smell it too… It is sweet. It smells like honey. I'm sure of it."
As expected of Ijidol, the glutton character. He sounded utterly certain.
The two of them peered curiously at the elementary healing potion. This particular variety had been sweetened so that the children at the orphanage could drink it more easily. Its effect was slightly weaker, but its popularity with children was unrivalled.
"You're curious about the taste too, aren't you? Would you like to try it?"
"Yes, please."
"J-Just a little."
Taking great care not to make them share an indirect kiss, I poured some into separate cups. Their eyes fluttered at the clear green liquid.
"I don't remember it being this colour."
"Neither do I, but it is beautiful."
It certainly wouldn't have looked like this before, Ijidol. The one he remembered would have been darker and murkier. He stared at the cup; then, when our eyes met, he seemed to resign himself to his fate. He closed his eyes and took a sip.
"Oh, it's sweet!"
"What is this?!"
Even as they cried out in astonishment, the two of them drained their cups. Oh my! Weren't you only going to have a little?
"Well?"
"Is this really an elementary healing potion?"
"I can't believe it. I feel as though I could drink any amount of this."
You absolutely mustn't drink as much as you like, Ijidol. There was a limit to everything.
Now they understood that those disgusting concoctions were not a magic potion's true form.
"We also have a sweet cold medicine that even small children can take easily. Colds seem to be spreading through the royal capital, so demand has been rising. Here it is."
"It's pink!"
"…This one smells sweet too. It smells of syrup."
Ijidol appeared to have a remarkably keen nose. Was he a dog? Unfortunately, because cold medicine was in such high demand, I couldn't spare any for them to taste.
"The new potions are incredible. If they're like this, I won't have to worry even when I get hurt."
"This is a true magic potion…!"
Axel smiled happily, while Ijidol stared at the cold medicine with a solemn expression. He seemed interested in potions. Since he could use magic, he had all the qualifications necessary to become a magic pharmacist. I had to fan that spark of interest and increase the number of my allies.
"Hey, Julius. You're the one who taught everyone the new method, aren't you?"
"Hm?"
Oh no. Ijidol had calmed down and started thinking about things he didn't need to think about. Whatever happened, I had to talk my way out of this.
"No. Like I said, the Royal Magic Pharmacists invented it. Remember?"
"Julius…"
"They called you 'sensei'. Everything makes sense now."
Both of them stared at me in exasperation. Was I really so easy to read? Or had I simply lowered my guard because I was with friends? Either way, this was no good. I would ask Brother Alex to teach me how to maintain a poker face next time.
Just then, the servant returned.
"Young Master Julius, your rooms for the night are ready. I will show you to them."
"All right. We'll come at once. Let's go, both of you."
"Oh, right. That's what we were talking about. I'm starting to feel nervous."
"We need to inform your mothers too."
We set off at once. I would write to Axel's and Ijidol's parents. Receiving a letter ought to put their minds at least somewhat at ease.
The guest room stood in a slightly secluded part of the castle. Was that for security? Or had it been placed deep inside, where guests could easily be watched and any suspicious behaviour immediately detected? Perhaps it was both.
The door was massive and magnificent, just as one would expect of a royal guest room. Its thoroughly polished surface shone with a subdued lustre.
"This is the room. Lord Alex, Young Master Julius and his companions have arrived."
The servant knocked, and an answer came immediately. It was Brother Alex's voice, and for some reason he sounded cheerful. Did he stay in the castle's guest rooms all the time?
The servant opened the door, and two people were waiting inside. Axel and Ijidol entered behind me, then froze solid. I wanted to freeze with them.
"Good day, Lady Daniela."
"It's been a while, Julius."
Lady Daniela, seated beside Brother Alex, greeted us with a smile.