Kays Translations

Chapter 316: The Power of Mandragora

What should I do? Should I tell them about the potion that lets you wake up refreshed the next day, no matter how much you eat or drink? I glanced at Nero to avoid meeting their eyes.

“Lord Julius, does such a potion exist? If it does, it would help keep the following day’s work on schedule.”

Whether he meant to or not, Nero’s words struck a sore spot with Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela. They lowered their eyes in embarrassment, and I could not help laughing.

“Julius.”

“Julius-chan…”

“Well… there is one, sort of. It is called ‘Mandragora’s Strength.’”

“Mandragora’s…”

“Strength…”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela looked thoroughly displeased. As expected, mandragora was notorious for being unpleasant. Even if they knew little about potions, they had apparently heard of it. It might look disturbing, but it was a first-rate ingredient: nutritious and remarkably versatile.

“The potion uses juice extracted from mandragora, but obtaining fresh mandragora is difficult. I could make it if you brought me some…”

Could this be my chance to obtain a large supply of fresh mandragora? I gazed expectantly at Brother Alex.

“That might be… rather difficult.”

Brother Alex replied with a strained smile. He clearly had no desire to drink mandragora juice. What a shame. Still, that settled it: the potion existed, but I could not make it without the ingredients.

“In that case, please be more careful about overindulging in future. If this happens again, we may need to prepare some as a precaution. I do have a little poor-quality mandragora, so shall I make a batch just in case?”

I smiled brightly at Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela. It was no lie. Among the materials Grandmother had left behind was some dried mandragora of uncertain age. Using it would produce a truly awful-tasting batch of Mandragora’s Strength.

The two of them visibly paled.

“No, that will not be necessary.”

“Yes, we will be fine.”

They were desperate to avoid it. Still, perhaps this would make them more careful. Overindulgence was bad for their health, and I wanted them to live long lives.

Just then, my parents arrived as Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela took their seats. They had clearly overindulged and were probably suffering from hangovers. Their faces already looked dreadful.

“Good morning, Father, Mother. You seem to have been drinking rather late last night.”

“Good morning, Julius. Socialising is part of being an adult.”

“Good morning, Julius. As Max said, it is part of our work.”

Neither of them appeared to regret anything. How disappointing. I ought to make a suggestion.

“I see. Both of you must be suffering from hangovers. There is a potion that lets you wake up refreshed the next day without one. It is called ‘Mandragora’s Strength.’”

“Mandragora’s…”

“Strength…”

They reacted exactly as Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela had. Like parent, like child. Their complexions were already so poor that I could not tell whether they had gone even paler. Perhaps they were actually looking forward to it.

“Yes. It uses mandragora juice. I have some poor-quality mandragora, so shall I use that? I cannot guarantee how the finished potion will taste.”

When I smiled cheerfully, their expressions worsened still further. Apparently, there was another level of pale beyond what I had already seen. The threat was working wonderfully.

“N-no, that is quite all right.”

“Yes, I am perfectly well…”

Even as she spoke, Mother gagged. Please do not throw up on me. The servants hurried over. It looked as though Mother would not be able to eat lunch. She clearly needed Mandragora’s Strength after all. It could not be helped. I had one high-quality mandragora left, so I would use it and bring her the potion.

Rosalia and Brother Cain arrived later, and the whole family gathered for lunch. The rest of us ate normally, while Father and the others were served easily digested porridge. A sports drink would have been useful in a situation like this, but there was nothing I could do about that yet.

“Father, Mother, Brother Alex, Sister-in-law Daniela—drinking too much is bad for you.”

“Yes, Rosalia. I understand. We overindulged this time.”

Father looked thoroughly chastened by Rosalia’s reprimand. As expected, he was weak against her. My brothers also wore strained smiles. I hoped they would reflect on their behaviour now.

Being lectured by the youngest child must have been painful.

I finished eating first and immediately headed to the alchemy room. I poured distilled water into a pot, placed it over the fire, and added the mandragora. Its face twisted for a moment before quickly settling into a peaceful expression.

“Lord Julius, are you making Mandragora’s Strength?”

“Yes. Mother is suffering, so I will give some to Father as well. If his work is delayed any further, it could affect Brother Alex.”

“Even so, Lord Julius, you are very kind.”

“Am I?”

The praise embarrassed me a little. When a member of my family was suffering, wanting to help was only natural. Nero, Lelie, and everyone who worked in this mansion were family too. I would do whatever I could for them.

I added salt, dried Careless Grass, and Antidote Grass to the pot. Once the brown liquid was ready, I slowly reduced it to a concentrate. If I hurried the process, its flavour would deteriorate drastically.

Should I sweeten it to make it easier to drink? No. If it tasted too pleasant, people might come to rely on it. I would leave it as it was. It should taste something like broth.

“All right, it is finished. I made about ten bottles.”

“Only a small dose is required, correct?”

“Yes. Given the taste, I recommend drinking it all at once.”

Nero’s smile faltered as he imagined the flavour. Still, it had to be better than enduring a hangover. Now, I would take some to Mother.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter