Kays Translations

Chapter 455: The Refreshing Taste of the Forest

The full recovery potion was complete. Now I had to decide what to do with it. Leaving it with the territorial knights seemed best, but I also wanted to keep one close at hand in case of an emergency.

While considering the question, I made two more, bringing the total to three. Each one was an extraordinarily precious magic potion.

“All right, I’ve decided. One will go to Brother Alex, one to the territorial knights, and I’ll keep the last.”

“I think that’s wise. That way, you should be prepared no matter what happens.”

They would probably be surprised when I gave Brother Alex a full recovery potion, but he currently held the greatest authority in House Heine. Giving it to him would protect Sister-in-law Daniela as well, which was absolutely essential. I wished I could have made more, but it could not be helped.

Nero and I headed for the salon. After explaining my decision to Brother Alex, I intended to take the second potion to the territorial knights. Conveniently, Lionel was already in the salon, with Sister-in-law Daniela seated beside Brother Alex. It appeared that Lionel had been giving them a detailed account of recent events from his perspective.

“Julius, I heard the story from Lionel as well. It seems you were very active.”

Brother Alex wore a polished, diplomatic smile. What sort of report had Lionel given him? Well, I would not ask. At this point, anything I said would be too late. I could only answer with a strained smile.

“Brother Alex, I made full recovery potions using materials from the World Tree. I’m giving one to you and one to Lionel. I’ll keep the third.”

“What? I thought making one was impossible…”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela stared at me with wide eyes, and Lionel did the same. Lying to Brother Alex now would only make him suspicious, so I decided to tell the truth.

“I see. Your reasoning makes sense, Julius. I think it was a wise decision. If House Mulan had known you could make full recovery potions, you might have been forced to produce them all winter.”

“Th-that’s… Ha ha ha.”

I laughed dryly. That could certainly have happened. No matter how much someone enjoyed making magic potions, endlessly producing the same one had its drawbacks. Fabienne, Mira, and House Heine’s territorial knights would all have been dragged into it as well.

“So this is a full recovery potion. I wonder what it tastes like.”

“Um… apparently, it has a refreshing forest flavour.”

“What sort of flavour is that?”

“Who knows…?”

We all shrugged. I supposed we would find out if anyone ever drank it. At least it should not be fatal. Lionel silently studied the full recovery potion, perhaps considering when it ought to be used. Being commander of the territorial knights was not easy.

“Julius, House Draken is supposed to send more World Tree materials, correct?”

“That’s the plan, although I think the next harvest will be in autumn.”

“I see. It is an exceedingly precious potion… But are you certain we should not give this one to the royal family?”

Such a precious potion would normally be offered to the royal family. Still, Sister-in-law Daniela was royal too, and she was here with us. Her need was no less important.

“House Draken said it would send World Tree materials to the royal castle as well. Lord Leon also appears to have taken some there, so the capital may be able to produce full recovery potions of its own.”

“I see. In that case, perhaps this is fine. They know how to make it, don’t they?”

“Probably.”

“Probably…”

Silence descended on the salon. Should I have checked? If I had gone to the royal castle to verify the method, however, I was certain they would have made me produce the potion myself. Then my deification would have accelerated even further.

Even so, the Royal Magic Pharmacists’ Corps was the finest magic-potion organisation in the kingdom. I would trust in its abilities.

“Sister-in-law Daniela, you’ll be living with House Heine from now on, correct?”

“Yes, that is the plan. I have completed the official duties expected of me as a princess, although unavoidable royal obligations may still arise.”

Sister-in-law Daniela smiled apologetically. Royalty had it hard. Even after joining another house, responsibilities still followed her.

If Sister-in-law Daniela lived with House Heine, Brother Alex’s workload would surely become much lighter. The fact that he was sitting in the salon at this hour proved it; in the past, he would have been at the Heine Trading Company office.

“That should take half the burden off Brother Alex’s shoulders.”

“Yes. I’m truly glad Daniela came back.”

“Oh, Alex…”

Sister-in-law Daniela nudged Brother Alex’s shoulder. Damn. I was the one who had raised the subject, but watching them flirt still made me a little jealous.

Sister-in-law Daniela looked happy too. She clearly understood that her abilities were helping someone. It was the same reason I enjoyed making things.

“Oh, by the way, I hardly had a chance to speak with Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka. They returned here during the summer, didn’t they?”

“Yes. It may not have been much of a holiday for them, though. They were made to manage the horse races in your place—every day.”

“Every day…”

They had probably helped with operations rather than security. The two of them tended to favour physical solutions, but they were still respectable members of House Heine. They must have been required to handle all manner of formalities: greeting nobles, giving opening speeches, giving closing speeches, and so on. No wonder they had said nothing at the townhouse.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“I think you owe Meeka an apology. She was terribly disappointed when she learned you weren’t here.”

“I’ll write to her later.”

So that explained her enthusiastic welcome. Perhaps I should have sparred with her at least once.

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