Chapter 531: The Purification Powder

I clapped my hands sharply, the sound echoing through the alchemy room. The potion masters who had been working there immediately turned to face me. If this awkward tension was ever going to be broken, I knew I had to take control.

Wow… looking closely, everyone really does have quite the expression. I can’t help but worry—have they been getting enough rest? Maybe seeing the current state of affairs drove them to lean on the Spencer Kingdom for support.

“Come now, everyone, don’t make those faces. Could I see the list of magical potions you’ve tried so far?”

It was as if time itself had begun moving again. In unison, the potion masters sprang into action, and soon they brought the list to me. Together with Giovanni-sama, I examined it carefully. Hmm… it seems the name “Purifying Powder” isn’t on here. Better to confirm with Giovanni-sama just to be safe.

“Is there any potion, aside from the ones listed here, that comes to mind?”

Giovanni-sama murmured while scanning the list again and again, then slowly shook his head. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes. I could tell he had probably wanted to try some potion that was already on the list. What a disappointment.

“I researched potions that might work for cleansing the corrupted land, but it seems all of them have already been tested. I fear they may be of little use… Professor Julius, what about you?”

Giovanni-sama and the palace potion masters from the Spencer Kingdom all slumped, utterly deflated. They had been confident, I’m sure of it—and in a single day, that confidence had been shattered. That’s rough.

But… there is a mysterious powder that might lift everyone’s spirits, a powder that could help us say goodbye to this gloom.

“There is one. It’s called Purifying Powder.”

“Purifying Powder… I’ve never heard of that before,” came voices of surprise.

“That makes sense. I’ve never made it myself. Whether it can be used to restore the corrupted land… we won’t know until we try.”

Whispers of “Purifying Powder” spread across the room. It seemed the other potion masters had never heard of it either; this must be a potion that doesn’t yet exist in this world. Hearing my words, the chilled atmosphere in the alchemy room seemed to warm slightly.

“Professor Julius, what materials are needed to make Purifying Powder? I’ll fetch them immediately.”

“It’s alright. I anticipated this, and I’ve already gathered most of the ingredients. There’s just one material I haven’t been able to prepare yet.”

“Ah, I see. So this is why you traveled to the border town to gather ingredients. Professor Julius, you’re amazing… absolutely inspiring!”

Giovanni-sama pressed his arm to his face, tears glistening in his eyes. Oh no… it feels like his faith in me has grown while we’ve been apart. And now the other potion masters, catching his emotion, are tearing up too.

This is bad. It’s like I made everyone cry. Well… not entirely wrong, perhaps, but I can’t have anyone else witnessing this. And Nero—stop scribbling in your notebook with such force!

“Professor Julius, what is the ingredient you don’t have?”

“To make Purifying Powder, we need powdered magic stones.”

“Powdered magic stones? How do you obtain that?”

“First, you take a sizable magic stone. Then you strike it against smaller stones. Gradually, the smaller stones turn to powder. The principle is very simple.”

Everyone’s faces went from curiosity to disbelief—mouths slightly agape, eyes wide. I feel like I’ve suddenly become some kind of exotic creature.

The first to grasp the idea was Lionel.

“I see. So that’s why you instructed us to gather smaller magic stones while collecting ingredients. It all makes sense now. Leave the creation of the magic stone powder to me. I’ll have anyone available grind them immediately.”

“Thanks, Lionel. It’s a bit of a tough task, so I’ll go with you.”

Lionel nodded firmly. Maybe he feels reassured if I go along. I hope so. I can’t let Lionel bear the burden alone.

Satisfied with his nod, I turned my attention to the other potion masters.

“We’ll begin making Purifying Powder tomorrow. Until then, Lionel will prepare the magic stone powder. Everyone else, get some proper rest. Sleep well tonight, for tomorrow.”

“Yes, Professor Julius,” came a unified chorus from the potion masters. Somehow… it feels like their faith in me has grown yet again. Even the potion masters from the Raven Kingdom, who hadn’t called me ‘sensei’ before, are now addressing me that way.

What should I do… it feels like my following keeps growing.

After urging them to rest properly, we made our way alone to the knight corps. The method for making Purifying Powder remained a secret. If I revealed it, they would surely want to try it today, and I couldn’t allow that. They must rest. I won’t let anyone say I turned this place into a harsh workplace.

“So this is the Raven Kingdom’s knight quarters. The knights from the Spencer Kingdom are here as well, right?”

“Yes. I am the only one granted a room particularly close to Julius-sama.”

“Must have been Sophia-sama’s doing. I should make sure to thank her properly later.”

The Raven Kingdom’s knights are probably busy running all over the country, trying to stabilize the chaotic situation. In that case, it seems best to ask the knights from the Spencer Kingdom, who will likely have some free time.

“Lionel, I’m thinking of asking the knights who escorted us here to handle this task.”

“That would be appropriate. I’ve also grown familiar with them during the journey. They should be more approachable.”

Lionel smiled, but I felt a twinge of guilt. We’re about to put them to work on the tedious task of breaking magic stones into powder. Maybe the black workplace really is here after all.