Chapter 535: Like a Toast of Ale

There was still a little time left before dinner. It seemed they intended to keep crushing magic stones until then.

The guards, who had finally obtained earplugs that fit their ears perfectly, now reached for the beginner stamina recovery potions Fabienne and the others had made.

They clearly recognized the potion. Their faces had already broken into wide smiles. It was a good thing I had taught Giovanni-sama and the others how to make it before leaving the royal capital. It was probably stocked in the royal castle by now.

Pop!
The corks came off with a light, cheerful sound. The guards planted their hands on their hips and chugged the contents down in one go. Who on earth taught them to drink like that? Instinct? Was it pure instinct?

“Ahhh! I’m bursting with energy!”

“I can feel it surging through me!”

One corner of the indoor training hall suddenly grew noisy. Drawn by the commotion, the Raven Kingdom’s knights gathered again, one after another. Please leave. Go back to your posts and fulfill your duties.

My silent plea went unanswered. The knights crept closer, inch by inch, until one of them hesitantly spoke to me.

“Um… Julius-sama, what exactly is that potion? Everyone’s faces look incredibly bright all of a sudden.”

“That’s a beginner stamina recovery potion. It restores a small amount of lost stamina and vitality.”

“…A small amount?”

The knights stared at the guards, who were practically vibrating with excitement, their expressions full of doubt.

Yeah. It’s strange, right? I think so too. Did we improve it somehow? No, that didn’t seem likely. Apparently, this was its original performance. Maybe we should have diluted it more.

What should I do? There were about five knights who had come to check things out. Should I let them drink some too, just to send them back to their stations faster? I wanted to settle things here before Erwin-sama returned. Yeah, let’s do that.

“Would you like to try it?”

“Yes, please. We’d really appreciate it.”

The knights practically begged. Were they already that exhausted?

Just in case, I glanced at Fabienne. She nodded. That was a green light. I took several potions from the wooden crate and handed them over. Before that, I made sure to tell them to keep this potion a secret from the other knights.

This potion had been made specifically for the guards, who were being forced into the heavy labor of crushing magic stones. I couldn’t just hand it out to everyone.

After they agreed, the knights quietly opened the corks. Of course, there was no pop. Instead, the potion fizzed softly as they drank it down in silence.

“This smoothness… it’s almost like ale. Hm?”

“You’re right. It really is similar. Th—this is!”

“What is this mysterious power welling up from within my body?! F—”

“Please don’t shout.”

“…Yes.”

Unable to contain the strange power coursing through them, the knights trembled, their bodies shaking. This is bad. This is seriously bad. This potion is not okay at all.
No—wait. That’s not it. This potion works better the more tired the person is. Which means… the knights were that exhausted.

“Thank you very much, Julius-sama. It’s been a long time since I felt this refreshed.”

“Same here. The haze in my head cleared all at once. What was I even brooding over? All I need to do is what must be done. Just that.”

The trembling finally subsided, and the knights’ faces became bright and serene. They looked as though they had achieved enlightenment. I never imagined someone could reach enlightenment through a beginner stamina recovery potion.

Forcing my stiffening face into a smile, I spoke to them.

“Then please return to your duties.”

“Yes. Excuse us.”

They saluted and left. You won’t come back again, right? I’m trusting you.

After that, we continued crushing magic stones with the guards until it was time for dinner. This work was far more demanding than I had expected. Maybe we should introduce a rotation system.

Dinner time arrived. There was no way I could go like this, covered in powder. I returned to my room to change clothes before heading to the dining room. Naturally, it was the dining room located within the royal family’s private quarters.

“I-I’m getting nervous,” Fabienne said softly.

“It’s okay, Fabienne. You’re always cute, after all.”

“Oh my, Julius-sama. That has nothing to do with it, does it?”

Fabienne’s expression softened. I hoped that eased her nerves at least a little. She looked like she was thinking there you go again with the jokes, but I was being completely serious. Lately, I felt like my feelings weren’t getting through very well.

Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama were already waiting when we entered the dining room. According to them, the king and queen had prior engagements and wouldn’t be joining us for dinner.

I felt a small wave of relief. I probably shouldn’t feel that way, but still. Fabienne looked relieved too. Maybe the king and queen were being considerate of us.

Once we were seated, the dishes were brought out immediately. Nero and Lionel were eating elsewhere, in what seemed to be the staff dining hall. They were probably enjoying their meal without any restraint.

Part of me wanted to go there too, but if I did, they wouldn’t be able to eat peacefully.

“I’ve asked for the materials for the magical tools you requested to be brought to your room,” Sophia-sama said. “They should arrive by the time you return. If anything is missing, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Thank you very much. I’ll do that.”

When I got back to my room, it would be time for a bath—and then to work on the phonograph for Her Majesty the Queen. I wanted to finish it today if possible. Tomorrow, we had to conduct tests on the purification powder.

The future of the Raven Kingdom might depend on this potion.
I have to do my best.