Chapter 644: A Gift for the Knights
After lunch, we first went to the compounding room to check on House Heine’s magic pharmacists and work on the skin lotion.
“The question is how to add the preservation solution’s effect to the lotion.”
“Could we simply mix them together?”
“At the very least, using the solution I made directly would be dangerous. It might grant an anti-ageing effect.”
Lady Fabienne stopped in the middle of the corridor. I hurried back to her. Shock was frozen across her face.
“Lady Fabienne, are you all right?”
“Y-Yes. The idea was simply so shocking—and yet entirely plausible.”
“I know. I thought the same.”
We finally reached the compounding room, where everyone was making elementary healing and stamina-recovery potions as usual.
The sight gave me an idea. Instead of my preservation solution, why not use a batch made by someone else?
“What if we base the lotion on the preservation solution you made?”
“I see, but… even that lasts for three months, doesn’t it? If it were applied every day, wouldn’t it ultimately have an anti-ageing effect?”
“It probably would. We need to solve the problem at its source.”
This was troublesome. We had to begin by shortening the duration—preferably to about six hours. Even then, applying it morning and evening would provide twelve hours of effect, which should be quite noticeable.
I had never imagined I would once again search for a way to weaken a potion. Perhaps the ability to produce extremely powerful magic potions wasn’t entirely convenient.
Lady Fabienne and I nodded to each other. This was the approach we would take.
“The lotion you already make beautifies the skin, Lord Julius. That effect alone is more than sufficient.”
“Then let us begin by adding tiny amounts of the ingredients used in the preservation solution.”
Our trial and error began. In the end, we ran out of time without succeeding.
If we continued, we would have no time to visit the clover field and cacao plantation. With great reluctance, we left the compounding room and headed towards the knights’ quarters.
As we walked, I sensed eyes behind us but heard no footsteps, as though fur-covered feet absorbed every sound.
“Miraa? Why are you following us from behind?”
“Kyuu?”
Mira widened their eyes and tilted their head adorably. The performance was calculated, and their true target was undoubtedly the chocolate we carried. Apparently, a holy dragon possessed a dog’s sense of smell.
Defeated by Mira’s display, Lady Fabienne picked them up.
Honestly. Mira understood my weaknesses perfectly. Once they appealed to Lady Fabienne, I was helpless.
We arrived at the knights’ quarters with Mira in tow. Fortunately, everyone appeared to be taking a break.
“Lord Julius, Lady Fabienne and Lady Mira. What brings you here?”
The knights quickly noticed us and gathered around. Nero’s parcel clearly interested them; their eyes repeatedly drifted towards it.
“I have a favour to ask, but first, I brought everyone a gift. Some of you may already know it—this is chocolate.”
“Chocolate!”
“You know of it, Anden?!”
Mr Anden promptly launched into an explanation of chocolate. Despite how little time had passed since I taught the head chef the recipe, he knew a remarkable amount.
Where had he obtained the information? Wouldn’t he be more useful as a spy than a knight?
“This is the chocolate from those rumours. We brought several levels of sweetness, so choose whichever you like.”
“And what favour do you require, Lord Julius?”
The knights’ expressions became resolute the instant they learnt they could eat chocolate. The gift had been extraordinarily effective.
“We’re going to collect cacao fruit, the ingredient used to make it, and I would like your help.”
“Certainly, though if we’re entering monster territory, we shall require suitable preparations.”
“Oh, right. I created a cacao plantation near the clover field. We shall remain within the estate grounds.”
“When did such a thing appear…?”
Some knights stared speechlessly, some smiled wryly, and others praised me as expected. Their reactions varied, but every one of them accepted gladly.
We couldn’t bring the entire order, so I asked five knights to accompany us.
“I heard the news, Lord Julius. You’ve brought something called chocolate?”
“Lionel, perfect timing. I’m borrowing several knights.”
“That’s no problem, but I shall come too. I ought to understand the situation.”
Lionel joined us. Once he heard the approximate scale of the plantation, a horse-drawn wagon was prepared immediately. His judgement was swift; evidently, he had concluded that human strength alone wouldn’t suffice.
We led our dependable party towards the clover field.
A vast expanse of clover awaited us. The green carpet was beautiful, and points of light glittered here and there. Those must be Holy Clover.
Still, wasn’t this growth far too fast? And wasn’t the appearance rate of Holy Clover unusually high? In the game, I had found it only once every three days or so.