Chapter 646: Black Neutraliser

After returning to the estate, we immediately began making Holy Droplets with the Holy Clover.

“So this is Holy Clover. I have certainly never seen such an ingredient.”

“A seven-leaf clover! It must be exceptionally rare.”

The magic pharmacists were impressed, though we had harvested more than expected. There should be enough for everyone to make the potion.

First, we gathered the required ingredients. In addition to Holy Clover, we needed red wine, salt, garlic, silver and black neutraliser.

“We shall begin by making the black neutraliser.”

“I have never heard the name of that potion.”

“Black neutraliser has the power to dissolve metal into liquid.”

Lady Fabienne’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It is safe. It dissolves only a tiny amount. Unless someone were submerged in it for an entire month, there would be no problem.”

“That sounds safe enough.”

Other potions existed if one merely wanted to dissolve metal. Of course, metal destroyed that way could not be reused as an ingredient; those potions were intended to destroy metal weapons and armour.

Naturally, I had no intention of telling Lady Fabienne that.

“The ingredients are Black Slime powder, antidote herb and distilled water.”

“Black Slime powder is somewhat difficult to obtain.”

“Exactly. We use very little, but mass production would change matters. Perhaps we should ask adventurers to collect it.”

As I considered the issue, everyone wrote the recipe in their notebooks. We continued while checking their notes. Black neutraliser only required mixing, so it was simple as long as the quantities were correct.

The neutraliser was soon ready.

“Now for the main process. First, we must dissolve the silver.”

I poured black neutraliser into a glass vessel, added a small piece of silver and placed it over a flame.

“Stir it with a glass rod until the silver dissolves completely. Boiling is dangerous, so move it away from the flame periodically.”

Its effects on the human body were minor, but not nonexistent. Naturally, we had to take precautions. In practice, however, black neutraliser almost never boiled.

After a while, the liquid’s black colour vanished, and the silver had disappeared entirely.

“Next, pour red wine into another pot. Add Holy Clover, salt and garlic, then heat it slowly. If you rush, the Holy Clover’s properties will not be extracted properly and the potion will be weaker.”

I moved the pot towards and away from the fire, warming it gradually. Glittering points began to appear inside. The extraction appeared to be working.

I filtered out the solids with a funnel and filter paper. The red solution was filled with dancing stars.

“It looks rather mysterious.”

“It would be beautiful if it were dark blue, but the red makes it slightly unsettling.”

Had it been dark blue, the potion would have resembled stars floating in the night sky. I might even have bottled it as a decoration.

“To finish, add the silver solution to this red liquid little by little. When the colour disappears, it is complete.”

Using a dropper, I added it carefully. There was no need to rush. Slowly and cautiously, I watched every change.

The red gradually faded until the solution became perfectly transparent. At some point, the glittering points vanished as well.

“It is complete. Sprinkling it over a weapon should temporarily grant the power to repel evil.”

To be safe, I used Appraisal.

Holy Droplets: Highest quality. Imbues a weapon with holy power. Effect: Major. Duration: One day.

Excellent. A full day was more than sufficient, yet the effect was unlikely to cause an uproar.

“Highest quality… As expected of you, Lord Julius.”

“With practice, you will be able to make the same quality, Lady Fabienne.”

Everyone then made their own potion. Naturally, I moved among them offering advice. I was Teacher Julius, after all, and a good teacher looked after his pupils.

Their skill had improved tremendously. After only one demonstration, they produced nearly perfect Holy Droplets. A teacher could not ask for better students.

“You made them without difficulty. Excellent work. All that remains is to use them and confirm the effect.”

“Only because you teach so well, Teacher Julius.”

“How will you test them?”

Lady Fabienne and the magic pharmacists looked delighted—not merely because I had praised them, but because they had mastered a new potion. Everyone here truly loved magic potions.

“I have asked Lionel to arrange it. I expect we shall visit somewhere inhabited by ghost-type monsters.”

“I see. A real battle. I almost want to watch… but perhaps not.”

Apparently, no one was eager to accompany us. Ghost-type monsters were unsettling, so that was understandable.

“Do not worry. I shall visit the site myself and confirm everything.”