Emilia hesitated, wanting to inquire Banning about the golden foxes but feeling as if asking would mean admitting defeat.
“Emilia, can anyone create potions by following the recipes and methods in this book?”
“Well, theoretically, but the actual outcome varies depending on one’s aptitude and skill, and the potion might even fail in the worst case.”
Banning’s question momentarily redirected Emilia’s attention to the matter of potions.
Emilia felt a strange attraction to Banning, who was otherwise an annoying fellow, when he seriously discussed matters with her.
Watching Banning’s earnestness, Emilia reminisced about her early days learning magic. It was as if immersing her whole being in an ocean of knowledge.
“Why do the recipes only list the ingredients’ names without specific weight ratios?”
“I’m not quite sure, but I’ve heard it’s because the quality of the ingredients obtained by pharmacists varies. A smaller quantity is needed for good quality ingredients, whereas more is required for poor quality ones.”
Before she knew it, Emilia became serious as well, engaging in a focused exchange on potion-related knowledge with Banning.
Although her major was magic, she had some knowledge of potions. When she couldn’t afford magic books but desired to learn, she would buy inexpensive potion books to read.
Emilia informed Banning that most potions only alleviate or halt negative physical conditions, such as poisoning, dizziness, and drowsiness. To accelerate healing from injuries, one would have to seek treatment from the clergy.
The prayers of the clergy were a powerful force, but they could only be performed within the church and were ineffective outside.
“It seems there’s no church in Sunny Town, right?” Banning asked.
“Yes, churches are only in large cities. The closest one to Sunny Town should be Emerald City.”
After their long conversation, Emilia’s opinion of Banning had improved somewhat.
At that moment, she remembered the half-finished golden fox on the table and casually inquired, “Lord Banning, did you make the little foxes on the table and those attached to the outer wall?”
“Yes, I did,” Banning replied frankly.
Emilia was puzzled, unable to fathom Banning’s motivation for doing so.
“Eh? Why did you…?”
“I noticed that you always seem deadpan, so I thought these little foxes might cheer you up a bit.”
“I… deadpan…?”
Emilia was taken aback, her emotions momentarily complicated.
Emilia knew that Banning meant no harm; if anything, it was well-intentioned. However, there were reasons for her emotional fragility, which stemmed from a past she was unwilling to revisit.
“You needn’t trouble yourself with such meaningless gestures,” she said inadvertently, uttering hurtful words.
“Hmm? Are you upset? I didn’t mean to offend.”
“No, I’m not upset.”
Emilia felt as if Banning were merely amusing himself at her expense, and she no longer wished to remain in his presence.
“Lord Banning, I have fulfilled your request. I will take my leave for today.”
Emilia stormed out of the room, and as she left, Banning only said, “Remember to bring the second book tomorrow morning,” without attempting to retain her, which made Emilia even more determined to leave.
.
Only upon entering the Quest Guild and taking her seat did Emilia’s emotions begin to settle. She felt as though her reaction had been somewhat excessive.
Banning was likely just trying to be kind, considering he knew nothing of his own past… Emilia thought so.
—(Furthermore, how would Banning know about my often expressionless face unless he had been paying attention…?)
Emilia glanced out the window at the inn, suspecting that both the inn and the room had been carefully chosen by Banning.
—(To go to such lengths just to cheer me up…? Why?)
Emilia could not fathom the reason, nor did she want to dwell on it any longer, as such concerns did not suit her temperament.
With time to spare, she engrossed herself in her current treasure: “Tier-3 Fire Magic: Wall of Flames.”
·
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Quest Guild, Branch Chief Oleg was troubled. Ever since Banning informed him of Nassar’s potential issues, Oleg had been anything but at ease.
At 73 years old, Oleg should be enjoying his twilight years; however, due to the lack of a suitable successor, he still occupied the position of Branch Chief. 𝗈𝗏𝐞𝔩xt.𝗇𝓔t
In recent years, Nassar’s growth had been evident. Not only was he a popular candidate for the next Branch Chief, but Oleg had also internally decided on him as the successor.
Now, Oleg needed to verify Nassar’s innocence first.
(If Nassar is indeed as Banning claims… affiliated with Splurt… then it’s not something that can be resolved by simply admitting a mistake…)
Oleg heaved a heavy sigh. The sins of the past now seemed like a noose tightening around his neck with each passing year.
If he did not find a way to sever these karmic ties, he would eventually be strangled.
(Splurt, that old immortal… after all these years… is he still fixated on the “Blaze Steed”?…)
The Secret Saber: Blaze Steed was a powerful weapon that Oleg had acquired by chance during his youth when he partnered with Splurt and others as a bounty hunter.
Forged by demons, the magical saber could cleave through iron with ease, but its greatest feature was the unique magic skill “Blaze Steed” that resided within, equivalent to Tier 3 magic, enabling even non-magicians to wield magic.
However, equipment forged by evilkind often carried curses, and the Secret Saber: Blaze Steed was no exception.
Every person who had used the Secret Saber: Blaze Steed had been, without exception, engulfed in the flames of the sword and burned to death after a certain period of use.
Among Oleg and Splurt’s team, a total of three people ultimately perished due to this cursed blade.
To prevent further harm, Oleg hid the sword away.
Over the decades, Oleg had attempted several times to destroy the cursed blade, but the memories of their youth attached to it stayed in his hand.
Throughout those years, Splurt had approached Oleg multiple times, always seeking the sword, but Oleg had refused every request.
Now, decades later, Oleg was astonished that Splurt had resorted to planting a mole to steal the “Blaze Steed,” a clear sign of madness.
“Ah… ah… ah…”
Oleg paced back and forth in his room, vexed by his dilemma. Ultimately, he realized that the only way to resolve his worries was to confront them head-on.
However, his aging mind now required the counsel of another to devise a strategy. Oleg approached the window, gazing at the inn across the street.
—”Alright, if you need anything, you can find me at the inn across from the Quest Guild.”
Oleg recalled Banning’s words and decided to visit him for a discussion.