Chapter 27

Chapter 26: Craft and Reifan's conversation has been moved to Chapter 27.

I've added a banquet scene to make up for it.

Chapter 26 has been significantly changed, so please be aware.

"Alright, everything's ready."

That day, Reifan and I gathered in the alchemy room to make an elixir.

Reifan let out a sigh of admiration as she looked at the materials laid out.

"Wow, this is amazing already."

"Yeah. Dragon heart elixir, dragon liver elixir, dragon blood alchemy potion, and ambrosia alchemy potion."

"What's an alchemy potion?"

"It doesn't have an effect on its own, but it's used as a material."

"I see."

"Alright, shall we start? Are you ready?"

"Looks like it."

I had asked Reifan to prepare special potion bottles, small vials, and jars.

Each one was a masterpiece made by Reifan, using dragon organs and blood.

Considering the rank of the potion we were about to make, I thought it would be best to use items of this quality.

"I get that... but didn't you make too many?"

"Well, I can't use up all the dragon organs, you know."

"Yeah, I get that..."

"I thought we might need them in the future, so I made as many as I could."

"Still..."

I didn't think we needed to make so many containers to fill my alchemy room.

"But if they're this good, we could sell them as they are."

"That's true."

High-quality bottles have value on their own.

Especially with Reifan's craftsmanship, the decorations are impressive.

"Alright, let's get started!"

"Okay!"

I plunged a mithril stirring rod into the alchemy cauldron and added the necessary materials.

I had a few concerns, but I proceeded with the work, thinking there shouldn't be any problems.

"Alright! 'Alchemy: Elixir!!!'"

A milky white smoke floated up from the cauldron.

Inside, a generous amount of milky white cream had formed.

"Huh? Isn't an elixir supposed to be a drink?"

"No, it's actually a topical ointment. You apply it to the affected area."

"What about for illnesses?"

"You eat it."

"..."

Don't look at me like that! It's just that kind of medicine, okay!?

"Let's start bottling it."

"Wait, no, that's not it."

"Huh?"

Reifan had brought a jar about the size of a mug.

"This is enough."

I held a very small bottle, which could only hold a spoonful.

"Huh?"

Ignoring the stunned Reifan, I started filling the bottles.

Initially, I thought two would be enough, but after making the ambrosia alchemy potion in the cauldron, I ended up with much more than expected.

Laid out were 47 universal elixirs.

Leaving the speechless Reifan behind, I continued to make more potions.

The ambrosia alchemy potion has a short lifespan, so it can't be stored.

Incidentally, the dragon blood alchemy potion, made from dragon blood, has no expiration date.

For now, I started mass-producing myth-level potions using the materials I had.

The legendary ability-enhancing potion, Slur, and the famous rejuvenation potion, Amrita.

Both filled the table in large quantities.

Reifan's containers were almost all used up.

"I made too many. Hehe."

"You went overboard!!!"

I was immediately lectured and made to sit in seiza.

Somehow, I managed to explain the characteristics of the ambrosia alchemy potion and was released, but Reifan gave me a look that said, "You don't get it."

I don't understand.

◆

Kai Gandar Baelroad, the third son of the Baelroad Margrave, the overall supervisor of the Golden Dawn Frontier Village, was speechless and frozen in place.

Persia and Alphard, who were standing behind him, were in a similar state.

Only Mina was poking something on the table while sitting on my lap.

"Let me repeat this. I completed 47 universal elixirs, 129 Slur potions that significantly boost all abilities temporarily, and 73 Amrita potions that can rejuvenate you by about a year per bottle."

"..."

Reifan was crouching on the side, holding her head.

Yeah. Well. What can I say?

"Craft, are you planning to declare war on the world?"

"Well, if we release these, it might come to that."

"Craft..."

The expression Persia gave me had already reached the realm of pity.

Alphard spoke with a tired voice.

"If these items flood the market, it could provoke invasions from other countries."

"Craft, do you understand what you've done now?"

"That's why! I had to use up the valuable ambrosia alchemy potion!"

"I get that, but..."

"Well, what's done is done. Let's think about what to do next."

Kai stepped in to calm things down.

"I have a plan! I'll present all of this to the Baelroad Margrave!"

"That's the only option."

"Although, I welcome it, but..."

Alphard held his forehead.

"Anyway, let's use one of the elixirs on Kai!"

"I think this many is more than enough..."

"Considering the possibility that only one could have been made, this is much better, right!?"

"This is a problem in itself..."

I know, but what can I do!?

I just made what I could before the ambrosia alchemy potion expired!

"Amrita is sometimes found in dungeons, but if an adventurer finds it, they can retire by selling it."

"Because nobles will pay a fortune for it."

The most realistic success story for adventurers might be finding Amrita.

"Alright, Craft, so this elixir will cure Lord Kai?"

"Yes. I appraised it, and it cures all diseases, including moderate curses."

"Curses too?"

"Seems there are limits to that. I haven't tested it, given the nature of the item..."

"That's fine."

Alphard and Persia exchanged a glance and nodded determinedly.

"So, it's a topical ointment...?"

Kai tilted his head as he picked up a small vial.

"Yes, but since you're sick, you should eat it."

"..."

The silence was painful.

What can I do! It's that kind of medicine!

"I, I'm fine. Thank you."

"Eating a topical ointment..."

"Let's not think about it too much."

A maid fetched a spoon from somewhere and scooped out all the cream from the vial.

It was just enough to fill a spoon.

At first glance, it looked like sweet cream, but it was a medicine.

"..."

Kai took the golden spoon and let out a muffled groan.

I understand how he feels.

"Ugh... Mmm!"

Kai, determined, bit into the spoon.

"..."

"Lord Kai?"

"!"

"What's wrong!?"

"It's sweet and delicious..."

"..."

So, the elixir is delicious.

Somehow, all my common sense is being challenged.

Kai, a bit messily, licked the spoon clean and looked at it wistfully.

It must have been that good.

"A... Ah... Ah!"

"What's wrong!?"

This time, Persia panicked.

Suddenly, tears overflowed from Kai's eyes. We all stiffened.

"Did it not work!? Is your condition worse!?"

"No, that's not it."

Persia, flustered, asked as Kai, tears streaming down his face, answered desperately.

"The fatigue and pain that lingered in my body... like sand being washed away by water... it's all... completely gone..."

He couldn't put it into words after that.

Kai, with red, swollen eyes, clung to Persia and continued to cry.

We quietly left the room.

Good for you, Kai.

◆

"Craft."

Kai and Mina entered the guest room where I was drinking tea.

Of course, Alphard and Persia were with them.

"Hey. Calmed down?"

"Yes, I apologize for my earlier behavior."

"You did well for a long time."

"Thank you."

"So, shall we continue the conversation?"

"No, I have a request first."

"What is it? I'll help if I can."

Kai, the third son of the powerful Baelroad Margrave, was often neglected by his brothers due to his frail health. If there's something I can do, I want to help.

"It's... a bit hard to say, but..."

"What is it? We're not formal anymore, right?"

This attitude towards a noble.

What's the big deal now?

"Then... Craft, can you... be my brother?"

"......Huh?"

What does that even mean!?

"No, not as a real brother, but... I look up to you like a brother! So... can I call you brother!?"

"Kai, calm down!"

"I'm healthy now! I won't be a burden anymore! So...!"

"Wait, wait, wait! I do think of you like a brother, but..."

"What about this!"

"Still, that's a bit..."

What should I do?

"Personally, I think it would be great if you became my brother..."

Kai looked at his twin sister, Mina.

I followed his gaze, and Mina turned away.

Yeah, that's understandable.

"Anyway, I just want to call you brother, not right now, but..."

"Kai, calm down."

"Yes."

It's nice that you look up to me, but...

"Yes!"

"..."

Kai looked up at me with sparkling eyes.

There was no trace of doubt.

What should I do?

I folded my arms and paced around the room.

Kai's expression hardened as he waited for an answer.

"I've been weak since I was born."

Kai spoke softly.

"My father tried everything to treat me, but nothing worked."

I silently urged him to continue.

"I thought I wouldn't live long, so I studied hard to be of use to my family. I helped with several policies, and it went well."

But you don't look happy?

"My father... announced my achievements. It was especially appreciated by the poorer citizens."

So, most of the citizens, right?

"But it wasn't to my brother's... especially Zaid's liking."

"..."

I remained silent, arms folded, leaning against the wall.

"Because of my achievements, Zaid strongly advised that I should do more. So, I became the supervisor of the frontier. I thought I would die. But..."

Kai stroked Mina's head, who had fallen asleep.

"Coincidentally, Mina came with me. I don't know the exact reason, but it was decided without my knowledge."

Mina was breathing softly in her sleep.

"I couldn't die easily. I wanted to rebel against Zaid, but I couldn't."

As the third son of a noble, it's not that simple. Especially with Kai's personality.

"But! That's when I met you, Craft! You stood up to Zaid and helped me!"

Kai lowered his voice when Mina stirred.

"At that moment, I was saved. For the first time, someone saw me for who I am."

It was just that Zaid annoyed me. But I did feel a connection with Kai.

"Since then, my heart has been at ease. No one is as reliable as you. Even the stamina potion shows that."

That wasn't specifically for you, but...

"And... you faced a dragon... a fierce dragon to cure my illness. I was so worried... and so happy."

Yeah, it was for you.

"Craft... please accept my gratitude and respect by becoming my brother!"

Kai bowed deeply.

That's not a noble's behavior.

I sighed heavily.

"Only in private, okay?"

"Alright!"

"Stop! Don't use it in front of other nobles! It'll cause trouble!"

"Of course! Brother!"

Kai's beaming smile left me speechless.

After that, we continued our discussion with everyone.

In the hallway, Alphard and Persia were holding their heads.

Yeah, I feel bad.

That's how I became Kai's brother.

Not really, though!

"Brother!!!"

"You're too healthy!!!"

The next update will conclude this chapter.

I'm considering changing the chapter title to "Dawn of Twilight" based on the feedback in the comments.