Chapter 12

Chapter 12 (12/324)

12

Ogre Perfume.

After listing all the ingredients needed, I called for Leonhardt.

"Can you get the items listed on this paper? They should be available at the magic tower or the mercenary guild."

"These items?"

"Yeah. When you go to the magic tower, they’ll sell magic pouches, so buy one and bring them back in it."

I considered using the magic material warehouse within the family, but it felt burdensome to use it for such a trivial matter. No matter how much we are family, it wouldn’t feel good to keep taking from it.

Important connections should be used for significant matters, not for such trivial tasks.

I handed him a piece of paper and a platinum coin, and his eyes widened.

"Did you receive this from the head of the house?"

"Yeah."

"I understand. Then, a knight to guard me..."

"No need. I can protect myself now."

After all, no one was trying to assassinate me yet, and even if they were, I could defend myself sufficiently.

Besides, I couldn’t trust the other knights easily, so there was no need to call one.

I knew Leonhardt was a famous guy, but I didn’t remember all the names of the other squires.

"Will you not go out, young master?"

"Since my house arrest hasn’t been lifted yet, I can’t just go out, can I?"

Actually, stepping out of the annex was quite a gamble. I took a bold bet knowing Leonhardt’s character.

But this time, it was a bit different.

As my presence started to stand out, quite a few retainers began to dislike me.

If I left the castle without permission in such a situation, there would be a lot of talk.

Since my house arrest wasn’t completely lifted yet.

When I slipped out of the annex, it went unnoticed and passed smoothly, but the situation was different now.

'So, I need to entrust this to someone I can trust.'

Leonhardt was the perfect guy for the job. He nodded confidently and left the room.

Six hours later.

Knock knock.

When I opened the door, Leonhardt handed me a pouch. It was a magic pouch with a low-level storage spell.

"The ingredients are all inside. But why do you need these...?"

"I want to try making something. I found it in a book and got curious."

Since experimenting with catalysts is a common practice for mages, this answer should suffice.

"I see. I understand."

"Right. Make sure no one enters my room."

After the guard knight received my order and left.

I took out the various ingredients from the pouch.

Goblin eyes, orc pancreas, troll teeth, forest spider venom, and troll blood, among other monster byproducts, along with the materials needed to make a solvent to help mix them.

Everything was ready.

'Should I start now?'

I knew how to make it and what ingredients were needed, so it wasn’t difficult at all.

I used a magic tool to start a fire.

Bubbling

As I added the materials to the boiling water to make the solvent, the liquid began to turn purple. A sticky, purple liquid.

I added the monster byproducts and infused it with my mana.

'The shape...'

Artifact creation.

In this process, the creator’s mana is inevitably involved. Similar to casting a spell, there are benefits for users during the creation process.

For example, for a mage:

Within a given time, if the mana infused into the item is moved in a certain way, the item’s effectiveness increases.

This is one of the elements to make the somewhat tedious creation process more interesting.

Of course, I already knew the creation methods for most items.

It’s like the dignity of water that has rotted.

'For Ogre Perfume.'

Roughly a cross shape, combined with an X shape. Of course, it gets more complex if you consider the finer details, but I remembered them, so it wasn’t a problem.

The mana flowing from my hands entered the purple liquid and started to form the shape.

At that moment.

The materials began to dissolve, and the liquid started to turn pink.

Pink?

This isn’t a love potion or anything.

I’ve seen this in the game too; it’s quite a unique color. After stirring the liquid well and mixing it, I poured it into a potion vial.

'Originally, it was 10km, so now it’s doubled.'

It seems that using the user’s method, like in magic, can enhance the creation.

Still, doubling it...

It will be a significant help when I create an artifact later.

'20km should be enough to attract at least one.'

The best would be to attract two, but one would be fine too. If I can secretly interfere, I might be able to cause significant damage.

"Name... Ogre Perfume."

As I named it, the text appeared on the label.

I smiled at the potion.

* * * * *

Friday morning.

After opening my eyes, I picked up the magic pouch.

Food, daily necessities, magic tools, and so on.

After putting all the items in a bag, I went outside.

It seemed Adolph had done his job well, as the duke’s permission for me to join the expeditionary force had been granted.

Two people were waiting outside the door.

One was my guard knight, and the other was Ersiel, who had become my personal maid.

"Young master."

"Why?"

"Is it really okay for you to go alone? At least Ersiel could..."

"I’m fine alone. It’s more convenient this way."

Since ogres were expected to appear during this expedition, I naturally didn’t plan to bring any attendants.

"...Take care of yourself."

Damn.

He was more worried than I thought.

Well, if I feel safe, I can move alone, right? The viscount will do his best to protect my life.

"I’m fine, so don’t worry. Just take good care of her."

I pointed to Ersiel, and he nodded.

"...I understand."

While I was away.

To prevent any unforeseen accidents, I had firmly instructed Leonhardt.

Ersiel.

Although she had summoned an ancient light spirit, she wasn’t very strong yet because she needed consistent communication to properly use the spirit.

The guard knight’s job was to protect her.

"Um, young master. This..."

"Hmm?"

Ersiel handed me a wrapped container.

It was square, so it was probably a lunch box.

Sure enough.

She spoke.

"It’s a lunch box. I filled it with the food you like..."

"Thanks. I’ll enjoy it."

"Yes. And, please come back healthy."

"Sure."

After a month of being in Kyle’s body.

People who worry about this rascal are starting to appear.

'Not bad.'

After receiving farewells from the two, I started moving towards the training ground.

The 5th training ground within the duke’s estate.

A thousand soldiers were lined up there, waiting.

It was for the expeditionary force’s departure ceremony.

On the surface, it looked like a well-disciplined army. But the moment Adolph drew his sword, these guys would turn into madmen who wouldn’t hesitate to kill even children.

At least I knew this, which was fortunate.

Adolph.

Perhaps because the expeditionary force was made up of his direct subordinates, he was standing on the podium as the representative.

Soon, Jerome Viscount and I also went up to the podium.

After the three of us were seated.

Adolph began his speech with enthusiasm.

"Today, we..."

In summary.

With brave and excellent soldiers and commanders gathered, this expedition will surely be a success.

Why is he talking for fifteen minutes about this?

Anyway.

It seems that when you stand on a podium, all kinds of flowery language come out, no matter who you are.

"All troops! March to the Trasden Forest!"

"Yaaah!"

Finally, Adolph’s opening speech ended.

The thousand-strong expeditionary force, now with renewed morale, began to move.

How will I move?

I won’t walk like the soldiers.

As if sensing my concern, a squire brought a horse.

Neigh.

Wow.

A horse.

I haven’t ridden one in modern times, so can I do it?

Lucid dream.

I had seen this guy ride a horse in the memories I received, but only briefly.

Recalling that scene, I put my foot in the stirrup.

Can I just get on?

With a strong push, I climbed onto the horse’s back in one go.

Holding the reins firmly.

I patted the horse’s hindquarters, and it started to walk slowly.

'It works.'

Kyle.

As a noble, he must have learned to ride a horse.

Perhaps the memory was still in his body. Balancing on the horse wasn’t difficult.

I was moving at the very front of the formation.

Where Jerome Viscount was leading the troops.

When I arrived, the viscount smiled warmly.

"Welcome, young master. It’s been a while."

Oh.

Despite his affection level being 40, he didn’t seem to dislike me much.

Rather, a smile-like expression appeared on his face.

Did he receive strict orders from Adolph?

Well.

Since the purpose of including me in the expeditionary force was to win me over, he wouldn’t have been ordered to curse me.

A neatly trimmed mustache, hair parted to the side, and round glasses.

He seemed to care a lot about his appearance.

"Yes. Nice to see you, viscount."

"Is this your first time participating in the expeditionary force?"

"Yes, it is."

"Since others have experienced it at least once, you will gain a lot from this experience. Theory is important, but practical experience is the most effective training."

"I’m looking forward to it. If my magic can provide even a small help to the expeditionary force, I will be satisfied."

"Hehe. I’ve heard that your magic skills are quite excellent. Since this is a small unit and no mage was assigned, it’s a relief to have you. Anyway, follow me."

Although our thoughts were completely different, at least on the surface, the atmosphere was very warm.

The sight of a thousand elite troops moving made the citizens of the estate look on with bright eyes.

The expeditionary force.

As an annual event in the Trasden estate, it was a familiar sight to the citizens.

When some knights waved, enthusiastic cheers followed.

"What a fertile estate. The citizens’ faces are full of smiles."

"Yes, I think so too."

"Given that, it’s very important to clean up the forest in the south. Otherwise, those creatures will come up here."

I know, man.

This isn’t like explaining a picture book to a fool.

Jerome Viscount was a more talkative person than I thought.

Even while moving to the destination, the southern Trasden forest, he kept talking.

Despite his affection level being 40, he was showing very proactive behavior.

This could also mean that his loyalty to Adolph was very deep.

Seeing him act like this towards someone he dislikes, it’s clear.

As we moved south, the scenery began to change.

From the fertile plains, grasslands appeared, and soon a dense forest was revealed.

A habitat for countless monsters.

We finally arrived here.

True to its reputation, monsters began to appear even at the entrance.

Squawk?

Squawk!

Goblins, the most numerous and lowest in the food chain, were here.

About a hundred of them.

They started to approach quickly.

What are they thinking, attacking a thousand-strong regular army?

In the game, goblins are set to be quite stupid, and it seems they are living up to that setting.

"Prepare for battle!"

With the viscount’s command.

Clang!

The knights drew their swords.

The archers pulled their bows taut.

'Should I start now?'

First practical experience.

I planned to use my magic effectively here.

I need to quickly build my reputation.

Hybrid activation method.

Using this, a 1st Circle spell can instantly have the power of a 2nd Circle or higher.

I can deliver an effective blow.

A circle in my heart.

The mana dormant there began to rotate quickly, forming a shape.

Crackle!

Lightning.

As the spell activated.

A bright white lightning bolt began to dance on my right hand.