Alberto had gone away to tend to the count's needs. Amelia was busy memorizing the magic spell models. Roy and Arlo were contesting who could scrutinize the room better.
Seeing the magic spell models in Amelia's hands, Arlo was surprised. But what shocked him even more was that Roy was stronger than a trainee. Without using any equipment, he was able to determine Roy's power level. That spoke volumes of how discerning he could be. Although he looked like a not-so-intelligent man, he was actually smart, like a fox.
To not come off as too overbearing and make Roy feel like he was putting him on a hard spot, Arlo didn't point "that" out, nor did he ask where the maid got those papers.
Roy, on the other hand, was scrutinizing his every move. He had intentionally not hidden anything from this uncle of his to see what he would do.
He was testing him, trying to feel him out.
AD
But Arlo didn't take any action, confusing him.
Suddenly, Roy flashed him a smile. "The favor you owe me… the time has come for you to repay it."
Arlo had promised to fulfill a wish of his in order to write off the bad debt between them.
And… Roy planned to use this to gain the utmost benefit.
Arlo crossed his legs and gave Roy a deep look. "Tell me what you want."
"You're an alchemist, right? Help me create a potion." At this moment, to Roy, it seemed like Arlo was just about to refuse, so he immediately added, "And don't think I am asking for too much. You would be benefitting from this just as much as me."
The truth was Roy's situation was perilous
AD
He needed to get rid of the parasite in him at any cost.
Only then would he save his life and get rid of his intolerance to mana.
He didn't want this chance to go to waste by acting himself to turn these rare herbs into an elixir.
He was a noob, and the chances were that he might mess up and fail. That's why he was trying to make an expert alchemist act in order to make the elixir.
Seemingly interested in hearing him out, Arlo leaned forward. "Oh… in what way exactly?"
ThecornersofRoy'smouth turned slightly, subtly expressing friendliness to Arlo. "The recipe of this elixir that I am asking you to make doesn't exist in the Far West. I'm the first one to get my hands on it. On the pretext that you get it done for me, this knowledge will be shared with you as a sign of friendship."
Arlo glided his thumb back and forth over his temple, slowly coming to a decision.
"It's not like it is hard for me to perform alchemy for you. And… since I am getting an unknown recipe for free, I agreed to help you. But do you have all the ingredients prepared?"
Roy replied, "I don't have the subs, but the main ones should be enough."
The Parasite Killer was a unique elixir. It could be prepared with or without the subs ingredients. It's just that the volume of the elixir would be affected without the subs. But Roy had enough of scheming and waiting. He wanted to have it immediately and free himself of certain restrictions pressing his heart.
"Where are they?"
Arlo had a glimpse of his teeth when Roy showed him the wooden box. "Inside here."
AD
These were the herbs Roy made him get from the Charlotte Family.
"The recipe… W-where did you get it from?"
This question was something Roy hadn't prepared an excuse for yet.
"It's… a secret!"
By next time, he would have an excuse prepared for him.
Roy was an orphan.
He had learned many things growing up.
He knew how to play the blame game.
He couldn't tell Arlo that he got this recipe by reading a novel in another world. That was a quick way of getting himself locked up, tortured, and interrogated. That's why he was planning to pin this windfall on something else, something credible.
For example, saying he got it from the Trial Grounds was a good excuse!
Arlo stood up and walked out of the door.
"Accompany me."
He left behind these words.
Roy immediately sat up, fit his feet in the shoes, and chased after him.
Amelia immediately put her papers aside and ran up to him, asking, "Can I tag alone?"
Roy threw a fleeting glance her way, shooting out, "Yeah, sure."
AD
Thus, Amelia and Roy went out of the manor with Arlo.
"Where are you taking us?" Roy asked.
Arlo raised his hand to stop a horse-driven carriage as he replied, "A place where alchemy becomes easy. It's run by an old friend of our family. He's elegant but can get grumpy. Words once spoken can not be taken back. Be thoughtful when speaking in his presence. He's not an easy man to anger. But once you do, earning his forgiveness is harder than climbing demon-infested mountains."
With an air of confidence, Roy replied, "To not anger a person is a simple task for me."
The door was opened.
He walked inside.
It could fit a few people. But not Roy.
He helped Amelia inside.
She was reluctant to leave his side, but he was insistent about her taking the carriage, so she complied with his wishes.
AD
He patted a horse, telling the driver to get a move on.
"Hiya!"
The carriage moved on the busy street slowly, and he walked alongside it.
An hour or so later, they reached a certain workshop in the Southern District of the County.
Boom!
An explosion was heard, and smoke could be seen coming out of it.
Roy gawked at the building whose sign had just dropped to the ground with a dull thud. "What exactly is this place?"
By then, Arlo and Amelia had come out of the carriage.
Arlo tossed a coin to the driver and turned to Roy with a grin. "In the county, this is the only place with equipment that supports alchemists in making elixir. It's an alchemy workshop."
"Let's go inside."
The workshop's interior was in a much better shape than the exterior as it had been properly taken care of.
Just a short while after walking inside, they coincidentally met Arlo's friend.
He had an average face, graying hair, and wrinkles on his face, but he was full of elegance, and the scent of woods and medicine wafted off of him, and when Roy inspected him, he only got a bunch of question marks.
This man was definitely high-leveled.
"Let me introduce him to you two. He is called Vizards, an honorary Elder Mage of the County. Most of the time, he is roaming outside. This year, he won't be going anywhere. I guess old age must have gotten to him too, putting a brake on his rusty pedals."
AD
Vizard's face darkened. "I can hear you."
"Old friend, these two are my nephew and his maid; both are, as you see, talented. One has a sharp tongue, so don't mind what he says. The other has a good character and is mature for her age; You may have a good time chatting with her." Arlo introduced Roy's esteemed self to his friend so nicely that Roy felt like awarding him a punch.
It was a real wonder how Arlo was able to survive that long with a tongue that would subconsciously piss off others.