Chapter 135: Bottles.

Chapter 135: Bottles.

Thank you for your patronageUhm, will you be alright with all those potions, Miss?

Yes, there will be no problem, I answered the vendor while putting potion vials into a leather bag. The bottles should be sturdy, right? They should not break if I put them into the bag.

Uhm, yes, they shouldnt break even with some rattling, butI mean, will you be able to carry them all? the potion vendor asked me with a worried face, believing I wouldnt be able to carry all of them.

After picking the stuffed bag up without any problems, the vendor threw his worries away and wished me farewell. As I left the potion shop with 43 minor health potions and 40 minor abnormal status curatives of various types, I couldnt help but sigh. Not due to the weight of the bag full of potions, oh no, its not even a hassle for me. I was more concerned with spending more than 20k Davi.

Its all an investment, Saori. Its like buying preparation materials for your lessons, or research books for your paper. This is for us to make money with Tasiannas alchemy skills, so dont worry.

After leaving the Helvas mansion, I first went to a potion shop in the upper district of the commoner side of Firwood, also simply known as the merchant district by the people in the middle district. Since we only had a few of the empty potion vials and bottles that we needed for Tasiannas concoctions, I needed to buy more.

According to Cernust when he taught Tasianna, potions needed to be stored in these special vials. Due to the materials added to its production, like fairnite dust, a potion bottle prevented mana from leaking from any liquid stored inside. If we were to store the potion in any other manner, the quality of the potion would degrade over time, eventually turning the liquid into, well, colored water with barely noticeable effects.

Storing the liquid inside Hestias and my [Storage Magic] was out of the question. We were trying to sell them to patrons, and no one would buy potions from a wooden container. They wouldnt use them immediately so it will be a waste after some time.

Minor health potions cost 100 Davi and I bought 43. 16 minor anti-toxins for 5600 Davi. 12 minor anti-paralyzation for 5400 Davi. 10 minor blood clotting increasing potions for 3500 Davi. In total, that cost me 18800 Davi, I recalled the amount I spent, putting the bag into my storage after I made sure nobody was looking.

The potion shop I just visited was well decorated, unlike the one I visited in the middle district, which fit the location where they are doing business. It appealed to the rich merchants and patrons of the merchant district.

My goal was to buy as many cheap vials and bottles as possible, which proved easy as they had a wide range of catalogues. There was even an anti-hangover potion available, which I bought two of for 1000 Davi. I mean, that did mean I spent 19800 Davi in total, but we had some spending money now after the last Quest. Our party funds still have 24,767 Davi left, so it wasnt a problem.

Now, buying finished potions was more expensive than empty vials, but just buying empty bottles was impossible without being a member of the alchemy guild. Cernust warned me I would attract attention if I were to ask a potion seller or the guild to sell me the empty vials, so buying potions was my only option. I mean, the vendor just now was suspicious of why I needed 83 potions, so, yeah.

Hmm, this coincides with the potion prices in the middle district. If I remember correctly, guilds are responsible for regulating market prices within their operating town or city. However, usually, prices would vary depending on the shop regardless if both shop owners were members of the same guild. Production and location differences can affect prices. How regulated are the different potion shops?

Shrugging off this thought, as it didnt matter, I entered the middle district. It was currently around noon, and a couple of workers had begun taking their lunch breaks, either eating their own pre-prepared food or buying from the numerous street vendors or eateries. With the snow almost gone, the amount of people selling goods and food has increased since I came here a week ago, especially in the marketplace.

Grilled meat! Grilled meat! Come get your grilled meat! No goblins or kobolds here! Only rabbit and pork!

Cheese on veggies! Cheese on veggies! Cheese from fresh milk and freshly harvested wild veggies! First of the coming spring! You cant get it fresher!

Come on, come on! Winter is still around, so how about some warm, good soup? Meat, mushrooms, vegges! Warm yourself up, just 10 Davi for a whole bowl! Cheap but good!

Wooden skewers and wooden bowls. They look like Hestias earlier works or, in other words, very crude DIY.

Cooking on the streets was done on small portable grills, which looked like metal boxes with an open roof for the grates, where they would place food or pots on. Crackling could be heard inside the grills, where a fire was made using sticks and tree barks, causing smoke to rise. Appearance-wise, the grills were crude, as if an apprentice smith made it using spare ores for practice. Despite the grills having weird indentations from mistakes, they did their jobs well.

As we couldnt use Hestia as a grill or steam cooker, we asked Zeather to order us a few cooking appliances and restaurant furniture. We knew it would be expensive, so we had planned to trade for the ordered items and ingredients supply with the herbs from the Belzac forest. If it hadnt worked, well, we would have owed Ellaine another favor.

Hestias self-made wooden cutlery looked good. She did a fine job whittling, I thought as I compared the works from professional carpenters to Hestias. She couldnt make furniture correctly yet, but forks and spoons were easy enough for her.

One of your grilled meat salads, please, I told a vendor.

Comin right up, Miss! Ya wanna some sauce in it, too? Makes tha meat much better. I nodded to his offer.

For ten Davi, I was given a bowl of grilled vegetables and meat that looked like stir-fried vegetables with beef. A white sauce was added, seemingly melting with the juices of the meat. There were tables placed in front of the food stall, intended for customers to sit and eat at, but most of them were filled with hungry patrons. Choosing one of the free spots, I sat down, where I was greeted by two men already at the table.

Wooo, nice to meet you, Miss, one of them, a human, welcomed me. He smiled, making eye contact before moving them down to ogle my breasts. Say, I know this nice tavern with some good ale and mead. Wanna come with me after I finish-

I apologize, not interested, I refused immediately. Instead, I pulled out one of Hestias forks and began using it to eat.

As the crunchy vegetables and slightly stinky meat, probably goblin meat, entered my mouth, I had to admit it was delicious. The meat was likely from a goblin, but the white condiment, which seems to be a sauce made from milk and vinegar, hid most of the smell. I wouldnt have noticed the scent if it wasnt it for my improved senses. Goblin and kobold meat was cheaper and stinkier than other types, so the chef did a wonderful job to make something like that delicious.

As I was immersed in my lunch, the flirter laughed off my refusal as he gave up, while the katzune next to him patted him on his back. The katzune then looked at me and seemed to want to continue socializing, Sorry, sorry, about my friend. Say, youre a traveler, right?

Yeah, obvious from my clothes, right? You guys are workers from around here, huh? I said absentmindedly, not taking my eyes away from my meal. Sir, can I have another-no, please give me three more bowls, please, I ordered from my seat, having nearly finished my first bowl.

Got it! Three more for the young Miss!

Whether it was because I ignored them in favor of the food or because they were stunned by how much I ordered, the two workers stopped speaking with me and moved away once they were down with their food. I too left after paying for my finished meal. However, I wasnt full yet.

Today was just me experiencing the cuisine of Firwood. Hestia was usually the glutton of our party, but I also had a large appetite. The problem of being a giant wolf.

As I moved through the marketplace, wandering from one food stall to the next, I noticed that most of them only served one or two dishes and that was it, unlike the eateries and inns. It reminded me of how food stalls did the same in Japan. Serving one or two dishes was easier and faster, as you could concentrate on those alone instead of dividing your focus on multiple complicated dishes.

As I would be the sole chef of our partys restaurant, I had to do the same. I only have two hands, after all.

I think I know what to make now. Something fast and easy to make. Something easy to eat and cheap for the workers and wandering adventurers.

Satisfied, I began moving towards a location in the lower district, the slums. As I did so, I used this time to check out the three garms slumbering inside my shadow.

Darkness Garm: Assimilation progress: 21%

Darkness Garm: Assimilation progress: 24%

Darkness Garm: Assimilation progress: 15%

It has been three days, I believe, since I gained the unique skill [Shadow Pack] and these faefolk as my shadow beasts. They were still assimilating, unable to move or respond. Peering into my shadow, it seemed like a body in the form of a wolf was being made for the three spirits to assume their new identities as garms.

Profile:

Name: *

Level: 0

Race: Darkness Garm

Age: 240 Years Months

Status:

Health: 3000/3000 Mana: 1800/1800

Strength: 1300 Intelligence: 1000

Vitality: 800 Wisdom: 800

Agility: 1200 Stamina: 1500

Looking at their profiles, all three were slightly weaker than C rank monsters, but I can attribute that to their previous failing bodies. If these garms were 100% obedient, they would be a great addition to our party. Having more members would make our job easier.

Still, I wonder how I would fight with them? Were their bodies perishable like a normal garms, or were they similar to my shadow clones? If they were the former, then I will need to adjust my use for them. I couldnt use them as meat walls, now could I?

Oh, lookie here, the pretty girl is back. Wondered where ya went for the week. Woulda be a shame if it were a gutter.

Frowning from the sight of the homeless-looking man, I pinched my nose to block the foul stench coming from his body. Nice to see you again, too

Haha, first thing ya do is close your nose? Rude, as always, to poor ol Bo? With tattered clothes and a haggard face, the man named Bo laughed, displaying his rotting teeth to the world. He didnt look malnourished, but he was disgusting, to say the least. I couldnt hold in my disgust for him after learning that the people in the slums clean themselves every day with well water, like any self-respecting person.

Squinting, I spoke to him bluntly, Is Gael home? Actually, dont answer. As if he ever goes out during the mornings.

Ha, ya know him too well, pretty girl. He shared a drop with ol Bo this morning. Should still be drinkin by himself until nighttime, after answering, he grabbed a half-eaten bread and smeared some butter on it with his grimy hands. I got goosebumps just looking at him.

Walking up the stairs to the last floor of this building, I knocked on the only door there. After not getting a response, I pulled out a wine bottle I received from the castle staff of Castle Teullon and opened it. Hey, Gael, come out already! Its me, Saori! I know youre there! I have a bottle of good wine here! I shouted, abandoning formal speech, as I couldnt be bothered to use it here.

Immediately as I said it, a clink could be heard behind the door and it opened, revealing a tall man with dark brown hair. Unlike Bo, who is Gaels roommate for some unknown reason, Gael kept his appearance rather neat and tidy. He was shaved and had a proper haircut that was slightly messy. The only thing unappealing about him was the strong alcohol smell.

Looking at the ground behind him, I could see a trail made from his shoes. You ran to the door? Is alcohol the only thing motivating you to do anything in this world?

He scoffed, Hey, is that the first thing you say after leaving the town for a week? Heard you came back safely, so I thought your greeting would be warmer. You should smile more, Saori. Women are the prettiest when they smile or laugh; it makes my heart flutter. Although, annoyingly, he kept up his smile.

You know well enough why Im not fond of your behavior. You might name yourself a B rank adventurer, but your lazy attitude makes me not respect you. Even children are more motivated with learning than you are with anything outside of drinking, I told him flatly to his face. I can enjoy a drink, trust me, but you take it too far. At this rate, youll drink yourself into a coma.

He shrugged, looking like he didnt care about my worry. Whatever. Life is life. You only live it once, and then the Goddess of Death snatches it away mercilessly, disregarding any of your feelings. It could happen in a single peaceful night and boom. Gone. Instead of worrying about everything, a bit of hedonism can really spice up your life. Come on, my offer still stands. Have a drink with me. I saved up some dwarven sake, the authentic one. The type your kind would very much enjoy, if you catch my drift.

From what I gathered, Gael is a spy who was used by Farron to gather information. As a B rank adventurer, I suspected him to be a rather capable fighter, which was why I asked him to train me in the first place. He had some good dagger abilities and was also able to use dark magic like me, making me believe he was more an assassin. I havent seen his profile yet, sadly. It would be a great benchmark.

Like I said last time, no means no, I rejected his offer. I then dangled the opened wine bottle in front of his face. Train me.

[Mana Conductor Lv. 3]

You dont have a very good poker face, huh? I didnt know if you were immune to a certain status effect, so I was ready to continue this fight, butyou are afraid of what toxin I am using, right? That bead of cold sweat is enough evidence. I won. Letting go of his arm, I took my daggers back. Honestly, I expected more. You accepted my deal and suddenly attacked me. You had the moment of surprise in your favor, but you still messed it up. Youre rusty, Gael. Or maybe you just werent worthy of being a B rank adventurer in the first place?

As if I hit a sweet spot, Gaels expression distorted. It was a combination of sadness, frustration, and fear. Whatever caused him to end up in this sorry state probably resurfaced. Staying silent, Gael slumped down onto the ground. It looked like he was holding back his tears.

I understand a bit about grief. If you need somebody to talk to, tell Farron to contact me. Dont stalk us, please. With that said, I left him back in his apartment after saying goodbye. I hope I didnt just do something terrible.

After that, a week passed. Tasianna and I would train together to test out our new weapons, while also planning for our restaurant. I finalized the menu while Tasianna was able to fill up multiple potion vials with her potions. As to how we got empty potion vials, we traded the filled ones with an adequate amount of empty vials from Barathen and Manuela. The Helvas staff members used up potions to treat injuries or sickness, so they had gathered up some empty vials which they havent returned to the alchemy guild yet. It was free potions for them, so they gladly accepted them.

I also managed to gather a good amount of normal clothing threads to create, well, normal clothes. Using my tailor guild membership, I asked a few of my senpais, so older members, for a few contacts who would want mana clothing. There, in exchange for mana dresses worthy of a noble which the merchants planned to gift to their wives, I gained a ton of wool and silk threads. These will be used for normal clothing.

During this week, I also noticed numerous gargoyles appearing in the sky. The nobles of Firwood and the surrounding fiefs were returning from the capital of Artorias, just like the High Bishop and Ellaine said. Once Manuela mentioned members of House Chezaic had returned, she and I mounted her gargoyle and flew to the forest where Hestia and Ellaine were training.

There, we witnessed the two girls in messy outfits dismantling a skorr, while two of Ellaines knight retainers were grilling some fish. It was like a scene from a survivor drama show. None of them would look like nobles in their clothes if it werent for their otherwise clean appearance. They likely washed in a nearby lake.

From what I heard, Ellaine managed to level up ten times during their stay there, while Hestia, as expected, didnt even notice her experience gain. She eventually redirected all the experience gained towards Ellaine and the knights with her party bracelet in order to not waste it on herself.

Once we returned the four survivalists to Firwood, we cleaned them up. The invitations for the Chezaic party then arrived for us in two days, informing us that the party would begin in three days. Once that time passed, Ellaine and Hestia boarded a carriage in dresses so beautiful that even I, the tailor, cried tears of joy.

Let me admit something I would never tell Hestia or Tasianna. I personally wanted to wear a dress too, instead of this retainer tuxedo. Hmph!

A note from AbyssRaven

I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who stuck with the story up until now! Thank you so very much for all the support!

If I may ask you guys something how did you guys think of the earlier chapters? Specifically, the parallel minds. Nowadays, they're gone but I know that quite a lot of people disliked them, which is especially the case for those who haven't read until this point since they dropped it either because of the parallel minds or the kids.

If I were to rewrite those chapters, what would you guys suggest I do? Any response would be really appreciated! Thank you guys!

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 15 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

If you guys enjoyed this chapter then, please follow the story. If you guys want the story to grow, then giving it a rating or a favorite will do wonders: Rawr

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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Friday, March 5, 2021 12:25:16 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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