episode_0024

The place they were dragged to was an old kitchen.

It seemed to have been unused for a long time, as dust had piled up, but it was equipped with cooking facilities in its own way.

Here, one could probably even mimic making potions.

“Excuse me. Where is the restroom?”

When asked, the subordinate pointed to a small oak barrel in the corner. How primitive.

The door closed, and the sound of a lock being turned was heard from outside.

As water was put into the pot and ingredients were sorted, thoughts arose.

I need to establish a proper security force in the village as soon as possible.

No matter if it’s the medieval fantasy era, are people always captured like this with such wide eyes?

A few months ago, there was an incident where a bandit named Vint tried to kill me in broad daylight.

The ability to protect weak NPCs lies in strong institutions and administrative power.

I should establish a security force and solidify public safety.

By the way, I wonder if Adelheid has started to like me a little.

The reason I blurted out nonsense as soon as I faced her is all due to the knowledge from the original work.

Mercenary Captain Adelheid had a difficult childhood.

In today’s terms, she was born as the daughter of a gang boss and received only successor training under her oppressive father, suppressing all her emotions.

While other girls her age were playing with dolls and dressing up, Adelheid was learning how to kill people.

These are all details that can be known after killing Adelheid in a sub-quest.

She may come off as a wicked woman, but the reality is that these kinds of things happened, ta-da.

It was a common and predictable plot twist, so at the time of playing the game, I just went along with it.

Back then, I never thought I would end up being captured like this.

Anyway, that’s why I provoked Adelheid’s suppressed femininity.

I thought it would work, but judging by the reaction, it was a complete failure.

There’s no helping it. All I can do is buy time and rack my brain.

Since I have knowledge from the original work, I should be able to escape from here somehow.

If that doesn’t work, I’ll make a powerful potion and drink it, then destroy everything.

I don’t know if I can make such a potion, though.

While pondering various thoughts, the door opened, and a piece of dry, low-quality rye bread and water were brought in.

It was the kind of stale bread I used to eat in the village during the early days of possession.

This is truly unbelievable.

Barely saved the village and was hoping to eat and live a little, but now I’m caught up in this mess.

Suddenly, I had a premonition.

Perhaps this Remugen mercenary group is just the beginning?

The rapid growth of an unnamed rural village and the potion shop owner at its center.

This time, there might be misunderstandings about killing dozens of goblins with potions, and there’s no shortage of giants approaching for various reasons.

At times like this, there’s nothing to protect me.

The village administrator may be a government official, but they have low authority and little power.

Mirrella goes without saying, and the Potion Knights of Hostante are just a volunteer organization or at best, a local defense force.

It would be nice to have a reliable background to watch my back.

But who would be the starting village potion shop owner?

I searched through the original work’s knowledge, but no particular figure comes to mind.

Alaina? Of course not.

Even in the original work, Alaina doesn’t return to the starting village.

Certainly, apart from quickly developing and promoting the village to increase the guard, there is still no solution.

What am I doing, possessing an NPC like this and suffering as a buyer?

A magician or a knight, if not that, at least being the pillar husband of a villainess would be good.

It’s funny to envy being a pillar husband.

I started putting ingredients into the boiling pot and stirring them around.

Let’s just make the color pretty today.

If I do it too quickly, I’ll only shorten my lifespan.

* * * * *

The next morning.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!!”

The subordinates guarding the door looked at each other at the swearing and breaking sounds coming from Adelheid’s bedroom.

Right now, Adelheid is in a very nervous state.

Because she stayed up all night.

The reason for staying up all night is because of the potion bastard she caught yesterday.

He muttered nonsense, so she couldn’t sleep thinking about it.

It seemed like nothing much happened on the terrace last night.

But lying in bed with the lights off, those words kept coming back to her constantly.

She can’t admit that she was excited about it.

“You bastard! How dare you mock me!”

Adelheid, unable to contain her anger or a slightly different emotion, tore the blanket to shreds.

“What? Pretty? Melting hearts? Holding hands? Having a meal? Don’t talk nonsense!”

Adelaide was angry at hearing words that women might listen to.

To be precise, she was angry at the emotions that arose about her father who had forced her to abandon her femininity.

It was all negative emotions like anger, fear, and hatred.

Her father was already dead, but Adelaide was afraid that her soul might be tormented by this incident.

By whom exactly?

Deeply rooted in her heart, it was her father.

After venting alone for a long time, Adelaide took a deep breath and began to change her clothes, holding onto the bedpost tightly.

Calm down, Adelaide.

You must not show any signs of weakness to your subordinates.

They are nothing more than hounds.

If the leader becomes weak, they will mercilessly bite and kill and appoint a new leader.

Just as my father did, I have to do the same.

After taking a deep breath for a long time, Adelaide slowly straightened her back and started to change her clothes.

“Damn it.”

As she pushed her slightly larger breasts into her armor compared to other women, Adelaide cursed again.

I should cut off this damn fat. It’s useless in a fight.

Angered, Adelaide didn’t like anything she saw.

Suppressing her anger, armed Adelaide stopped before leaving the bedroom.

After hesitating for a moment, Adelaide soon took out the lipstick hidden deep in the dresser.

Standing in front of the broken mirror, Adelaide’s hand applying lipstick seemed very awkward.

“Hmm….”

Looking calmly at her red lips reflected in the mirror, Adelaide nervously wiped her lips with her arm.

Then she stormed out of the bedroom.

“What is that potion seller doing right now?”

“He worked all night and is sleeping now.”

Upon the subordinate’s response, Adelaide pondered for a moment.

He can’t sleep anyway, so should I call him and give him a good beating?

No, no. That would be too emotional.

His potions are essential to our mercenary group.

The owner of the potion shop with nothing killed dozens of goblins.

If we can secure such an incredible potion stably, our mercenary group could become the best on the continent.

Until a conclusion is reached as to whether that potion can be made or not, it is best to accommodate his convenience as much as possible.

Oh, come to think of it, there was something he said. Wasn’t it about having a meal or tea face to face once a day?

“What’s the schedule for today?”

“In the morning, there’s a contract extension with the Brenda New family, and in the afternoon, there’s reconnaissance at the protest site of the National Small Business Association entering suppression next week.”

“And in the evening?”

“Other than dispatching a patrol to the Imperial Army’s Special Forces detachment near Ggomuni, there are no special plans.”

“Then I will have dinner at the garrison. With that potion fellow. Because I have something to discuss regarding the potion.”

“Understood, sir.”

If he wants it, give it to him. It shouldn’t be difficult.

If there are no results after a month, just kill him.

“By the way, sir, do you happen to…”

The subordinate opened his mouth, looking at the smudged lipstick on his lips.

However, he quickly averted his gaze at the sight that seemed like Adelheid could chew up anything right away.

* * * * *

When I opened my eyes, I saw the sunset outside the window.

I’ve been awake all night and didn’t realize it until now.

I’m hungry.

“Give me food!”

As I shouted, the door burst open and a few men from Lemugen came in. They were empty-handed.

“I said give me food.”

“Follow me.”

“Where to?”

“It’s the commander’s call.”

What’s going on?

Did my work go well?

“Bring the sample made overnight.”

I filled a bottle with the unfinished potion in the pot and followed them to a place that seemed to be used as a dining room, where Adelheid was sitting alone.

“Welcome, Jack.”

“Hello, sir. Are you keeping your promise?”

Without answering my question, Adelheid nodded.

“Is that the very potion that tears apart reality?”

“Yes. However, it was only boiled for one day, so it has no effect.”

“Bring it here.”

I handed the potion to Adelheid around the table.

Examining it carefully, Adelheid gave me an evil smile and handed me the bottle.

“Drink it.”

“What?”

“Who would know if I made poison instead of a potion? Drink it first.”

“No, sir… After kidnapping me, if you can’t trust me like this….”

“Drink.”

I unscrewed the bottle cap under Adelheid’s coercion and drank the potion. It tasted like tasteless water.

Even though it was clearly said to have no effect, I couldn’t help but distrust people so much.

“You weren’t joking.”

Adelheid laughed as she looked at me, unharmed.

“I told you. This has no effect, and to do it properly, it would take at least a week…”

“Bring me my meal.”

Interrupting me, Adelheid spoke, and her subordinates came in and began setting the table with food.

The rough dishes presented by the common men were all things one might eat in a field.

“It seems there are no maids working separately here?”

“There aren’t.”

“What if at least someone who pays respects to the commander brought one in? If touched by a maid’s hand, you would become a very beautiful lady. Of course, even now, you shine…”

“Shut up!”

Suddenly, Adelheid shouted endlessly.

“I’m sorry.”

Adelheid, who had been glaring at me as if she would draw a sword at any moment, soon softened her expression and asked.

“Do you really think that would happen?”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“I mean, do you really think I would become a beautiful woman if touched by a maid’s hand?”