Chapter 213
Chapter 213
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Rose of White Silver #1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Swift Blade Delphina.
A female adventurer from Calcutta, the outpost city developing as a byproduct of exploring Pluto's Labyrinth.
She was also the leader of an all-female Silver Tier adventurer party—Rose of White Silver.
The image of her etched in my memory was of platinum blonde hair neatly cut into a bob, wearing leather light armor that exposed her midriff, with a needle-like dagger and iron gauntlet greaves at her waist.
I'd forgotten what her face looked like, but seeing her cheerful expression like a popular social butterfly with those puppy-dog features brought back old memories bit by bit.
She must have retreated alongside Elfride during the Thieves' Guild subjugation and caught a lot of flak for it.
I'd thought she went quiet, pausing her activities until the controversy died down, so I was relieved. But running into her like this made me instinctively scan the surroundings for Elfride.
Srrk—.
As I subtly shifted my gaze with narrowed eyes, Delphina spoke up.
"Elfi isn't here. She's resting at the inn."
"I'm not looking for Elfride."
"Hmm, sure. Anyway—what brings you here? I heard no one can just waltz into the Sodomora Alchemist Guild building."
Whether she didn't care about our awkward history or not, Delphina approached us casually, chatting like old friends.
I nearly fell for it and started spilling everything.
But this woman was Elfride's friend or colleague of sorts.
Which made her someone I needed to watch out for.
"I have some business here!"
Luna, oblivious to my thoughts, blabbed about why we'd come.
From the trouble with the fake news article to coming to the main Alchemist Guild building for verification on our ingredients.
Delphina listened to the whole story with a bored expression before giving a curt assessment.
"Rumors and smears are the price of fame. The higher you climb, the more enemies latch onto your legs. Pink-hair, looks like you're a pretty impressive potion-maker after all?"
"I'm not a potion-maker, I'm a voodoo priestess. And it's not pink-hair, it's Luna?"
"Yeah, whatever. Hey, is that stamina potion any good? Does it really boost your stamina and all that?"
"I brought one along. Wanna try it?"
"Sure!"
Swish, swish.
Luna pulled a small potion vial from the pouch at her waist and handed it to the eager Delphina.
Delphina popped the cork with a pop—then recoiled at the pungent aroma wafting out, sucking in a sharp breath.
"Ugh, this is way worse than I imagined. Good meds are supposed to be bitter and stink up your nose, but this takes the cake. No wonder it made the news. Feels like my sinuses just got blasted open. I had a slight cold coming on, and now it's gone—."
"It boosts stamina, so of course it's good for colds too!"
"No, that's not the vibe I'm getting—."
Delphina stared at the vial in her hand, hesitating.
If she tossed it on the floor or something right now.
I growled inwardly at the thought.
"Fine, whatever. If it's good for me. Hnngh—."
Finally, Delphina pinched her nose shut and chugged the contents.
Gulp, gulp.
Whoa, she drank the whole thing.
Luna and I were both stunned.
It was kinda gross, but she was still a pretty cute girl—we hadn't expected her to down something so harsh in one go.
"Gah, even pinching my nose it's nasty. But... whoa, I feel it hitting me hard. Stamina's going up for sure. Definitely works, even if the taste and smell are awful."
Delphina even gave Luna's stamina potion a glowing review. Just as I was thinking it was unexpected, Luna cried out like she'd been moved to tears.
"Bob-cut, you're a good one deep down!"
"Am I?"
Looks like the way to Luna's heart is simple: drink her potions well.
"I thought you were a bitch!"
"Heh, half right. Anyway, it's pretty effective. Got any more?"
"Two bottles!"
"Hand 'em over. How much?"
"20 silver per bottle!"
"20 silver, huh. Pricey, but worth it. You'd make a killing selling these to high-rank adventurers in Calcutta. They're desperate to squeeze out every last point of stamina."
"Really? Calcutta? Never even thought of it."
"Just saying. Anyway, friends, I've got business in the building too, so I'll head out. I'll put these to good use."
Clink, clink—.
Delphina paid 40 silver on the spot, bought the two bottles, shook them, and vanished somewhere. What an out-of-the-blue encounter.
"That woman's tongue must be broken or something—."
Once she was gone, Paranoy finally piped up from behind Luna, where she'd been hiding. She'd been so quiet I'd momentarily forgotten she was with us.
"To chug all of Luna's potion in one go... She can't be human! No way! Downing that nightmare in one shot!"
"Paranoy, quiet! Don't go suspecting people like that! Silent sticker knuckle-rap!"
"Eek—! S-sorry—! I won't suspect anyone carelessly again…!"
"Alright, no more of this out here. Let's head inside. We're not here for fun, so let's wrap it up quick."
I led Luna and the wincing Paranoy—nursing her knuckle-rap from Luna—into the Alchemist Guild building.
* * *
Alchemist Guild.
The building was huge, packed with rooms. Three stories high, who knows how wide. Dozens of rooms, and just as many people coming and going.
"Master Hassan, this place is creepy—."
Whoosh, hiss—.
Plenty of folks wearing crow-beak plague doctor masks, making me wonder if Sodomora's mask festival was still going.
And those iron bars everywhere, the dark red stains on the floor that wouldn't wash away—what were those?
It hadn't seemed so from outside, but inside the stone floors, pillars, and walls were cold and gloomy. Less like a guild hall and more like... a ward? Or something.
"They say this place was built during the Giant War to hold Titan cultists prisoner."
Not a ward—a prison.
"Excuse me."
We grabbed a passerby and explained why we were here.
"Ah, the Ideope potion thing? We've been waiting. Follow me to the workshop."
A skinny, stern-looking, haggard man led us somewhere.
"Wait here. We'll call you in when ready."
Soon we were waiting before a massive door embedded with huge gems. Murmurs drifted from inside, people talking.
Luna fidgeted restlessly, hands and feet twitching with nerves.
"Me, at the Alchemist Guild. Not for a good reason, but still exciting."
"Luna, I'm nervous too…. Have to make secret ingredients in front of everyone…."
"I'll handle everything, Paranoy. Just do your usual!"
"Hnnng…."
I had nothing to do with potion-making, so I just smacked my lips. Right then, the huge door blocking our path swung open with a thud, and someone called from inside.
"Luna Noxdoty."
"Y-yes…!"
Luna jumped at the call, blurting out a polite reply.
She was so flustered she used formal speech—her, who bantered casually with everyone.
"Come in. Note that this is a restricted area for authorized personnel only, so your companion will need to wait outside."
Looks like I couldn't go in with Luna.
Too bad, but rules are rules. Luna regretfully stroked my arm with her palm.
"Hassan, I'll be back! Brewing might take half a day or more. If it drags on, head out without me! Do your thing!"
"Got it. If I'm gone when you come out, assume I went for food."
"Yeah! Alright, Paranoy, let's go!"
"Hnn, so nervous…."
The two little girls vanished beyond the giant door. It boomed shut with a heavy rumble.
Well then.
Now what?
I'd come along, but hadn't expected to wait this long.
If there was a PC bang nearby, I could game a few rounds. Or a cafe to scroll my phone—but no such luck in this world.
Two years rolling around this damn world, and I still had no clue how people killed time like this.
Since I was already in the Alchemist Guild, maybe wander the grounds a bit.
"Hey, you there, handsome. You look free—got a minute?"
Someone called out, and I turned.
* * *
Alchemy in this world is a pretty broad term.
Pretty much anything involving heating liquids and metals falls under it.
Which is why there's apparently a popular tea house inside the guild.
Brewing tea counts as alchemy, they say.
"Always stop here for a cup when I visit."
Delphina said, sitting across from me at a small table.
She fetched a tiny teapot, alcohol lamp, and tripod-like stand from somewhere, setting them up neatly on the table.
"Nothing beats brewing it yourself. Pick your own leaves too. Wish Calcutta had something like this. I'll miss it when I go back."
She poured water from another pot into the teapot.
"Gonna brew a clean white tea. That cool?"
"White tea's great. Mild, gentle on the body. Nice leaves too—young buds dried in cool shade right away?"
"Oh, a Samaritan who knows his tea? Spot on. Moon-dried young leaves. Silver rose—its first petals are great for women—."
"I see."
I'm a health store kid. Mastered brewing all sorts of stuff. Plus, slaving under Thwirl and Elfride, I'd reached tea master level.
Best tea temp is body-like 36 degrees or so—.
Thwirl, not the point right now.
"So, you called me for a reason. Not just to drink tea. Why?"
I asked Delphina curtly. Best life strategy is befriending everyone, no enemies—but.
She was Elfride's party member, and after all we'd been through, I just couldn't warm up to her.
Still, following her to this guild tea house was thanks to her chugging Luna's potion earlier—it scored some points.
"Cold shoulder, huh. A pretty girl like me offers tea, and no heart flutters? Plenty of guys dying to sip with me—."
"Huh?"
Come to think of it, yeah.
She's right.
Should be pounding heart, nerves.
Lately with Luna, Hippolyte, and sorta-cute Paranoy, I'd built some immunity to women.
Hand brushes or smiles no longer sparked 'Does she like me?' or 'Will she confess someday?'
Hassan's greenhorn mentality was growing up.
Popular guys bantered and joked with girls easily.
I'd freeze up talking to girls, clueless what to say.
They must've felt like this—women not registering as women?
Am I a smooth operator now?
As I pondered,
"Samaritan, we're both busy, so straight to it. Adventurers hate beating around the bush. I've got a favor to ask."
"What? Favor from me? A commission?"
"You could call it that. Adventurers hiring adventurers is common, right?"
Mid-thought, the teapot bubbled. Delphina deftly poured into two cups. Clearly no newbie here.
Drip, drip—.
I eyed the sparkling white cups and asked.
"So, what's this commission?"
"...Well, could you touch my body a bit?"
"What?"
Flustered.
Touch her body? Does she like me?
Is this a confession?
My vision spun.