Chapter 134
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The Destination of the Elixir
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Click-!
The wooden box opened with a snap, revealing the item inside.
It didn't look like something meant for eating at first glance—more like a jewel.
Inside were two solid-looking blue lumps, each about the size of a thumbnail but jagged and irregular, like they were covered in thorns.
These small things emitted a misty chill, just like the dry ice that came with a certain brand of ice cream in my past life, sending cool vapor drifting out of the box.
The familiar aura didn't even require me to dredge up emotions—it stirred memories of my grueling past and made me name it aloud.
"...Ice Crystal?"
Eclair's eyes widened round, and she made no effort to hide her surprise.
"You recognized it before I even explained. You're truly well-versed."
Fire Crystals, Ice Crystals, Thunder Crystals, and so on.
Crystals are special substances formed when atmospheric mana and natural essence condense into shapes like stones or gems.
No one knows the exact conditions needed for them to form.
Experiments take far too long, with infinite variables, making artificial production impossible—one of the rare elixirs that can't be replicated.
The vast mountains and wilds the Harun Empire had swept clean of barbarians under its typical hegemonic policies, living up to its name as an 'Empire'.
The benefits went beyond just expanded territory: valuable monster materials, of course, but also elixirs like these that could only be found in nature.
"An Ice Crystal... I'd be grateful for just one, so why give two?"
"Didn't I mention it before? The Empire's desperate to hold onto strong talents right now, with the Federation breathing down our necks."
"One's a clear sign they're paying attention to Rike, huh?"
It wasn't something I dwelled on much anymore, but the Imperial family had a rough idea of my relationship with Rike.
"It might also be an apology if something rubbed you the wrong way. The terms and conditions for heading to Limno weren't exactly pleasant from your perspective. But it shows how urgent things were at the top."
"Well... yeah."
Rike and I hadn't been all that discreet, so it was bound to come up, but using it as leverage was another matter entirely.
The conditions suited me fine, so I hadn't minded much.
"No need to overthink it. Ice Crystals are valuable, sure, but pulling out extras as bonus rewards means the Imperials have some leeway."
Documents like the Imperial letters outlining the conditions for the Limno commission were things Eclair normally wouldn't know about.
But as lovers whose bond had deepened, sharing most of what came to mind without hesitation...
Eclair quickly pieced together the implications and hidden meanings behind the Imperial actions—things I might overlook or take time to infer.
She knew the internal atmosphere and circumstances best, being on the inside, so her insights were reliable.
But there was a problem with these natural crystals, the Ice Crystals.
"I'm glad to get something so precious, but... it's tricky."
"What do you mean?"
"I consumed an Ice Crystal a long time ago."
"...!"
In truth, I'd taken both an Ice Crystal and a Fire Crystal.
Excluding those two, the other crystals like Thunder or Wind had variable drop locations in the game that changed every time, so I'd never actually seen one in person.
The fixed ones were Ice and Fire Crystals.
Both were hidden pieces tied to Akarite, so quite some time had passed since two crystals settled in my body.
"Crystals of the same attribute have no effect if taken twice. You know that, right?"
"You knew that too...? I only learned it myself from a briefing before coming here... You keep surprising me."
The main reason for offering an Ice Crystal as a reward was probably this.
In the late game, Thunder, Wind, and Earth Crystals dropped in various spots with their variability, so players could discover it then.
Even if the Ice Crystal before me was rare, the Empire had likely amassed plenty after conquering the northern barbarians.
Those in high places wouldn't stop at just one taste of something 'good for the body,' so the no-dupe rule was common knowledge among those in the know.
"I'm good. Give one to Rike, and Kitty takes the other."
She shook her head slightly at my words.
"I truly appreciate the thought. But I already received an Ice Crystal as a war merit reward from fighting barbarians up north and consumed it."
That was unexpected, but it made sense given her accomplishments.
'What to do with the last one?'
Selling the remaining Ice Crystal through normal channels felt like a waste.
Trading for other elixirs? I'd been keeping tabs on the market for ages, so I wasn't holding out much hope.
Outside the Imperials and high nobles, was there even a place storing elixirs comparable to Ice Crystals?
And if there was, it'd likely be some shady group far from trustworthy.
'Poking around everywhere might annoy even Rike...'
If word got out, even knowing they'd die by my hand, desperate scum chasing quick riches would swarm like ants on melted candy—fake elixirs and hagglers in tow.
I scratched my chin at the mere thought of the hassle when a sudden idea struck. I pulled Eclair closer and whispered in her ear.
"Give the last one to Chloe."
She tossed it out casually, like suggesting grabbing a bite, but Eclair's red eyes shook violently.
Her expression quickly turned solemn. From point-blank range, where our breaths mingled, she locked eyes with me and spoke deliberately.
"Roman. Even so... Hoo— I know you're impulsive and have little interest in extravagance."
I knew exactly what she was about to say.
"Yeah."
"So I hate to sound so materialistic, but an Ice Crystal could buy a spacious mansion in a prime capital spot with change to spare. You'd know that better than me, even without me saying."
Of course I knew.
In fact, Eclair's protests wouldn't change where that Ice Crystal was headed. I just wanted to make the most of this precious time with her, keeping things light and fun.
"Too big a house is a pain to clean—not my style. And I hate hiring servants."
"That's not what I—!"
As she tried to pull away for a serious talk, I held her tighter and covered her mouth with my hand.
"Yeees~ I know."
I'd figured she wouldn't just nod along, even if it was good for Chloe.
That was part of Eclair's charm.
I removed my hand, and she stared silently, as if to say 'go on.'
Stroking her hair gently, I laid out my thoughts in a soft tone.
"Kitty, we can commission a mansion if we need one... And it's not like I can't afford a place right now."
"...True enough."
"The things truly special and valuable to me aren't won from run-of-the-mill adventurer quests. That's where the real worth lies, right?"
I didn't splurge much, so I had gold piling up to rot. If I ever needed more, a simple quest would do.
At my level, taking down non-threatening monsters netted overflowing coin.
"Gotta score points with my future sister-in-law. That's worth more than some capital mansion, don't you think?"
My hand on her waist slid down a bit, patting her hip as I added,
"And if Chloe gets stronger, I can breathe a little easier in any unexpected mess, yeah?"
Eclair knew my wild streak left no path where Chloe wouldn't get that Ice Crystal.
She stared at my face wordlessly, then reached out with both hands to cup it and pressed her lips to mine.
"Mmgh-!"
"Haah... mmph... chuu..."
Our slick tongues intertwined, proving how skilled she'd become at kissing.
Not groping with hands but just wrapping arms around waists, we exchanged saliva for a good while before finally parting lips.
I touched her moist lips, unable to hold back a grin.
"One kiss per elixir. I'm definitely coming out ahead."
Heat blazed in her red eyes as she corrected my joke.
"This isn't payment for the Ice Crystal. I just wanted to."
"Cute."
Blushing after spilling her honest feelings, just like that.
"I knew you wouldn't like me putting a price on elixirs and demanding something in return."
"Feels like you know me better than I know myself now."
It was my taste, but I loved when my woman acted from the heart, of her own volition.
No need to ask—she'd slip into a maid outfit spontaneously... or cook my favorite meal?
As for 'payment' otherwise.
Little gifts like dessert or wine from a lover, home-cooked meals, naughty events, skinship, or sweet words—I loved all that.
But forcing pricey items on my woman and seriously collecting on them? No thanks.
Rike and Eclair knew that side of my erratic nature well.
"I've felt that way from the start... Not for the elixir itself, but I'll spend my life repaying those emotions and feelings. As the next head of House Dreitna, as Chloe's sister, as your lover and future wife."
The depth in her words tugged achingly at my heart.
The swelling satisfaction and elation begged to be expressed with my whole body right then, but I barely held back and kept the mood going.
"Alright. How about starting with a hundred 'I love you's? I've been set on hearing them since before coming to the guild."
Hearing my vow, she covered her mouth with the back of her hand, giggling, then breathed hotly and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"You're such an idiot... I'll give you a thousand."
Today, too, I spent time in the reception room with Eclair right up to the edge of her work hours.
Before leaving together.
As she straightened her disheveled uniform and mentioned taking two days off next week or the week after,
If I couldn't make time before then, it felt like the perfect chance to introduce Gleipnir and properly show off Innocence.
After that, we could all grab something tasty and chat leisurely.
I was already looking forward to it.