Chapter 96 - Reunion
I returned to the base, driving safely despite the urgency. I needed to make good use of the time until Zenobia returned to the Mercenary Guild.
Upon arrival, I and Valeria carried a large number of wooden crates into the base. They were the right size for storage.
"Hey, Yukari. What's up? You're back early."
Gradena greeted me, looking idle. I signaled the others working on the bath to continue.
"I'm going to mass-produce recovery potions. Don't worry about this. Valeria, you can rest if you want."
Valeria nodded and took out a thick book to read.
Sitting down and reading, she looked like a book-loving beauty, and I couldn't help but watch her for a moment. Oh, I need to get to work. Gradena continued the conversation at the right moment.
"Recovery potions, huh? Related to the healer shortage Josephine mentioned. That's good, but what about Zenobia?"
"She's on a job. She'll be back soon, but waiting around is a waste of time, so I came back. I'll visit her later."
"I see. I'll go on patrol, then."
"Sure. If you find any troublemakers, deal with them. It'll be a hassle if they cause trouble later."
"Ha, I'll claim this territory right away. Alright, I'm off."
Gradena called a few younger members and went on patrol.
It's just a warehouse district, but since we're living here, we should be aware of our surroundings. We can't rely solely on Josephine, and simple tasks should be shared among everyone. Gathering information about the surroundings is important.
Alright, let's get to work.
First, I mass-produced the usual crystal vials. I don't make them one by one. Since I can produce the same result with the same magic, it's easy for me. Especially with something as simple as crystal vials, I can produce a hundred at once without any trouble.
However, the vials need to change color based on the recovery potion inside, which adds a bit of difficulty. Still, changing the color is a minor task. I finished the simple tasks quickly and moved on to the next.
Next was the creation of the recovery potions.
I made a generous amount, equal to the number of crystal vials. For low-level recovery potions, the difficulty is similar to making the vials. I can mass-produce them with ease. However, the difficulty increases sharply with mid-level potions, and the magic consumption is much higher, so mass-production in a single go isn't feasible.
For the main healing potions, level six should be fine. Even level seven would be valuable, but to me, the difference between level six and seven is negligible. This time, since I'm making a large quantity, the small difference matters, but I won't be stingy. My magic power and recovery speed far exceed those of ordinary healers.
I filled the crystal vials on the floor with recovery potions, completing the first batch. I also made a small amount of various other level six potions. The beautiful crystal vials arranged around me were a sight to behold. Oh, the packing is going to be a hassle...
"Sister, the vials are beautiful."
"Yeah, making them was easy, but packing them up is a pain."
Valeria had apparently been observing my magic while reading.
I would like some help with the packing from the younger members, but the earth-magic-adepts are focused on the bath, and the others are on patrol with Gradena, so I can't ask them. Sigh, I guess I'll have to do it myself.
"Valeria, can you help me with the packing?"
"Of course, I'll get the boxes."
Valeria seemed happy to help.
After we finished the packing, it was time to produce mid-level recovery potions.
I prepared a generous amount of level five and four potions, with the latter being half the quantity of the former. I took breaks between tasks and packed them all. Finally, I made a small amount of level three healing potions.
I don't plan to provide level two recovery potions or composite recovery potions. Not even to family. Certainly not in pill form or as magic potions. However, I can provide a small amount of level two potions to Zenobia and Caroline for personal use.
By the time I finished all these tasks, it was already late afternoon, and the rain hadn't stopped.
Feeling lazy about going outside or preparing lunch, I gave some money to Priene and the others to buy food from the city. Even in the ration-scarce Royal Capital, some shops are still open. It's fine if the prices are a bit higher.
After finishing the not-so-delicious junk food bought by the younger members, I thought about what to do next. It's too early to visit the Mercenary Guild.
Hmm, well, it's a hassle, but I might as well do it now.
"Sorry, Valeria. I need to do more of the same thing, so can you help with the packing?"
"Of course, Sister!"
Valeria seemed happy to help.
In the dire situation of the Royal Capital, where healers and recovery potions are in short supply, having a stock of recovery potions is invaluable. They don't spoil, and they will be useful. Since I have free time, I'll mass-produce and stockpile them.
I repeated the process from earlier and produced an even larger quantity. I also increased our stock of magic potions.
When the others returned, including Gradena, they helped with the packing. I ended up producing an amount that even surprised me. I should have brought Rosabel-san's disciple. It's too late now, though.
This level of mass-production is beyond the ordinary, and even Rosabel-san would find it difficult. However, the Kikyo Society members, used to abnormal situations, didn't show much surprise, though they did look a bit amazed. I guess I'm the one who's most surprised.
The mountains of wooden crates were impressive. This would be a fortune.
The recovery potions I mass-produced will mainly be provided to an organization in the Royal Capital, including a stockpile. I can always make more if needed, but I think I've made a sufficient amount for now.
Of course, I won't give all of them to the Mercenary Guild. They won't need this much for now, even though they would take as much as they can.
In the current Royal Capital, a large quantity of recovery potions can be used as negotiation leverage and is a valuable gift. Providing them to other guilds would also be an effective way to build goodwill.
I'm quite tired, but it seems to be evening. The slanting light tells me so. The rain seems to have stopped. Well, let's go out again.
With the help of Gradena and Valeria, we loaded a few crates of recovery potions into a mid-sized jeep.
"I'm going again. I'll try to bring Zenobia and Caroline back. Hopefully, everyone will be back by the time we return."
"Alright, we'll leave it to you. The others should be back by sunset."
With Valeria, I set off for the Mercenary Guild again. I should be able to meet Zenobia this time. It's exciting.
I arrived at the Mercenary Guild, driving safely as before.
The chubby man at the counter greeted us immediately. The guild seemed empty, but people were definitely in the back rooms and upstairs. They must have returned from their jobs.
"Hey, girls. Zenobia's back. Her room is at the back of the second floor. Go on in."
"Thanks, we'll go up."
The excitement of a long-awaited reunion filled my chest. We haven't changed much since we last met, and I don't think Zenobia has either. Tonight, we could put our work aside and have a drink together.
It's the last room in the back, they said. There's no nameplate, so I'm a bit nervous about whether I have the right room.
I knocked on the door gently.
"...Hey, no answer. There's a magic reaction inside, but she's probably sleeping."
"There doesn't seem to be any movement. She might be sleeping."
Waking her up would be rude, but coming back another time isn't ideal. Zenobia should know we're coming, so it's unusual for her to be sleeping. Maybe she's exhausted.
Well, since she's a friend, there's no need to be too polite. I turned the doorknob, and it wasn't locked. This is careless, but I guess it's fine.
"Zenobia, I'm coming in."
I spoke softly as I entered the room. She seemed to be lying on the bed, so she's probably sleeping.
The room was quite dark, as it was on the opposite side of where the sun was setting.
"Zenobia?"
That's strange. A warrior like Zenobia should wake up when someone approaches, even if she's sleeping.
Upon closer inspection, her breathing was unusually heavy, and she was occasionally groaning in discomfort.
"Sister, is Zenobia sick?"
"Either sick or injured and feverish. Either way, she doesn't seem to be doing well."
According to the chubby man at the counter, everyone in the guild had some kind of injury, and Zenobia was no exception.
First, I need to heal her. Since no one else is around, I'll use a high-level composite recovery potion to heal her quickly.
I touched Zenobia's forehead and felt a high fever. She had multiple injuries, none of which were life-threatening, but they were widespread. There were cuts, scrapes, bruises, and mild sprains. There were no broken bones, but the number of injuries was excessive. There was also a hint of infection and a small amount of poison in her system.
Working in this condition? The Royal Capital must be in a worse state than I imagined. Even Zenobia, a skilled warrior, is in this state. I'm surprised she's still alive.
I didn't hold back and used a high-level composite recovery potion to fully heal Zenobia. I also purified her bloodied body and sheets with a cleansing spell.
I watched Zenobia for a while with a mix of tenderness and concern as her breathing became calm. Then, she suddenly sat up, startled.
"W-Who's there!? Oh, Yukari, is that you? And Valeria too?"
"Good morning, Zenobia. I told you we'd be coming. You were sleeping, so I just came in."
Zenobia, with her disheveled hair, looked just as I remembered. Perhaps a bit thinner, but seeing her face again was reassuring.
"Ah, that's fine. But, was that... Yukari?"
Zenobia, checking her body, looked at me in surprise.
"Of course. I'm an expert in potion magic. How do you feel?"
"...Wow, I haven't felt this good in a long time! Thank you, Yukari! And Valeria too!"
It was the first time I had used magic on Zenobia, so she was quite surprised and moved, testing her body's condition.
"I didn't do much, but I'm glad you're feeling better."
"I didn't do anything special, but I'm glad you're feeling better."
"Right, Zenobia. How about joining us for dinner at our base? We have a lot to catch up on, and I'd like to hear about the situation in the Royal Capital from you. Also, can you contact Caroline?"
"Caroline... I can't reach her right away. I'll explain more later. Also, before we go to your base, can you heal the other guild members? It would be a big help."
I'm curious about why she's vague about Caroline, but if she'll explain later, that's fine.
"I prepared recovery potions for that. They're in the vehicle outside."
"You really are something, Yukari. Can you go get them? There are many injured members who can't move."
"Sure, I'll get them. However, keep it a secret that I made these potions. It could cause trouble. Just say we brought them from Exembra. It's support from the Kikyo Society, and it's free. Besides, you probably don't have the money to pay for them anyway."
Zenobia agreed happily. I explained the different colored crystal vials and we carried the crates to the adjacent dormitory.
The dormitory was filled with groans and deathly breaths, a scene of utter despair.
I had no intention of getting involved beyond this point. From here on, I'll leave it to Zenobia and the guild members.
"Everyone, listen up! We have recovery potions! I've brought enough for everyone. We'll start distributing them now. If you can move, help out!"
"Recovery potions! Where did you get them?"
"Who cares where they came from! We can save lives now!"
The guild staff gathered around, trying to get more information from Zenobia, but she insisted on healing first. The appropriate level of recovery potions was quickly distributed. Good thinking. Even with plenty, they won't waste any.
Soon, cheers of joy echoed throughout the room, and I felt a bit proud.
After the commotion, the guildmaster, who had been absent, appeared and we had a conversation.
This was a chance to build goodwill for the Kikyo Society. I made sure Zenobia's affiliation wasn't undermined.
We had a smooth discussion and wrapped it up. I then returned to the base with Zenobia.
"Thanks again, Yukari, Valeria. It's been a long time!"
We hugged each other tightly, exchanging smiles and warm greetings.