The auction came to an end before dawn.
The person who won the item at the redemption point on the way out would pay, and the person who sold the item would get the proceeds, minus the commission.
This is done under the stained glass near the entrance, or behind a large cross.
If you try to do anything here, you won't feel like you're being punished by the goddess.

"Thank goodness that's all.

Teresa, who gave me the money, said, but I think it's the church that has the best feeling about it since the elixir was sold at about twice the market price in this auction.

''It's a shame Hayato is so disappointed, isn't it?''

'Well,' said Teresa, 'it's just too early to give up there.

'Well, I don't know if I'll be able to get it tomorrow, maybe by some strange chance.
'What...?　Ikki?

For that reason, I'm heading to the Alchemist's Guild in the royal capital tomorrow.
The reason I haven't made a firm statement yet is because there is no guarantee that I will be able to make it.
If I couldn't make it because I let my expectations get too high, my disappointment would be greater.
I feel too bad for both Chris and Hayato.

And so my first auction came to an end.
On the carriage ride home, everyone was leaning back and asleep, and by the time we woke up, we had arrived at the house.
It's a good thing that Fried is able to move the carriage without much of a shake.

''I'm home........''
Ah, my lord, welcome back.
Goodnight....
Yeah. Mm. Goodnight.....

I didn't expect Aina to be awake........
And the outfit is still the same as it was earlier, but could it be that she was planning on giving me a lap pillow when she came back...?
But I'm already cued to the bed with a bang.
When I glanced at Aina with my best effort, she seemed to be glancing at me to see how I was doing.

''Ah........the pillows don't fit.......''
Oh, yeah?　Then, well...I happen to have a knee...

...or the human body, which happens to have knees.
I'd rather not have a knee by accident.
That's all right. All that matters now is sleep.
If you let me sleep on that nice pillow, I'll sleep on it.

Please do..... If you want to go shopping with Sorte and the others, then I don't mind if I wake you up or drop you off.
Yeah, thanks for the thought. So, then....

Aina comes slowly up to the bed.
It's kind of exciting the way it comes up.
But not today.
I'm going to bed. I'm sleepy.

Well then good night...
Oh, my lord. Get some rest.

I don't feel like doing a lot today.
Let's just go to bed....


When I wake up in the morning, my nice pillow has disappeared and has been replaced by an ordinary cloth pillow.
The letter under my pillow suggests that the three of us have gone shopping.
I'm glad they went out properly, because I'd feel bad if they stayed behind, as if they hadn't bothered me.
I read the note.

"Kinky Sorte, kinky sorte, kinky sorte, Renge, shukun. Well then, I'm going to go out for a ride, Aina.

.........
What did I do....
And Aina's handwriting is all squishy and squishy on top.
You must have written it in a hurry!　Yup.
The outfit was still that way, and I must have written it in a hurry when those two charged in!
Okay. It wasn't my fault!


A little past noon, judging from her stomach, I'd say.
Are the falcons already awake?
For now, let's go to the room where we get our food.

'Mr. Itsuki. Good morning. Would you like to have breakfast, or rather lunch?
Yeah, I'll have some. I'm out of bed, so get me something light, please.
Would you like a sandwich again then?
That's about as good as it gets.
Well, I'll just make it for you.

Chris interrupted his meal and pulled up a chair.

'Sorry to see you eating.... We can do that later.
Not at all. Your brother is a customer.

He said and headed for the kitchen.

''Have you told Chris?''
'Yes. I spoke to you as soon as I got back yesterday.
Are you okay?
Yes, I'd rather not!　I was told......... But I still want to heal you. I'm a girl........
Yeah. Oh, and I'm going to the alchemy guild in King's Landing today. Tell White and Wendy when they wake up.
You're not taking the two of them with you?
'I don't care if it's at the self-indulgent Reinrich's, but it's the guild of King's Landing. Just tell the two of you that you're free today.

This is the royal capital.
The two of you can stretch your wings once in a while.

We've been waiting for you. We'll have vegetables, meat and cheese.
Yeah, sure. Because Chris' food is good!　You'll enjoy everything.
You can't flatter me, but you'll only get tea.
That's enough.

In fact, Chris's food is so good.
It's so good that I don't want to eat out in the capital.
But then, is there a relationship between the level of his cooking skill and the taste of the food?

Hey Hayato, what does cooking skills have to do with increasing levels?
''Let's see, first of all, having the cooking skill allows you to cook better. And then there's the demons that drop ingredients at a higher rate, or an increase in DEX?
Doesn't 'food gets better' get better at higher levels?
Hmmm.......it seems to be to a certain extent. The rest depends on the taste of the person who made it, don't you think?

That's about it.
And why hasn't my cooking skills improved........
Doesn't it say something like remaining experience level...?

Hush. Thanks for the food!
Oh, do you want me to get the carriage for you?
''Hmmm... is the Alchemist Guild in King's Landing far from here?''
No, it's a ten-minute walk.
Okay, then. I'll walk.
Okay. Have a good day.
I'm off!

When I left the building, I went out alone for a long time.
I'm not sure I've ever gone out on my own, but it's been a long time since I did.
I'd like to go to the Colored Street, but unfortunately, I have some things I have to do this time.
Well, I hope I can repay my debt to my benefactor.


When I arrived in front of the Alchemist's Guild, I was first surprised by the size of the place.

''Oh........as expected of the royal capital, it's huge.......''

So the signage is the same as Ains Hale's.
So that means this is a sign that this is an alchemist's guild in any city.

''Good morning.''

I walk in and exchange greetings with the lady at the reception desk.
Unlike Ains Hale, a few alchemists seem to be chatting and laughing.

''Yes. Good morning. What can I do for you today?''
"Um, I'd like to rent the alchemy room, please.
"Very well. May I have a look at your guild card?
Yes, sir.

He was polite.

''You must be the A-level alchemist of Ains Hale. Please come this way. There is no charge for the use of the alchemy room.

そういえばリートさんにＡ級になると錬金室代はかからないといわれたが、他所の錬金術師ギルドでもかからないのか。
案内されるままに錬金室に入る。
作りはあまり変わらないらしい。
必要最低限の物が置かれているだけのようだ。

「それではごゆっくり」
「ああ、ありがとう」

さて、と……。
やりますかね。

錬金を始める前にまず下準備である。
今回作るのは霊薬なので、前回何故作れたのかわからないが同じ方法で試してみる。
すなわち、既知の魔法陣《エクスペリエンスサークル》である。

ということで取り出したのは前回スキルを発動した際に自動手記された魔法陣が書かれた紙。
そしてスキルを発動する前にしっかりと在庫の薬草類を確認しておく。
旅に出る前にアイナ達に頼んで取ってきてもらったばかりなので数が多い。
多分これで霊薬は作れると思うのだが、何がどれくらい必要なのかは知っておいた方がいいと思う。
という訳で内訳。

『薬体草　　　　　　５４
　薬体大草　　　　　２３
　薬魔草　　　　　　４８
　薬魔大草　　　　　２５
　毒体草　　　　　　３１
　毒体大草　　　　　１８
　沈省草　　　　　　　８
　薬花ハーブ　　　　１５
　レッドオリブル　　　８
　ブルーリンプル　　　６
　イグドラシルの葉　１５
　イグドラシルの茎　　６
　イグドラシルの蕾　　６
　イグドラシルの花　　５
　イグドラシルの種　　４』

といった具合だ。
沈省草は荒れた心を落ち着かせる効果を持ち、薬花ハーブは薬の効力をあげるいわばブースト。
レッドオリブルは赤いオリーブで、ブルーリンプルは青いりんごだ。
こちらは薬効があるわけでは無いが、お土産にと貰ったのである。

そしてイグドラシルシリーズ。
イグドラシル、と聞くと身構えるものだがこの植物は特定の場所に咲くわけではなく、アイナ達が材料を収集してくれる森の深部などで運が良ければ遭遇できる代物である。
下手をすれば森に入ってすぐのところにも咲いている可能性があるので、新人冒険者にとっては偶然当たる宝くじのようなものか。
ともかく、集めようと思って集められる物ではないが、運次第では誰でも手に入るものなのだ。

イグドラシルの葉はそのままでも当然使えるのだが、葉から生成すると回復ポーション（大）が作れるようになる。
薬体大草に薬花ハーブを混ぜても回復ポーション（大）を作れるのだが、効果はイグドラシルの葉の方が大きい。
その分値段も高く、一枚で４万ノールもする。

次に茎だ。
この茎の性能は面白いものだった。
中は空洞でストローのようにして使えるのだ。
これを使って飲むとただの水でも回復ポーション（小）と同程度の回復効果が得られる。
難点は回数制限があり、使い続けると枯れてボロボロになってしまうことだ。

次に蕾と花。
これらは単純に魔力を帯びていた。
磨り潰して使うと、やはり魔力回復ポーション（大）になる。

最後に種。
効果は単純な状態異常を治す事と、独特の苦味で幻惑や、幻影、催眠系などの効果を無効に出来ることだろう。

ただ、全ての箇所にいえる事だが加工をしないと保存がきかない。
花や蕾は勿論のことだが、葉や茎も数日で枯れてしまう為魔法の袋は必須である。
幸いにも俺には魔法空間があるので保存には困らなかったが、アイナ達には見つけ次第すぐに帰還してもらうように頼んでいた。

だが、一度これらを全て使って回復ポーションを作ってみたのだが、オリゴールにあげた『万能薬（劣）』にしかならなかった。
でも俺としては、やはり霊薬にはこいつが関わっているとしか考えられない。
だがきっとこれだけではないのだろうとも思う。

そもそもこの世界には何千人クラスで錬金術師がいて、その中の一握りがレベル９の錬金術師だったとしても数十～、過去を辿ればもっとレベル９の錬金術師がいたはずだ。
その中でこんな事に気がつかないなんてありえない……はずだ。
製法がわからないまま作れるだけ俺はずるいのだろうけど、それでもなんらかの手がかりは見つけているのだと思う。
だが、錬金術師達にとって情報はまさに宝に値し、自分だけで秘匿することが多いのが問題であると思う。

ともかく材料はあるので一度試して何が必要なのか確かめてみよう。
もしかして作れないかもしれないが、その時はその時だ。

前回使用した魔法陣に魔力を注ぎ、俺は以前作った霊薬を思い浮かべる。

『既知の魔法陣《エクスペリエンスサークル》』

魔法陣に魔力を注ぐと、前回よりも多くの魔力が吸い取られている感じがした。
理由はわからないし、ステータスを確認しないとわからないが、感覚ではそんな感じ。
そして頭の中に瞬間的に作り方が流れていくのも前回と同じである。

最後に、ごとりと音を立てて魔法陣の上に小さな一つの瓶が出来上がる。

『霊薬　ありとあらゆる状態異常、部位欠損を直す世界最高の薬。
　　　　同時に体力、魔力を回復する』

ひとまずこれで隼人には少し恩が返せるかな。
霊薬はしっかりと魔法空間にしまい、あとは材料の消費をチェックだ！

魔力回復ポーションを飲みながら材料をチェックする。

『薬体草　　　　　　５４
　薬体大草　　　　　２３→１８
　薬魔草　　　　　　４８
　薬魔大草　　　　　２５→２０
　毒体草　　　　　　３１
　毒体大草　　　　　１８
　沈省草　　　　　　　８
　薬花ハーブ　　　　１５→１０
　レッドオリブル　　　８
　ブルーリンプル　　　６
　イグドラシルの葉　１５→１０
　イグドラシルの茎　　６→　４
　イグドラシルの蕾　　６→　４
　イグドラシルの花　　５→　３
　The Seeds of Yggdrasil 4→2

It is.
Material-wise that's far less than I expected.
But if this much is polished up with the handing force (handing), it should be an amount that can't be contained in this vial.
In other words, they'll probably use a concentration or some other method at some point.
It's hard to tell where that is and what it is because it's too instantaneous.
Hmm?　I mean, I can make another one with this consumption, right?
Since it's time to give it a try.
In the meantime, I've used a large amount of magic to restore the magic recovery potion (large) to help you recover to full health, because you don't want to pass out from the large amount of magic sucked out of you like before.

I laid out the magic circle again and thought of the elixir and poured my magic power into it.
But this time, however, it feels as if only the magic power is being sucked out....
No, wait a minute.
How much are you going to suck?
I don't feel like I'm accumulating anything.
I feel like I'm pouring water into a bottle with no bottom, endlessly!

No!　
Just give me a minute!
Hey!　That's it, isn't it?
It's just like when you made a mistake and alchemized it once before!
I can see my MPs running out like hot water!
All right, all right, all right.
I'm ready. I'm ready to make a run for it.
But at least you don't hit your head when you pass out and collapse........