- Shari -

So, it's time for my last stop for today, the alchemist.

I thought about it and especially in the last fight against Alec, I was at a huge disadvantage.

A disadvantage I could've avoided by being more prepared.

Be it having refilled my slime potions or bothering to gather more tools to deal with a situation, there were several things that could've helped me.

But there's one thing, in particular, that became clear during the last fight and it is that I have great trouble dealing with heavily armored soldiers.

Such as those the nobles we're up against might send our way.

My small daggers simply won't penetrate any armor with the shallow amount of force I can apply.

Yet there's something I can do to overcome this issue.

And this is poison.

Most common armors leave a small part of the warrior free.

Be it arms, legs, or even just at the joints on the backside, they have to make concessions to mobility.

And while I would have to adjust the blade at an awkward angle which makes a serious injury almost impossible, this isn't so important if poison is involved since all I need is a slight cut, depending on the substance's potency, naturally.

And even if I've heard that something like a fully plated knight exists, then only as cavalry.

A foot soldier would be far too slow with all the extra weight.

And if I'd have to deal with someone like this then running is totally an option.

If they carry all that metal then they can't be fast no matter how strong they are.

So buying a bit of poison sounds smart.

And since the alchemist is just around the corner there's no reason to put this off.

"Please wait for a moment. I just need to buy some stuff. Here, Zeon. Buy Liqu some skewers at the next stall, or whatever else you find. She's easier to handle if she's full." (Shari)

"I'm right here, you know?" (Liqu)

"Yes, you are. You are always very present." (Shari)

"Thank you." (Liqu)

God, this slime!

Even Zeon snickers.

Sigh, whatever.

I'll just enter this shop and stop thinking about them for a moment.

I might not be able to smell things but the moment I enter, my body tells me that I'm at the right place by telling me about even the smallest traces of the surrounding plants, liquids, and whatever else is assembled here that people might buy from an alchemist.

"Excuse me?" (Shari)

From behind the counter, an old man appears who fits the stereotype much better than Tamarah back then.

"Yes?" (alchemist)

"Uh, I'd like to buy an assortment of reagents. They don't need to be prepared. Concentrated extracts with as little water content as possible would be even better." (Shari)

If I think about it, my slime is already wet enough so that water would only be unnecessary luggage.

"How about you start by telling me what you even need?" (alchemist)

"Right, sorry. I need a strong poison. Preferably with an instant effect." (Shari)

Oh shit, he's looking at me with a highly suspicious gaze.

I should quickly come up with a good excuse before he calls the guard because he thinks I'm going to kill my husband or something.

"Ehm, I'm an adventurer. Here's my card. I need it for the monsters." (Shari)

"Hm, fine. Yet it's an unusual request. Am I right that you want a more potent one? I'll tell you now that this will affect the price." (Matthew)

"My life has that much value to me. Rather a monster that dies as it should than one that is still able to get you after the application." (Shari)

Not that it could but it's better to make such jokes that make it seem more unlikely that I'm something that can't be gutted.

"Then I'd rather recommend you a specially prepared potion. You only achieve the best results if you process them with the right expertise. It's about finding the right mix and concentrating the most potent parts." (alchemist)

I don't know about this.

It makes sense, like the part of clearsprout that matters are the translucent edges of the leaves.

Then comes the rest of the leaf in terms of potency and the stem has almost no effect.

And I simply am no alchemist and lack knowledge about other relevant measures to make them more potent.

What I want is simply the best effect for my money while avoiding having to carry too much weight.

"Can I then still use it when mixed with other stuff? Like oil for a weapon coating?" (Shari)

"I might have a good mix in the backroom that would suit your application. It's a concentrate of swamp scorpion essence, umbrashadow leaves, and evergroom extract. The way it's balanced the desired effect should be quite immediate. As long you don't by chance use a counter ingredient against all of them there's no reason to worry." (alchemist)

Damn, I lack expertise about the scorpions but the other ingredients are even by itself deadly as hell.

Isn't Evergroom even restricted in a way that you need a special license to sell it because it's so dangerous?

As mentioned, I only would have had to nick Alec the slightest bit and he would've been going down with cramps, emptying his stomach, and dying of a seizure while bleeding through all his orifices.

And that's just the mushroom.

Umbrashadow leads to a far more peaceful but certainly just as final death.

It's apparently favored by nobles to kill people they don't really hate but who have to vanish nonetheless.

"That sounds promising. Then I'd also like something less severe. Would you have Ledia leaves?" (Shari)

"Ledia leaves? Who do you want to knock out? Can't imagine that it will help much against monsters." (alchemist)

Shit, okay, another excuse.

"Oh, we have accepted a quest to deliver some living specimen. For this it's better if we can make them lose consciousness." (Shari)

"Are you sure? Sounds kinda problematic. For a longer application to keep them docile on a journey I would recommend Farasah clover." (alchemist)

"Ah, no. We're going to chain them up afterward but we need something to make them sleep first." (Shari)

"Hm, very well then. I'll bring what you want. Ahem, how much do you require?" (alchemist)

"Uh, the beasts I fight are big, so a large amount would be necessary. Maybe around... Two kilos each?" (Shari)

"God! What are you planning? With that much poison you could kill everyone in this city twice!" (alchemist)

Good to know.

"Well, I still need it. And as I said, it should be concentrated as much as possible." (Shari)

"I'll see what I can do. But those will have to be distilled and packed first. But before I prepare them, can you even afford such an amount? I doubt I need to mention it, but those ingredients are hard to come by, especially here in the capital it has to be delivered from Ekoras or more distant places, so they're quite pricey. I fear I have to insist on appropriate compensation. Even A-Rank adventurers should be troubled with such expenses." (alchemist)

"Sigh, okay. How much?" (Shari)

"For everything? I'll take four gold." (alchemist)

"Four gold!? I didn't want to buy the shop!" (Shari)

And this is pretty much the price for one.

In a better district.

"Ahem, as I said, these ingredients are incredibly rare. The ledia leaves might be more common, but I still have to specially request their delivery. And you're asking here for concentrated potions. Aside from my labor costs, the distilling condenses the ingredients while you still want essentially the same amount. It shouldn't be too surprising that it‘s expensive." (alchemist)

"Fine, okay. I'll take it." (Shari)

It's not like I have much of a choice.

He leaves for the backroom and I hear some rumbling from in there.

After quite a while he returns with a large glass full of green leaves.

"For now I can only provide the ledia leaves. Good for you that I already prepared them in advance. The other poisons I'll have to distill and mix first. The whole process will at least take till tomorrow evening. It won't go faster. You can have the former now for one gold." (alchemist)

I start to worry about my savings.

However, buying a woman’s weapon of choice is essentially a treat for myself, even if it is cliche.

This poison will be a great support for my blades.

And being more tenable will be worth it.

With a somber expression beneath my mask, I pull a gold coin out of my pouch, while trying not to have slime sticking to it and take the glass.

Even a paralyzing agent can already be a huge advantage in a fight.

"Damn, it might've been better if I had bought them in Ekoras." (Shari)

After all, with the Evergrove literally before the doorstep, it would've been much cheaper.

"Oh, you're an adventurer from Ekoras. It might be true that ingredients are cheaper there, but you can be assured that nowhere outside of the capital is the processing as advanced and of such high quality." (alchemist)

"Well, the one I was acquainted with seemed to be quite skilled." (Shari)

If you disregard her maniacal and downright crazy tendencies.

"As far as I know, only those who can't make it here would go to this cesspool of iniquity." (alchemist)

"Well, I guess in Tamarah's case it was more about the fresh supply." (Shari)

"You know Tamarah the great?! The best alchemist in Rakis and probably the whole continent?" (alchemist)

Okay, that was not the idea I had about her.

"Uh, I guess? We had something like an exclusive supply deal." (Shari)

"Oh, about what, if I may ask? If it was for Tamarah I'm sure it must have been a special concoction." (alchemist)

It shouldn't hurt to talk a bit.

It's not like there was anything suspicious about my deals with "the great Tamarah".

"Not much. Mostly it was about supplying her with, her foundation ingredient." (Shari)

"Foundation ingredient? Isn't she using water like everyone else?" (alchemist)

Now I'm slightly concerned about his expertise.

Tamarah looked as if she knew what she was talking about back then.

"Uh, no. For her potions she's using something else." (Shari)

"What is she using? Don't leave me hanging here! I'll even give you a discount of five silver if you tell me!" (alchemist)

Damn, I don't want to talk about this but it's a good offer.

"It was... uh... the liquid of a slime." (Shari)

"The liquid of a slime? You're kidding me! Truly?!" (alchemist)

"Well, yes. She said it was more potent and not as prone to having impurities." (Shari)

I was paying attention when she talked about the properties of my body.

Especially, when she was referring to me as an ingredient.

That's the stuff that can come back at you if you dismiss it.

"Wow... this is... This is such a revelation! Thank you for the information." (alchemist)

"Glad that I could be of help. I'll come tomorrow for the rest, sir alchemist." (Shari)

I don’t know what the honorable expression for someone in this esteemed job is, but one often refers to healers as sir or lady so this should be good enough.

"Please, call me Matthew." (Matthew)

"Well, then Matthew. It was a pleasure doing business with you." (Shari)

If not for the price.

"The pleasure was all mine. You need to know, I have a passion for poisons but so few chances to create them." (Matthew)

Okay, now I understand why mentioning stuff like this can make others suspicious of one's character.

"Oh, one more thing. Since you are an adventurer and did this before, would you know how I could get my hands on some slime liquid?" (Matthew)

"Ehm, I need to go." (Shari)