090 An Unexpected Daughter

At the northernmost edge of the continent, the Empire was deep in the grip of a harsh winter, while far away, on another continent, the Realm of Nature basked in late spring and early summer. From north to south, the entire realm was lush with thriving vegetation, every city a sea of green, and the northern city of Valienda was no exception.

Valienda, a vital border city in the Realm of Nature, lay east of the bustling Gisai Grand Canal and north of the Blood Plateau, serving as the most important—indeed, the singular—trade port between the realm and the alliance. In late spring and early summer, Valienda was alive with verdant growth. As a commercial hub, its population was a tapestry of races—elves, half-elves, orcs, half-orcs, dwarves, humans—every conceivable kind mingled here. Thanks to the realm’s liberal politics and generous spirit, all civilizations found a place in Valienda, coexisting in relative harmony.

South of Valienda, close to the beautiful Jade Forest, was a favorite among the realm’s original inhabitants. Most elves, half-elves, and others who revered natural magic lived in this area.

It was afternoon when two weary, middle-aged human men hurried to the ivy-clad wall of a residence. Dusty from travel, they paused before a finely crafted wooden door, compared the address, then dismounted and respectfully knocked. Soon, the door creaked open and a small child peered out, curiosity in his gaze. His pointed elven ears twitched as he asked, “Who are you?”

One man presented a calling card. “We come from the human Empire's Narlenstan City, under the Brento family. By order of the master and the young lady, we have come to inquire about the whereabouts of the master's sister, Miss Renee Brento.”

The official language left the little elf somewhat dazed. After a moment, he replied, “You’re looking for news of a human—how did you end up here? Who gave you such nonsense?”

The man seemed prepared for this and produced another item—a leaf, thin as a cicada’s wing, cool as jade, exquisitely beautiful.

“Hey! How do you have Lord Kirie’s Jade Leaf Token?” The little elf gasped, snatching the leaf and examining it for a long while before looking up and changing his tone. “You two are in luck. Lord Kirie happens to be in today. I’ll let him know and see if he’ll meet you.”

With that, the child shut the door with a bang, showing little courtesy.

Afterward, the elf child, holding the Jade Leaf Token and the calling card, soared swiftly through the wind—elf children were born with this power, true darlings of nature.

He flew across courtyards, landing before a wooden door. Even from outside, one could hear the clash of blows within—someone was sparring intensely, and the air popped with explosive sounds that made one’s scalp tingle.

The elf child waited for about a minute, still pondering how to announce himself, when the door suddenly burst open from inside. Two distinguished men stood there: one with golden hair and violet eyes, strikingly handsome; the other with brown hair and green eyes, gentle as water.

“Hey, little one. What are you doing here instead of napping?” The handsome man grinned, ruffling the elf’s hair until it was a tousled mess.

Though displeased, the elf dared not protest, only pouting, “Lord Kirie, there are two humans at the back door with your Jade Leaf Token, asking about some Miss Something-or-other.”

The handsome man raised his brow, snatched the token and the card, grumbling, “Humans asking around here? I haven’t been out lately—how did they… My goodness, impossible!”

He stared at the card, eyes wide in astonishment, prompting the gentle man to take it and glance over. His gaze fixed on the name at the end, and he too drew a sharp breath.

“Where are they?” The handsome man’s face grew serious.

The elf, frightened, stammered, “At the back door…”

Before he finished, both men vanished from sight.

☆☆☆

Theresa watched Carol’s hand intently. The spinning crystal vial was the dual recovery potion she’d concocted just weeks ago—a product of her studies, and she was eager for Carol to review it.

The golden light faded as Carol set the vial down and asked casually, “Where did you get this formula?”

“Copied it from the Magic Tower in Stormfort,” Theresa replied, not wanting to lie about the book spirit or the alchemical notebook, but since the spirit was unwilling, she had her story ready. “I was curious and tried making it—didn’t expect it to succeed.”

Carol, never suspecting the usually obedient Theresa of lying, believed her at once. He nodded, “This is an old formula, with hints of elven alchemy—did you figure it out yourself, without asking at the old manor?”

“No,” she answered, a bit guilty, so she took care with her tone. “Mumu isn’t skilled in potion-making, and I didn’t dare bother Master Twilight, so I didn’t ask.”

Carol, both surprised and pleased, praised her. “To grasp some of its logic on your own is rare. The formula uses water-based runes, quite unlike the Empire’s current potion principles. Your success shows real talent, but be careful—next time you encounter an ancient formula, check with me before brewing. If something goes wrong, it could be trouble, understand?”

Theresa nodded eagerly.

Carol then explained the potion’s uses, strengths, and pointed out errors and shortcomings in her process, talking for quite a while before letting her go.

Once outside, Theresa pumped her fist, exhilarated—Carol’s analysis was more precise and detailed than any appraiser’s. According to him, it was a warrior’s potion, suited for long-term use to nourish and strengthen the meridians—especially beneficial for those with aggressive battle energy!

Coincidentally, Amos and Archer practiced just such fierce battle energy. Though powerful in combat, it often led to self-injury, so steady, methodical progress was essential.

Riding home at speed, Theresa rushed straight to the alchemy lab and spent most of the day experimenting. By dinner, she emerged, exhausted but elated, and entered the dining room.

With a flourish, she set two rows of potions before the elder and younger Aubrion, explaining their effects and Carol’s appraisal.

Archer’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really? That’s great! Father only lets me train battle energy three times a day—I’m about to burst!”

Amos ignored Archer’s complaints. He took a potion, opened it, drank it down, and then closed his eyes to test his battle energy. After about a minute, he opened his eyes and declared, “It’s a good potion, but I don’t need it—Theresa, where did you get this formula? I’ve never seen anything like it on the market.”

Theresa repeated the story she’d told Carol—after all, a lie gets easier the second time, and this time her voice and manner were smooth and natural.

“Is it hard to make?” Amos asked, considering something.

“Uh, not really… I learned quickly, but I’m not sure about others. My teacher said it’s quite different from current methods… Uncle Amos, what are you planning?”

“I’d like to purchase the rights to use this formula on behalf of the military,” Amos said solemnly.

Theresa blinked, instantly grasping his reasoning.

Military battle energy was typically aggressive, but self-injury from its use caused countless soldiers to stagnate each year. If the potion was effective—even for just one percent—it would be an unexpected boon for the army.

She stroked her chin, pretending to think, though inwardly she was already consulting the book spirit. After a moment, she replied, “If other alchemists can learn it, you can use the formula as you wish. But I must warn you—everyone’s skills and methods differ, so others may not achieve the same cost or yield.”

She put it delicately, and Amos nodded gravely in understanding.

Theresa then wrote out the formula for him on the spot. In truth, she already had a sense of how military alchemists might fare—the key was balancing the two medicinal effects with water runes, and her mastery came from the book spirit’s guidance. For those unfamiliar with this rune system, their success would likely be questionable.

☆☆☆

Kirie and Anjell stood in the small hall, faces grim, silent. The news from the Brento family was so unexpected that they were thoroughly unsettled.

After a long pause, Kirie finally spoke. “So, this Theresa Brento-Borger must be the master’s daughter?”

“Judging by the timing, it makes sense,” Anjell, usually gentle, managed a rueful smile. “We were so rushed—we didn’t investigate such a major matter thoroughly before returning…”

“But it doesn’t quite add up…” Kirie scratched his head, confused. “Madam was wounded by a ‘Shadow Fiend’ and poisoned—if she was pregnant when injured, how did the master not discover it when diagnosing her? And a child poisoned in the womb surviving—that’s incredible!”

Anjell frowned. “Regardless, now the master and madam are secluded for detoxification. What do we do with Miss Theresa? Should we bring her back to the clan?”

Kirie shook his head vigorously. “The master is in seclusion and can’t verify her bloodline, and without a suitable ‘guide,’ it wouldn’t be right.”

“So what now?”

Faced with the question, Kirie and Anjell fell silent once more… (To be continued)