Chapter 134 – Medicine and Fragrance

“I am fully aware of the matter regarding Sir Malcolm. I would like to arrange an opportunity to speak with Sir Malcolm at some point. Additionally, I have not received any reports of changes among the marquisate’s residents at present. I will contact you in case of emergencies, but please leave the residents to me.”

That reply on the communication device was from Father. I suppose you could say the possibility that Norman was involved had increased.

Meanwhile, I was in the workshop stirring a large cauldron while preparing stomach medicine.

According to Rosemary, while the efficacy was quite good, the recipe itself wasn’t particularly valuable. When I mentioned Malcolm’s situation, she said it would be less troublesome later if we just handed over the recipe itself.

So while I could have left the preparation to someone else, the recipe I received from Rosemary turned out to be surprisingly low in difficulty, so I thought I might as well gain some preparation experience myself.

Well, even so, stomach medicine is something that could be useful in daily life. Having the skill could come in handy at some point. The materials were also readily available at the market and didn’t cost much money.

Considering Malcolm’s future situation, it would indeed be better to establish an environment where medicine could be prepared from the recipe and raw materials. Ideally, medicine should be obtainable in both Termwills and the marquisate without spending too much money.

“This should be about right.”

“You’ve made quite a lot.”

Viola, the workshop’s resident blacksmith who had been checking the measurements for Irmhild’s new armor, peered over and said this.

“It just looks like a lot because it’s in the large cauldron. To make it preservable, I need to remove the moisture, dry it, and then grind it into powder.”

“Then what about the one you’re grinding in that mortar over there?”

Alfred tilted his head. On the desk, a golem was mixing a mortar in parallel work.

“Somehow it smells nice.”

I could see Sheila outside the window paying attention to this area.

Although I was using wind magic to create curtains to prevent too much of the fragrance from escaping, it seemed Sheila could still detect it. Combat training was being conducted simultaneously in the workshop’s courtyard. Today they seemed to be exploring coordination with the saucers controlled by Marlene. Marlene appeared to be concentrating seriously on controlling the saucers.

“That one over there is fragrance. If I mix it with wax, add a wick, and shape it into a candle, simply lighting it will provide a calming effect.”

This was intended to be used alongside the stomach medicine.

It was a fragrance effective against status ailments like confusion, bewilderment, and panic. Originally, it was a tool called Calming Heart Incense that was used by having the person sniff it from a small bottle to restore their condition to normal. The aim here was to make it usable in daily life by diluting it and crafting it into aromatherapy candles.

“Medicinal fragrance? You make all sorts of things, don’t you?”

Alfred gave a wry smile.

The stomach medicine had moved to the next process. I was using water magic to remove only the moisture from the large cauldron. After that, all that remained was to finely grind what was left to complete it. I should probably test it once it’s finished.

“I’ll deliver it to Sir Malcolm’s place later. I also want to convey Father’s reply.”

“Understood. I’ll continue adjusting the magic tools as I am now.”

“Everyone plans to continue training as well… Is security alright?”

Today, Miss Ophelia, Alfred’s fiancée, was also visiting the workshop. She had set up a table in the courtyard and was watching the training.

“…Ashley-sama, do you always undergo such rigorous training?”

“Since Theodore-sama is preparing medicine today, I believe it’s relatively quiet.”

“Is that so… I would like to invite Theodore-sama to the Marquisate of Fobrester and have him train our knight order.”

Ophelia seemed to be chatting with Ashley, who had entered for her break rotation.

Alfred watched Ophelia, who was nodding with her chin in her hand, with gentle eyes before saying:

“That’s right. I heard Talcott will also come for gate duty in the afternoon. Right now, the workshop probably has the strongest concentration of combat power within Termwills. So you don’t need to worry about Ophelia and me.”

“Mm, understood.”

Talcott apparently attends Peresford Academy quite diligently now. I’ve been hearing from Rosetta that among the teaching staff, there are many voices reevaluating Talcott since he diligently performs even very mundane training without a single complaint.

“Speaking of which, it seems Talcott has developed a one-sided crush on someone.”

“Oh? What kind of girl is she?”

I chatted with Alfred while using water magic to cool and solidify the candles poured into molds.

“Apparently she’s a sorcerer apprentice attending Peresford Academy. She was impressed seeing Talcott seriously working on his fundamentals. I occasionally see them talking.”

“She sounds like a pretty good match. Uh, what about Talcott’s past?”

Talcott had once injured his fiancée, leading to their engagement being broken off, right? And being from the fallen House of Cardiff, a quasi-noble family, probably isn’t great material either. I hope they can overcome those aspects.

“You seem to know about it. Apparently she’s from a former quasi-noble family that fell from status. Perhaps she understands Talcott because of that background?”

I see… I hope it works out well.

Carrying a bottle filled with powdered medicine and a box of candles, I rode a wyvern toward the Royal Castle.

The place where Malcolm usually works is the Eastern Tower, built near the Knight’s Tower. The Eastern Tower is where bureaucratic functions are concentrated. It’s also where officials and robe nobles working in the Royal Castle handle practical affairs.

Entering the Eastern Tower, there was what appeared to be a reception counter immediately inside.

“What business brings you here today?”

The receptionist noticed me standing in front of the counter and addressed me.

“Pardon me. My name is Theodore Gartner. I have something I’d like delivered to Sir Malcolm Broderick.”

When I introduced myself, the receptionist’s eyes widened.

“Y-you are the Otherworld Ambassador? My deepest apologies for not recognizing your face!”

“Ah, no need. I don’t appear at the Royal Castle very often, so please don’t worry about it.”

“Y-yes”

The receptionist looked so flustered I stopped her with my hand.

“I will inform Sir Malcolm right away.”

“It’s not an urgent matter. I plan to report to the King’s Tower afterward.”

Even so, the receptionist would probably notify Malcolm immediately. Whether it’s Malcolm or the receptionist, I didn’t really want to trouble them while they were busy.

The precautions for using the medicine were written on the paper with the recipe, so if they could just deliver it, that would suffice.

“Um. It would be fine to have it delivered to Sir Malcolm at a later date.”

“In that case, we will contact the King’s Tower. If you could wait in the guesthouse, we should be able to inform you of Sir Malcolm’s schedule as well.”

“Thank you.”

I was guided by a servant and shown to what appeared to be a VIP room in the guesthouse.

After drinking the tea the servant prepared and waiting for a while, Malcolm arrived in the room.

“Theodore-sama, my deepest apologies for keeping you waiting.”

“Sir Malcolm… Weren’t you in the middle of work?”

“No, please don’t concern yourself. My work had just reached a natural stopping point.”

Hmm. He says that, but I wonder. Perhaps I’ve actually caused him trouble instead.

“You mentioned bringing medicine…”

“I prepared it myself. The effects and precautions are written on the paper.”

“Th-the Ambassador prepared it? But, that is to say… Receiving it for free seems…”

I could see Malcolm looked somewhat perplexed.

I understand that feeling. Constantly accumulating debts isn’t healthy. Perhaps I should approach this somewhat businesslike here.

“I understand. How about you try it first, and if it’s effective, you can pay me?”

“…I am deeply grateful for your repeated kindness, Ambassador.”

Malcolm’s expression brightened as he bowed deeply.

For now, I continued explaining the usage precautions, dosage, administration methods, and so on. Although I wrote the precautions on the paper, I at least conducted something resembling a basic consultation, asking about things like potential allergies.

“For me, this is also a trial product—ah, no. I’ve tested it myself and confirmed its safety. But since it’s part of my training, you don’t need to take it so seriously. I’d appreciate your feedback on the efficacy later.”

“I will certainly report back.”

There didn’t seem to be any issues with using the medicine. Malcolm seemed particularly grateful.

Since I had essentially pulled him out of work, I saw him off to the front of the guesthouse.

“We shouldn’t miss the servant coming with the message. This is far enough.”

“That’s true. Well, for today, we’ll stop here—”

As we were exchanging conversation in the square in front of the training grounds, someone approached.

I didn’t know him personally, but from Malcolm’s reaction upon recognizing the man and his facial features, I could guess who he was.

The man grinned smirkily at Malcolm and said:

“Well, long time no see, brother.”

Norman Broderick. He seemed to have come to the castle… I wonder what business brought him to the Royal Castle.