Barbra’s perspective
“So, the chief wants to make Allen the chief?!”
“Yeah. You might not know this since you were in a coma but Allen has done a lot for this village to the point that I decided to stay.”
I see. If even Stacy decided to stay even after becoming a high-grade potion alchemist, then that must mean she likes it here. Stacy is a noble daughter of a Marquis house of this kingdom, the Slavia kingdom. They are a family that specializes in potion alchemy and because of that, they own the continents biggest merchant guild that specializes in potions.
They sell their potions to various kingdoms and are well-known throughout the continent. They’ve basically built an empire with their skills. Stacy is the black sheep of the family. In a family with two brothers and two sisters, she was considered mediocre when it came to alchemy.
A house filled with geniuses, she struggled to keep up with them and thus she was cast out of her house. Her father gave her a mission. He would give her ten years and if she didn’t become a high-grade potion alchemist by then, she should never return.
Stacy then left her home and settled here in this village. The reason was because even though her skills were mediocre, she wanted to help the less fortunate. Because the potions her family sold were expensive, she thought that if she could just help some people even if it was a small village like this, that would be good enough for her.
Even though she wasn’t blessed when it came to alchemy, she was a genius in the theory part of it. With her determination, her skills improved little by little.
“I want to help the kid even if it’s only a little. Every time I’m with him I feel like I’ve only just seen the tip of alchemy. Like there’s more out there. If that’s the case, then wouldn’t it be good to stay here and be the best version of myself.”
I chuckle slightly “I guess you’re right. What’s our next stop now?”
“Alma’s inn. She should be happy to see you since it’s been a long time.”
We go to Alma’s inn. I am confused to see the inn that I remembered look like the inns I’ve seen in the capital city of Esteria. Just the exterior alone felt like a wealthy noble owned it.
“Wow! I’ve never seen this place so full. And it seems a bit different from how it was?”
The interior is another matter. Almost all the tables are filled and people were eating, drinking and laughing. The phrase ‘cloud 9’ befits this scene.
“Yeah. There were a few renovations thanks to Allen. Almost all the buildings were built using his blueprints and plans.”
“Ah, I see.”
It’s really different. To think so much has changed. Well, I was sleeping for ten years so, I guess that makes sense.
“Oh Stacy. It’s rare to see you here. You’re not working today?”
“Oh. Alma. No, I was just showing Barbra around. Come to think of it, I’ve got to go Barbra, it is getting late. Please visit my pharmacy.”
Stacy says that before bolting out of the inn.
“Barbra?! What did she mean by Barbra?”
“Hey Alma.”
“Oh, lass. Do you need a table? I can set you up with a table if you want?”
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It seems like she doesn’t recognize me either. Sigh, this is going to be a hassle.
After ten minutes of explaining and convincing.
“To think you’d look so young. You should have Allen do what he did for you to me, hahaha.”
Ah, Alma hasn’t changed at all.
***
Stacy is back at the pharmacy. A look of befuddlement and awe shot across her face like an arrow shot out of a bow.
These, these are incredible! These techniques to create potions. I’ve never seen them before. Where did the kid get them? I could probably craft level 3 high-grade potions with these. No, I could probably craft an entirely new grade of potions that surpasses high-grade potions. And these formulars and recipes are also mind blowing. I never thought you could use these herbs like this.
The moment I entered the pharmacy; Amy gave me these books that she got from Allen. These books filled with knowledge I have never seen before. I can’t wait to try them all out. No, I should try them out right now.
***
The village chief announced that he was stepping down as the chief and giving me the position. Everybody was stunned by the sudden announcement but that lasted for only a few seconds. They cheered for me and a banquet was held in my honour.
Since it was already night, the banquet lasted for the entire night with everyone eating and drinking to their heart’s contents. In the morning, it was now time to begin my plans.
The first thing I have to do is purify the forest. Using purification magic will work just fine but the problem right now is that nearly half of the forest has been corrupted by demonic energy.
I don’t have the energy to purify the entire corrupted part of the forest at once so I’ll have to purify it bit by bit. Sigh, just thinking about it makes my head hurt.
I gave Michael the role of training the village guards. The villagers were confused about my “children’s” identities, so I told them that they were my vassals I found and were willing to serve under me. I gave Abaddon the role of inspecting the village and its surroundings for future development. Uriel seemed to be overjoyed because she thought I was going to give her an order but I just told her to do whatever she wanted.
At the dark zone.
Sigh, let’s begin.
I then start purifying the forest.
It seems everything is purifying nicely but at this rate, I might need a full year to completely finish purifying this forest. Ah, I hate this.
After an hour.
“Hey kid. Why don’t you just use your Domain and then purify the area under it?”
“Huh?!”
“Sigh, you forgot, didn’t you? Since everything in the Domain will be under your control, you should be able to purify this forest much quicker.”
A vein pops in my forehead. “Ray. Why are you telling me this now?”
“Well, I thought you knew kid.”
“You did it on purpose didn’t you? You gonna pay you know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Domain.”
A Domain expands from where I am standing, covering an eighty-meter diameter area.
I guess that’s how far I can expand my Domain for now.
I cast purification magic and what happens next is nothing but beautiful. Like a sculptor unravelling their work of art. White light of purification glitters in the area covering everything in sight. As that light disappears into tinkering lights, like embers of a scorching flame, green pastures reveal themselves like a dawning sun.
The murky air is enveloped by clean breathable air. Light shoots from above as it pierces that area which has not been touched by life in a long time. Like Moses having the water in front of him depart little by little.
“Wow. This is convenient. I guess I’ll also have to use it to build myself a castle too.”
I continue with that process repeatedly until I run out of energy. It is now getting dark and I am exhausted. I teleport back home in my room and slept. In the morning, I wake up and go to the village.
The merchant caravans are still here. The merchant caravans stay outside of the village for at least three days. Because of the potions they want to buy from Stacy, they always try to bargain.
I told Stacy years back that she should only sell them low and intermediate grade potions. The high-grade potions were stored in the storage room in the pharmacy for later use.
I’ve been observing these merchants over the years to try and find a capable person who I’ll do business with. So far, I have found no one who I like. The merchants I’ve seen so far are greedy pigs who would do anything to make money. Over the years, these greedy merchants have sent spies in the village to try and steal our potion formulas but all of them failed.
I have ordered the guards to protect both Stacy and the pharmacy 24/7. The spies that were captured spilled everything after I personally tortured them. With the variety of magic I’ve learned over the years; I can make even the most trained of assassins spill everything.
Some of the spies were from the merchants whilst some were from ‘The Bandit Society’, whatever group that is. Of course, I eliminated the spies after I got the information out of them but over time it just got annoying so I told the guards to just eliminate any spy that comes in without taking in prisoners.
Sigh, I wonder if I’ll find a capable merchant that will work for me?