From my inventory, I pulled out the "Polydroid User Manual", an item that had come with Rubin when I first obtained the new device.

Flipping through the manual quickly, I scanned the pages.

"Maybe… just maybe, it might be here."

Elixir-making was an ancient craft, its secrets passed down from books left behind by the Ancients. Modern humanity had learned the methods from these texts, but the nobility hoarded the knowledge as their privilege, refusing to share it widely. Over time, with so few knowing the art and fewer sharing it, the elixir recipes were lost entirely.

But what if… someone who had lived since that era still existed?

With that thought, I opened the manual belonging to Rubin, the "Ancient" Polydroid, and started reading.

And there it was—the elixir recipe!

Finally, on page 192, under the "Key Features" section, I found what I was looking for:

* "In urgent need of an elixir? Use your Polydroid to print the recipe!"

* "Your capable and friendly companion is equipped with a recipe output function and will be more than happy to assist you."

* (Detailed instructions follow below.)

A method to revive the long-lost technique, a secret gone for 200 years, was lying in my hands in this small manual.

"I didn’t expect it to actually be here…"

Taking a deep breath, I calmed my growing excitement. Then, I called out to Delsy, the high priestess who was quietly observing me.

“Delsy, I think I need to head to the west annex for a bit.”

Silence.

“Delsy?”

Still nothing.

Delsy’s pale green eyes wandered to the side, deliberately avoiding my gaze, pretending she hadn’t heard me.

It was clear. The other high priests had likely instructed her to ignore me, no matter how much I asked to leave.

But I wasn’t giving up so easily. After calling her name a few more times, she finally responded—not with her mouth, but through the beak of the duck-shaped puppet she always carried.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

[No… You can’t go…]

“What?”

[You can’t. You need to rest and recover. Please don’t leave… quack…]

“It’s urgent. I have something important to do in the west annex. It won’t take long.”

Delsy’s puppet was silent.

“Just a quick trip. I’m not trying to run away or anything. Trust me.”

Still no response.

“…You promised to trust me, no matter what. Was that a lie?”

[Quack…]

Unlike others, Delsy had always been on my side, even when they called me reckless or unworthy. She’d defended me, citing our deep connection. But given my recent actions—returning nearly dead after promising not to worry anyone—I could see why her faith might have wavered.

At least she wasn’t tying me to the bed like Bliss had done, but her resolve was clear. If persuasion wouldn’t work, I had only one option left: distraction.

“I’ll slip out while she’s distracted. I can apologize later.”

My physical abilities as Nikelus were S-rank, far superior to Delsy’s E-rank physique. Although her mental abilities were formidable, with high-tier skills, her body couldn’t keep up. If I moved quickly, she wouldn’t be able to stop me.

Feeling a pang of guilt, I resolved to make it up to her later.

“Delsy, could you bring me some warm water? My throat’s dry.”

[Oh! Right away. Quack—]

The moment she turned toward the fireplace to fetch the kettle, I sprang from the bed.

Behind me, I heard the clatter of the kettle hitting the floor as she cried out in alarm. But by then, I was already at the door.

"Freedom is so close!"

Grabbing the doorknob, I heard her voice pierce the air:

“No! Stop!”

The command struck like a lightning bolt, reverberating in my mind. My body froze, completely immobilized.

‘It’s that skill…’

Even as I willed my hand to turn the doorknob, my body wouldn’t budge. Forcing my head to turn, I glanced back. Delsy stood there, covering her mouth in shock.

[I’m so sorry…! Quack—I didn’t mean to use it. I panicked…]

Her skill, "Soul-Stirring Voice," was a terrifying mental ability. It compelled absolute obedience to her commands. Even high-level defensive items or skills couldn’t easily counter it.

‘Dangerous indeed.’

In the wrong hands, it could control armies or overthrow nations. It was no wonder Delsy avoided speaking aloud, using her puppet instead.

Delsy’s puppet quivered as she whimpered. [I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to…]

“It’s fine. I’m not hurt.”

[Huh? Really? You’re… not angry?]

“Why would I be? I startled you. If I’d explained things first, you wouldn’t have panicked.”

Delsy’s face turned ghostly pale; her wide eyes filled with disbelief.

I added with a reassuring smile, “I’ve decided to change. Less anger, less worry for those around me.”

After some convincing, she agreed to let me go—on two conditions.

First, she would accompany me. Second, I had to wear a disguise.

The disguise, however, was laughable: an ill-fitting priest’s robe, a fake mustache, and thick-rimmed glasses borrowed from a novice priest.

The result? More suspicious than inconspicuous.

As we approached the west annex, a familiar voice caught Delsy’s attention. Her puppet quacked loudly in alarm as she hurriedly ducked behind me.

It was Luciana.

And she was walking straight toward us.