The Herb King

140 It Would Be More Fun With You Around

When they arrived at the clinic, Aethelwolf first checked the sales statistics. He noticed that the demand for his items soared by more than three times in the last few days and the supply wouldn’t be able to keep up if this trend continues. He was the only person capable of refining his pills and no one also knew the recipe for his soaps. The customers might be dissatisfied if he placed more limitations on their purchasing numbers. This would only be solved if he has more people to make the soaps and pills for him.

‘I should make a soap factory to keep up with the rising demand. The process of making soap isn’t difficult and even normal people can do it as long as they have the equipment and ingredients. As for the pills, it looks like I also need to look for capable Alchemists... What about Sir Johann? Can I trust that old man? Hmm...’ Aethelwolf contemplated deeply as he sat on a chair.

“Sir Aethelwolf, here’s your tea.” Janrose lightly bowed her head as she handed him a cup of tea. There was no battle event today so she volunteered to help in the clinic.

“Thanks. Just put it on the table.” Aethelwolf said. He then looked at Janrose and told her. “Bring Samira here. I have something to tell her.”

Janrose nodded her head at his command. “Yes, Sir Aethelwolf.” Her teacher looked serious at this moment so she didn’t want to bother him. She had many questions related to Alchemy, but she decided to ask him another time.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Come inside.” Aethelwolf said when he heard the knocking on the door.

Samira came inside his office with a smile on her face. “Janrose told me that you are looking for me. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Aethelwolf pointed at the chair in front of him and said. “Sit down first.”

.....

Looking at his serious expression, Samira realized that the matter was important. She immediately took a seat and asked. “What is it?”

“You are close with Anna, right?” Aethelwolf stared at her calmly.

Samira nodded her head. “Why are you asking about her?”

Aethelwolf adjusted his sitting posture and moved his head closer to her as he replied. “I believe you have already seen the sales statistics. Our supply wouldn’t be able to keep in the long run with me as the sole maker of our products. If the time comes that I would be gone for a long while, the clinic’s supply will be exhausted and we might lose our customers. More than ninety percent of our sales come from our products and losing all of that would be disastrous to the clinic.”

Samira furrowed her eyebrows as she listened closely to his words. She had also been thinking about this matter, but she knew that Aethelwolf was yet to find someone he could trust to make those products for him. She was a smart woman and she immediately guessed why he was asking about Anna. “Do you plan to hire Sir Johann? Will he even agree?” She asked with an uncertain tone.

Johann might be indebted to Aethelwolf, but the old man was still a Level 4 Esper as well as a Level 3 Alchemist. It would be difficult to hire a person as capable as that.

Aethelwolf let out a smile when he heard her words. “What do you think could make him work for me? Something that only I, Aethelwolf, can offer him...”

Samira’s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. “You plan to help him become a Level 4 Alchemist!?” She abruptly rose to her feet while looking at Aethelwolf in disbelief.

Aethelwolf merely chuckled in reply.

Samira immediately grabbed her seat and put it closer to Aethelwolf. She then whispered. “Can you really do that?”

Aethelwolf took a small sip of his tea before he answered. “Others might not be able to do it, but to me, helping someone reach the standard of a Level 4 Alchemist is easy. Besides, Sir Johann already has the foundation to become one. He just lacks sufficient knowledge of how to properly control his Pill Fire. I’m confident that I can make him become a Level 4 Alchemist in less than a month of training.”

Samira gasped in shock. If those words came from someone else’s mouth, she would have brushed it off as nonsense, but the man in front of her has already proven himself to be capable of doing this.

Aethelwolf smiled and took another sip of his tea. He waited for Samira to calm down.

“What do you want me to do?” Samida asked with a light of excitement in her eyes. If they managed to get Sir Johann’s support, the clinic’s operation would become more stable and it would also strengthen the relationship between Aethelwolf and Johann. If that happens, the Reynolds Household would also receive some benefits.

Aethelwolf placed the teacup on the table before he replied. “I’ll let you handle this matter. You have to do whatever it takes to get Sir Johann’s support. If he doesn’t show interest, just tell him what I told you earlier. I believe he would come running to our doorstep once he hears about it.”

“Alright, but you have to promise me one thing.” Samira looked at him with a smile.

“What is it? As long as it is not unreasonable, I’ll do my best.” Aethelwolf chuckled. This girl really loved to take advantage of him.

“I heard that you’ve been teaching Janrose Alchemy and she’s even visiting you late at night. I just want to join you guys during these sessions. You see, I also love to learn Alchemy...” Samira smiled with narrowed eyes.

Aethelwolf almost sprayed the tea he was drinking when he heard this. ‘That goddamn Rendell! I’ll tell Olivia to beat up that brat later!’

He didn’t want to lose composure in front of her so he immediately said with a crafty smile. “Sure. You can stay at the mansion starting tonight and I will train you together with Janrose. It would be more fun with you around...”