The Herb King

Samira was deep in thought after her conversation with Anna. The issue with the Northern Viper Group, the emergence of the unground creatures, and the possibility of war against two neighboring empires. All these things made her unable to calm her mind.

Just the Northern Viper Group alone was already a huge headache for everyone. What more if new problems come up? It would be a disaster for the citizens of the empire!

"Let's get Sir Aethelwolf first and then we'll go back to the residence immediately." Samira muttered in a grave tone.

Skylar and Kathlyn nodded their heads.

Suddenly, two soldiers walked towards them and bowed at them. "Miss Samira, the Northern Viper Group's scouts have retreated. They are now outside of Vale City."

Hearing this, Samira's mood lightened a fair deal. "That's good to hear. Thank you for coming with us here. You may go back to your camp with the rest of the soldiers. Also, please give my thanks to Captain Phillip."

"Alright. We'll tell him your words, Miss Samira. Take care." The soldiers left after bidding farewell.

"Young Miss, is it fine for them to leave at this moment? There might still be a few bandits lurking inside the city." Skylar furrowed her eyebrows as she stared at the departing soldiers.

Samira glanced at her and replied. "There is no need to worry. Captain Phillip knows what he is doing. Besides, we can also handle ourselves even without them."

Skylar remained silent after hearing her words, but she still felt worried. The Northern Viper Group has been observing their movements since they left Barden City and it wouldn't be surprising if they ambushed them the moment they leave Vale City.

The three ladies had heavy expressions as they returned to the hotel. When they arrived, they immediately went to Leric's room.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Sir Aethelwolf, I hope we are not disturbing you. I want to speak with you about something." Samira waited outside the room.

"You came just right on time. Give me a second here." Leric's voice came from inside.

Not long after, Samira heard a series of footsteps before the door was opened.

"Come in." Leric smiled at her as he invited Samira in.

She could smell the scent of herbs the moment she entered the room. "Were you refining herbs earlier, Sir Aethelwolf?" Samira asked as she looked at Leric.

Leric nodded his head and brought her to the living room. "Yeah. The time was short, but I managed to refine your grandfather's medicine." He didn't tell her about the Vigor Pellet since it was meant for him. It's not that he didn't trust her, but showing the pill might prove to be troublesome. For instance, she might ask him to refine one Vigor Pellet or even more than that. If that happens, it would be possible for news about this pill to circulate in the empire. Many people would then ask him to refine the pill for them or some might even use drastic measures just to achieve their goals. In simple terms, it was troublesome at the moment.

He could tell her about the pill after he gains a stable foothold in the capital.

Leric showed her a piece of a small bluish-green pill. It was one of the five Recovery Pellets that he refined earlier. "You can keep it, but we have to check your grandfather's condition first before you can give it to him, okay?"

Samira anxiously took the pill from his hand and kept it inside her storage ring. "I'll keep it well, Sir Aethelwolf. Thank you."

"No problem." Leric waved his hand. He then furrowed his eyebrows when he noticed that she didn't look well. "Did something happen along the way, Miss Samira? You don't look well."

Samira shook her head and sighed. "Nothing happened, Sir Aethelwolf. It's just that empire might face a serious situation in the future. I have to return to the residence right away and get more information about some things. I hope you don't mind if we make haste, Sir Aethelwolf."

Leric nodded his head after hearing this. "Sure. I don't mind at all. Let's go!" He replied with a gentle look.

Leric stared at the room for one last time before following Samira.

If something happens to the Leone Empire, his plan of living a fun and peaceful life would be at risk. He also didn't want something unexpected to happen to his parents. 'Sigh. It looks like entertaining myself would have to wait…' He muttered to himself.

The carriage was already prepared the moment they stepped out of the hotel. The guards of the Reynolds Household were already seated on top of their mounts.

"Sir Aethelwolf, please get inside." Samira smiled as she gestured for him to get inside the carriage first.

Hearing this, Leric merely smiled and grabbed her hand as he said. "After you, Miss Samira." He then helped her enter the carriage like how a refined noble gentleman would. Of course, he also helped her two maids go inside before he entered.

Thinking about what he did, he cringed at his own actions. 'Luckily, this is a fantasy medieval world. If this was a modern world, many people would have laughed at how cringy that was.' Leric chuckled in amusement.

Samira calmed her heart and told the coachman to get moving. "Let's go."

Hiya!

Everyone made a way when they saw the family crest of the Reynolds Household on the carriage. The Reynolds Household is quite famous in the empire since it was a noble family that has produced strong Espers for many generations!

"Look! Isn't that the Reynolds Household's carriage!? How cool!"

"Hey! Who do you guys think is inside the carriage?"

"I don't know, but it should be someone of high status in the family since there are a bunch of guards escorting the carriage."

"I heard that the Young Miss of the Reynolds Household was spotted in our city. I think it's her."

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, the four people were merrily chatting as they ate the local delicacies of Vale City.

"The food here is really great!" Leric praised as he took a huge bite of a piece of apple pie. The food of the nobility is truly different.

Samira and the two maids smiled when they saw that Leric was satisfied with the delicacies.

"Yeah. We got this from the hotel as a souvenir. Their chefs are truly great cooks!" Samira nodded her head in agreement. 'It seems like Sir Aethelwolf is fond of good food…' She mentally kept this information in her mind.

"By the way, Sir Aethelwolf. Can you tell us more about yourself?" Samira asked while Leric was still in a good mood. This was the best chance to get more information about him!

Leric put down his food and stared at her with a smile. How could he not notice what she was thinking? Still, he decided to answer her question. "I don't know if General Gavin has already told you about this. I'm a wandering Alchemist with no home. Where my feet take me is where I go."

The three ladies nodded their heads. They already heard this from General Gavin.

"I haven't told you guys how old I am, right? I will be twenty-nine this year." Leric lied without even blinking.

The girls were awestruck as they asked him more questions. Of course, Leric answered them smartly.