The Herb King

184 Beer

The emperor furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing this. “What do you mean?”

“That guy managed to form fifty pills in just one refining session! The most number of pills I refined in one session was only four pills and it was a 2nd-Grade Pill, but that guy managed to refine fifty 4th-Grade Pills! Even the famous Level 4 Alchemists in the neighboring empires couldn’t do that.” The old man said.

“He managed to do that?!” Emperor Ragnar was shocked by this. He wasn’t an Alchemist, but he knew how difficult it was to refine pills.

Karman Leone nodded his head seriously. “Didn’t you say that Duke Baron spotted someone flying in Lion City? Only Level 5 Espers could do that. I don’t think this is merely a coincidence.”

Emperor Ragnar stared at Karman Leone in disbelief as he muttered. “You mean Aethelwolf might be a Level 5 Esper and a Level 5 Alchemist? How is that possible? He looks so young...”

Karman Leone shook his head. “Nothing is impossible. Besides, are you sure that he is young?” He paused and said. “I heard about the story of a Holy Spring in the secret territory of the elves. It was said that if you drink a handful of this spring, your physical body will never age and your lifespan will increase by multiple times.”

Emperor Ragnar leaned on his throne. “Does the Holy Spring even exist?”

Karman Leone shook his head and sighed. “No one has proven its existence and my speculations might be wrong as well.” He then looked at the emperor and said in a stern tone. “Your Majesty, we should be careful around Aethelwolf. This man is full of mystery...”

Emperor Ragnar remained silent. He wanted to say that it was impossible, but Aethelwolf’s feats appeared in his mind. ‘This is crazy...’ He muttered in his heart.

.....

***

In the Lassiter Household.

After dinner was over, Aethelwolf brought his guests to his study. He also asked his servants to bring a large barrel of beer to his room.

“Sir Aethelwolf, what is inside this barrel? It smells nice.” Jade Kristine asked as she looked at the large wooden barrel.

Johann and Julie Irish nodded their heads in agreement. They were also curious about what he brought for them.

Aethelwolf smiled and walked towards the barrel. He removed the cloth that covered the top portion of the barrel. After removing the cloth, he lifted the lid. “This is a new creation of mine.” He said as he dipped a wooden ladle into the barrel. He then filled the empty glasses that he had prepared for his guests.

“I call this beer. A drink that would make you forget your problems. Try it.” He added while handing them the glasses filled with beer.

“Papa, can I also have that?” Olivia asked with sparkling eyes.

Aethelwolf rubbed her head gently as he said. “This drink is not healthy for kids and it is highly addictive.”

Olivia pouted in disappointment, but she still nodded her head. “Okay.”

Grace pointed at herself and asked with an expectant look. “What about me, Sir Aethelwolf?”

Aethelwolf shook his head. “No. Just drink the same homemade shake that Olivia is drinking. It is healthy and it will help you grow faster.” He answered calmly.

Grace glanced at the bottle in her hands. It was the homemade shake that was given by Hyacinth earlier. “Fine.” She muttered.

“Beer?” Julie Irish was intrigued by this new drink. There was a layer of frothy foam on top and bubbles that rose from the bottom of the glass.

She took a sip. “It tastes good.” Her eyes lit up.

“It is wonderful!” Johann exclaimed in surprise.

“How did you make this, Sir Aethelwolf?” Jade Kristine asked.

Julie Irish perked up her ears and moved closer. She was also curious how he had made this drink.

“It’s actually quite simple to make, but I’m not gonna tell you.” Aethelwolf laughed teasingly. “Don’t ask. I plan to introduce this drink to the public.” He said.

Julie Irish stared at him with narrowed eyes. ‘This guy is intentionally telling this! He knows that I will be interested in this drink so let us have a taste. Dammit! He has so many tricks up his sleeve!’

Aethewolf gave Julie Irish an innocent smile.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Sir Aethelwolf, I have collected all our movable money.” Rendell’s voice could be heard outside the room.

“Oh? Come inside.” Aethelwolf said.

Rendell entered the room and he was surprised when he spotted the people who were together with Aethelwolf. He then walked towards Aethelwolf and bowed lightly. “Sir Aethelwolf, this is the money.” He said as he handed a storage ring to Aethelwolf.

“You came at the right time, Rendell. Sit down and drink with us.” Aethelwolf said as he kept the storage ring.

Rendell scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. If it was before, he wouldn’t dare drink with these people because of the difference in their status. However, things are different now. He is Aethelwolf’s attendant! “Thank you, Sir Aethelwolf.” He said as he took a seat.

Aethelwolf filled an empty glass for Rendell and gave it to him.

They ended up drinking a lot of beer that night...

***

The next morning, Olivia squeezed Aethelwolf’s cheeks and shouted. “Papa, wake up! It’s almost time for the auction house to open!”

Aethelwolf felt a splitting headache the moment he woke up. He rubbed his temples as he slowly opened his eyes. “I should have lowered the alcohol content.” He muttered to himself.

Olivia tugged his sleeve and pointed at the people on the floor who were still sound asleep. “Papa, do you want me to wake them up?” She smiled naughtily.

Aethelwolf patted her head as he nodded his head. “Alright. We can go with them to the auction house.”

Olivia giggled evilly as she tiptoed towards Johann. She then pulled the old man’s beard as she shouted. “Good morning, grandpa!”

Johann was startled awake and he abruptly sat up straight. “Ugh!” He groaned as he held his head. It felt as if someone has bashed his head with a club.

When he opened his eyes, he noticed a little girl who was smiling at him harmlessly.

Jade Kristine and the Urgel sisters also woke up from Olivia’s shout.

They all groaned in pain as they rubbed their heads and only Grace looked fine after she woke up.

“Good morning, everyone!” Olivia cheerfully greeted them.

Aethelwolf chuckled as he looked at them. “Drink a glass of water downstairs. You guys drank a lot of beer last night so it is normal to feel a headache. I’ll wait for you guys downstairs. You better hurry up since the Golden Dragon Auction House is about to open.” He then held Olivia’s hand and went out of the room with her.

Johann and Rendell quickly got up and followed them. “Wait for me, Sir Aethelwolf!” He didn’t want to be left behind with the ladies.

“Sister, I’ll go out first.” Grace also stood up and left the room.

Jade Kristine and Julie Irish stared at each other.

“What are you looking at Madam Jade Kristine?” Julie Irish snorted.

“Did you just call me Madam?” Jade Kristine glared at Julie Irish.

Julie Irish ignored her and stormed out of the room.

“Dammit! Do I look that old to you?! I bet you look hideous behind that veil!” Jade Kristine shouted at the top of her lungs.

Meanwhile, Aethelwolf and Olivia were taking an early snack.

“Papa, I think the two elder sisters are fighting.” Olivia said before taking a big bite of her sandwich.

Nom. Nom. Nom. Nom.

Aethelwolf also heard the shout coming from his room, but he pretended as if he heard nothing. “Just let them be. Last night, those two drank the most beer so their head must be hurting so much at this moment.” He chuckled.

“I heard one of them calling out your name earlier.” Olivia muttered.

Aethelwolf revealed a look of interest. “Oh? Who is it?” He asked.

Olivia stared at him, her cheeks were bulging because of the sandwich in her mouth.

After swallowing everything down, Olivia replied. “The elder sister who always wears a veil. She sounded angry when she called your name. I wonder what she was dreaming about last night...”

Aethelwolf’s mouth twitched upon hearing this. He then glanced to his left and right. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that no one was there. “Don’t tell this to anyone. If that elder sister learns about this, she might scold you and me.” He whispered.

Olivia nodded her head. “Okay.” She then grabbed a few more sandwiches and devoured them.

Aethelwolf gently rubbed her back. “Eat slowly. No one will steal your sandwiches.”

Nom. Nom. Nom. Nom.

Gulp.

Olivia shook her head as she pouted. “I saw Rendell stealing some of my food yesterday. He might take my sandwiches if I don’t eat them fast.”

Aethelwolf laughed heartily when he heard this.