Minori looked at Imina. The anger on her usually aloof face had a certain charm to it.
"There's no need to waste time on schemes and suspicion."
"When the sun rises, the shadows flee."
He chuckled softly, then his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Besides, this may not be a bad thing."
"Starting tomorrow, we'll continue distributing regeneration potions—but not for free."
"Set the price at one gold coin per bottle. Five bottles a day. Sold publicly at the Adventurer's Guild."
That price…
Imina's amber eyes blinked in surprise before a rare smile spread across her cold expression. "Understood."
In just three days, the entire imperial capital's potion market was turned upside down. The Adventurer's Guild was overflowing with people, and the five bottles released daily were snatched up within minutes.
Though sold at just one gold coin, the potions were quickly resold on the black market—over a hundred gold coins per bottle and climbing.
The potion's unprecedented effect in regenerating limbs, combined with limited supply and hunger marketing, had ignited a frenzy. No alchemist or magic caster could replicate Minori's results.
To merchants, adventurers, and workers with sharp instincts, it was like gold raining from the heavens.
Spend a gold coin, sell for a hundredfold profit—it was robbery without bloodshed.
For context, even the highest-tier healing potion rarely exceeded eight gold coins.
Gold corrupted all. The nickname "genius alchemist," once whispered in select circles, now echoed across the entire empire, evolving into a more distinct title: The Black-Haired Genius Alchemist.
But while the capital buzzed with economic hysteria, a darker rumor spread in hushed tones.
The Rockbruise and Iminster noble houses—two storied bloodlines—had been eradicated in a single night. Every known member slain.
It was such a staggering event that many dismissed it outright. And somehow, the news seemed quietly stifled.
Minori's public commotion conveniently diverted attention.
Night fell.
In the noble district, within a newly rented manor, Minori sat quietly in the courtyard. After gaining fame, he'd relocated here, intent on avoiding unnecessary disturbances.
Apart from crafting a few regeneration potions daily, he now focused his efforts on charging the Orb of Death with his magic.
"Death Orb: 90/280."
It had reached 90 MP in stored magic. With its max capacity of 280, he could afford to relax for now.
Minori paused his magical infusion, fiddling with the orb, his thoughts drifting.
"Was this the work of Leinas?"
He thought back on the rumors. The Rockbruise—her bloodline.
If someone claimed she wasn't involved, he wouldn't believe them.
As for the Iminster family, he knew little… but if they were her fiancé's kin, their destruction made grim sense.
"To annihilate two noble houses on your own…"
Minori exhaled softly, not in judgment, but in disbelief.
Imina's nimble figure flipped over the courtyard wall. Spotting Minori stroking the evil-eyed pup lounging beside him, she walked briskly forward.
"Minori, do you know what the black market's paying for the regeneration potion now?"
Her violet ponytail swung behind her, and her amber eyes gleamed with disbelief and delight.
She had personally watched the rise: from a single gold coin… to five hundred.
"It's up to 500 gold coins?"
Minori didn't even blink. "Expected. Rarity creates value."
"And now," he added, "besides the five bottles we hand over publicly, I'll give you five more to sell discreetly."
"Huh?" Imina froze, confused. "We're… doing both?"
Suddenly—
"You're being followed," Minori said calmly, his gaze shifting toward the shadowed corner of the courtyard.
"What?!"
Imina's eyes widened. She'd been careful. Changed routes. Disguised herself. How—
"Don't blame her," came a soft voice from the shadows.
That voice.
Imina's face paled.
A black-cloaked figure stepped into view, blood-scent trailing faintly behind her.
"Leinas…"
Imina instinctively moved closer to Minori, wary.
But Leinas ignored her entirely. She approached Minori with slow, deliberate steps and produced a leather pouch from within her cloak.
"This contains five thousand gold coins. The maximum a mid-tier magic item can store."
"I had to leave many valuables behind."
Her pale lips curled into a weary smile.
"Two thousand was too low a price."
Minori looked her over. Her body was unchanged, but her presence felt… different. As if something within her had been reborn.
"You reek of blood," he said. "How many did you kill?"
"Enough to cleanse the humiliation carved into me," she replied calmly.
"You hate killing?"
"No. I'm surprised you managed to wipe out two noble lines without dying."
Minori's tone was dry, almost admiring.
In the original history, she'd joined the Empire's Four Knights after swearing loyalty to the Blood Emperor—and then destroyed both her own family and her fiancé's.
A woman not easily defined.
Leinas smiled faintly at his words.
"I swore long ago… I'd pay any price to break the curse."
She suddenly dropped to one knee, placing a clenched fist to her chest and bowing low.
Her voice was clear and solemn:
"In glory and loyalty.
I, Leinas Rockbruise, swear this oath of fealty—my heart, my courage, and my life to your name and your honor.
I swear in the name of my heart to become your shield and your sword, your will made manifest.
I swear in the name of my heart that your commands shall be my mission and my pride.
I swear in the name of my heart to live by this oath even if the world descends into shadow.
If I ever betray this vow, may the Knight's Lance shatter my soul, and may I fall into eternal damnation."
Her voice echoed through the courtyard.
Imina stumbled back in shock. Her eyes wide, her breath caught.
The Knight's Oath.
Passed down only through ancient noble bloodlines. A sacred, binding ritual of eternal allegiance—usually reserved for pledging to royalty or imperial heirs.
Never… never to an adventurer.
Even Minori was stunned.
This wasn't just forming a party. This was something far deeper.
He sighed silently and stepped forward.
Laying a hand on Leinas left shoulder, he spoke gently.
"I don't believe in gods. So I won't offer blessings."
"But I will do my best—so that the name Rockbruise becomes something worth honoring again."
Leinas face lit up with a brilliant smile. She rose slightly, moved his hand to her lips, and kissed the back of it.
"Leinas Rockbruise," she declared, head bowed once more, "at your service."