Chapter 7
Night. The castle.
The unsettling eye patterns from the daytime now seemed to have come alive, their dangerous gleam watching everything inside the castle.
Other contractors would be extremely cautious even if they didn't avoid the patterns. They certainly wouldn't casually touch them like Mo Xi did.
“Miss Angela, are you sure the potions you've prepared will meet the mistress's requirements?”
As the butler led the way, he glanced curiously at the apothecary beside him.
As the castle's butler, he had seen countless capable people come to satisfy the mistress's obsession. Most returned empty-handed, while even the few with real skill could only satisfy part of it.
“I'm confident.”
Mo Xi's answer was brief, but the confidence in her voice was unmistakable.
Come on, this potion permanently increased stamina. Using it to satisfy the mistress's obsession with staying young was complete overkill.
Although using a potion like this on a big boss was somewhat wasteful, she couldn't take it out of the world or use it more than once. Besides, Mo Xi wasn't in the habit of raising her attributes in dangerous situations.
So, all things considered, giving the potion to the mistress in exchange for a reward and more materials to practice with was the best choice. After all, her Potioncraft level could be carried out of the world.
After a brief look around on the way, Mo Xi followed the butler to an ornate door. When he rang a silver bell, a chill suddenly enveloped the two of them outside the room.
“What is it?”
The mistress's cold voice came from inside. Mo Xi keenly noticed a trace of impatience in her tone. Clearly, their arrival had interrupted the mistress's rest.
The butler seemed to notice the mistress's impatience, too, and lowered his already bowed head even further.
Before the butler could report in, Mo Xi spoke first. “The potion you asked for—I've made it.”
After she said this, the room fell silent for a brief moment. The next instant, the door in front of Mo Xi was yanked open.
“Is that true?”
With the mistress almost pressing her face against Mo Xi's, Mo Xi quietly took a step back and pulled the potion from her pocket.
The mistress gazed at the potion shimmering in Mo Xi's hand, narrowed her eyes, and snatched it away.
Beneath the moonlight seeping in through the window at the end of the corridor, the mistress examined the potion for a moment before suddenly turning to Mo Xi.
“You didn't add anything strange to it, did you?” Her diamond-shaped pupils contracted now and then, and suspicion filled her gaze.
Confronted with the mistress's urgent, suspicious stare, Mo Xi helplessly spread her hands.
“As you can see, I'm just a weak, pitiful, and helpless apothecary. Never mind whether I'd have any reason to poison you—have you ever heard of someone killing their client before the final payment was settled?”
After hearing Mo Xi's rather outrageous explanation, the mistress fell into thought. She had to admit that Mo Xi made a pretty good point.
Without further hesitation, the mistress pulled out the stopper and downed the potion. As the potion's refined essence flowed through her limbs like a warm current, a sudden wave of pain washed over her.
Smack!
The mistress slapped a hand against the wall and leaned on it to steady her pain-wracked body.
Beside her, Mo Xi watched the mistress's reaction closely. When she saw the pained expression on the mistress's face, she was relieved she'd decided not to drink the potion herself.
After a short wait, the mistress suddenly let out a breath of relief, and her tightly tensed body slowly relaxed.
“You did very well.”
The mistress looked at Mo Xi, a rare hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She could feel that her physical strength had increased—something she had never experienced before.
“My beautiful lady, I'm glad you're satisfied. But when might I receive my payment?” Mo Xi asked with a polite smile.
At this, the mistress's brows suddenly furrowed. She hadn't planned to pay Mo Xi at all, but when she recalled the wonderful feeling of growing stronger, she couldn't help wanting more.
Realizing that the apothecary had some skill, the mistress gave the butler a look. He understood at once, briefly stepped away, and returned with more materials and a small box.
“I need you to make me two more... no, three potions like this. Once you've done that, I'll give you more.” The mistress stared at Mo Xi.
After confirming that the box held what she expected, Mo Xi nodded repeatedly. If the mistress asked for not three but a hundred potions, she'd agree—because she had no intention of making any more.
After a brief exchange, Mo Xi followed the butler back to her room, carrying a large pile of materials. The first thing she did upon arriving was wake Little Six.
Looking at the drowsy little girl in front of her, Mo Xi stuffed most of the potions she'd brewed over the past while into her arms.
“These potions will heal your injuries when you drink them. If you get hurt again, don't hesitate to use one.” Mo Xi stroked the girl's head as she reminded her.
“Also, things are going to get pretty chaotic in the castle. You should...”
Before Mo Xi could finish, Little Six suddenly threw herself into Mo Xi's arms. The girl couldn't speak and could only hold her tightly. Mo Xi froze for a moment, then gently patted the girl's back to comfort her.
“Don't worry, nothing will happen to me. It's just that what's coming is too dangerous, so I can't keep you by my side.” Mo Xi spoke softly.
Mo Xi had never forgotten her mission, nor had she ever forgotten who she was.
As a contractor, she could only stay in this world for a short 72 hours. Once those 72 hours were up, no matter what she did, she wouldn't be able to remain here.
That was why Mo Xi chose to leave most of the healing potions for Little Six and have her leave first. As the time left for the mission dwindled, the other four contractors would undoubtedly cause more and more trouble.
By then, Mo Xi would surely get caught up in a fight, and she wasn't confident she could protect Little Six.
Looking at the girl in her arms, Mo Xi smiled helplessly. Though she hadn't shown it in many ways, she could feel Little Six's dependence on her and the girl's innocent kindness.
With these things, perhaps this little girl's future might change... Mo Xi thought to herself.
“World Source +5%”
A moment later, watching the figure disappear into the ventilation duct, Mo Xi took a deep breath, turned around, and began her final round of potion-making in this world.
While Mo Xi worked hard at brewing potions, an excited question suddenly rang out in a hidden underground room somewhere in the castle.
“We've searched for so long and finally found the hidden altar. Can we finish the mission now?”
The office drone glanced back at the bespectacled girl and lowered his voice. “Calm down. The Paradise's mission hasn't indicated completion, so there must still be something we haven't triggered.”