Chapter 192: She Gives Too Much (8)

Upon noticing Renata's mysterious smile, Demeter felt a sudden clarity—her guess was correct.

"It is a newly developed potion," Renata confirmed.

"A potion with what kind of effects?" Demeter asked, her curiosity piqued.

"This series includes potions that temporarily enhance various attributes. I believe they could be of help to your family."

"Is there a finished product?" Demeter replied, doubtful. Trust didn't come easily to her, especially in Renata's claims alone. She found it difficult to believe that a recently established family could produce new medicines so swiftly. And Renata's mention of a whole series only served to heighten her skepticism. 

Perhaps the potion could genuinely boost attributes, but the true question was how significant these enhancements would be.

"I happen to have a sample bottle with me. Would you like to try it?" Renata said, as if anticipating Demeter's hesitation. Almost as soon as the words left Demeter's mouth, Renata placed a small vial containing the "Steel Potion" in front of her.

"Ara~ It appears you came prepared," Demeter remarked, unable to hide her amused smile.

Renata continued, "The name of this potion is Steel Potion. It boosts stamina and has anti-fatigue properties. I thought you might find it useful." As Demeter examined the potion, Renata provided further details, hoping to establish the Demeter family as future clients.

"This series requires several rare ingredients, which means its production will remain limited," Renata explained, subtly emphasizing the potion's scarcity.

She knew that if potions like life potions and magic potions could be bought in large quantities on the open market, they would lose the leverage she was seeking.

"Sounds intriguing," Demeter remarked, nodding to a family member, who then stepped forward and downed the potion in one gulp.

The Steel Potion's taste was evidently unpleasant, given the pained look on her child's face. But shortly after, as a surge of strength coursed through her body, her grimace transformed into a look of excitement.

Observing her child's reaction, Demeter realized that the potion was as effective as Renata claimed—perhaps even better than anticipated.

"This potion must be expensive," she mused.

"It does require rare ingredients," Renata acknowledged. "But for a family like yours, this investment would hardly be a strain."

"Flattery won't work on me~"

Renata's response was calm, "I mean it sincerely. Also, this potion can be diluted for multiple uses, though its effectiveness would decrease."

After a pause, Demeter nodded. "I accept this deal. Come with me."

Finally, Demeter conceded to Renata's persistent offers. Renata's generosity had simply been too overwhelming to refuse. A hundred million Valis lay on the table like a tantalizing Pandora's box, capturing Demeter's full attention.

Leaving the Demeter estate, Renata held her head high. According to her initial plan, she had successfully acquired a sprawling plot of farmland for her family.

Of course, she had requested the farm farthest from Orario, just as she preferred. After all, secrecy was crucial; keeping a low profile away from Orario's watchful eyes would allow her greater freedom in her activities.

With the agreement reached between both families, the guild swiftly approved the farmland purchase contract.

Later that evening, under the cover of darkness, a shadow slipped silently out of Orario, slipping past the city walls.

The figure moved purposefully, as though following a predetermined path. Soon, he arrived at his destination: a sprawling camp, vast and rugged as a mountain range, belonging to the Ares family.

Inside the commander's tent, Ares was deep in discussion with his cadre, planning an offensive against Orario. Despite the guise of conversation, it was mainly the Ares family's cadres offering their insights. Ares, meanwhile, provided only broad directives; the main objective, of course, was to attack Orario.

As Ares's orders had already been issued, the details were left to his subordinates. Serving such a master was undeniably demanding.

"Who goes there?!"

In the midst of their talk, a shadow appeared beside the group. In an instant, the cadre members dispersed, drawing weapons to confront the intruder.

The visitor was Kayn, Renata's emissary to meet with Ares.

"Relax," Kayn said calmly. "If I intended to harm you, would you still be standing here so casually?"

"Who do you think you are?" one cadre member sneered. "This is no place for idle threats."

Kayn's icy gaze silenced him instantly, his menacing demeanor making his threat all too real. The cadre member broke out in a cold sweat, instantly regretting his boldness.

"My name is Kayn," he declared. "I am here on Renata's behalf."

"Renata?" one of the cadres, Marius, interjected before Ares could respond. Cautious, he refrained from disclosing too much. This sudden visitor could be a threat, after all.

Kayn, unfazed by Marius's suspicion, produced a vial of Rage Potion from his cloak. "Renata told me you'd recognize this."

Seeing the potion, Ares and his men finally let down their guard. Renata had indeed mentioned that her envoy would carry an Rage Potion as a token of legitimacy.

With caution abated, Ares looked at Kayn with a newfound curiosity, sizing up the human before him.