Chapter 185: Choosing to Stay

"Master Olai, it's been a while."

In the clearing, Aven met the travel-worn Master Olai and his apprentice, Link.

"Aven, look at this!"

Upon seeing Aven, Master Olai grew visibly excited and quickly pulled a vial of potion from his pocket.

"I did it! Following your method, I successfully formulated a healing potion!"

"It's absolutely incredible—who would've thought a potion could be made this way? Just simple fermentation, yet it caused such an extraordinary transformation!"

Master Olai went on and on, unable to contain his shock and joy. The successful concoction of this healing potion had clearly opened up a whole new world for the seasoned apothecary.

Finally, after his lengthy expression of amazement, he looked at Aven, eyes gleaming with excitement, and asked, "Master Aven, how did you come up with this fermentation method for potion-making?"

Now, asking about the recipe for a potion was considered a major breach of etiquette among apothecaries. But after deciding to travel to Fruitvale Village, Olai had clearly stopped caring about such conventions.

"Mmm, my teacher taught me," Aven replied with a nostalgic smile, recalling the wonderful days of his studies.

"Your teacher?" Olai's heart skipped a beat. He asked eagerly, "Where is he now? May I meet him?"

Aven shook his head gently and sighed. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. As much as I'd love to see him again, it's no longer an option."

Olai's eyes dimmed. He misunderstood Aven's words, assuming his teacher had passed away. This left the master apothecary deeply regretful.

Anyone capable of mentoring such an outstanding student and developing the incredible fermentation method must have been a truly exceptional apothecary.

"Though I can no longer see him…"

"His knowledge lives on in me, and I will do everything I can to carry his research forward and share it with the world," Aven said with emotion. Olai's eyes brightened once more. This was precisely why he had left Aspiration City—to explore deeper mysteries of alchemy with Aven!

Having made up his mind, Master Olai clenched his fist over his chest and bowed in a gesture of loyalty. "Earl Aven, I pledge my allegiance to you."

Link, who had already made up his mind, followed suit, bowing in the same way. The admiration and reverence in his eyes made it clear—only someone like Aven could have inspired his teacher to break his vows.

Witnessing this, Aven felt a sense of relief.

He had shared the potion formula with Olai and dangled the idea of collaborative research like bait. His goal all along had been to win the master apothecary's allegiance, but he hadn't wanted to use coercion—so he'd staged this whole plan to let the fish bite voluntarily.

As expected, a true researcher couldn't resist such temptation. He had succeeded—Olai had pledged his loyalty.

"I accept your allegiance, Master Olai," Aven said. "From now on, let us journey together along the path of alchemy and uncover its hidden mysteries."

Hearing this, Olai nodded enthusiastically, filled with anticipation for the secrets Aven hinted at.

After gaining Master Olai's allegiance, Aven brought him and Link to meet the knights and announced Olai's joining.

Phyllis had been watching Aven intently the entire time. Naturally, she was familiar with Master Olai. Though she'd already suspected this might happen, hearing the famous master apothecary of Aspiration City formally pledge allegiance still left her mouth slightly agape.

Then she grew excited. Just as she'd predicted, Aven was a rising star in Aspiration City—he was destined to become a great lord.

"Uncle Olai, hello," Phyllis greeted warmly.

Looking at the girl before him—dressed differently than usual—Olai didn't immediately recognize her. Only after Aven's introduction did he realize who she was.

"Phyllis, how is your father doing?" he asked.

"My father has been healed by Lord Aven," she replied, glancing at Aven with a smile that curved her eyes.

"That's good to hear."

Olai nodded, then suddenly froze. Wait a minute… Viscount Daly had a condition that no one in all of Aspiration City could cure—yet he had been healed? And by Aven?

Realizing this, Olai's eyes locked onto Aven with new intensity. He hadn't expected that right after pledging allegiance, Aven would already have such a shocking surprise for him.

Seeing Olai's eager look, Aven explained calmly, "The Viscount's illness was due to the loss of life energy. Restoring that energy allowed him to recover."

Though Aven spoke lightly, Olai's eyes widened at the mention of life energy. As an apothecary, he knew exactly what that meant! That Aven had used life energy to cure Viscount Daly—how could he not be shocked? And even more fascinated?

"Uncle Olai, I'll be managing the berry and potion trade in Fruitvale Village from now on," Phyllis added with a cheerful smile. "We're bound to work together often, so please take care of me."

"With that, you can coordinate with Link," Olai replied, pulling his gaze from Aven to nod at Phyllis.

Link stepped forward and greeted her respectfully. "Miss Phyllis, I'll be handling the potion trade with you. Please take care of me."

Aven looked at the trio—Olai, Phyllis, and Link—with satisfaction. He felt his apothecary business had now officially taken root.

Berry cultivation could be entrusted to the villagers of Fruitvale Village. Potion formulation was in the capable hands of Master Olai. Phyllis would oversee the local trade, while sales in Aspiration City were managed by Mr. Hawke. Princess Mira had even offered a venue and protection. He could finally free up his time to focus on developing his territory.

Spring had arrived again, and the weather had turned warm and pleasant.

This year, Fruitvale Village felt entirely different.

In past springs, villagers would be busy cleaning up the wreckage of their orchards.

But this year, the entire village was vibrant with life, and the people's faces were full of happiness.

By now, news of Aven's appointment as the Earl of the Southeastern Border had already spread.

When they first heard the news, the villagers were stunned—then overjoyed. The entire village celebrated in wild excitement.

After spending the whole winter with him, Aven's reputation in the southeastern corner of Aspiration City had reached its peak. His ascension as the lord of this land felt completely natural.

Originally, many villagers from other areas had planned to return to their own homes after winter.

But upon hearing that Aven was now the lord of the southeastern territory, they abandoned their travel plans and decided to stay until he returned to Fruitvale Village.

Their own villages were now within Aven's territory. Naturally, they too had become his subjects.

Village Chief Raul had been torn over the past few weeks.

Before Aven left, the clerk Fessen approached him with a proposal to relocate the villagers of Stonefall Village.

If they agreed to move, Fruitvale Village would allocate some land for them to rebuild their farms and orchards.

Many villagers were tempted by the idea. Fruitvale Village was developing exceptionally well. Staying here meant countless opportunities—to earn money, to tame a magical beast, even to join the patrol or become a knight.

More importantly, Fruitvale Village had clearly proven its strength. Staying here meant no longer living in fear of winter beast attacks—an incredibly tempting prospect for those living in the vulnerable borderlands.

Even Raul's own son had chosen to stay.

So, Raul had been torn—until the news of Aven's lordship came.

At that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He had made his choice.

They were now Aven's subjects, and he would certainly invest heavily in developing his land. Fruitvale Village would surely become the center of it all.

The other village chiefs were thinking the same thing. Previously, they hadn't dared relocate for fear of losing everything. But now that Aven owned the land, there was no longer anything to fear.

Unlike the conflicted village chiefs, the common villagers were much more straightforward. They had been torn between staying and leaving, but now their decision was made.

(End of Chapter)