63 – Decisions Decisions
Magnus and Saphira walked side by side, the soft rustle of the tree castle’s branches filling the quiet between them. Every so often, a small spark would leap from Magnus’s body, or a wisp of smoke would trail off his skin. He hoped Saphira hadn’t noticed, but of course, she always did.
"No offense, my lord," Saphira said, her sharp eyes catching another stray spark, "but are you sure you're alright? Small sparks and smoke coming out of your body aren't exactly normal."
Magnus stifled a sigh. He couldn’t tell her the real reason—the lingering effects of his brutal training with Iseria. The goddess had pushed him far beyond his limits, and his body was still reacting to the overload of lightning magic. But it wasn’t something he could discuss openly, not even with Saphira. He needed to remain composed.
"I'm fine," he replied, keeping his tone light. "Just some residual energy from the last few spells. It'll pass."
Saphira raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but didn’t press the matter further. Instead, her gaze shifted to the horizon, and she spoke the thought that had been lingering between them.
"We need an army," she said bluntly.
Magnus nodded. "I was just thinking the same. Before we can establish laws, we need soldiers to enforce them. Writing laws will take time, but training an army will take even longer. I need you to handle that, Saphira."
She gave him a sharp smile. "Of course. I have experience in breaking down rebellious spirits and forging loyalty in the heat of training. I'll handpick the strongest and most loyal to serve as our core. Once they’re ready, we’ll send them out across Ephiria to train others. We'll need soldiers in every city if we’re to expand our influence."
"Good," Magnus said. "But it won’t be enough to just train warriors. They need to represent the ideals of Ephiria, follow the laws that we’ll set, and inspire loyalty not through fear alone, but respect."
Saphira nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. They’ll need to be more than just soldiers; they’ll need to be symbols of the new order we’re building. I’ll see to it personally. I’ll have Leona help me with that. Having the Former Sword Saintess on our side will also help things go more smoothly."
Her sharp gaze shifted back to the castle. “We should start with Zeta and the harpies. Given that the castle is built into a massive tree, it makes sense to have flyers in charge of security. They’ll be able to patrol from branch to branch, watching the skies and the ground below. It’s the perfect fit.”
Magnus considered her suggestion and nodded. "I agree. They’re skilled and trusted. They can form the first line of defense for the castle."
"As for recruiting the rest," Saphira continued, "we’ll need to be selective. I’ll spread the word, perhaps through flyers or public announcements, but not everyone will be accepted. There will be tests—physical, mental, and magical. We need to be discerning if we're going to build something lasting."
Magnus smiled, feeling the weight of the future pressing down on him but also the excitement of what they were building. "I trust you’ll find the right people."
Saphira’s lips curled into a grin. “By the time I’m done, Ephiria will have an army worthy of the name. They’ll follow the laws we create and enforce order with discipline.”
Magnus felt a surge of relief. Saphira was more than capable of leading this effort, and with her at the helm, he could focus on other pressing matters. Ephiria’s future was slowly taking shape, and step by step, they were getting closer.
“And now that that's settled,” Magnus said, a slight reluctance creeping into his voice, “I need to focus on the next task.”
Saphira looked at him, curious. “And what would that be?”
Magnus sighed. “As much as I’d like to avoid it, I have to pay another visit to Erika's Potion Emporium…”
Saphira raised an eyebrow, stifling a laugh. "Good luck with that."
------
Magnus stepped into Erika's potion shop, greeted immediately by the familiar sight of shelves lined with countless vials, herbs, and mysterious ingredients. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and alchemical brews, and there, behind the counter, stood Erika herself. The minotaur potion maker, tall, muscular, and carrying herself with an air of confidence, glanced up and immediately grinned upon seeing him.
“Mooo? You came back, handsome?” she teased, her large eyes gleaming mischievously. “Changed your mind and want to go a round with me? Just because you’re the king now, don’t think I’ll go easy on you. But I will make you feel good!”
Magnus chuckled, surprisingly comfortable with her playful tone. Unlike others who addressed him with reverence or caution, Erika treated him like anyone else—something he secretly appreciated. Just like most females… they are still thinking lewd things. "I'll pass on that, thanks," he replied with a smile, brushing off her advances.
He got straight to the point. "I’ve come to offer you something important, Erika. I want you to become my royal alchemist."
Her brow raised, arms crossing over her chest as she considered him. "Royal alchemist, huh?" she echoed, sounding amused. "What's the catch? You know I like running my shop—it's a good business."
"Keep the shop," Magnus quickly added. "You’ll be free to expand your business as you see fit, and this offer won’t interfere with that. In fact, I think we can help each other grow."
Erika leaned against the counter, emphasizing her large chest, intrigued but skeptical. “Alright, what’s your angle?”
Magnus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial. “This,” he said, holding it up, “is just an example of where we could go with this. Potions are expensive, right? They take a lot of ingredients, a lot of labor. But what if we made smaller vials? Affordable, simple potions that anyone can buy.”
Erika squinted at the tiny bottle in his hand. “A small vial means less potion, genius. Potency is tied to the quantity and concentration of ingredients, remember? What are you trying to sell, watered-down medicine?”
Magnus shook his head and handed her a piece of paper. “This is a formula for a headache potion. But it’s not just a weaker version. The recipe is optimized for daily use—small, but effective, and affordable for the common folk.”
Erika studied the paper, her expression slowly shifting from amusement to intrigue. “You’re saying... people don’t need full potions all the time, just enough to handle minor issues?”
“Exactly,” Magnus nodded. “We can expand this idea. Potions for headaches, bruises, sore muscles, small illnesses—basic day-to-day stuff that everyone can afford. There’s no need for expensive, complex potions for minor problems. This could help a lot of people. Plus, we can keep your shop busy with more customers.”
Erika stared at the vial, then back at him. "You’ve got more of these recipes, don’t you?”
Magnus grinned, thinking of the vast wealth of alchemical knowledge he’d found in the Undead King’s library. Of course, most of them weren't exactly complete, but Magnus could finish the formulas himself.
“I have quite a few ideas. And I’m willing to share them if you agree to the deal.”
The minotaur’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "You know... this could actually work. Cheap, everyday potions... There's a market for that. Fine, you’ve got yourself a deal, but I expect those recipes sooner rather than later."
“Of course,” Magnus said. He gave her a nod, satisfied that another piece of his plan had fallen into place.
As the two exchanged a handshake and Erika agreeing to become the royal alchemist, she hinted one more time that Magnus was always welcomed… to test stamina potions with her in bed. At this point he decided it was safe to just run away.
And now that that was settled, Magnus wanted to focus on the next task. Although reluctantly... he knew that eventually he had to pay another visit to Erika’s Potion Emporium.