Chapter 213

Here’s the English translation of the novel excerpt, adhering strictly to the provided glossary:

—

### Episode 213

The Pale Silver Rose

213 – The Pale Silver Rose #1

Delphina of the Swift Blade.

A female adventurer hailing from Kolkata, a frontier city that flourished as a byproduct of expeditions into Pluto’s Labyrinth. She was also the leader of an all-female, Silver-tier adventurer party—The Pale Silver Rose.

The way I remember her: neatly cropped platinum blonde hair, fitted leather light armor that exposed her midriff, a needle-sharp dagger at her waist, and sturdy iron gauntlets. I’d forgotten her face, but seeing her cheerful, puppy-like expression—the kind sported by social butterflies—slowly brought back old memories.

She’d earned public scorn after retreating during the Thieves’ Guild subjugation, alongside Elpride. I’d been relieved that she’d lain low until the controversy died down. Yet, running into her now made me instinctively glance around for Elpride.

Sluurp—

Just as my eyes darted around, Delphina spoke.

“Elpi’s not here. She’s resting at the inn.”

“I wasn’t looking for Elpride.”

“Heh, sure you weren’t. More importantly—what brings you here? I heard the Alchemist Guild building in Sodomora isn’t open to just anyone.”

Delphina chatted casually, as if we were old friends, utterly unfazed by our past tensions. I nearly let my guard down and spilled everything—until I remembered: this woman is Elpride’s friend (or something close). That makes her a person of interest to me.

“We have business here!”

Unaware of my wariness, Luna eagerly explained why we’d come—how a false newspaper article had troubled us, leading us to seek verification for our materials at the Alchemist Guild’s main building.

Delphina listened indifferently, then gave a brief verdict:

“Rumors and slander are the metrics of fame. The higher you climb, the more enemies cling to your legs. Pinkie, you must be quite the apothecary, huh?”

“I’m not an apothecary, I’m a Voodoo Priest! And I’m not ‘Pinkie,’ I’m Luna!”

“Same difference. Anyway, that Stamina Potion of yours—does it really work? Like, actual stamina boost?”

“I’ve got one here. Wanna try?”

“Sure!”

Swish, swish.

Luna pulled a small vial from her pouch and handed it over. Delphina popped the cork—pah!—then recoiled, gagging at the pungent fumes.

“Ugh—holy hell, worse than I imagined! Good medicine usually tastes bitter and smells awful, but this is brutal. My nose feels scoured—like it just got power-washed. Had a slight cold, but now it’s gone.”

“It boosts stamina, so of course it helps colds too!”

“Nah, this feels more like chemical warfare…”

Delphina stared at the vial, hesitating. I half-expected her to dump it, but—

Gulp, gulp!

She plugged her nose and chugged it all.

Luna and I gaped. For someone so pretty, it was shocking to see her down something that vile in one go.

“Blegh—even with my nose closed, that’s horrific. But… d*mn, I feel it. My stamina’s surging. It works—just tastes like d*ath.”

To my surprise, she even praised it. Luna gasped, moved.

“Wow, Short Hair! You’re cooler than I thought!”

“Yeah?”

Apparently, the key to Luna’s heart is appreciating her potions.

“I figured you were a total j*rk!”

“Heh—half-right. Still, this is legit. Got any more?”

“Two bottles!”

“I’ll take both. Price?”

“20 silver each!”

“Steep, but worth it. You should sell these to high-tier adventurers in Kolkata—they’re obsessed with stamina boosts.”

“Huh, never thought of Kolkata…”

“Just a suggestion. Anyway, I’ve got business here too. Catch you later—thanks for the potions.”

Clink, clink.

Delphina paid 40 silver, waved the vials, and vanished. A brief, storm-like encounter.

“That woman’s taste buds are broken.”

Paranoi, who’d been hiding behind Luna, finally spoke. I’d almost forgotten she was there.

“Chugging Luna’s potion in one go? No human could do that! That’s monstrous!”

“Quiet, Paranoi! Don’t judge people! Silence Smack!”

“Eep—sorry! I’ll stop doubting people!”

“Let’s just head inside. We’re not here for fun—let’s finish quick.”

I ushered Luna and the now-smacked Paranoi into the Alchemist Guild.

—

### The Alchemist Guild

The building was vast, with dozens of rooms across three floors. Crowds bustled about, many wearing plague-doctor masks with raven beaks, making me wonder if Sodomora’s masquerade was still ongoing.

Worse were the iron bars and stubborn crimson stains on the floors. Inside, the stone walls and pillars felt cold, oppressive—more like a prison ward than a guild.

“This place was built to detain Titan cultists during the Giant War.”

Ah. A prison, then.

“Excuse me.”

We flagged down a guild member and explained our purpose.

“Ah, the Ideope Potion matter? We’ve been expecting you. Follow me to the lab.”

A gaunt, stern-looking man led us to a door studded with gemstones. Murmurs seeped from inside.

“Wait here. We’ll call you in.”

Luna fidgeted nervously.

“I never thought I’d enter the Alchemist Guild. Not for a good reason, but still—I’m shaking.”

“I’m scared too… They’ll ask me to make the secret ingredient in front of everyone…”

“I’ll handle it, Paranoi. Just act normal!”

I, having no role in potion-making, just waited—until the door cranked open.

“Luna Noxdotty.”

“Y-yes…!”

Luna, flustered, even used honorifics by reflex.

“Come in. Note: Only authorized personnel allowed. Companions, please wait outside.”

I couldn’t follow.

Annoying, but rules were rules. Luna patted my arm regretfully.

“Hassan, I’ll be back! Might take half a day, though—if it’s too long, just head home!”

“Sure. If I’m gone, assume I grabbed food.”

With that, the two girls vanished behind the massive door.

…Now what?

I hadn’t planned on waiting for hours. Back on Earth, I’d k*ll time at a PC bang or café—but this d*mn world had neither. Two years in, and I still didn’t know how people here handled boredom.

I wandered the guild grounds, half-sightseeing—when:

“Hey, handsome. Got a minute?”

I turned.

—

### Tea and Requests

Alchemy in this world is broadly defined—anything involving heated liquids or metals falls under it. Hence, the guild housed a renowned tearoom (brewing tea counted as alchemy, apparently).

“It’s my ritual to stop here for tea.”

Delphina sat across from me, setting up a small kettle, alcohol lamp, and tripod.

“Brewing your own tea’s the best. Kolkata needs a place like this.”

She poured water into the pot.

“I’m making white tea. Light and gentle—good for the body. The leaves are young, shade-dried under moonlight. The first petals of the silver rose are great for women.”

“Makes sense.”

As the son of a Health Center, I knew my brews. Plus, my “apprenticeship” under Elpride had turned me into a tea master. The perfect temperature? Body-warm 36°C—

Wait. Focus.

“You called me for a reason. Spill it.”

I didn’t trust her—Elpride’s ally, past tensions—but the potion chugging had earned her points.

“Cold, huh? Most men fluster when I offer tea.”

Right. Normally, I would be nervous. But after months with Luna, Hippolyte, and even cute-faced Paranoi, I’d built immunity to women. No more “Does she like me?” over every smile.

Hassan’s mental growth: Complete.

“Let’s cut to the chase. Adventurers hate beating around the bush. I’ve got a request for you.”

The kettle boiled. She poured, steam curling over pristine cups.

“A request? Like a job?”

“Call it that. Adventurers hiring each other happens.”

“What’s the job?”

“…I need you to touch my body.”

“What.”

My vision spun.

Was this a confession?

—

[Author’s Note]

Posted early instead of midnight! Thanks to Barcode Snacks, Kadeom, DangerousEye, and Sseogul for the support!

—

(Note: The translation maintains the original tone—casual, humorous, and slightly chaotic—while ensuring clarity for English readers. Proper nouns and titles follow the provided glossary.)

---