Hmph, that wicked woman really knows how to act cool.
This thought lingered in Andrea’s heart, though she didn’t say it aloud. At least on the surface, she obediently wrapped both arms around Ailaira Green, almost entrusting herself completely to Ailaira and letting her lead her forward.
Such an intimate gesture—compared to simple traveling companions—would look to outsiders more like a pair of lovers madly in love, inseparable and passionate.
The attendant in charge of reception, after accepting the invitation from Ailaira, glanced at the names on the guest list, his pupils widening slightly.
His gaze flickered between Ailaira and Andrea a few times before he quickly lowered his head and spoke with great respect, “Lady Mercury? This way, please.”
It was only after Ailaira walked away that the attendant sighed to his companion, “So that’s the famous ‘Mercury.’ First time I’ve seen her in person.”
His companion nodded in agreement, “So she’s a woman? There have always been rumors she was a man. Her gender’s been a mystery for so long.”
“Yeah, who knows where those rumors came from.”
Walking along the corridor lined with red carpet, the walls adorned with priceless paintings, Andrea tried to imitate the other guests—pretending to be someone with refined artistic taste and making some cultured remarks.
But she truly couldn’t make any sense of those chaotic lines and splashes of paint, so she gave up and clung to Ailaira, asking,
“Why do they call you Mercury?”
“It’s just a code name. At first, I used it to sell Alchemy Potions on the Black Market. After all, I was still a student back then, and openly doing business in such places could have gotten me expelled.” Ailaira shrugged off her fur-lined coat and handed it to a waiting maid, then pushed open the banquet hall doors and continued,
“Later, after joining The Church, I secretly used the materials provided to me to craft Alchemy Potions, then quietly passed them to the United Trade Guild for sale. I used the name Mercury for those too, and that’s when the name really took off.”
Thinking of this, a playful smile curled Ailaira’s lips, as if she’d just remembered something amusing. “Funny thing is, back then, even some people in The Church were looking for ‘Mercury,’ because some of the materials used in my potions were exclusive to The Church and forbidden to sell outside. So they suspected that Mercury—or whoever was supplying her—must have some secret dealings with someone inside.”
Andrea listened with rapt attention, so engrossed that she didn’t even notice the attendant walking by with a giant cake. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Ailaira, unable to hold back her urge, “And then? Did they catch you?!”
Ailaira swirled the wine in her glass, letting the deep red reflect the dazzling light from the crystal chandeliers overhead.
The harsh glow was like the thirst of a greedy soul. “They call me a genius because, when they gave me materials meant to make just one dose—according to the standard recipe—I could produce three identical finished products.”
“But being called a genius is just the limit of their imagination, not mine. With those same materials, without any reduction in effect, the true limit I can produce is—”
“Ten doses.”
In truth, this was still a conservative estimate. For simpler types of potions—like ordinary healing potions, warming potions, water-repelling potions, and the like—Ailaira’s output could go even higher.
And not only was the effect undiminished, it was actually a bit better than similar Alchemy Potions on the market.
This ability was why Ailaira could expand so rapidly, without any assistant or factory, almost monopolizing the field.
Back then, Yukla had been swept aside by this overwhelming force, which easily broke open the market. Later, Xidi, representing the United Trade Guild, had sought out Ailaira herself to propose cooperation.
After hearing all this, Andrea was stunned, her gaze drifting over the assortment of wines on the table.
She didn’t know the first thing about Alchemy Potions, but she could still grasp how terrifying it was to turn one into ten.
What others struggled and slaved to make, wasting time and resources, Ailaira could produce as casually as pouring out drinks at a banquet.
Andrea worked her dry throat and finally managed to squeeze out a half-hearted compliment, “You really are a monster. In every sense.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
Ailaira downed the red wine in one go, her lips stained a bewitching crimson, like a wild beast feasting on raw flesh and blood.
Andrea snapped out of her daze and was shocked to realize she actually felt a twinge of respect for Ailaira!?
No, no, that won’t do! You have to do something, Andrea—how can you admire your greatest enemy!
At the dull banquet, there was socializing everywhere. Many wanted to strike up a conversation with Ailaira, but all were put off by her icy rejection and left in disappointment.
Desperate to change her mood, Andrea could only focus on the food at the table. She was just about to pounce and sweep everything into her stomach in a whirlwind.
But then she remembered the etiquette Jody had taught her, and forced herself to suppress her instincts. Awkwardly, she used knife, fork, and plate, mimicking the dining posture of those around her, taking small and proper bites.
Ailaira did not miss this amusing sight; though she’d brought Andrea to the banquet, she’d been prepared to clean up any mess Andrea caused.
But the fact that Andrea had managed this long without any mishaps genuinely surprised Ailaira.
As the banquet’s atmosphere grew ever more lively, the remaining guests gathered in the center of the hall.
At that moment, Xidi appeared on the stage at the front. She spoke softly, but her voice reached every ear in the room: “Welcome, everyone, to the banquet hosted by the United Trade Guild.”
“All of you are essential figures for our Guild. Tonight, we’ve especially invited you to thank you for your continued support.”
“This evening, every guest present will receive a bottle of Perfume crafted by Master Mercury.”
As her words fell, a number of maids in exquisite gowns appeared behind her, each carrying a tray. The enchanting fragrance they gave off was like a lure, capturing everyone’s attention.
On their trays were wooden boxes carved with dragon heads, beautifully packaging the Perfume bottles nestled inside.
Whether it was the prestige of Mercury’s brand or the irresistible scent, it was enough to send the upper class guests—always seeking the highest quality—into a frenzy.
Perhaps the only person in the room uninterested was Andrea.
The moment she caught that scent, she was reminded of last night—not quite the same, but still enough to make her cheeks burn. After shooting a fierce glare at Ailaira, Andrea turned on her heel and left the banquet hall.
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