Rai's POV
'Tap, tap, tap, tap.'
Everyone was kneeling and didn't even give me a single glance. I kept tapping my right index finger on my left arm as I looked at them.
"So... Can someone tell me, what were you doing earlier?" Everyone lowered their heads and was afraid to look at me.
"Callis." I said in a cold tone. I could see him flinching and afraid to look in my direction.
"Y-yes," he nervously said while he kneeled in front of me and his right hand was on his left shoulder.
"Tell me."
"Y-yes *fake cough* W-well..." He stopped for a moment and looked towards the creatures that were behind him.
"Well, what?" I said.
"T-the- I mean, Ryul developed a new potion today, and we wanted to test its efficacy, but something happened while we were gone." Callis nervously explained the entire mess to me. After hours of listening to his report, I massaged my temple and sighed heavily.
"Bring Ryul to me this instant." I coldly said, and two bunny servants moved quickly. After a minute, Ryul was kneeling in front of me with his right hand on his left shoulder.
"Ryul."
"*Flinched* Y-yes, my lord." He said with a trembling voice and was afraid to look at my face.
Half elf, half witch, half mythological beast, Ryul was. While exploring the eastern part of the continent, his father—a legendary beast—fell in love with an elf-half witch. And it is the beginning of their romance.
"Can you tell me about the potion that you've invented?" I asked.
"Y-yes *fake cough*." He grabs a small bottle from his magic bag and respectfully gave it to me. I slowly took it and examined the potion.
"Can you tell me what this is?"
"*Fake cough* My recently created potion has the ability to induce hallucinations and drive a person or beast insane. This potion may drive a person insane and incite them to attack everyone with only a whiff. Additionally, if you drink the entire bottle, you'll get nausea and severe headaches that would drive you insane and perhaps to commit something dangerous to yourself. The effects of the potion continue for up to four hours, but you might die if you are unable to withstand its effects." Ryul said.
"Heh."
"My lord, I think it's best if we keep this hidden...."
"Keep on producing this potion." I said which made him looked at me with a confused face.
"Y-yes?" Ryul.
"My lord?" Callis. Everyone was talking and not minding my presence.
"My lord." Xaithus.
"Speak."
"May I ask what you will use it for?" He respectfully said. I relaxed myself for a bit and crossed my legs.
"Lately my dreams were peculiar."
"Yes?" I looked away and stared at where Ellen.
"A war is coming." I silently said, and a strong wind was blowing in my directions.
'What was that?'
'I felt something.'
'So am I.'
'Did something happen?'
'Don't know, maybe?'
I stood up from my seat when I felt something ominous.
"My lord?" Callis asked.
"Ryul."
"Y-yes, my lord."
"Prepare all the healing potion and bring it to me."
"As you wish." Ryul and the other rabbits were gone.
"My lord, what is happening?" Xaithus asked as he and Callis walked close to me. I breathe in deeply and looked at the dark sky.
"War."
"Yes?"
"Pardon?" Everyone went silent and gazed at the dark sky.
"A war is coming."
"The Dark continent, is already making a move." Xaithus said, and I nodded.
"Callis."
"Yes." Callis said while kneeling on one knee and his right hand was on his left shoulder.
"Warn all the beasts, and dryads that are living on the continent, a war is coming." I said.
"As you wish." Callis stood up and use the whistle to warn the entire continent.
"Xaithus."
"Yes."
"Help Ryul and the rabbits make the potions. The fairies are busy planting and taking care of the new herbs."
"As you wish. Men!" He sent the other dragons flying in the direction of the island's west. I moved in the direction of Ellen, the world tree, to ask for a quick tip.
"Ellen." I said and touched her boot.
'War is coming.'
"I know."
'Help them.'
"I may not be able to assist them completely, but don't worry—we gods are unable to stop the impending conflict. Together with the ones who can aid them in an emergency, I intend to provide them a healing potion."
'I will leave everything to you.'
"Yes, so don't worry and go back to sleep."
'Good luck, child.' It was her last word to me, and she went back to sleep. It was still uncertain when will she regain her full strength as she overused her power.
"My lord, the potions are ready." Xaithus and Ryul came and kneeled while their right hand was on the left shoulder.
"Good, leave everything to me." I put all the potions in my magic bag.
"We pray for your safe trip, my lord." I sent myself teleporting to the Count's estate. When I noticed attendants scurrying around, I took cover behind a shrub. The news must have reached them.
"Father!" I recoiled and turned to face the Count, his son, his butler, and his secretary. They appeared to be debating a significant issue.
"Master, the potion makers are out of ingredients right now. It may take a month until they harvest the herbs." His secretary said.
"*Sigh* Are there any other news." I could the count's worried face while pacing.
"There is none at this moment." I pat both of my knees and walked towards them without a cloak.
"I considered myself as a news." I said, and they all stopped walking and looked at my directions.
"Hi." I said, giving them a full view of my smile. The wind blew all the documents the secretary was carrying as he froze. With their right hand resting on their left shoulder, Ever knelt. The secretary followed suit.
"We greet the lord." They all said in unison.
"Rise."
"Yes." Everyone rose and stared at me.
"How's everyone doing?"
"Everything's fine, my lord." The Count said as he lowered his head.
"I see.... Hi, I'm Rai Alexio, It's my first time seeing you." I cheerfully said, and he kneeled in front of me like a servant.
"It is my greatest honor to finally meet you, my lord, I am Verniek Emid Ruvaen, the second child of Baron Ruvaen." He said.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Verniek."
"Verniek is fine, my lord."
"Then I will comfortably call you Vernie." I said and smiled while everyone fake coughs.
"*Fake cough* May, I ask what suddenly brings you here, my lord?" The Count asked.
"*Smile* I'm here to help."