Chapter 53：Controlling Old Wilbur

Allen wasn't worried about the old man lying. Even if he regretted it later, once he drank Allen's potion, he would be at Allen's mercy.

Didn't Bergrey Obion fall completely under his control with the potion?

Allen took a wooden vial from his large pocket.

He handed it directly to the old Wilbur in front of him, "Drink this; it will temporarily suppress your injury."

Wilbur frowned at these words. It had been a long time since he had been looked down upon in such a manner.

He was hesitant and wanted to refuse, but considering his situation, what choice did he have?

He had no choice but to take the vial, uncork it, and, after a brief inspection, gritted his teeth and downed the entire potion.

Allen wasn't surprised by his choice. Wilbur was like fish on a chopping block, at his mercy.

Not to mention that he was already in his twilight years, with injuries that could flare up and threaten his life at any moment. Allen was his last hope.

Moreover, even if Wilbur had been unwilling to drink it, Allen would have made him "willing."

Unsurprisingly, the potion Wilbur drank was Allen's specially crafted Plant Mage's Curse.

Moreover, it was the highest concentration to date, with the potency of one vial equivalent to seven or eight ordinary ones.

Allen was confident that unless Wilbur was extraordinary, just this one dose would make him addicted and unable to leave, much like Bergrey (Little Obion).

However, for now, Allen didn't plan to use hallucinations to fully control Wilbur's mind.

Doing so would introduce too many variables, and if discovered, it would be problematic.

As the potion took effect, Wilbur felt a powerful medicinal force rampaging through his body.

He tried to muster his strength to suppress the uncontrollable potion, but it was futile.

He could only watch as the surging green energy, like ocean waves, completely engulfed his body and soul.

Moments later, Wilbur couldn't hold on and collapsed to the ground, falling into a baby-like sleep.

It was more of a deep meditative trance than sleep.

In the trance, Wilbur felt his body rejuvenating with youthful vitality.

The vigor of youth filled his aged body, and soon he felt young again!

He wielded a long sword, riding his giant bear, roaring through the rainforest, hunting with abandon.

Then, in the dark forest swamp, he shouted, accompanied by thunder, and severed the neck of the Beaked Fairy Dragon with one strike. The massive, hot dragon head rolled at his feet.

The exhilaration, the killing, the boundless pleasure, it all returned!

He even saw a scene where he became a powerful figure, subduing the nobles and seizing the old count's family and property.

The once domineering master became his servant.

Those ladies with skin as smooth as milk warmed his bed and brought him water to wash his feet.

A young body, indulging in pleasure, what a wonderful feeling.

...

And these sensations were the seeds Allen planted in Wilbur's mind, using the green mist infused into the potion.

Buried deep in his subconscious was also the notion of loyalty.

Though these visions were fleeting, most of the time, Wilbur was just feeling his body's recovery.

But even these few images brought the most subtle yet profound changes.

From loyalty to the desire for power, and then to betrayal...

Change often begins in small ways.

And the figure bringing all this change was Allen.

Wilbur didn't remain in the trance for long before Allen woke him up.

Upon opening his eyes, he first felt fear, then confusion, and finally overwhelming joy.

Despite being forced to take the potion and experiencing hallucinations, his body...

His body had miraculously recovered!

The piece of dragon claw in his lower back, which constantly emitted cold energy, had been subdued.

It seemed to be isolated by some powerful force, and he could no longer feel the pain that had tormented him for decades.

His once old body was now brimming with vitality!

And the one who brought all this change was the young man before him.

Wilbur felt two amused gazes upon him and shivered.

He hurriedly knelt on one knee, pledging loyalty to Allen in the manner of a knight to his lord, "Honorable master, Wilbur swears loyalty to you, vowing never to betray!"

Allen didn't believe the old fox's words; he only trusted himself.

Wilbur could betray his old master, and he could betray his new one as well.

With a wave of his hand, Allen said, "Words are deceitful. I won't listen to what you say; I'll watch what you do."

Wilbur quickly responded, "I am willing to serve you, master. If you have any tasks, I will obey."

"I won't let you die. The potion you drank can temporarily suppress your injury, but it is valuable and addictive. I'll give you a list of materials to gather. Once you have them, you'll have a steady supply of potions."

Wilbur's heart sank. His injury was only temporarily suppressed, and the potion was addictive and hallucinogenic. He realized his life was truly in someone else's hands now.

He smiled bitterly. Though he hadn't lived a life of grandeur, he hadn't expected to become someone else's puppet in his old age out of fear of death.

But there was no turning back now. Wilbur could only nod in agreement.

"Rest assured, master. No matter how difficult, I will accomplish it."

Allen thought to himself that the old man was indeed perceptive, adapting quickly to the situation. He was truly an old fox.

There were paper and pen in the room. Allen listed the materials he needed without hesitation.

Wilbur took the list, glanced at it, and smiled bitterly.

His new master indeed had high demands, "Master..."

Allen interrupted him before he could finish.

He didn't like being called "master" or "boss." Without a noble title or being a lord, he preferred his subordinates to call him "Master Alchemist."

Wilbur was naturally pleased to comply, "Master Alchemist, the materials you listed are indeed valuable and hard to find. What is the deadline?"

Allen had only initially subdued Wilbur and didn't want to make things too difficult for him, "The ones I marked should be gathered as quickly as possible unless you don't want the potion. The rest have a three-month deadline. If you do well, I'll give you a potion to strengthen your body, and complete removal of your injury isn't impossible."

"However, I'll take the Bear Bee honey and the dragon claw, scale, and tooth first."

Wilbur naturally didn't resist, watching as his new master took away priceless treasures without spending a penny, but his life was saved in return.

That night, the attendant and shopkeeper who had received Allen unexpectedly died...