k k k

  The bottle was shaken and stirred, the sound of gss ringing eg in the air. Blue and green liquids were mixed in, bubbles frothing upon tact. The gss was stirred yet again and the solution turned into a shade of , turning gold as a few drops were added soon after.

  The room was silent as a cemetery, only the silent whistling and whispering of the cold winds to be heard, ghastly echoes as monotonous symphonies pyed in the background. Blue orbs peered into the gss, clear like the vast seas.

  Of course, those blue orbs beloo her than Yuna, the elf who was now perf alchemy. She's been making potions sihe sun rose over the horizon, and already created tless of them, taking notes all the while.

  Blub Fwissshhhhh Blub Blub Blub...

  Yuna dropped a few golden pieces i only fizzled for a while, disappearing soon after after turning the solutiohere was clearly a rea, but not a single smile could be seen, Yuna sighing soon after.

  "Another failure, huh..." ［Yuna］

  The golden pieces Yuna just dropped on the solution was her than parts of the Divine Fruit of Miracles they received a while back from Leif. Grey had said it was very potent so she has been experimenting on it, all to no avail.

  Yuna was already a Tier-8 "Grandmaster" Alchemist, amongst the best in all of Merusia, yet despite that, she could barely make progress on the project she was w on. It was even more difficult than she had imagined.

  She had already tried using different reagents, ged the ratios, pyed around with different temperatures, used different ingredients and teiques, yet no matter what she did, it just didn't work. She was stuck.

  Grey had already told her one o be a "Divine Alchemist" in order to process the fruit, but she still wao try it. She had learnt quite a number of things from her experiments, but she still couldn't advao a higher tier. Oh, bittersweet efforts.

  Click Cck Creak

  And just as she mulled over her failure, the doors suddenly opened and a familiar figure presented himself, bringing along a tray of snacks. There were rabbit-shaped apples, cookies, and a pitcher of fruit juice, greeting Yuna with a kiss to the forehead.

  "How's my beloved fiancée doing?" ［Grey］

  "Mmn... Not good... I still haven't made any signifit progress in my work. It was another failure again..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Don't worry too much about it. I'm sure you'll get it one day," ［Grey］

  "Uuu... But that someday may be very far away..." ［Yuna］

  "Don't be too ive now. That's very mulike you... Here, have some of these apples to cheer yourself up." ［Grey］

  Grey said as he forked a rabbit-shaped apple a to his crestfallen fiancée. She was a little slow at first, but after tasting the sweetness and juiess of the apple, her eyes quickly lit up and she kept mung like a little rabbit.

  It wasn't just the apples. The cookies too weren't safe from her vigor. She ate them quickly with lightning speed hands, letting Grey feed and spoil her from time to time. Before long, Yuna was back to her usual self.

  "Mmn～! That was good!" ［Yuna］

  The young dy stood up and stretched her arms towards the ceiling. Her eyes were now sparkling brightly and cheerfully as usual. It was a bummer that things didn't go as pnned, but there was o hasten things. There was still plenty of time.

  "It's good that you're back to your usual self. How do you feel?" ［Grey］

  "I feel great! It's all because of Grey's efforts and love! You're the bestest of the best in the whole world!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Yonna make me blush." ［Grey］

  Or so he says, but his facial expressions barely ged, only hints of red popping up here and there. Though, deep i was totally different. His happiness only grew as he watched his adorable fiancée simply act like herself.

  Of course, they weren't just flirting. After all, there was still a total mess of alchemy apparatus and ingredients before their eyes. They couldn't simply let them be. They o dispose properly, and so they did.

  "Whew... There sure were a lot of them, huh?" ［Grey］

  "Sorry... Before I noticed them, they just started piling up. Moreover, most of them were useless too... I couldn't even make a siー" ［Yuna］

  "Now, now, what did I say? Nloominess, alright?" ［Grey］

  Yuna couldn't even finish his words when Grey suddenly cut her off and pressed one of his fingers against her lips. He knew full well how hard w Yuna was. There was herself down so much.

  Instead, like the children from the orphanage from a couple days ago, what Yuna needed was a break from her usual routine. She has been cooped up in her little boratory that she's been so sulky as of te. A little bit of air is all she needs.

  "Tell you what, why don't we have lunch at the Rabbit's Den today? Let's eat some warm stew, shall we?" ［Grey］

  "U's do that! It's been some time as well!" ［Yuna］

  "Some time... It's only been a few days, you know? Hahaha." ［Grey］

  "Eh? Really? It felt much lohan that..." ［Yuna］

  Chug to himself and Yuna tilting her head in the most adorable way there is, the couple soon headed out of their home and into the open fields. The third bell is just about t, and so, lunch was also drawing near.

  Their footsteps reasoning as they hit the ground, the two headed towards the more poputed areas of Galderia, traversing the ever so familiar and lively streets as the people greeted them like usual.

  g g g

  Before ling, they arrived at the Rabbit's Den, the sound of chimes pying in the air as soon as they opehe doors. Not just Helen nor her family, but another familiar face greeted them inside, having a lovely lunch of his own. It was Dale!

  "Oh! Grey, Yuna, over here! Sit with me!" ［Dale］

  "Good m, Mister Dale! Good m, Helen!" ［Yuna］

  "M... It's almost noon already, you know?" ［Helen］

  With Dale's invitation, Grey and Yuna theed themselves beside him, by the ters. And like usual, many of the regur ers greeted them, Gerd and Selia's voice eg from the kit as they weled them.

  "You'll be having the usual again, right?" ［Helen］

  "Not today... we have the menu, please? We'll order quite a few things and splurge for a bit. We o cheer a certain someone up." ［Grey］

  "Hey... I wasn't that sulking..." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, yeah, sure you aren't. You were just frowning all m long." ［Grey］

  ented Grey, patting Yuna's head soon after and treating her like a little child yet again. They soon ordered the dishes that they liked, asking fe meal sets as if it wasn't anybody's business, a few of them at that.

  Soon enough, Helen brought out their meal, faces of delight blooming over their faces as they dug in such delicious dishes. They have eaten them many times before yet they were still as tasty as usual, not getting tired of the warm ay meal.

  Of course, they didn't simply just eat, they also chatted along with Dale and Helen, a few folks pitg in on the merriness as they enjoyed lunch together. Dining on their own was fine, but eating with a rge crowd was also enjoyable from time to time.

  "Phew... That was a good meal! Sure blew all my fatigue away!" ［Dale］

  "Has work been tough tely, Mister Dale?" ［Yuna］

  "Tough... Well, I guess you could say that... No, actually, it's been quite bothersome as of te. There's been an annoying case tely." ［Dale］

  Though, not all of their topics were enjoyable. As soon as he heard Yuna's question, Dale's eyebrows quickly furrowed and a dark expression was dyed on his face. Just remembering about what has been happening with work tely was enough to make him very exhausted.

  "I don't know if you've heard about it, but there's been a case of burgry going 'round the town. They've already stolen from four houses so we're quire on edge." ［Dale］

  "Hm? But wasn't your duty that of a gate guard, Mister Dale? How e you have to deal with those cases?" ［Yuna］

  "Well, a gate guard is still a soldier, after all. We ge duties sometimes." ［Dale］

  As a soldier, Dale's main purpose was to make sure everyone in Galderia was safe. Though his usual duty was to guard the gates and ihose who e ihere are also times they join in in such cases.

  The ones doing the iigation would be a detective or a knight, and they just tag along in case there was a o apprehend or subdue someohey also give out opinions to help out, whilst gaining experience for the future.

  It was all tiring work, but with the pay as high as it is, and Dale having a little talent in fighting, it was the perfect job for him. He may just be a G-ranker, but he was much more powerful than any normal person. It was a respectable position.

  "Have they not been caught yet, Mister Dale..." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. Those bastards are quite slippery. They somehow always mao steal from unsuspeg victims and run away without making a 's already too te when we arrive at the se." ［Dale］

  "How about their identities? Have you figured them out already?" ［Grey］

  "Haah... That's the worst part. They always strike at night when everybody's asleep so no one has seen them. It's really a hassle." ［Dale］

  It was only natural. After all, even with all the magic Merusia possessed, their skills and teology were far lower pared to Earth's. Fingerprint teology, security cameras, aensive records. Such things were unavaible.

  Even if the victims did see the thieves invading their homes, they wouldn't be able to call for help immediately with no telephones around. It would only cause a ruckus the moment they shout for help, to which the thieves could quickly flee.

  If there was something, it was that they had figured out the thieves were o the city. They have left some traces behind, and some were something which couldn't be found in Galderia. They are now tightening the security in case someone suspicious were to be reported.

  "On the bright side, no one's been harmed yet, though... They've already stolen a few dozen thousand kiels worth of things." ［Dale］

  "That's quite a lot..." ［Grey］

  "They've been targeting well-looking houses, after all. You two should also be careful siheyー no, actually, never mind that." ［Dale］

  Dale was about to warn them, but as soon as he remembered the two's identities, he immediately cut off his words and shut his mouth. They were Grey and Yuna, after all. It was the thieves who'll o be careful.

  Their house was quite rge, after all. It was a jewel which thieves wouldn't be able to resist, thinking of all the bounty to be had. Though, even if they did, it would only be stupid of them. They would be walking straight into their doom.

  "Haah... In any case, it's been so exhausting at work tely, I feel like I'm starting to lose hair with all the stress." ［Dale］

  "Stress, huh..." ［Helen］

  Now, Helen was the one who wore a worried expression. She then sat across Grey and Yuna, crossing her arms across the tertop aing her head over it. She then heaved a lengthy and exasperated sigh.

  "Is something wrong, Helen?" ［Yuna］

  "No, it's just... There's been so many ers tely, I haven't been able to take care of myself. Look, isn't my skin drier and rougher than usual?" ［Helen］

  "Mmn... Let's see..." ［Yuna］

  Helen stretched out her arms and Yuna touched it soon after. The difference was subtle, but for a woman, it was something they'll be worried about. Helen's face tio frown the more she dwelled on the problem.

  Well, not only her skin, but her lips and cheeks as well. They weren't as plump and bouncy as they used to. Her hair was also starting to get damaged after days of not taking care of it because of the rush at work. It has been quite hectic.

  To make things worse, because she has been stressed out about these things, it only made her plexion less healthier whi turn, made her even more stressed, it was an endless loop of pain and suffering.

  "Haah... I'm going to get wri this rate..." ［Helen］

  "A-Ah! But don't worry, Helen! You're cute aiful so I'm sure it will be okay! I'm sure Owen won't mind as well!" ［Yuna］

  "That's not the point... As a woman, don't you just want to get a little bit prettier? Not just for your man, but for yourself as well. It's our nature to seek beauty!" ［Helen］

  "I guess you're right. Though I don't really mind it that much..." ［Yuna］

  "Eh? You must be joking, Yuna. I'm sure there's a thing or two you're dissatisfied about. You ask Greyー" ［Helen］

  Much like Dale before, Helen quickly cut off her words. She once again reevaluated her words, staring at the two with lifeless eyes. She had almost fotten how out of the nrey and Yuna were. There wasn't just a single problem.

  First of all, Yuna was the most beautiful girl she knows, barely wearing makeup yet still remaining radiant as the sun. Even the day she sulted with them about her problems with Grey, she still looked very beautiful. A distressed yet attractive beauty,

  Oher hand, there was Grey, a fool who is head over heels over his fiancée. No matter how Yuna looked or what she wore, he would always fawn and dote over her as per usual. The two were pretty hopeless in a sense.

  Both men and women are already in admiration of her beauty. If Yuo start taking care of herself as extensively as other dies do, one could only imagine how beautiful she'll bee. It will be the dest of a goddess.

  "No, never mind... In any case, I still want to take care of myself and pretty myself up. I'm still a woman, after all." ［Helen］

  "Hmm... If that's the case, why don't you ask Yuna to make you some etics then? She could probably whip up something with alchemy." ［Grey］

  "Eh?! Really, Yuna?! You do that?!" ［Helen］

  "I'm not really focused on eti not sure... However, it sounds really iing so I'll give it a try!" ［Yuna］

  "Yaay～! Thank you, Yuna! You're the best!" ［Helen］

  Grey did not suggest just it for Helen, but for Yuna as well. With her stu her alchemy, it would be a good thing to focus on another projed make her shift her focus to something else for a ge of pace.

  In that regard, he could also help her out and spend some more time with her. He was not really knowledgeable in the field, but he knows a thing or two about them from Earth and also knows what herbs produce what effect. It would surely be a nice colborative project for them.

  The only problem was that if it ever became very effective, other women and soon enough, the Merts' Guild would surely notice it. It would be yet airing day of signing tracts and dots.

  "Good for you, Helen. You got your problem solved." ［Dale］

  "Don't be like that, Mister Dale. I'm sure you'll crack the case soon enough." ［Grey］

  "Haah... I surely hope so..." ［Dale］

  Everyone tinued chatting and they talked about a lot more topics. Before they noticed it, a lot of time had already passed and the afternoon had long arrived. Dale's break was soon over aheo get ba his post.

  "Then, see you arouime, Helen." ［Grey］

  "Bye, Helen～!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, goodbye～! I'm looking forward to the products～!" ［Helen］

  Grey and Yuna soon followed suit ahe inn whilst waving their hands goodbye, soft chimes once again ringing as they opehe doors. The sound of footsteps soon echoed, walking dowreets and heading bae.

  pared to before, Yuna was now much more cheerful, thinking and mumbling to herself about what kinds of things she'll be using and what she wants to achieve for her products. She was excited as one be, her pointy ears fpping up and down.

  Before lying, they finally arrived at their house, beautiful and vibrant murals greeting them as they headed ihe gates. It's been a few days sihey pai with the childrehey still couldn't get over how beautiful it was.

  "Then, Grey, I'll be heading towards my b now. Catch up ter, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, I'll be quick... Oh, and right. What snacks would you like to eat? I'll make some white I'm at it. I'll make you anything you want." ［Grey］

  "Then, anything will do. Everything Grey makes is delicious, after all!" ［Yuna］

  "Oh my, that's quite the high expectation." ［Grey］

  A smile blooming on her face, Yuna then headed towards her boratory and Grey headed to his workshop and finished some things up. He made sure there was nothing to disturb him whilst he spends time with Yuna.

  He had taken a quest from the Enters' Guild just retly, but thankfully, it was an easy oo make, almost finished as well. With a few small touches, he finished all his business and delivered it to the guild soon after.

  And as promised, Grey also headed to the kit and made some quiacks. There were some fried bread, cookies, sandwiches, fruits, and of course, another pitcher full of chilled fruit juice. Perfect for them to enjoy.

  Grey then headed inside, bringing aray of snacks with him, to which Yuna weled with a warm smile. It hasn't even been an hour since she started, yet she was already up for snacks, eyes sparkling brightly and gleefully.

  "Hmm... Why does it feel like you're more happy to see the snacks than me... Should I just leave then?" ［Grey］

  "Ehh?! N-No! I-I was just hungry! Th-That's all there is!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. I was just kidding. o act all panicky." ［Grey］

  "Mou... Why are you always so mean for no reason..." ［Yuna］

  Or so she says, but there was not a single frown to be seen, only a bright smile as she munched down some snacks. Grey soon sat by her side, looking at the progress she was making and identifying the solutions and reagents with his appraisal.

  What Yuna was currently making sted shampoo and ditioner, hair volumizer, sprays, and all sorts of hair products. Soon, she'll be making some sers, lotions, and some supplements as well. All of which were ideas from Grey's previous life.

  "Oh, this smells quite nice... Are you using varacts? Oh, there's venders and mints as well." ［Grey］

  "Un! I'd thought of doing the fragrances first. I was going for some mild sts." ［Yuna］

  "Mild sts... Then I'd suggest something citrusy. They smell quite nice." ［Grey］

  Grey soon pitched in on the process and gave some opinions for Yuna to use. He wasn't really an expert in etics, but having entered tless noble dies and princesses, he knows what sts are the best.

  Of course, as one would expect, Grey was thinking of the fragrances and how they would fit Yuna. And just as he thought, gentle herbal and floral sts really do suit her. Not only was she an elf, she was an alchemist as well. It erfect.

  "How about we mix some essences, Grey? Would that work?" ［Yuna］

  "It would, but getting the ratios and binatiht might be a little tricky. We also o sider the side effects as well. What's most important is taking care of the hair, after all. And, we'll need Helen's opinion for that." ［Grey］

  "I see... We'll hold off on that for that then." ［Yuna］

  "ht. Have you asked Helen if she has any allergies or preferences? Her nose might get irritated by some of these." ［Grey］

  "Mmn... I'll ask her tomorrow then..." ［Yuna］

  The clock tio tid the sun sank down more and more with every minute passing. Grey and Yuna progressed on their little project, soon moving to the testing phase after they made a feles with alchemy,

  Normally, it would take them a long time to create such things. However, with the use of magid alchemy, they could speed up the process by many folds. It wasn't long before their house was filled with a cacophony rances, like a fancy garden.

  The sun soon sunk down on the horizon, the leaves rolling in the wind as the moon and stars took the limelight in the night sky. The cold nightly breeze blew over the lonely fields, bdes of grass dang to its tunes.

  Grey and Yuna had also paused their project for the time being, retiring for the day like the rest of the town, and turning the lights off. The night was still and peaceful other than... three masked figures...?

  'Hm? Are those...' ［Grey］

  Those figures didn't escape Grey's eyes. He simply used his "Heaven's Eyes" to check the surroundings yet never in his wildest imagination did he think su opportunity would ce upon them.

  "Grey, is something wrong?" ［Yuna］

  "Hmm... Nothing really... Though, Yuna, would you like to have some fun?" ［Grey］

  "Hm?" ［Yuna］

  There was not a trace of worry on his face, rather, there was only a bright smile as he looked forward to the iing night before them. Three masked, uninvited guests had closed in on their house, unsuspeg of the dangers before them.

  A night of fun is about to unfold.

  CHAPTER 295 END