Because of that reason, Gara chose porcelain for jars and cups, while glass was reserved for small things like tubes and pipettes.
Most tools in his lab were made according to his design. Hilda’s task was to find a suitable crafter.
"So of the equipnt is still incomplete, Master," Hilda reported. "But once this month’s profits from the rchant House co in, I’ll place the orders right away."
Gara gave her a small nod.
On the left was a door leading to the resting space Hilda had ntioned. They stepped inside. There was a bed, a rattan chair with cushions, a table, and a fire-light bulb.
Every source of light in the shop used fire-light bulbs, much safer than ordinary lanterns. For that reason, the shop even hired a fire-based liner every month just to keep them lit.
Rea, who had been hiding in Gara’s pouch all this ti, flew out and drifted lazily toward the bed. Gara let her do as she pleased; for now, he had business matters to discuss with Hilda.
Before they began, a knock ca from the door by the stairs. Hilda excused herself and returned shortly after, carrying a tray with steaming niskara tea.
Gara realized too late that he’d forgotten to tell her, he actually preferred iced lumora soda. Oh well.
Hilda began her report on the Alrova rchant House, the shop, and the production house in the village. Everything was running smoothly. The new shop, which had just opened a few days ago, was already a huge success, thanks in part to Mayor Danan’s support.
But behind every success, problems always followed.
"Yugo rchant House has been quietly digging for information on us," Hilda said. "They’re currently one of the largest suppliers of building stone. It seems they’re also interested in expanding into herbal products."
"Keep watching them," Gara instructed. "If they make a move, contact imdiately."
"Yes, Master."
"And what about the shops from other counties, the ones pressuring us to et their demands?"
"I’ve already refused to work with shopkeepers who won’t follow our rules. But... our profits have dropped sharply, Master."
"No problem. One gone, a thousand more will co. It’s only a matter of ti. And if no one’s willing to work with us, we can just open an Alrova Shop branch in another county."
After the discussion, Hilda headed back to the rchant House office, Madha went to the guard barracks to file his report, while Fian stretched out on the bed.
They didn’t return to the village right away, since Gara had an experint in mind.
Together with Rea, Gara stepped out of the resting space. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a handful of venaleaf.
This herb was native to the world, and among all the anti-toxin plants Gara knew, venaleaf had shown the most promising effects.
Sothing remarkable had happened a few days earlier. He’d managed to create an anti-toxin concoction out of it—though the way it ca about was... a little ridiculous.
The mory made Gara chuckle again.
That day, he had walked into his lab only to find Rea—mischievous as ever—testing out the plants. This ti she wasn’t alone; her second child, Pandy, was with her.
The mont Rea noticed him, she bolted, leaping away with venaleaf still half-chewed in her mouth.
Pandy, startled, spat out the leaf she’d been biting, then scrambled out the window after her mother.
The problem was, Gara hadn’t grown any venaleaf himself. The leaves had been sent by Hilda from town and what Rea and Pandy had just munched on happened to be the very last ones.
At first, Gara considered putting off his experints until Hilda sent another batch. But when he noticed the leaf Pandy had dropped, he saw it wasn’t torn or ruined. It was just damp from saliva, otherwise intact.
So, he rinsed it with plain water, then used it to craft a new concoction, mixing it with his anesthetic.
Once it was ready, he called Rea back to test it. To his surprise, the poison content had been completely neutralized.
Gara wasn’t sure if that was the venaleaf alone, or if Pandy’s saliva had sothing to do with it. After all, Rea’s children had long since developed an unusual resistance to toxins.
He knew animals often carried enzys that helped with digestion. Maybe there was sothing unique in Rea and her offspring that not only made them resistant, but also erased toxins entirely.
That was why, he’d asked Hilda to have venaleaf prepared before he ca to town.
And here he was now, guiding Rea to chew venaleaf without shredding it, before starting on a fresh concoction mixed with thimvine as the base anesthetic.
When Madha finally returned from the barracks, he found Gara still bent over his lab table, fully absorbed in his work.
He slipped into the resting room, not wanting to disturb Gara. Inside, Fian had already claid the beds.
Madha chose a rattan chair instead, settling down and closing his eyes.
"SUCCESS!"
Madha jolted upright at Gara’s sudden shout. Fian stirred as well, blinking awake. But they both knew at once. It wasn’t a cry of pain. It was a cry of triumph.
The two of them stepped out of the room just in ti to see Gara rushing toward them, beaming from ear to ear. He threw his arms around both of them, dragging them into an awkward three-way hug.
Clearly uncomfortable, Madha and Fian still held back their protests, for Gara’s sake.
"What happened, Gara?" Madha asked.
Gara finally released them, his grin still shining, and explained everything about Rea and the venaleaf.
"I finally found another way to make anti-toxin without relying on Talent!" Gara could barely keep himself from bouncing in place. They were on the third floor, after all. If he started jumping, the people on the second floor would definitely hear.
"Congratulations, Gara. You really are amazing." Madha ruffled the top of his head gently, smiling down at him. Gara responded with a wide, boyish grin.
...
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