The Herb King

170?Loyalty Gift

Later that night, everyone in Lion City heard that a noble would be publicly executed for betraying the empire.

“I heard that the person who will be executed tomorrow is Hugo Ward of the Ward Household.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He conspired with the Northern Viper Group! He deserves it!”

“To hell with him! Shouldn’t the Ward Household be punished as well? I don’t think they are unaware of what was happening with their family head.”

“We will know tomorrow.”

It became a hot topic and everyone in Lion City heard about it.

Meanwhile, Aethelwolf was on the balcony of his mansion. He was smoking his cigar as he played a song with his guitar.

.....

A beautiful melody drifted into the air.

Olivia was swaying her head from left to right as she listened to the music. She had a joyful smile on her face while holding a homemade shake in her hands.

After playing the song, Aethelwolf lowered his guitar as he sucked on his cigar. He then exhaled gently and put the cigar into the ashtray.

“Did you like it?” He smiled at Olivia.

The little girl nodded her head eagerly. “Mn.”

Aethelwolf wiped off the shake residue on her lips. “That’s your last glass, okay? You might be a magical beast, but you are still not immune to stomach aches. After all, the ingredients used to make that shake are high level herbs.” He said.

Olivia nodded her head obediently. “Okay.”

“Good.” Aethelwolf patted her head lightly.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Come in.” Aethelwolf said.

Rendell entered the room with a solemn look on his face.

Seeing this, Aethelwolf furrowed his eyebrows as he asked. “What’s going on? You don’t look quite well.”

“Sir Aethelwolf, I have already paid the landowners and the surrounding land is already under our name.” He took a short pause and continued. “While I was outside, I heard of rumors about the execution of Hugo Ward.”

Aethelwolf narrowed his eyes. Tomorrow was the execution of Hugo Ward and from the looks of it, the Imperial Family intentionally leaked the news of his execution to garner the support of the citizens. Perhaps the emperor wants to slowly inform the people about the incoming war.

“Alright. You and Albert will go to the execution grounds tomorrow and represent the Lassiter Household.” Aethelwolf said as he handed two pills to him. “This is for you and Albert. Consume them tonight.”

Rendell took the pills carefully. He didn’t know what those pills were, but anything that comes out of Aethelwolf’s hands was precious so he felt a wave of excitement after getting the pills. “Yes, Sir Aethelwolf!”

“You may leave.”

Rendell bowed at him before he left the room.

The pill he gave were the ones he used to increase his strength. Now, he only has a few left.

Rendell and Albert have already proven their loyalty so this was his gift to them. It would also make those two more faithful in serving him.

“Should I give one to Hyacinth?” He muttered to himself.

***

“I wonder what these pills can do?” Rendell mumbled silently while looking at the two pills in his hands.

He went straight to where Albert was and handed one pill to him. “Sir Aethelwolf told me that we will represent the Lassiter Household tomorrow. The noble households in Lion City will also send their representatives to spectate the execution of Hugo Ward.”

Albert frowned and looked at him in confusion. “What’s this?” He asked.

“Oh, that? It is a gift from Sir Aethelwolf. He told me that we should eat the pills tonight, but I have no idea what they can do.” Rendell shrugged cluelessly.

After hearing his words, Albert unhesitatingly tossed the pill into his mouth.

“Eh? You are eating it now?” Rendell stared at him in shock. He then chuckled as he swallowed down his pill.

Rendell was now a peak Level 1 Esper, but it would still take him a long time before he could reach the next level. However, when the pill entered his stomach, he sensed a torrent of energy slowly spreading throughout his body. The wave of energy then gathered into his Hegel, forcing a breakthrough!

‘What the hell?!’ He thought to himself in shock.

It wasn’t just him, Albert was also experiencing the same thing. He was now a peak stage Level 3 Esper and it was only recently that he had reached this level so his breakthrough shouldn’t happen in the next few years. However, his worldview was turned upside down because of the changes happening inside his body. He realized to his disbelief that the pill he had taken was actually forcing him to break through the next level!

Soon, the aura of both men stabilized.

Rendell broke through two levels and entered the mid stage Level 2 Esper, while Albert entered the ranks of the elites at the early stage of Level 4.

The two stared at each other with dumbfounded faces. They didn’t expect that they would level up by just eating one pill!

“No one must know about this!” Albert warned him in a grave tone.

Rendell nodded his head in agreement.

The value of the pill they consumed was unimaginable and they couldn’t even begin to fathom what would happen once someone gets wind of its existence!

Albert inspected their surroundings carefully. He then heaved a sigh of relief after finding out that no one was in the vicinity.

“Sir Aethelwolf actually possesses such divine pills!” Rendell exclaimed. He was still in a state of shock.

Albert glared at him. “The pill is indeed shocking, but I think pills like that have their limitations. You should be quiet and don’t mention anything about what happened tonight to anybody.”

Rendell nodded his head. “I know.”

Albert lowered his head and muttered. “With Sir Aethelwolf supporting us, the Lassiter Household would soon become the strongest family in the Leone Empire...” He clenched his fists tightly. He never would have thought that he would become a Level 4 Esper in just a short amount of time.