I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 30

This was the perfect location to make use of the potion crafting skill I had gained through holy water. To think I could create aphrodisiacs here—items usually only available in cash shops! This meant that even after using up the remaining ‘Certain Effect Aphrodisiac,’ I could continue crafting more.

If I made aphrodisiacs before the welcome banquet and used them strategically, I could raise affections more effectively.

Dion, wide-eyed at my sudden enthusiasm, looked startled as I asked, “And this garden… Can I tidy it up myself?”

“You?”

“Yes, yes! I’ll take care of it!”

“I don’t mind you tidying the garden, but… your hands will get hurt.”

Dion’s gaze moved to my smooth, unblemished hands as he expressed concern.

“That doesn’t matter.”

It’s not like hurting my hands would prevent me from capturing targets.

I added firmly. At my resolute response, Dion alternated his gaze between the overgrown weeds and my hands before nodding.

“I’ll fetch some gloves. After that, you may proceed as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

<Dion’s affection has slightly increased.>

As I stomped my feet in delight, Dion offered me a small smile for the first time. Surprised, I stared at him, causing him to cover his mouth.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Ah, alright.”

Flustered, Dion quickly left the area.

***

“…Is this what you call tidying  the garden?”

“Yes?”

“To me, it looks more like you’re recklessly tearing the garden apart.”

With my long hair tied up tightly, I had been pulling weeds from the garden when a bewildered voice from behind made me turn around. Dion, who had been beaming proudly at my preparations and casual attire earlier, now looked completely aghast.

“And what is this?”

“Can’t you tell? I’m organizing.”

“Organizing? Pulled weeds should be discarded.”

“Why would I throw them away?”

“Didn’t you say you were organizing?”

He stared at the large box overflowing with herbs, his face paling as he spoke. Looking at the system notifications, I was sorting the herbs by type. Ingredients for making a universal antidote, fatigue recovery potions, stimulants, and aphrodisiacs were all neatly categorized.

“If you’re done organizing, I’ll go discard these…”

“No!”

Dion’s hands moved toward the box as he spoke, but I lunged forward, tossing aside the herbs I had been holding.

“No, you can’t! I said it’s organized!”

“And what exactly do you plan to do with this?”

“I’m going to make potions.”

As I lowered the boxes from his hands one by one, he gave me a puzzled look. His confusion only grew as I answered, prompting him to ask again.

“Potions? If you need potions, you can just go to the herb chamber.”

Make aphrodisiacs at the herb chamber? Not a chance.

The potions I needed most were ones that could create situations to increase affections. There was no way the herb chamber would provide something like that. And even if they did, would they give such items to a Saintess?

“It’s a hobby.”

“A hobby?”

“Potion-crafting. It’s a hobby.”

What kind of hobby is that…? Dion’s thoughts were written all over his face. After putting the box down, he stepped back, observing me warily.

“So, are you going to keep pulling weeds?”

“Yes, for today.”

There were still plenty of herbs to sort, so I decided to dedicate the day entirely to this task. As I glanced around the garden while answering, Dion sighed and rolled up his uniform sleeves.

<Dion’s affection has significantly increased!>

“I’ll help.”

Momentarily mesmerized by his well-toned arms, I nodded as I registered his words and the system notification.

It seems Dion likes proactive people. I had thought his noble upbringing meant he’d only approve of aristocratic behavior, but the opposite seemed to be true.

The first time his affection had increased was when I wandered around near the fountain, and now it had risen again as I bent over, pulling weeds with my hands. Although I was still unsure of Dion’s preferences, I decided to focus on gathering herbs for now.

With Dion’s help, the work progressed much faster. After showing him where to place the herbs a few times, he not only followed my instructions but also checked the boxes himself and sorted the herbs into the correct ones.

“Sir Dion.”

“Yes?”

“You’re very good at this.”

When I complimented him in awe, Dion shrugged as if to say it was no big deal and returned to work.

“Saintess, you should take a break now.”

Dion, who had been focusing intently on the task, suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder and handed me some water.

“Taking breaks increases efficiency.”

I was genuinely impressed. I hadn’t expected him to be the type to look after others, but it seemed he had been waiting for just the right moment to suggest I rest.

Coincidentally, the system window had also been recommending a break.

Removing my gloves, I sat down beside him. As I settled in, Dion gazed at the garden and asked, “Is it alright to just focus on tidying the garden?”

“Why not? It doesn’t seem like there’s anywhere else in the palace that needs a Saintess right now.”

“Do you really think there’s a place in the palace that needs a Saintess? No one will come looking, no matter how long you wait.”

Dion stated this matter-of-factly. I glanced at his cool profile and replied, “I’m sure someone will. That’s why His Holiness sent me here.”

Although it wasn’t a major event, there were quests where people would occasionally seek out the Saintess. Completing those quests could bring me closer to the capture targets and even earn me some items.

Dion shifted his gaze from the garden to meet my eyes. If his affection grew higher, I was certain events involving the Saintess and Dion would begin to appear.

Brimming with confidence, I held his gaze until he abruptly stood up.

“This break is sufficient.”

With a curt tone, Dion returned to work.

***

“Saintess, is this what you need?”

“Yes, that’s perfect.”

“The herb chamber is nearby, so going there for more wouldn’t be a bad idea if you need additional supplies.”

For the potion crafting skill, potion bottles were essential. Seeing me fret over the lack of bottles, Dion had gone to the herb chamber and brought some back.

“I brought one box for now. There are 15 bottles in it, so it should be enough.”

He placed the empty bottles near the desk where I had spread out the herbs.

Well, I’m not so sure. Since my current potion crafting skill level is only 1, I’ll probably need more.

The skill’s maximum level was 10. Levels 1 to 3 were beginner potion crafting, 4 to 6 intermediate, and 7 to 9 advanced. Level 10 was the highest tier. The higher the level, the better the potions you could craft.

Right now, anything I make wouldn’t be particularly effective.

Still, I might as well give it a try.

<Activating Skill: ‘Potion Crafting’>

Lv.1: Able to craft potions with weak effects.

First, I should try crafting the potion I need the most.

“Can I stay nearby?”

“Of course.”

I pointed to an empty chair with my finger, and Dion brought it over, settling beside my desk.

<Crafting an Uncertain Effect Aphrodisiac>

• Completion Rate: 5%

Thanks to the system, my hands moved naturally. They automatically selected the appropriate herbs from the pile.

My hands ground the herbs, extracted the juice, and mixed them, moving swiftly as though this was a familiar task. Watching my hands work, I thought to myself:

So this is how it works.

It felt as though someone else was controlling my hands, not me.

<Crafting in Progress…>

When crafting potions, no other actions were possible. With my hands moving on their own, I could only watch as they followed the system’s commands.

It took about 15 minutes to craft one potion.

<Crafting Complete!>

<Stamina slightly decreases due to potion crafting.>

“Is it done?” Dion, watching the potion drip into the bottle, asked.

“Hmm, probably?”

“Why such an uncertain answer? What kind of potion is it?”

His curious expression lingered on the pale pink potion. The Certain Effect Aphrodisiac was supposed to be a deep red, but this one had been completed in a lighter shade.

I stared blankly at the potion in my hand as the system displayed its details.

<Uncertain Effect Aphrodisiac>

• A poorly crafted aphrodisiac made with an unrefined potion crafting skill.
• The effects are uncertain.

What’s this? Did it fail?

“It looks similar to a stamina recovery potion. Though… much paler in color.”

“Want to try it?”

“What kind of potion is it?”

“Uh, an energy booster?”

Since it was a potion meant to boost vitality in the lower body, calling it an energy booster wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

I trailed off, laughing awkwardly. Dion frowned slightly and extended his hand.

Huh? Is he actually going to drink it?

Startled by his unhesitant demeanor, I handed him the bottle without thinking. I didn’t expect him to trust me enough to actually drink it.

As he raised the bottle to his lips and downed it in one go, his throat moved slightly. Watching the bottle empty so quickly, I swallowed dryly, nervous.

W-will it work?

After drinking the potion, Dion closed his eyes briefly. His blue eyes slowly reopened, filled with my reflection. I anxiously stared back at him.

Success at last?

If the potion worked as intended, this would mark my first breakthrough with Dion. Brimming with a strange anticipation, I flinched slightly as our gazes locked.

Dion, who had remained silent, finally opened his mouth.

“So, how is it?”

“As an energy booster, the effect is quite weak. Apart from a slight increase in heart rate, there are no noticeable effects.”

Unfortunately, my first attempt at potion-crafting hadn’t yielded much of a result.

Pressing his hand against his chest, Dion confirmed his findings. Just as he said, there was no visible change in his demeanor or lower body, and I nodded in agreement.

Nothing happened.

“I see. That’s disappointing.”

“For a hobbyist’s potion, it’s well-made.”

As he placed the used bottle into a separate box, Dion added this consolation.

Perhaps thinking I was feeling down, he handed me another bottle and said, “With more practice, you might achieve better results.”

He had a point. Reflecting on the potion crafting process, I noticed the ingredient ratios weren’t consistent.

Some herbs were used in 20% proportions, others 30%. Instead of precise measurements, only approximate ratios were shown.

The more potions I crafted, the better I could refine the ratios, increasing the likelihood of producing perfect potions.

Listening to Dion’s encouragement, I accepted the bottle from his hand.