Danmachi: Strongest Familia

The potion that held Ares' fascination was the "Rage Potion," whose effects he'd seen firsthand the previous night. Yet, even more intriguing to him was the mysterious alchemist behind its creation. However, Ares, despite his bold nature, understood that no shrewd merchant would easily divulge such a valuable secret.

"At present, there are eighteen bottles of Rage Potion, eleven bottles of Steel Potion, and sixteen bottles of Witchcraft Potion in this warehouse. These potions are difficult to produce due to limited raw materials and labor. It would take weeks to make even twenty more," Renata explained with a shrug.

These potions represented nearly the entire stock of the Janna family, gathered and prepared specifically for this sale. Renata intended to sell all of them to Ares in one swoop, knowing that once Rakia's forces deployed the potions in battle, their reputation would reach all families of Orario.

As harsh as it sounded, she understood that the battlefield was the perfect arena to advertise such wares.

"That quantity is hardly enough for my family's adventurers," Ares complained.

"You could dilute the potion for broader use," Renata suggested. "The effects will be weaker, but it will also reduce any potential side effects."

Ares' brow furrowed. "Side effects?" 

Though a fierce god, Ares cared deeply for his soldiers. The idea of subjecting them to drugs with harmful side effects didn't sit well with him, even if those drugs would boost their strength.

"You may have noticed during last night's test," Renata began. "The Rage Potion heightens a person's aggression and diminishes their self-restraint. It makes them stronger, yes, but also less rational."

Ares scratched his head, processing the information. "That's the side effect?" he muttered, not fully grasping the concern.

"This is an openly sold potion," Renata replied calmly. "Of course, there are no concealed side effects that would cause harm beyond what's expected."

Hearing her reassurances, Ares relaxed. In fact, he had seen the potion's aggressive effect as something positive. The loss of self-restraint could lead to diminished pain sensitivity, which, in battle, was often a boon. Pain could be a serious hindrance.

"If diluted, how much would the effect decrease?" Ares asked.

"It depends on how much you dilute it. Generally, a single bottle could serve up to a hundred people if distributed carefully," Renata responded.

"A hundred?!" Ares echoed, his eyes lighting up at the potential.

"Of course, though the enhancement each person receives will be less noticeable. This is something you'll have to weigh for yourself," Renata added.

Ares nodded slowly, absorbing her words, while Marius, his right-hand man, took over the discussion. In practical matters of strategy and deployment, Marius handled most of the details. Ares was more a figurehead, initiating battles and rallying troops rather than planning logistics.

"Ahem... Tell me about the other two Potions," Ares said, attempting to regain his composure.

Renata, sensing the shift, politely continued, "The witchcraft potion greatly enhances an adventurer's magical abilities, boosting both the power of their spells and the speed of magic recovery."

"So it's ideal for spellcasters?" Ares remarked, clearly impressed. "But… does it have any side effects?"

"The potion can only be used by those with a body capable of withstanding the sudden influx of magical power," Renata cautioned, recognizing the eagerness in Ares' voice.

She suspected he was already planning to put the witchcraft mixture to use in his upcoming campaigns. Though Renata cared little for the potion's end-use once it left her possession, she wanted to maintain a positive relationship with Ares and therefore emphasized the importance of suitable users.

"The Steel Potion," she continued, "greatly boosts stamina and resilience. For a short time, the user experiences a kind of superhuman endurance. The side effect is that it increases body size slightly and accelerates energy consumption."

Without waiting for more questions, Renata elaborated on both the benefits and drawbacks of the steel potion, then introduced the life and magic potions. These classic potions, while exceptional in their own right, paled beside the more novel mixtures in her collection.

An alchemist capable of creating such advanced potions, Ares realized, was rare and immensely valuable.

"You're more straightforward than I expected," he commented, impressed by her openness. "I thought you might hold back on some of the potions' side effects, but you've been more honest than I anticipated."

"I believe in honest business," Renata replied, smiling. "My clients' satisfaction is my priority."

Ares suddenly grew curious. "Is the alchemist who created these mixtures a part of your group?"

Though aware the question might overstep, he couldn't help himself. His curiosity was so strong that he knew it would gnaw at him if he didn't ask.

"We're more like partners," Renata replied thoughtfully. "But yes, we do belong to the same family."

Ares mulled over her words. If they shared a family bond, it suggested a partnership or even an alliance. Perhaps her group was experiencing internal friction, leaving open the possibility of recruitment.

Whether it was Renata, a skilled businesswoman, or her elusive alchemist partner, Ares wanted both on his side.

"Join my family, Renata. Rakia could use talents like yours," he said, extending another invitation.

"I appreciate the offer, Lord Ares," she replied diplomatically. "But if I joined your ranks, I'd likely never make it back to Orario."

Observing Ares' persistent determination, Renata sensed that if she didn't provide him with an unequivocal reason, he would only continue his pursuit.