Harem Master: Seduction System

Chapter 86: Meeting Orion

The sun hung low on the horizon as Alaric and Rosalind’s horse trotted through the wide dirt road leading toward the main branch of the Silver Ravens Guild.

After three days of travel, filled with teasing touches, soft kisses, and moments where Alaric simply relished in Rosalind’s soft warmth, they finally caught sight of their destination.

The guild’s branch loomed ahead—a towering structure of gray stone and intricate carvings, its massive crest emblazoned on the gates.

Rosalind, seated in front of Alaric on their shared horse, leaned back against him with a content sigh. "Finally here," she murmured, her voice soft yet laced with a quiet determination.

Alaric smiled faintly, his arms still comfortably looped around her waist. "About time. I was beginning to think this horse would fall apart before we got here."

Rosalind laughed, a sweet sound that echoed against the walls of the guild as they approached. "You’re one to talk. I’m the one who’s had to keep us on course while you spent half the journey... distracted." She glanced back, a teasing glint in her emerald eyes.

"Can you blame me?" Alaric grinned, tightening his grip on her slightly. "You’re hard to ignore."

She blushed faintly but didn’t respond, simply nudging the horse forward as they passed through the massive gates and into the main courtyard.

The Silver Ravens Guild’s central branch was bustling with activity—warriors sparring, mages trading spells, merchants haggling loudly.

Compared to the smaller branch they’d left behind, this place felt like a sprawling city within a city.

The pair dismounted near the stables, and Alaric stretched lazily before offering Rosalind a hand to step down. She accepted with a faint smile, her fingers lingering against his for a moment longer than necessary.

"Alright," Rosalind said as she straightened her crimson cloak. "Orion should be in the alchemist’s wing. He’s a bit... eccentric, but he’s the best there is."

’Eccentric? I’ll take that as a warning,’ Alaric thought with an inward sigh as he followed Rosalind into the main building.

The alchemist’s wing was situated on the far end of the guild, nestled in a quieter section of the sprawling fortress.

As they stepped through the heavy oaken doors, the scent of herbs, potions, and scorched metal hit Alaric’s senses all at once.

Shelves upon shelves lined the walls, packed with glass vials and powders in shades he didn’t know existed.

A few apprentices scurried about, carrying trays of glowing liquids that sloshed precariously with every step.

And there, at the center of the room, stood Orion.

Alaric’s first impression was that the man looked exactly as one might expect of an alchemist who had far too much confidence in himself.

He was tall and lean, with sharp features that might’ve been handsome if not for the permanent smirk etched across his lips. His hair, platinum blond and carefully styled, seemed to shine under the soft glow of alchemical lamps.

A deep-blue coat embroidered with gold hugged his slender frame, and his long, gloved fingers adjusted the lenses of his spectacles as he bent over a bubbling cauldron.

"Orion," Rosalind called softly, breaking the hum of activity in the room.

The alchemist looked up immediately, his arrogant smirk widening into something more delighted as he saw Rosalind. His eyes, sharp and blue, lit up in a way that made Alaric’s brow twitch.

"Rosalind! My dear, what a pleasant surprise," Orion purred, stepping away from his work as though the cauldron meant nothing to him now. His gaze lingered on her—perhaps a little too long—before flickering toward Alaric with a flash of disdain. "And you... must be Alaric, I presume?"

"That’s me," Alaric said smoothly, offering a polite nod. "It’s good to meet you, Orion. I’ve heard you’re the best alchemist in the guild."

Orion chuckled, brushing a speck of dust off his pristine coat. "The best?" he echoed, his tone dripping with faux modesty. "Well, they do say that. But flattery will only get you so far, my boy. Now, what brings you two to my humble workshop?"

Rosalind stepped forward. "We need your help, Orion. It’s urgent. We need a Mystic Rejuvenation Elixir. For Iridelle."

At that, Orion’s smirk faltered slightly, though he quickly masked it with an exaggerated sigh. "A Mystic Rejuvenation Elixir?" he repeated, rubbing his chin dramatically. "Hmmm, that is... quite the request. You realize how complex such a potion is to concoct, don’t you?"

Alaric turned to her, his eyes glinting. "It’s worth it. I’m not going to let Orion have the satisfaction of thinking we can’t get this done."

With their bags growing heavier, they visited several more stalls. The routine was the same—Alaric would negotiate briefly, purchase what he needed, and keep his hands on Rosalind whenever the opportunity presented itself.

At one particularly quiet stall, hidden between two larger ones, Alaric pulled Rosalind close while the vendor turned around to fetch some thorned cypress bark. "This is exhausting," he whispered, brushing his lips against her neck.

Rosalind stiffened slightly but melted almost immediately as his kiss lingered at the edge of her collarbone. "Alaric... stop," she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.

"No one’s looking," he teased before leaving another soft kiss just above her cleavage, which peeked through her traveling outfit. The warmth of her skin against his lips left a delightful spark.

"Focus!" Rosalind finally swatted his arm, though her laugh betrayed her enjoyment. "We have work to do."

By midday, they’d collected 69 out of the 79 herbs required. Most of the ingredients were fairly common—plants like crimson sage, frostbloom berries, and spiritroot were easily found in the market. But when they cross-checked their list, Rosalind frowned.

"These last ten herbs..." she began, tapping the parchment. "They aren’t things you just find lying around. Silverheart blossoms grow only near molten rock. Elderstorm moss needs to be gathered from caves infested with dire bats. And don’t get me started on the azure thorn lilies... those are found near wyvern nests."

Alaric sighed but straightened, his resolve unwavering. "Then we go get them. All of them."

Rosalind looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. "Today? You’re serious?"

"Of course," Alaric replied confidently. He took her hand and led her toward the stables. "There’s no point waiting around. Orion’s already stalling us. The sooner we collect these herbs, the sooner we can shove that elixir in his face."

Rosalind gave him a dubious look but followed him anyway. "You just enjoy showing off, don’t you?"

He shot her a grin. "Always."

The two of them rode together on the same horse—just as they had many times before—but this time, Alaric wasn’t holding back.

With Rosalind sitting snugly in front of him, her back pressed against his chest, Alaric let his arms wrap securely around her waist. "Hold on tight," he murmured as he whispered an incantation under his breath. A faint silver glow surrounded the horse’s legs as its muscles tensed with newfound energy.

In a flash, they were off.

The horse galloped through the dirt roads with incredible speed, its hooves barely seeming to touch the ground. Trees and hills blurred past as Alaric directed them toward the first location on their list—a series of rocky cliffs known to house molten streams where Silverheart blossoms grew.

As they rode, Rosalind turned slightly to glance at him. "You know, this is incredibly reckless. There are dangerous beasts in these habitats."

"Reckless is my specialty," Alaric replied, smirking as the wind whipped past them. "Besides, I have you with me."

Rosalind shook her head with an exasperated smile but leaned back slightly against him, clearly trusting his judgment.

The habitats they’d need to visit were notorious among adventurers:

The Molten Cliffs, where magma-spewing salamanders guarded the rare Silverheart blossoms.

The Elderstorm Caverns, dark and perilous, home to swarms of dire bats and eerie creatures lurking in the shadows.

The Wyvern Hills, a sprawling valley dotted with thorny azure lilies and prowled by territorial wyverns.

And those were just the first few stops. Each location promised danger, but Alaric’s determination burned brighter than ever.

"Let’s get this done," he said, his eyes glinting as the cliffs came into view on the horizon.

Rosalind nodded, her fingers tightening on the reins. "Lead the way, Alaric."

With their horse charging toward the first destination, Alaric couldn’t help but smirk to himself. ’Orion, you’re about to eat your words.’

Today wasn’t just about collecting herbs—it was about proving a point. And if he got to enjoy Rosalind’s company along the way, well, that was just a bonus.