The Former Poor Elf’s Alchemy and Potion Shop 

1: Aiming for the Royal Capital 

“One low-grade potion, please!” 

“I’ll take a potion too!” 

On my first day in the royal capital, I bought medicinal herbs and set up a street stall. I made and sold low-grade potions on the spot. 

To my surprise, sales were booming beyond my expectations. 

—I can’t believe they’re selling this well. The royal capital is amazing. 

However, I noticed something strange—there were no other alchemists selling potions at street stalls. 

Apparently, most alchemists operate out of proper shops. 

When I checked out other stalls, I found that the quality of the low-grade potions being resold or sold secondhand was noticeably lower than mine—so much so that I could tell just by glancing at them. 

Then it hit me. 

The level of alchemists in the royal capital is way lower than I expected. 

Does this mean… it’s up to me to do something about it? 

I’m happy that I can make a difference, but… this might be a bigger challenge than I thought. 

◇ 

Today, I say goodbye to Hashiyuri Village. 

At long last, I am setting out on my long-awaited journey to the royal capital. 

My only companion? My slime partner, Pom. 

“Big brother, goodbye! Bye-bye!” 

“Take care, Mireille! Pom!” 

“Kyukyu~!” 

Hashiyuri Village is as rural as it gets—a remote frontier known as the kingdom’s most secluded backwater. 

Both of my parents passed away early. So my brother and I were raised by our grandmother, the village’s sole alchemist. 

She made a living that way… until she passed away last year. 

Now, my brother has taken over the family trade as an alchemist. It leaves me as the odd one out. 

There’s no need for two alchemists in a small village like ours. 

Plus, my brother has a fiancée. And once they marry, I’ll be completely unnecessary. 

So, I decided to set out for the legendary royal capital, the place every girl in the countryside dreams of. 

That’s how I ended up leaving home. 

As for Pom, we first met while I was gathering herbs in the mountains. 

It was already there, happily munching on a patch of medicinal plants. 

For some reason, it took a liking to me and has been following me ever since. 

I still don’t know why. 

Of course, Pom’s favorite food is medicinal herbs—especially rare ones with high healing properties. 

But it doesn’t eat only herbs. It also munches on vegetables, regular weeds, and who knows what else. 

Since it doesn’t talk, I have no idea what its preferences are. 

“I can’t wait to see the royal capital, Pom~!” 

“Kyukyu~!” 

We ride on a wagon heading for the next town, finally leaving our village behind. 

Pom usually hops around and squeaks. But right now, it’s just lightly bouncing on my lap, behaving itself. 

Since we were poor, I couldn’t bring much with me. 

I only have my alchemy storage backpack, along with several potted medicinal plants hanging from the sides. 

These herbs are nothing special in our village. But my grandmother once told me they’re rare outside. 

Just in case, I packed as many seeds and potted plants as I could. 

These alone could be worth a decent amount in the outside world. 

But back in the village, they were practically worthless—so even with them, we were still poor. 

In fact, these herbs are so unknown outside that even if I try to sell them, merchants won’t buy them. 

Most of them don’t even recognize them as medicinal herbs. 

“I’m finally saying goodbye to this poor life!” 

“Hahaha! Good luck out there, young lady!” 

“Thank you!” 

The merchant who gave me a ride encourages me. 

Back home, our family barely survived by making potions and magical tools. 

Even though we could craft all sorts of products, the transportation costs to get materials to our remote village were so high that we couldn’t afford to trade outside. 

I feel a little bad for my brother, but he can manage in that tiny village. 

I, on the other hand, will spread my wings and take on the world! 

I’ll become an alchemist or an apothecary in the royal capital. 

It must be a dazzling, glamorous place—full of wonder and excitement! 

After three days of riding with the merchant’s wagon, we finally arrive in a town. 

It’s the first real town I’ve ever visited. 

Apparently, I came here once as a small child with my parents. But I have no memory of it. 

“Thank you for everything!” 

“Goodbye, Mireille! Safe travels!” 

I thank the merchant, pay him with the little money I have, and check into a cheap inn—an obvious first-time traveler. 

From there, I take shared wagons for days and days, traveling endlessly… 

And at long last—finally, finally— 

I reach the outskirts of the royal capital.

“Amazing, Pom! Look, look at that wall! It’s huge, so tall!” 

I can’t help but get excited. 

After all, that is unmistakably the wall of the royal capital—and beyond it lies the biggest city in the entire kingdom.