Lu Yuan was grinding a strip of Oak Wood bark in a mortar when a set of steady footsteps sounded outside the door.
Otto pushed the door open and walked in.
He was dressed even more casually than yesterday, his dusty old coat speckled with mud, its sleeves still rolled up to his elbows.
As soon as he entered, he tipped his chin at Ibeya. "Are the medicine ready? A few workers at the construction site in the south of the city injured their hands. I'm here to pick up a batch of Oak Wood Bark Recovery Potions."
Ibeya answered and turned to take down a wooden box from the shelf. Inside were more than a dozen dark brown bottles, neatly arranged. She handed it over.
Otto accepted it, then glanced toward Ibel. "How's the insect repellent modification coming along?"
"Still improving it." Ibel did not even raise her head, and the rhythm of her mortar did not change. "It may take another day or two."
"No rush." Otto replied casually. As he turned, his gaze swept over the workbench and landed on Lu Yuan standing beside the table. He let out a surprised sound.
"Captain Lu? You're here too?"
"I can make a little medicine too." Lu Yuan set down the mortar and brushed the powder from his hands. "I had nothing else to do, so I thought I'd mess around here."
Otto laughed, tucked the wooden box beneath his arm, and did not hurry to leave. He leaned against the workbench and looked Lu Yuan over, his eyes carrying a hint of appreciation.
Lu Yuan did not stand on ceremony and smoothly picked up the conversation. "Captain Otto, are you close with Klaus?"
"Old friends for many years." Otto's tone relaxed, carrying the ease that came only with