Mephisto nodded happily, "Indeed. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've seen something new and exciting. The last time... Yes, the last time was when little Ajuka made those wonderful Evil Pieces of his. I managed to get myself a set and turned Tannin into my Queen, but after that I lost interest. Those Rating Games of theirs are just so boring. Though Tannin does seem to enjoy them. To each their own, I suppose."
Junichiro had a tight smile. Hearing Mephisto refer to Ajuka Beelzebub as 'little Ajuka' just drove home how ancient and powerful Mephisto was. Meanwhile, for Mittelt, it was a reminder that Mephisto was as old as the original four Satans, probably as powerful, and, if rumors were true, wasn't even born of Lilith, Lucifer's wife and mother of Devils. Many believed that the only reason Mephisto didn't rule the underworld was because he simply didn't wish to.
Mephisto's eyes focused back on Junichiro, "Then you came out of nowhere. Your introduction to the supernatural world? A never before seen healing potion! Of course, it has nothing on Phenex Tears when it comes to sheer healing strength.
Yet, it is still so very useful. It took me a fair amount of effort to get my hands on some. Can you imagine my surprise when I tried to dig out its secrets yet every possible method of scanning it, both magical and mundane, turned up nothing but useless data?"
Junichiro couldn't help the proud smile that graced his face. Knowing his abilities had stymied someone as old and knowledgeable as Mephisto was quite the achievement, "A man has to protect his secrets. Those potions making up the majority of my main income, you know."
That was true too. He'd automated the process using small golems. All he had to do was make sure the raw material hoppers were full and the little magical objects would go through the necessary steps to brew the healing potion. The hardest part had actually been automating the process to protect the recipe. In the end, he'd had to design a magic item just for that purpose.
Mephisto nodded along to Junichiro's explanation, "Of course, of course. Business is business, after all. Still, after that came your items. I actually purchased a full set of your kitchen knives. I have to say, despite not, technically, being magic items, they are by far the best set of knives I've ever had the pleasure of owning. Ah, I, unlike many others, don't consider just anything made with Mana Steel to be magical, just so you're aware of why I do not consider them magical. Now, if they shot out flames or some such, it'd be a different story.
But then there was what I could find out from examining them. Ohhhhh I'd never even heard of a similar technique. Though the method of folding steel that many Japanese bladesmith's use to spread out the impurities within their steel was a clear inspiration, using that method to somehow sandwich thin layers of magical power between the layers of steel?! Inspired!"
Junichiro nodded along. There wasn't a method to hide his forging techniques, or at least not that forging technique. It wasn't much of an issue though since that technique was considered the most basic of basics. Even then, someone would have to figure out the process of implanting the magical power into the metal and making it 'stick' so it could be folded. So while it could be seen, it was a lot harder to imitate.
After taking a sip of his tea, Junichiro reached into an inner pocket of his jacket and removed his cigarette case. Holding it up so it could clearly be seen he asked, "Do you mind"
Mephisto wrinkled his nose, "Such a filthy habit. I'm surprised a clearly intelligent young man, like yourself, would have such a habit. But, I suppose, no human is perfect. Feel free."
Junichiro didn't bother correcting Mephisto. While his past life had smoked tobacco cigarettes, he'd never touched the stuff in his current life. Though not because cancer was a concern.
More because, compared to the magical herbal blends, tobacco tasted and smelled like ass. At least, commercially processed tobacco did. A good hand rolled and well aged cigar was a different matter entirely. He'd still skip it in favor of his personal smokes though.
He flipped open the case and pulled out on of his hand rolled cigarettes. Each one in the case hand a small colored band on them that marked out which blend they were.
The one he selected had a soft light blue band that marked it as one with a calming mix of herbs. Sitting across from Mephisto, even if the guy was being rather polite and friendly, was still a hell of a terrifying thing. He quickly placed the cigarette between his lips and lit it with a snap of his fingers. A light inhale followed by an exhale had the scent of the smoke spreading quickly.
Mephisto sniffed the air and looked a little surprised, "Oh?" His surprised turned into a satisfied smile, "I suppose I shouldn't have assumed you would smoke tobacco. Still, mixing such herbs and smoking them?"
He closed his eyes took a deeper breath through his nose, inhaling as much of the scent as he could. After exhaling he nodded, "Echomard. Hallow Cane. Adina... and something I can't quite catch."
He opened his eyes and looked at Junichiro. Smiling, Junichiro provided the last ingredient, "Nasty Rose."
Despite the name, the herb Nasty Rose wasn't actually 'nasty.' It was called that because it was a particularly vicious form of venus fly trap that looked like a rose and was capable of eating animals the size of rats. It was 'nasty' because it liked to wrap its pray up in its thorny stem before the flower head would open and devour the pray. Yet, despite being carnivorous, the plant produced a calming effect on living beings when it was burnt due to the pheromones the plant released to attract unsuspecting prey.
Mephisto looked a little surprised but continued to smile, "Simply marvelous. Such a blend would be quite relaxing without muddling the mind of the smoker." His smile turned a little playful, "I can understand why you would feel the need for such a thing in my presence. Though I would like to reiterate that I mean no harm to you or your companion. Honestly, if I hadn't been so intrigued by your vehicle, I wouldn't have even bothered with the pair of you."
Junichiro exhaled a cloud of smoke in a sigh. It figured someone like Mephisto could sense his ATV even through the stealth systems he'd made for it. There was no way, currently, for him to make something that could hide from powerhouses like Mephisto. But, soon enough, he'd have the strength and power to do so. Of course, by then, he wouldn't actually need to do so. It was all rather annoying.
Junichiro gave Mephisto a nod of understanding, "I get it. Curiosity is a hell of a thing. It's what brought me to Azazel's attention. He found one of my proto-knives and got curious. A lot like you, I imagine, though for different reasons I'm sure."