8-5
The Strange Book Says, "Gathering
Herbs? Now?"
Translator : PolterGlast
After that, while listening
to Jii's long lecture that lasted
about an hour, letting it go in one ear and out the other, I enjoyed a calm
dinner with Atomina-aneue
and Dulin.
Perhaps Aneue prepared formal wear for me
specifically to make this unworthy brother of hers look even a little presentable and to reassure our sick
Father.
Although I was pushed into it by Jii and Aneue, I thought it was a good
thing that I met Father. It's not just about emotions. That was an
ample opportunity to foresee the future of the Empire and the Emperor possessed by the Grim Reaper.
The dark
clouds that had long festered within this empire finally erupted, triggered by
the reality of the Emperor’s grave illness; this, in turn, spurred those
connected to the Imperial Family into
action.
Anticipating the eventual political strife, conspiracies,
and, in the worst case, civil war, their quest for power to survive resulted in
the disturbances so far.
But I am Shinza. Not the Seventh Prince Ashley,
but just the playboy Shinza. Being Shinza, I decided to leave the
troublesome reality and depart from the Imperial Capital Bergelmir the
next day.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Even the usually alcohol-reeking Adventurer's Guild was
crisp and professional early in the morning, befitting pros of the trade. The
drunks at the bar counter were absent, and instead, groups who had formed
parties were holding meetings about hunting down
big game at the table seats.
While watching them, I lined up at the reception. Some
people grumbled about conditions this way and that, so I was kept waiting quite
a while. Finally, when my turn came, the person in charge seemed to change.
Looking forward, that usual scruffy-bearded man had taken his position at the counter seat and began arranging
some work for me. I see this man every single time I
come here; just what kind of working conditions does this place have...?
"You know—after rampaging that much in Corin Village,
why go out of your way to take a herb gathering quest...? Seriously eccentric.
We have a lot of weirdos here, but you've overtaken Sigrun and are
leading by a mile. ...You shine all of a sudden too."
The receptionist complained that I should take bigger jobs.
Being treated in the same league as that heroine felt like
an honor, but also made me want to object. However, for the sake of the people
waiting behind me in line, I stopped myself and stayed silent.
"I have business in Naglfar. Just approve
it."
"But it's only 350 Crowns, you know? Instead,
take this Magical Beast Subjugation request. Look, Shinza, you'll earn
five times as much."
"Yeah, next time."
"Oh, it's a promise then.
You're our gold mi—our rising hope, after all!"
And that’s how
it went. I accepted the herb gathering job near Naglfar, west of the Imperial
Capital, and departed from the capital. Strangely enough, the gathering
point overlapped with the territory Father tried to push onto me, but that is
merely a coincidence.
Starting with simple quests this time, I will achieve the
goals indicated by the Book of the Evil Dragon. That is the very purpose
of this expedition. To survive in the world after Father dies, I must become
stronger now.
Otherwise, getting assassinated would be the likely outcome.
Since the members of the Imperial Family have started moving in a power
struggle, I, too, shall seek power where even my brain would be made of muscle.
- Adventure -
【Complete
3 Jobs at the Adventurer's Guild】 1/3 Completed
- Reward: EXP 450 / ???
- I
certainly said to pick an easy one, but herb gathering at this stage...?
It's so plain I might fall asleep. Wake me when you're done.
It will be
fine, Zirant. With your voyeuristic nature, you can find entertainment
in absolutely anything. I'm just about getting eager to complete two quests
quickly and receive that meaningful reward [???].
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Proceeding along the highway west of the Imperial Capital,
I suddenly felt nostalgic for the time I traveled with Carral Hez and
the donkey. I wonder if she is still working hard across the sea, undefeated by
anything.
Carral said she
would expand the company, lead a fleet, and return to the Imperial Capital,
but it would be difficult for me to wait for that in this land now. I almost
feel like running off to Carral's side without returning to the palace.
Setting aside reality and the past, this time it's a
carriage. We aren't carrying cargo; I myself am the cargo.
Therefore, having departed early in the morning, and perhaps
because the carriage was empty due to the time of day, I arrived at my
destination just past noon.
According to the adventurer I shared the ride with, this
area is called the Land of Erin. In that case, perhaps I ought to call
this place where I stand the 'Forest of Erin'.
Leaving the actual
name of the place aside, seeking rare medicinal herbs including those that can
only be gathered in this land, I walked around the dangerous forest for a
while.
Since jobs come to the Adventurer's Guild for a reason,
dangerous monsters have been sighted in this forest. However, since the
objective is gathering, I want to avoid wasting time on every unnecessary battles.
"Black Herb, Oni-Kabuto, Digitalis,
and various others, huh..."
As far as I know from the encyclopedia, the requested items
are all herbs with potent medicinal properties. Their effects are so strong
that they are more famous as poisons.
However, poison isn't necessarily evil. For adventurers and
hunters, it is a splendid weapon for defeating monsters and prey.
Going deeper into the forest, I found a hellish cluster of Black
Herbs, so I proceeded with gathering using my prized Shovel.
The gathered herbs will be delivered to the Maritime City Naglfar.
Once I enter Naglfar, I will complete that trial in the Book
of the Evil Dragon. The one I haven't touched at all since parting with Carral.
- Exploration -
【Do
1 lap around the Maritime City Naglfar】 2/3 laps remaining
- Reward: EXP 100 / VIT +5
- Ashley,
I thought you had completely forgotten about it...
There's no way I'd forget. I like that port town. There are
still plenty of seafood I haven't eaten and imported goods I haven't seen.
Plus, it says it gives VIT (Stamina) +5. There's no
way I'd pass up such a good deal.
"Hm, Piggy Nose. No harm in gathering some while
I'm at it."
It is a strange herb with petals shaped like a pig's snout.
It was my first time seeing the real thing, so after crouching down and
observing it well for a while, I gathered some without destroying the precious
cluster.
After that, perhaps thanks to meeting the Piggy Nose,
the gathering proceeded smoothly. Eventually, with my backpack full, I decided
to leave the forest as it began to turn crimson with dusk.
With this amount, the other party should be pleased. There
are also a wide variety of bonus herbs not in the request.
"Phew... Good work. Rather than the suffocating court,
I truly prefer—"
There is a saying from the other world: Twice is
coincidence, three times is inevitable. So, is this a coincidence?
Something closely resembling the howl of that hellish wolf, the Abyss Hound,
reached my ears.
I have no feelings of fear or impatience toward it. Although
it was a joint struggle with Sigrun, I defeated one even before my rapid
growth due to the book. So there's no way the current me would lose.
But I am not a battle maniac like Sigrun. It wouldn't
be very rational to hunt it when I'm acting solo—especially since I haven't
even accepted a subjugation request for it.
However, yesterday's events flickered in my mind at the same
time. This is the land Father intended to give me.
If I leave the owner of the howl alone, hunters in this land
might die. If the response is delayed, there is even a possibility that
neighboring villages will end up in the Abyss Hound's stomach.
But then. A new howl joined in. It was too lukewarm to call
a beast's turf war.
At least two Abyss Hounds appeared deep in this
forest. It was terrifying proof that couldn't possibly be a laughing matter. If
I were a powerless commoner, this would be the start of a panic horror story.
"What should I do..."
I opened the Book of the Evil Dragon and asked for Zirant's
opinion.
『Stop.
Two at the same time is too much. Even you might die. Absolutely stop.』
"Well, you're right. That's something a battle maniac
like Sigrun would do."
『Then
retreat quickly!』
"Don't tell me, you're worried about me?"
『Stop
talking nonsense and hurry! Leave!』
No matter how strong I become, the problem is that I don't
have eyes on my back. The situation is different from that time when my back
was protected by Lucky-san and the defensive wall.
But, if you heard a girl's scream, what would you do,
Zirant?
"That settles it. Not retreat, but advance."
Closing the Book of the Evil Dragon interrupts the chat. Without thinking, I ran straight in the direction of the scream.
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