Chapter 13

Tall and Sora's goblin forest excursions began.

The second day.

“Once you find goblin footprints, first check the width.”

“Measure the length of the foot?”

“No, look at the width to determine the number. They always travel in groups of either two or three. If it’s two, they’ll be in a line, and if it’s three, one will be in front and two will be side by side in the back.”

While explaining, Tall pointed to the ground. On the green moss, there were faint, relatively new, small footprints. They were almost in a straight line, so it was clear there were two goblins.

“Their territory is usually within a hundred steps, and they generally move along the perimeter. So if you fight them as soon as you find them, there’s a risk that another group whose territory borders theirs will attack you.”

“Wow, they’re considerate of each other.”

“To avoid that, the trick is to lure them a bit inside their territory before fighting. For example, like this—”

Tall took out some small snail shells from his backpack and placed them on the ground at equal intervals.

“Goblins have very good eyesight. Their noses are also good, but not as good as dogs. If you need to escape, use the trees, not just run straight.”

“Like this?”

Sora easily jumped over a fallen log and quickly crouched behind it. Then she called out softly,

“Oh, there are mushrooms growing, Tall-chan!”

“That’s white spot mushrooms.”

“Are they tasty?”

“Yes, they’re supposed to be delicious when grilled with salt. But they can also be used to make antidote powder, so the guild will buy them.”

“Hmm, that’s tasty in a different way.”

While picking the mushrooms, Sora asked a question.

“Are there snakes around here?”

“No, not in this area. Antidote powder is used for skin rashes and itching. —Oh, here they come, stay hidden, Sora.”

The goblins, angered by the empty snail shells, were easily defeated by the two.

The day’s haul was twenty goblins, fifteen magic stones, one sharp-beaked bird, and one forest slime. There were twenty white spot mushrooms, but they decided to sell only fifteen. Five bundles fetched forty copper coins. In total, they made six large copper coins and ninety-seven copper coins. However, the expenses for Sora’s sheathed disassembly knife, a small hole-digging spade for outdoor toilets, and two leather bags for collecting items also amounted to six large copper coins, so the profit was almost zero. Still, these items were necessary for continued adventuring, so it was worth the investment.

The five mushrooms they brought back were given to the landlord, Yuril, to make antidote powder. She knew a skilled alchemist. While other materials were needed, five white spot mushrooms could make three bags of antidote powder. Yuril and the alchemist would each get one bag as payment, and one bag would be left for Tall and Sora.

The third day.

“Hey, Tall-chan, is this the bitter juice herb you mentioned yesterday?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“I found a similar herb in the mountains. When you crush it and apply it to a wound, it stops the bleeding.”

“It might be the same herb.”

In the deeper parts of the forest, where the miasma is thicker, the plants are affected. In the case of the bitter juice herb, the bitterness is stronger, but so are its blood-stopping and pain-relieving properties. Since it can’t be cultivated in the city, it’s also bought in bundles of five for forty copper coins, just like the mushrooms.

“Don’t pull it out by the roots. Cut it off a little above the stem. It will grow back in about three days.”

“Wow, you can pick it multiple times. If you remember the spot, you can pick as much as you want.”

“Only during this season. After summer, it won’t grow anymore.”

The bitter juice herb, a perennial, sprouts from early spring to mid-summer. White spot mushrooms also disappear after the water god season, so it’s common to gather as much as possible during this period to make and store medicine.

The day’s haul was fifteen goblins, ten magic stones, and two mole rats. They also gathered fifteen bundles of bitter juice herb and decided to sell ten. In total, they made five large copper coins and six copper coins. The bitter juice herb was also turned into a blood-stopping ointment via Yuril.

Since they finished early, they decided to go to the public bath. With a day’s earnings of about one silver coin, it was a celebration and a way to relax.

“I’ve never been in a big bath!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve arranged for a guide.”

“Hehe, thank you, Sora-san.”

Tall couldn’t accompany her inside, so he asked Yuril to go with her. The girl, looking anxious, was led through the curtain by the old woman.

When they lived in the mountain village, they only bathed in the river or wiped themselves with wet cloths, so it was understandable that she was nervous. Even Tall found it difficult to get used to bathing naked with a group of people.

Thirty minutes after Tall, Sora came out of the bath, looking very cheerful. Her freshly washed black hair was still not completely dry, but it shone with a lustrous gloss. Her skin was smooth and soft, as if it had been polished.

Tall, who had been watching the playful Sora with a slightly exasperated look, was whispered to by Yuril.

“Tall-san, it seems that Sora-san only has one set of undergarments.”

The fourth day.

They decided to stop the morning hunt and go to a fabric shop with Yuril’s guidance. Tall had intended to give them the money and ask them to go together, but somehow it turned into a discussion about buying undergarments for Tall as well. When he heard that Sora didn’t have spare undergarments, he proudly declared, “I only have one spare,” which seemed to be a bad move.

“Here we are. We’ll be in your way.”

“Welcome. Oh, Yuril-sama.”

The shop they were taken to was located in the northern part of the main street, an area where many leatherworkers and blacksmiths lived, with workshops and tool shops.

The shop wasn’t very large, but it was bright and airy thanks to the small windows, allowing a clear view of every corner. The shelves were lined with colorful fabrics, and high-quality textiles hung from the walls. The female shop owner was a slender, beautiful woman with straight black hair and narrow eyes.

“What are you looking for today?”

“Well, I’d like to find a few undergarments for these two.”

“Understood.”

The female shop owner brought out a measuring tape and string and quickly measured Tall and Sora.

“Have you decided on the fabric?”

“It’s getting hotter, so how about two linen and one cotton?”

“We have some good Gran-produced fabrics.”

When asked, Tall couldn’t answer because he didn’t know the difference between the two. Sora was looking around the shop with shining eyes and wasn’t paying attention to the conversation. In the end, they left the choice to the shop owner within their budget and had the fabric cut.

After that, the shop owner rang a small bell, and an elderly man appeared from the back of the shop. He was bald, with a high hawk nose and sharp eyes. He seemed to be related to the shop owner, perhaps a parent or close relative.

“Oh, welcome. Yuril-sama.”

“It’s been a while. I came to get some clothes made for these two.”

“Thank you. Hey, are the cuts done?”

“Yes, here they are. How long will it take?”

“I’m free now, so it will take three days for the women’s and one day for the men’s.”

It seemed the female owner would cut the fabric, and the man would sew it. They agreed to pick up the items in four days. The total cost was two silver coins, which was quite cheap for nine undergarments, considering a regular coat cost about the same.

They also visited a clothing store and bought a set of ready-made undergarments and pajamas for Sora. The cheaper linen fabric made it possible to buy the set for two silver coins. Although it was an unexpected expense, Sora was very happy, so Tall didn’t mind. At their current pace, they could easily make it back in a week.

For lunch, Sora suggested a food stall in the square, so the three of them went to the central square. As Tall watched the girl excitedly peeking at the merchandise, Yuril spoke to him with a gentle smile.

“She seems much more lively.”

“Is that so? She’s always been like that.”

“No, no, I mean since you’ve been with her.”

Tall realized she had noticed him using his left hand. However, he felt there was more to Yuril’s words than met the eye.

“Maybe I have changed a bit recently.”

“That’s good. But please don’t overdo it.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“And...”

Yuril’s gaze shifted to Sora, who was returning with steamed buns.

“No matter what happens, please take good care of her.”

The old woman’s profile seemed a bit somber to Tall.

After lunch, they went back to the forest to hunt goblins. They spent the afternoon and had a decent haul: eleven goblins, seven magic stones, ten white spot mushrooms, and five bundles of bitter juice herb.

Since they stayed out a bit longer, they returned just as the sun was setting. They passed through the outer gate, waving off the young guard’s banter as usual.

Just as they were about to step into the square, their path was suddenly blocked by a group of men in black uniforms.