Chapter 41

One day, Jitaro came to my house.

"Kraft, would you like to go hunting with me?"

"Hunting?"

This was around the time when my successors, who could handle alchemically hardened rock, had grown, and I had a bit more free time.

"Why hunting?"

"Well, I heard that there's a large group of wild boars deep in the forest. A hunting companion who found them had other business, so he let me have the opportunity."

"Really? Wild boars, huh. But why me?"

My profits would decrease, wouldn't they?

"No, there are quite a few of them, and I thought you might be able to help transport them. Oh! Of course, I'll split the profits with you!"

"I see. Well, I do want to move my body once in a while, so sure."

"Great! Thank you very much!"

Currently, the price of food in this town is skyrocketing. Especially meat, which is in high demand and short supply, has become quite expensive. It's only natural that Jitaro, a hunter (I had forgotten), would target them.

By the way, although the prices are higher than in other towns, the income has increased even more, so there's no real problem.

Gold Dawn is in an extremely good economic state.

Incidentally, the Gold Dawn settlement has grown far beyond the size of a village and is now often referred to as a town.

"By the way, do wild boars form groups?"

"They are polygamous, so occasionally a group with a large number of females can form. I guess the males are that strong."

"I see. ...Hey, let's take the orphans with us."

"The children?"

"Yeah, Ed has sword skills, Saika can use a bow, and Kai and Wamika can use magic. It would be good to let them experience real combat once."

"That's a good idea. With you and me around, it'll be safe."

"Right? Okay, I'll go talk to Azure... no, Jitaro, you tell her."

"Got it!!"

Jitaro, who had been depressed over Reido's girlfriend, Solar, is now energetically bringing gifts to Azure. Azure, who is a devout believer, probably thinks Jitaro is a zealous worshipper...

Anyway, Jitaro, Reifan, Azure, and the children haven't reduced their stamina potion intake. I haven't told Jitaro, but I've arranged for it to be mixed into their meals every day.

So, they are growing much faster than the other villagers, though they don't really realize it.

After finishing my preparations and waiting, Jitaro came back not only with the four children but also with a few unfamiliar adults.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Who are these people?"

"Actually, they are new settlers and hunters who were asked by the hunting guild to show them around this area."

"I see. I don't mind. They're not complete novices, right?"

Their clothing and equipment were typical of hunters, and it was clear that they were well-used.

"Sure, no problem."

"I'm Kraft, nice to meet you."

"You must be Kraft, nice to meet you."

"Here, take this."

I distributed the undiluted legendary stamina potion to everyone.

"Is this the ultimate stamina potion that's rumored to be unavailable now?"

"I don't know if it's ultimate, but it's definitely more effective than what you can buy in the store."

Currently, the stamina potion I sell to the villagers at a low price is diluted with a special solution to reduce its effectiveness. Even so, it is more effective and lasts a full day compared to the stamina potions available in the kingdom.

Considering the original amount of herbs, how it can be so effective is already a mystery, but it's probably due to the alchemical cauldron and emblems. I don't think too deeply about it.

By the way, the healing and curing potions are not diluted. Instead, their prices are set quite high. If a registered resident is injured, they can get free treatment at the church (though there is a donation, but it's a matter of the heart).

The mana potions, which have a slightly reduced effect, are sold only to the adventurer's guild. Unfortunately, the guild branch leader who worked hard in the original settlement couldn't move, and a new guild leader has been dispatched.

"Is it okay to receive such a valuable item?"

"I think Jitaro and I can handle it, but if something happens, please protect the children."

"Understood. Thank you very much."

It's insurance just in case.

After confirming that everyone had taken it, we ventured deeper into the forest.

◆

"Indeed, the forest on the frontier is deep."

"Right. Jitaro, can you make the path a bit easier?"

"Got it."

Jitaro, who was leading the way, was clearing the undergrowth with a hard mithril machete. Midway, I asked him to also cut down obstructive branches.

"Hey, look at that thick branch being cut so easily."

"His sword is amazing, but his strength is also incredible."

The hunters were whispering.

Though not as strong as Jitaro, if they live in that town, they will soon be able to do similar things.

"...Huh? What's this...?"

"What's wrong, Jitaro?"

"Probably an orc village lies ahead."

"Again? They just keep appearing no matter how many we reduce."

"Wait, that's not good. We should go back—"

The hunters were about to say something, but I had an idea and turned to the children, so I didn't hear what they said.

"Perfect timing. How about you guys take them down?"

"What!? Really, big brother!?"

"Hey! We were supposed to hunt wild boars, not orcs!"

"Monsters are scary..."

"Hmm, sounds fun."

Ed, Saika, Kai, and Wamika gave various responses.

"I think you guys can handle it. Ed, can you take the front line?"

"No problem! I can do it!"

"Alright, it's settled."

"What!? Are you really going to let the children fight!?"

"Don't worry. I'll help if it gets too dangerous."

I took out the children's equipment from my spatial storage and distributed it to everyone.

Ed readied his sword and shield, Saika nocked her bow, and Kai and Wamika gripped their staffs.

"Your equipment seems pretty good, doesn't it?"

"Well, it's all made of hard mithril. The clothes are woven from alchemically strengthened threads, so they're stronger than ordinary armor."

The hunters were speechless.

Indeed, it is luxurious equipment for children, but I gave it to them to prevent injuries. If they aim to be adventurers, it will be useful.

"Alright, I'll cast the enhancement spell."

Wamika, with a soft tone, cast the enhancement spell on Kai and Saika. She probably has the potential to be a priest or a bestowal mage.

"Alright, Kai, use your magic first."

"Me?"

"Who else?"

"O-Okay."

Guided by Jitaro, we moved to a position where we could see the orc group. It was a small village of about six orcs.

"What, so few?"

"What!? No, no, Kraft! They're orcs! Even goblins are too much for children!"

"It's fine. Come on, Kai. Give it a try."

"Ugh... I'll do my best."

Kai, holding the staff I gave him, which was made by Reifan and used expensive magic stones, chanted.

"Ice Spike!"

Good choice, Kai, in the forest.

A spike as thick as an adult's arm pierced one of the orcs, dealing a fatal wound.

It would be good if you could use a mage emblem, Kai.

"What!? A child using an attack spell!?"

"And with considerable power!"

Well, he drinks mana potions every day and practices hundreds of times more than others. If he couldn't do this, it would be a problem.

By the way, I teach them once a week, and the rest of the days are homework.

"Wind Piercing!"

Next, Saika released an arrow skill. She didn't have much magical talent, so she was being tutored by Solar. Thanks to the legendary stamina potion, she could practice hundreds of times more than others and was now able to release powerful skills as a child.

Another orc fell.

"Alright! The rest is up to me!"

Of course, it was Ed who charged forward.

"Powerful Arm, Powerful Strike! Falling Leaf Style Flash!"

Ed wasn't very good at magic but was skilled with sword techniques, so I asked Reido to tutor him. In reality, not only Reido but also the adventurers found it amusing to train the orphans, so it was like the entire adventurer's guild was raising them.

Naturally, the techniques he used were the basic ones that beginner adventurers learn. However, with the agility characteristic of beastmen, his techniques were more powerful than those of ordinary adventurers.

"What!? No way!"

"Without an emblem, he can use sword techniques!?"

"Ugh!?"

Well, they are surprised.

The children, who had helped with animal dissection at the orphanage, were dealing with the orcs without any psychological issues.

"Hmm. Your situational awareness is a bit lacking."

"Right, that's true."

Jitaro nodded at my mutter.

While responding, Jitaro fired an arrow, and an orc who had been hiding and aiming at the children fell, his head blown off by the arrow's power.

"Ah!?"

"Sorry, Ed! I was too lax in my vigilance!"

"Damn! I was too focused on the fight. My bad."

"It's enough that you realize it. Be more careful next time."

"Got it. I'll be more careful."

"Yes, Mr. Kraft."

"Good, good. Just take the magic stones. You can use them as pocket money."

When we return to town, you can ask Jitaro to have the hunting guild buy them.

"Really!?"

"Yep."

"Yay!"

The children, smiling, stabbed the orcs' chests with their knives.

It's a heartwarming scene.

"O-Oh... Scary... Gold Dawn is scary..."

At least, you could say they are reliable.

Reifan: "Kraft, you really went all out, didn't you..."