Chapter 42

Puzzled, I and Rada stood there. Then, Kokushin said, "Eh, why are you so surprised?"

"No, no, Kokushin. Why do I have to take care of it?"

"? Didn't you say you wanted to reform your character?"

You did... You did say that. But, you know, it was more like a figure of speech! I was just trying to hint at it and encourage you to try harder...

"Raito is older, and he can speak clearly. He also knows a lot about medicine. He can give you advice on that too, right?"

"Eh, medicine? Is he a pharmacist!?"

Ah, Rada came back to his senses. He approached me.

"No."

"He seems to have learned from his grandmother. He can make simple medicines. I'm forced to drink recovery potions every night."

Don't say it like you're drinking it willingly. It's for your health. I remember you saying you wouldn't make food if I didn't drink it. You'll get used to it eventually.

"Eh, you can make potions even though you're an adventurer?"

"I don't have the skill."

"...?"

"Oh, you didn't know about that. Simple potions can be made without the skill if you know the recipe. Of course, they won't be as good as those made by professionals."

I took out the beginner recovery potion I made yesterday from my bag and placed it next to Rada's. Mine was green juice. Rada's was boiled spinach juice. In other words, the transparency was different.

"By the way, this is a commercial product."

I then placed another one. It was an opaque green, like dissolved paint. It formed a beautiful gradient.

"Wow."

Rada leaned over the table, excited.

"Why are you reacting like you've never seen it before?"

Kokushin tilted her head.

"Maybe your master was too good. Probably, Rada was even more obsessed with medicine than him. Or maybe he was the type who only recognized the best."

From Rada's perspective, maybe my potions and commercial products are just failures.

"Rada, have you never seen the potions that are sold?"

"Umm... No..."

He hasn't. What kind of life has he been living? If he goes to the guild, he should see them. Is he not interested in what others make, or is he only interested in making them?

"You say you want to be a merchant, but why don't you have this knowledge?"

Rada's gaze wandered awkwardly. Come to think of it, how old is this wimp? Kokushin treats him as a peer. He's probably in his early twenties. But he seems very sheltered...

"Wait. Does Rada have a family name?"

"Huh?"

Ah, he seems to have drawn back, looking troubled. Something like, why are you using such a casual tone with this wimp? But since he doesn't seem to mind, I'll use a casual tone too.

"That's why you don't seem to have struggled much."

This is not me, it's Kokushin.

"I, I don't have one now. I was the third son of a fairly large merchant guild."

Rada was the child of a second wife in a certain merchant guild. By the way, both polygamy and polyandry are acceptable if they can be supported. After Rada received his skill and became an apprentice at a pharmacy, his mother, the second wife, apparently got involved with the son of a rival store. She even provided him with money and information. When this was discovered, it led to a violent conflict. The second wife was arrested, and Rada had to give up his family name. Although he wasn't responsible, it was also to steer him towards becoming a pharmacist since he wasn't suited for business.

Kokushin heard this story when the master left.

I see. So wanting to be a merchant is because of the family business.

"But still, you're too much of a screw-up."

"You called me a screw-up!"

"You said you were a wimp yourself."

"...You're right."

Rada smiled, lowering his eyebrows.

"How old are you, Rada?"

"Age? I'm 15."

Kokushin and I had a mixed reaction. It's a relief he's not the oldest. At 15, he seems... well, let's not go there. I mean, at 15, his behavior?

"...Anyway, moving on."

"Eh, you heard it and did nothing?"

"Are you serious about taking him with us, Kokushin? We're riding horses, you know?"

Rada looked between me and Kokushin. The difference in height made the angle diagonal.

"We can buy them with the money from selling this shop, right?"

"Eh, you're selling it?"

Kokushin shrugged at Rada's surprised voice.

"Did you hear the story? If you can rebuild it yourself, of course, I won't force you. Good luck."

Rada made a pitiful sound, looking at me.

"Do you think Raito's shop can survive as it is?"

"Eh, umm..."

He looked at the lined-up potions. If the only potions he can make are these three, it's tough.

Beginner recovery potion, laxative, hair change agent

...Why this lineup? I'm curious how he's managed to keep it going so far.

"The master's potions sold well."

So far, he's been surviving by selling the potions the master made. But now that they're running out and his own potions aren't selling, he's been trying to go out and sell them, which is how we met.

By the way, the hair change agent is like hair dye. It was apparently popular for a while when I was born. It changes hair color, but you don't know what color it will be. It's a pointless gamble. It can even change hair texture and style, which is a bit too fantastical. Some noble lady apparently became bald and sued, or something. My grandmother told me this, but it's not good.

"...For now, let's put away the hair change agent?"

"Why?"

"It's probably banned."

"Eh, no way. I've used it before!"

So that's why your hair is like that! And it's a good thing. Since Kokushin doesn't seem to know, I'll explain it to her. Rada was trembling silently.

"So, the only potions that sell are the beginner recovery potion and the laxative. It's impossible."

Even if the quality is good, the beginner recovery potion is treated like a nutritional drink, and there aren't many situations where you'd use a laxative.

"So, what do you think? If you're willing to take out a loan..."

"Eh, no, no, no, no."

"Then what will you do?"

Kokushin pressed on. She's unusually proactive. Does she really want to take him with us?

"If Rada makes recovery potions, you won't have to drink the bitter ones, right?"

You bastard. You don't like my bitter potions, do you? As they say, good medicine tastes bitter. But, I agree, if it tastes good, that's even better. Right. If you want your food to taste good, why not want your medicine to taste good too?

"Alright. Rada, you're going to be a recovery potion manufacturing machine!"

I patted his shoulder and smiled. I wanted to, but I couldn't reach, so I tilted my head and made a cute appeal.

"Eh?"

"Wrong. I'll take care of you if you make the necessary potions for the journey! How about that? You can learn sword skills from Kokushin. I'll make the food!"

"...Food."

Your stomach growled, didn't it? You're interested, aren't you? Kokushin is giving a thumbs up, saying the food is delicious! But this isn't just about lunch. It's a big decision for Rada.

"Alright. What should I bring?"

Rada?

"Let's start with the deed and..."

Kokushin?

Hold on. This isn't something to decide immediately. I'll make the food, so, Kokushin, stop trying to stuff everything into your magic bag!