Chapter 61

Today, we made a little trip and circled around the lake to reach the opposite side. I had been in town recently, so the horses were lacking exercise. That's why the horses seemed to be enjoying the ride, carrying us with enthusiasm.

The area was cultivated with fields stretching out. Of course, there was the danger of monsters, so there were fences around, and adventurers were stationed there. Occasionally, boar-like creatures would charge in, deer-like creatures would gather for lunch, and large caterpillars would appear.

Our mission today was to exterminate the mole-like monsters that were digging holes in the fields. By the way, Rada is also here. He is gathering herbs. Since the area is open, it's fine as long as he stays within sight.

Kokushin and I will target the moles.

"What's this?"

Kokushin tilts his head at what I took out of my bag.

"It's bread."

"Are you going to eat it?"

"No, it's for the Tereenmoors."

Tereenmoors are something we used to hunt in our hometown. Back then, we used traps, but as long as they come out of their holes, we can manage.

They are about the size of a small dog and are not weak to sunlight. Their claws are sharp, and sometimes farmers get their feet slashed. In enclosed fields like this, they multiply without any natural predators.

I tie a rope to the bread and coat it with the nectar of honey fruits. The sweet scent tickles my nose.

"Here, dangle this over the hole. A Tereenmoor will come out. Then, at the right moment, pull it up and grab it when it's out."

I hand it to Kokushin and make my own bait.

"Do they like sweet things?"

"Seems so."

We wander around the field, find a hole, and wave the bread over it. After a while, a sharp claw emerges from the hole. At that moment, I pull the bread up, and the Tereenmoor pops out.

Squish!

I grab the Tereenmoor by the scruff of its neck as it tries to bite. I switch to a knife and finish it off. One down.

Kokushin nods and goes to look for more holes.

Tereenmoors are not edible. Instead, there is a demand for their hard, sharp claws. And don't forget the magic stones. Since we don't bleed them, we just throw them into a bag.

On to the next one.

A muffled sound came from a little distance away. It turned out Kokushin had just beheaded a Tereenmoor. Once you get the hang of it, it's not difficult. After catching them, it's best to bury them. Well, they're probably connected underground.

Wave, wave. ... There it is. Good, next one.

We get paid for each one we catch. Let's keep going.

By noon, Kokushin and I had caught 26 in total.

We meet up with Rada for lunch. He seems to have gathered some good herbs, but there were some "fake" or "imitation" ones mixed in. While eating a sandwich with shredded fish, I point out the issues.

"Huh? This one is no good too?"

Rada picks up what I discarded.

"That one has insect eggs on the underside of the leaf, so it's no good."

"Oh, really?"

"Well, probably the effect won't change much with just a little, but if you start compromising, it can lead to more and more 'it's okay' moments. Grandma always told me to be careful."

Rada nods in agreement.

"You're right. If you're not careful from the start, the preparation might become sloppy. What about this one?"

"This one should be put in a water-filled bottle immediately. Otherwise, the components will be lost."

"Ah, I see. It was in there."

"You must have read it in the guild."

"Yeah. I have a water-filled bottle. I got carried away with the popping sound and forgot."

Rada tends to get too focused.

"It's good to enjoy it, but don't fall into the lake."

"I won't, I won't."

I'm not kidding. Don't fall in.

"By the way, Kokushin, did you do something strange? Magic?"

I suddenly recall the scene I saw earlier. The Tereenmoor had used magic, and it seemed like Kokushin had nullified it.

"Oh, that?"

Kokushin looks a bit smug.

"It's a technique I learned recently. By momentarily imbuing my sword with magic, I can use it like a shield. You have to time it perfectly when the magic hits. It's just a split second, so it's difficult, but it seems useful."

"Wow!"

I remember he had been going to lessons. With all the commotion, I forgot to ask how it was going.

"Nice. Did you learn anything else?"

Kokushin tilts his head a bit.

"I was using slashes unconsciously. Wrapping it in fire didn't work. The way I use my body and swing the sword is quite different from my training as a guard, so it was helpful."

"Interesting."

I wish I had a bow instructor. I'm probably better at earth magic. But with the bow... I wasn't familiar with it in my previous life, so I can't quite get a clear image of it.

Hmm. Maybe I'll try a different method in the afternoon.

At the edge of the field, there is a place to park carriages. There are covered wagons that run to this field in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. We let our horses stay there for a bit. The ground is solid and concrete-like, so the Tereenmoors can't damage it.

"Blanca, Croco, Tsukushi. Are you being good?"

Before starting the afternoon work, I check on the horses. They nuzzle me as I approach. I pat their necks and check their hooves and other parts to make sure everything is fine. Good, they're all right.

"Be good for a bit longer."

I give them water and hay. Dad is earning your food money.

In the afternoon, I decided to use earth magic to catch them. I would solidify the earth around them as they emerged. But the important claws got stuck, so that didn't work. I hold the rope in my left hand and prepare a finger gun in my right. Bang. It's good practice for quick shooting. Sometimes the timing is off, and the mole burrows back into the ground.

We wander around the field, occasionally chatting with the patrolling adventurers, and finish today's mission.

We process the Tereenmoors we caught in bulk. The one Kokushin killed with magic had an elemental magic stone. Even though it lived in the earth, it had a wind attribute. Maybe it will be useful for something if I keep it. We burn the corpses at the edge of the field and then bury them.

Rada didn't fall into the lake. Instead, he had stuck one foot in the compost pile. He was washing his foot in the lake while crying when Nina, a mermaid, came out. Laughing, she dragged Rada into the lake and then threw him back. A clean Rada was blinking in surprise.

"What just happened!?"

I can't help but confront Nina.

"It's laundry. You're clean now, right?"

"Laundry... Is that a skill?"

"Yeah. In the water, it gets clean instantly. Since it's just a moment, the contents of your bag should be fine."

Rada rummages through his bag.

"They're not wet..."

"Wow, amazing! Nina, do it to me too!"

"Sure."

Nina drags me into the lake with my arms raised. It was so quick I didn't even have time to look around underwater. When I realized it, I was back in the same spot, feeling refreshed. The dirt on my cloak was also gone.

"Amazing!"

This is the cleaning skill I've been wanting. However, it seems to only work in water. But I've learned something. I'll remember this feeling.

While I was excited, Kokushin had also been cleaned.

"Hmm. Is it that interesting?"

Nina looks curious.

It might become a new profession, but apparently, she can't do many at once. Only she can use it. A bit disappointing. No, I'll try to master it.

As a thank you, I gave her honey fruits, sugar, and alcohol.