Chapter 21

Yesterday night, I was repeating alchemy and mixing, and it got quite late... I overslept. When I realized it was past 9, I hurriedly got ready.

Today is a free day. I’ll go and gather some hundred-herbs nearby and do some mixing and alchemy.

I also want to learn magic other than fire magic. Today, I aim to level up at least one magic and try to learn other magics. I’ve already made 100 neutralizers each, so if my level goes up, there’s a chance I can learn more.

After my level goes up, it might be good to do some shopping in town.

The letter I received from the guild also contained an introduction letter to the church, in addition to the delivery list. Although the reason isn’t written, it seems I should show my face there. If I can, I’ll go today.

“Good morning, Mary.”

“Good morning.”

“Um, I want to deliver the newly made healing potions and take back the money I left with the guild.”

“That’s fine, but is something the matter?”

“No, I’ve finished cleaning the house I borrowed, so I’m thinking of buying furniture and clothes to make it more livable.”

“I see. Then, should I withdraw all the money?”

“Yes, please.”

I delivered the newly made healing potions and prepared the money.

For clothes... I want to buy adventurer-friendly, easy-to-move-in clothes, work clothes that can get smelly, and everyday clothes, including extras. If possible, I also want to buy dishes and furniture.

Alright, I’ll level up quickly and go shopping today.

I left the road and gathered hundred-herbs while defeating any monsters that appeared.

Monsters start appearing when you leave the road. Mostly slimes. Maybe because my level has gone up, the monsters nearby don’t give much of a challenge, so it’s more efficient to level up through mixing.

Alchemy uses a lot of small magic stones, so even if I have a lot, it’s not a problem... rather, I want more to appear because I want to make a lot of neutralizers and learn magic.

“Hey, kid. Sorry to interrupt, but can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Um... what is it?”

Huh?

I tilted my head when I saw the face of the person who spoke to me.

He had white hair that looked both wild and soft, and big, clear honey-colored eyes. He was a man, but his hair color, hair texture, and eye color... and even his facial features... somehow looked a lot like mine?

Ah, no... yeah. He’s really cool. Even though he’s a man, he has long, beautiful eyelashes and is super handsome!

He looks like me, but more than that, he’s cool, beautiful, pretty, and elegant! I was a bit surprised. His voice was calm and low, and I wanted to hear more.

The middle school-aged boy with him was also cool, but he looked a bit annoyed.

He had short, casual red hair... his face showed that he found it troublesome, but he didn’t seem unpleasant, probably because he was handsome.

But...

Both of them looked a bit worn out... or rather, they seemed to lack energy... and looked exhausted.

“Were you gathering the same herbs yesterday? Can I ask why?”

“...I’m using them.”

Yesterday...

I gathered for a short time in the morning. But... I did gather, but in a completely different place.

To avoid being noticed, I change the direction I gather in, even if it’s nearby. The herbs I gather are the same, but they grow almost anywhere, so even though I change the location... how did he know?

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to scold you. I was just curious.”

“...I use them for mixing.”

“I see. But I haven’t seen anyone else gathering them.”

In this town, no one wants them because they can only be made with my master’s special recipe. My master and I have a monopoly... or rather, there are plenty! To others, they’re just weeds, so it’s natural.

I thought I was gathering them without being noticed. This person must have recognized me and approached me.

Since I don’t know his purpose, I’m cautious but continue the conversation.

“What do you want to know?”

“Sorry... I have a few questions... Can you make money by gathering these herbs?”

“No, you can’t. They don’t last long, so they’re not generally used, and I don’t think they’re bought.”

Yeah. My master is amazing for turning useless herbs into healing potions and recovery potions. Apparently, a lot of people used to be able to make them in the past... but maybe it was too much trouble to gather the materials every day.

The mixing recipes are passed down from one generation to the next. Once you reach the advanced level, they are almost kept secret. The guild sells only the beginner and intermediate levels, which are standard. Even so, they are very expensive. Original recipes, which are not available elsewhere, are astronomically priced.

The cost of materials is also significant, so it’s apparently difficult to manage well.

Thank you, Master, for taking me as a disciple when we just met.

“Hmm... I’m in a bind. Kid, can you teach us how to make money, as a favor from a fellow townsman?”

“I don’t want to get involved...”

Fellow townsman... meaning, you’re a foreigner, right?

I shouldn’t call myself a foreigner. I’m trying to avoid involvement by not affirming it, but he grabbed my arm. He must have realized I was trying to escape... and he’s not letting me go.

“...Sorry.”

“I know it’s wrong. But we also need to survive. Please.”

The other boy also bowed and apologized.

Both of them had serious expressions. They can’t let me go.

Money.

In other words... the guild mentioned that someone refused to disclose their status in exchange for the registration fee.

If you’re a foreigner...

We’re both in a situation where we can’t rely on anyone...

Honestly, I think I’ve been lucky. Thanks to Leonis, who took me under his wing, I’ve been able to make a living... If I had nothing, I would have been in trouble... and the two in front of me are in trouble now.

...I’ve been here for a week. How have they been living?

Even if they’ve been camping, they might not have eaten anything, which is why they look so worn out.

I widened my eyes at the realization and observed them.

...There’s no way they can survive like this.

“...Can I confirm? Are you foreigners?”

“Well, we’re called that by the people of this world.”

“Did you refuse to disclose your status in exchange for the registration fee at the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Yeah. You figured it out pretty well.”

Of course I did!

If you registered, you wouldn’t be short on money or not know how to make money. Well, there are some who make money in the wrong way and cause trouble.

“Why did you approach me?”

“...This guy remembered you.”

The boy, who has been quiet, apparently didn’t know me.

In other words, the handsome guy who looks like me remembered me.

“Sorry. I came here before you. You looked exactly like me... I remember you entering the town right after you came to this world. And I saw you gathering herbs outside the town yesterday, so I was watching to see if you’d come today.”

So... you’ve been watching me since yesterday...

I didn’t notice at all. I should be more aware of my surroundings.

I don’t know why you thought of me... but leaving you like this would bother my conscience.

“...Alright. How about you help me gather? I’ll pay you 100G each as a thank you. With that money, you can at least get into town... How does that sound?”

“Alright. So, I just need to gather these herbs?”

“Yeah. Gather the roots too, and don’t let the dirt fall off. If the dirt falls off, they’ll go bad and become unusable. The magic bag can hold a square meter, so I’d like you to gather that much.”

“...Alright.”

“Sure, leave it to me.”

He started gathering the herbs silently as instructed. I watched him and thought about what to do next.

I also asked him to look for other herbs... but he seems to be finding them very efficiently? There are a lot of hundred-herbs, but other herbs should be hard to find.

“Well... what should I do...”

The contract with the guild leader and Raz should be fine for now.

Even if I help them... they don’t have any ill intentions towards the kingdom, and they haven’t called themselves foreigners. They were just recognized from the beginning, and it’s not my fault.

“Oh, food!”

While they were gathering, I started a fire. I disassembled the Yakokko I had just defeated and skewered the meat to cook it. I guess this is how you make grilled chicken?

They must be hungry, so I hope they can eat it.

I’ll let them sprinkle salt to their taste... I wish I had pepper and soy sauce, but they’re not sold in this town, so it can’t be helped.

I don’t have any vegetables, so they’ll have to do without.

I planned to do some light gathering today and go shopping, so I didn’t bring a bento. I brought some fruit as a snack, so I’ll give it to them as a service.

While cooking, the lookalike brother came over, his eyes fixed on the meat. He must be really hungry.

“Um... I’m cooking meat... do you want to eat?”

“Yeah, that’s fine?”

“Yeah. There’s only one cup in the thermos, so you’ll have to take turns. If it’s not enough, I can cook a bit more.”

“Thanks!”

“Alright.”

They ate two birds’ worth of meat, and their appetites seemed to be satisfied.

Since the thermos wasn’t enough, I used magic to make more water. They must have been very thirsty... it’s probably because they’ve been camping for a long time.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, thanks. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to eat monster meat.”

“It’s better not to eat it raw... but apparently, it can be delicious depending on the type.”

“...Thanks a lot.”

The boy bowed deeply. He must have been really struggling.

I should have given them food before asking them to gather. I’m sorry, both of you. I’ll give you the dessert fruit as an apology, so please forgive me.