Chapter 65

There is much to investigate and study, but first, I decided to go through the materials my master had compiled.

The disease called "magical hardening"—even though my master said he had given up on it, he had actually been researching it on his own. Apart from the noble's request, he had been investigating it for some time, but he hadn't managed to create an effective medicine yet.

Magical hardening is primarily considered a hereditary disease of the nobility, who have a large amount of magical power. However, it seems that some retired adventurers also show symptoms of magical hardening.

Adventurers make a living by fighting monsters, and their status also rises. Therefore, it is said that the increase in internal magical power is the cause, but since there are also symptoms of magical hardening in warriors who do not use magic, the research is difficult, and the cause has not been clarified.

"Unknown cause..."

Even as I continued reading the materials, I couldn't find any solutions. The content of the church's books was more about basic recovery methods for people with chronic diseases rather than specific diseases, so it wasn't helpful.

"I'm stuck... No, I don't think I can solve this anyway."

I read through the materials and checked the ingredients I was given.

In addition to the tea leaves I had appraised, the materials my master had considered during his research were also included.

"Hmm. It seems to have an effect of improving the flow of magical power. And I might go and get the 'Poison Chrysanthemum' tomorrow."

The next day, I arrived at the "Green Swamp."

This was my first time here. It took an hour and a half from town. I could have arrived faster, but there was no reason to hurry, so I took a leisurely walk with Momo.

I put Momo in the hood. Just in case, she can sense the presence of monsters and alert me even from a distance.

Incidentally, if the enemy is weak, she will fight together... like a Yakko, she will bite and take it down... This cat. She sometimes eats it raw, but she seems to prefer roasted meat, especially birds.

After taking it down, she brings it to me, meowing, and demands that I make it into roasted meat.

She is too weak to be counted as a combatant, but she can get her own food... she ignores slimes and goes after Yakko and Horn Rabbits.

Also, she seems to dislike insects and hides in the hood when she sees them... maybe she has a trauma from a giant spider.

I walked through the Green Swamp, but since my level has increased, I could defeat the monsters without much trouble while gathering materials. However, there is a possibility that monsters of a higher recommended level may appear, so I can't be careless.

Furthermore, I think this place is more of a "Poison Swamp" than a "Green Swamp."

Many of the monsters that appear here are poisonous, and the materials also seem to contain a lot of poison... it looks poisonous, but when appraised, it is poisonous... it's dangerous to gather by mistake. Well, I'm gathering it for research.

The green swamp water is described as "Water infused with magical power. It heals wounds instantly. Can be drunk after filtration" and "Algae floating in magical water. Slightly poisonous."

...No, this... does it mean it's a natural potion that heals wounds?

But, can I... drink it? I can't. I'm a bit worried about my stomach.

Still, I'll take it back in a canteen for verification... I approached the swamp to fill the canteen with water and crouched to put the canteen in the swamp.

"Meow!!"

Momo, who was on my shoulder, meowed loudly next to my ear.

Startled, I became alert and looked around. A large shadow appeared in the center of the swamp and was approaching at high speed!

I felt a slight electric shock in my body, so it might be intuition. Probably, it's dangerous. I picked up Momo and dashed away from the spot.

After running away from the swamp at full speed for about three minutes, I thought it would be safe here and exhaled.

After calming down a bit, I slowly checked the surroundings again. There didn't seem to be any monsters chasing me, so it seemed safe. I couldn't see anything in the water... but it seems there was something dangerous.

Momo licked my ear, so I guess it's okay now.

I slowly and cautiously returned to near the swamp and observed.

Looking at the swamp from a distance, some of the monsters were drinking or soaking in the swamp water... I can't imitate that. There also seem to be aquatic monsters in the swamp, and some monsters were taking them... but the large shadow from earlier seems to be gone.

Still, I'm scared, so I won't get close to the swamp.

Also, I need to be careful of the mud around the swamp... I thought there was nothing, but I suddenly sank up to my knees... even if it's not a bottomless swamp, it's dangerous.

I got stuck in the mud and escaped by freezing it with ice magic. Is this place dangerous if I let my guard down? It doesn't seem like a place for beginners... no, well... I heard it's not as dangerous as going to a dungeon...

While looking at the swamp, I made a wide circle around it. The materials are abundant and can be gathered in large quantities... but some are decreasing, so be careful not to overgather.

"The materials here contain a lot of poison... but they also seem to carry magical power. It says that mixing this magical grass with magic pills will enhance the effect. I'll take a lot back."

The "Eastern Forest," "Western Hill," and "Green Swamp"... the materials that can be gathered in these three places do not overlap. If I go around these areas, I can gather most of the ingredients for potions.

Or maybe... my master might have researched to make potions with materials that can be obtained nearby.

Since strong monsters don't appear, adventurers can gather materials safely... except for the shadow in the swamp, which is a bit concerning.

The "Poison Chrysanthemum" was hard to find, and I searched around. I should have asked my master for the exact location, but I thought I should find it myself as an adventurer... it was tough.

I climbed up to a 5-meter waterfall on the opposite side of the swamp from the entrance. Incidentally, this waterfall was just ordinary water, so it was fine even if the spray hit me when I climbed up the side, but there were many monsters, probably seeking ordinary water. There must be something in the swamp that produces poison, healing, and magical components.

There were clusters of purple chrysanthemums at the top of the waterfall. Since they are poisonous... I wasn't surprised by the purple color. I gathered more than enough for myself and my master and was about to head back...

"Is there something you need? ...Fohl?"

"Are you alright?"

"...Well, there's no particular problem... the enemies are weaker than in the Mushroom Forest Dungeon."

"No, not that..."

Fohl came to check on me at Raz-sama's order. Since I wasn't in town, he heard from the guild that I had gone to the "Green Swamp" and came here... no, no, how did he find me?

I don't know what ability he has... but it must be difficult to find one person in such a large area. Waiting at the entrance... it would take too long, right?

"I heard you were beaten up by adventurers..."

"...That? I heard it was resolved."

"I heard that. But I didn't know what happened... Raz-sama was worried."

Hmm? Wasn't the report after the beating also made? Leonis-san reported yesterday, so he should have heard about the resolution too?

I think it was properly resolved, but is there something that's still concerning?

"...Why were you beaten up?"

"Because they were higher level? There were many of them, and if I ran, I couldn't blame them and might be cornered... and... I thought it would be better to leave clear evidence? I endured the pain since my life didn't seem to be in danger..."

"...Can you be more specific, please?"

Maybe my report was too subjective.

Raz-sama... not just him, but also his superiors. There seems to be someone targeting me within the faction, so maybe he wants to narrow it down first? It doesn't seem bad.

"First, the premise... Fohl, you probably know, but I can sense when my life is in danger. When I was called, I knew I wouldn't die, so I went. There, with over ten people... since there were so many, I judged that I had no chance of winning and didn't resist. Also... I felt like they were gathering information on me, so I didn't show my true strength. But... I felt like I couldn't avoid that situation."

"Being beaten up?"

"Um... maybe they were evaluating me? I thought it would be better for them to see me as a person of no value, so I didn't resist. ...But, if they knew I was a pharmacist who could engage in close combat, use magic, and heal, they might have considered kidnapping me... In this town, there are people who would protect me, but if they took me to their home, I might be exploited... I didn't have enough information, so I thought it was better to just endure."

"Hmm... Do you think there was a possibility of kidnapping?"

"Well, it's not impossible... and I also have a feeling it's not just them, so I think I need to be careful."

"I understand very well."

It was incredibly painful at the time, but I thought it would be bad to heal immediately. It wasn't my intuition, but I felt it was necessary to show that state at the guild.

As a result, I think I made the clan uncomfortable and drove them out of town, so I don't think it was a bad decision.

"Is there anything else you noticed?"

"Based on the premise that I was once part of that clan, but they don't want me as a companion. They might sell me to a noble? Their words and actions suggest that it's a possibility."

"Can I report this and investigate?"

"...Sure. But, please don't tell my brothers that I was beaten up. They'll worry."

"Yes, I understand. ...If there is really an intervention from a noble and I am kidnapped..."

"You're saying something scary... Is that really possible?"

After saying "Yes, I understand," the tone of his voice changed. He must be considering something. Being kidnapped might really be possible. There must be something that makes him think so.

"In case of an emergency... depending on the situation, please declare that you are Lady Raz's concubine."

Why?

Hmm? Why?

It's such a sudden statement, I don't understand.

"Nobles dislike conflicts among themselves. Lady Raz is not married or engaged, so it is credible. Many nobles desire Lady Pamela's arm... just in case."

Hmm.

A concubine... well, it might be reasonable. Considering the difference in status... marriage is not possible. But, by hinting at a certain level of relationship, it might prevent interference? No, it's a bit delicate.

I didn't expect her to show such a strong stance to keep me... but for my safety, I might use it. Considering the change in direction from the guild leader and the movements I've heard about, something might be happening.

"...I'll understand that I need to do that to avoid danger if I'm kidnapped. I'll keep it in mind, just in case."

"Yes, thank you. Is there anything else you need help with?"

Trouble, huh?

But, the guild leader warned me about getting into debt with nobles... I do have something I want. There is a risk in asking for something without compensation... but they also want to create a relationship with me, right?

After the guild leader handled the debt repayment negotiations, this is what it means... they want to keep me on a leash for now.

"If possible, I'd like to read medical books related to diseases. If I'm going to be a pharmacist, I need to know as much as possible about diseases. If you can provide me with medical information that nobles have..."

"I see... I understand. I'll pass it on. And... while you're studying to be a pharmacist, please also try to learn more about general common sense."

Eh? Do I lack that much common sense? I thought I was normal?

I followed what my brother said and studied the information of this world properly. I even learned a bit about nobles and read the history of this country.

"To become a noble's concubine, you should be happy as if you've married into a wealthy family. In your case, I thought you might be so intimidated that you would hang yourself... Can you show some kind of reaction? You don't see Lady Raz as a potential romantic interest, but it's not something to keep in the back of your mind."

"......I'll be more careful in the future."

Fohl's smile made my spine tingle.

Was my study insufficient, or was my treatment of Lady Raz too casual...? It seems it was not forgivable from the perspective of someone serving. This is a world with strict social hierarchy. ...I need to be more careful.

Recently, Lady Raz has been acting normal, so I treated her casually... My attitude was too relaxed. It seems it was not appropriate behavior towards a noble.

When I asked for a lot of paper to organize my thoughts, he made a subtle face.

At night, the recipe for making paper, several blank notebooks, and a large amount of memo paper arrived. ...And about ten medical books were delivered. I was only told to be careful not to lose the books, and I could use them freely.

Thank you. I'll... take good care of them.

It might be difficult to let go of Lady Raz for a while. ...But my brothers are important too.