Chapter 39

Hello from the Alchemy Guild. I’m Herman. I’m currently studying the materials and monsters from the Beck Forest and the Uze Salt Lake at the Alchemy Guild. To put it simply, the Beck Forest has mushrooms and herbs. The Uze Salt Lake has mushrooms, herbs, moss, and crystals. It’s something like that. There are also eight confirmed types of monsters.

First, there are goblins. You know these, as we fought them on the way. They’re the epitome of cannon fodder. Next are orcs, also cannon fodder, but they provide delicious meat. Their selling price is 50 times that of a goblin. Goblins are really just cannon fodder. Next are Gamira Crabs, which are crabs. They’re about 1 meter in size. Their legs are said to be delicious. My past self complains about whether the roe is edible, but I don’t think it is. Next are Kokodorillos, which are alligators. They’re about 3 meters in size. They have a dragon pearl in their stomach, which is said to have water attributes. Incidentally, their stomachs also have water attributes. The dragon pearl is probably the more valuable part. The meat is said to be not very tasty.

Next are Carbuncles, which are large squirrels. They vary in size from 50 cm to 2 meters. They have a gem embedded in their forehead, which is said to be highly valuable. However, the size of the gem is not proportional to the size of the body, so a larger individual isn’t necessarily better. Additionally, there are color preferences, making them a bit complicated to sell. They also tend to run away rather than attack. Incidentally, the gem also has water attributes. However, the gem’s value as a material is higher than its value as a gem. It’s not mentioned whether they are edible, so they’re probably not very tasty.

Next are Kelpies, which are a cross between a horse and a dolphin. Their upper body is like a horse, and their lower body is like a dolphin. My past self says this is different from what he imagined, but in this world, this is what a Kelpie is. If you have complaints, take them up with the person who named them. They are about 5 meters in size and have a crystal with water attributes near their heart. Incidentally, it’s not mentioned whether they are edible, so they’re probably not very tasty.

Next are Mizuchi, which are water dragons. Only individuals over 10 meters have been confirmed. Their scales have water attributes. They also have a water sapphire inside their body. They are definitely valuable. They seem to be valuable both as materials and as gems. If you can defeat one with a small group, you can receive a knighthood or a mage title. Those who want to become nobles should try to defeat one. However, it’s not allowed in a raid; it must be a small group, probably no more than five people.

Finally, there are Stinaranias, which are crystal water dragons. Only individuals over 10 meters have been confirmed. Their scales are made of crystal and have strong water attributes. They also have a Sorcery Amethyst inside their body. From the name, it seems like they can be used to create alchemical items related to sorcery, mages, or magicians. The recipe isn’t in the Alchemy Compendium, so it seems few people know about it. It might be a secret technique or a lost one. If you can defeat one with a small group, you can receive a knighthood or a mage title. Additionally, the final page of the compendium mentions that the Sorcery Amethyst is very expensive, with large amounts of gold being exchanged.

Incidentally, both Mizuchi and Stinaranias are defeated a few times a year in raids. According to the Alchemy Guild’s records, the Iron Welcome faction mainly handles these raids. They gather a group of about 100 people, called by a noble, to defeat them. At least a 3-star talent in combat is required to participate, but it’s practically a death sentence. Experienced people probably don’t die, but it’s better to avoid it. For a party, a 6-star talent is recommended for Mizuchi and a 7-star talent for Stinaranias. ...It’s a narrow path, both for knighthood and mage titles.

At the Alchemy Academy, it’s sufficient to be able to defeat goblins, orcs, and Gamira Crabs in a party. It’s even better if you can defeat Kokodorillos and Carbuncles. Being able to hunt Kelpies is enough. If you can defeat Mizuchi and Stinaranias, it’s considered that you’ve chosen the wrong profession. This is the overall evaluation from the Alchemy Guild’s receptionist, so it’s probably accurate. Indeed, if you can defeat Mizuchi and Stinaranias, you should have more talent stars than an alchemist, so it’s fair to say you’ve chosen the wrong profession. The difficulty level changes drastically, and it would be better to gradually get stronger.

I think I’ll aim to defeat a sufficient number of Kelpies. The magic stone the driver probably used in his wand was likely a water attribute crystal from a Kelpie and a wind attribute Tornado Grass from the Beck Forest. The driver said he had a 2-star talent in swordsmanship, so I think I can manage with my 3-star talent if I don’t get overconfident. ...However, it will be tough with a rapier. A broadsword would be better for decapitating them due to their size. I should practice with a broadsword. It’s better to be more familiar with broadsword combat than with a rapier.

That’s enough information gathering at the Alchemy Guild. I was told to buy a potion bottle manufacturing machine for the academy, so I purchased it for 3 silver coins. For some reason, it can produce corks with 100% magic power, which is a mysterious feature. I wonder how such a thing is made. It’s not in the Alchemy Compendium. I think it should be, but maybe it’s made by a magic item craftsman.

Magic items and alchemical items are almost the same. The only difference is whether they are made by a magic item craftsman or an alchemist. There are some things that can be made by both, but there are also some things that can’t be made by one or the other, which is a bit strange. Magic item craftsmen are under the jurisdiction of the Mage Guild, so they take orders and make items using materials provided by the guild. There are several stocks, but they can run out after the enrollment period. However, it’s rare for someone to buy them for the next year’s enrollment. ...That’s right. It’s still the enrollment period. I arrived earlier than expected due to the express carriage. I’ll go to the Beck Forest. The wind attribute materials from the Seleroles Viscount’s sacred site weren’t very valuable, so this is just right.

So, I walked for a day and am now in front of the East Gate. I showed my adventurer’s license to the guard at the East Gate and left the capital. There are many tents in front of the outer wall. Ah, this feels nostalgic. It’s been about three months since I was in the Rail Forest. It’s not as dense here, though. The vast capital and the open space in front of the outer wall make it unlikely for a fire to spread... but the blackened part of the outer wall suggests that fires do happen. Even with so much open space...

...Is it because there are no wells that fires are left to spread? ...No wells? Where do they get water? There must be wells, right? ...Ah, there they are. I couldn’t see them because adventurers were gathered around them. There must be wells; you can’t live without them. ...However, aren’t there too many people gathered around the wells? The fire prevention measures are too lax. I’ll set up my tent one row further out. It doesn’t matter if I don’t burn. It doesn’t mean I want others to burn; it means I don’t mind if the tent fabric burns. Mr. Arrogant, please leave.

So, I set up my tent and went to the well to fetch water. The people here are poor souls who couldn’t use the dormitory. The timing for gathering materials is quite early, and even though it’s not snowing, it’s still winter and cold. ...I could wait at an inn until spring, but I don’t want to stay at an inn during this awkward period. Renting a room for a long time is quite expensive. Prices in the magic realm are higher than expected. I have enough money, but my frugality in strange places is a problem. It’s just my nature, and I can’t change it. Anyway, I’ll go to bed early today to prepare for gathering materials tomorrow. There’s no need to reverse the day and night cycle in this sacred site, and it’s comfortable to sleep at night. I’ll wrap a warm cloth around my neck and go to sleep.

Whether you found it interesting or not, I’d appreciate your feedback. If you could include an evaluation, that would be great. If you could point out any issues in your review, I think I can reflect them in my writing, even if I’m just a casual reader. ...Probably.