Chapter 49

As the sun began to set, we decided to stay at an inn and focus on Raphatalia's treatment in the inn room.

I transferred the holy water I bought into another container, soaked the bandages, and rewrapped them around the black marks on Raphatalia's body.

A sizzling sound was heard, and black smoke rose from where the bandages were applied.

"Ugh... ah..."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, it feels... itchy, like a stiffness is being relieved."

"I see..."

I wish she would recover quickly. It's my fault she got hurt.

As I touched the area, I felt the black marks gradually fading.

"The part you wrapped, Mr. Naofumi, is healing faster."

"That's good to hear."

I wish she could recover even faster.

"Ah, Onee-chan is being so unfair, cuddling with Master!"

While Raphatalia was being treated, Phylax clung to me.

"We're not cuddling!"

"That's right, I'm treating Raphatalia's injury."

Are we really cuddling... is that even a word? Well, it doesn't matter. I don't know where she learned it, but Raphatalia and I aren't like that.

"Onee-chan, you're so dark."

"Don't call me 'dark-hearted.'"

You two get along well.

"Anyway, a wave is coming soon, so let's take it easy until then."

"Okay!"

"That's right. We've been busy lately, so it's not bad to take a break."

"Yeah."

"When will you make dinner, Master?"

"Hmm... maybe tomorrow."

"Got it!"

With that, we treated Raphatalia and slept at the inn that day.

The next day.

The equipment I requested from my father probably isn't ready yet.

Since there's nothing much to do, I might visit the apothecary or the magic shop.

Maybe I should go to the tailor's shop too?

"Well, what should we do today?"

"Right...?"

"Dinner!"

"Okay, okay. I understand."

Considering what we can do before the wave, it would be reasonable to make recovery potions... but I already have everything prepared.

Leveling up is only for me since Raphatalia and the others have reached their growth limits.

It's a waste, but it's probably best to rest for a while.

Raphatalia's injuries haven't fully healed yet.

"Should I buy more holy water?"

"Eh? We still have some left."

"It will take a while to fully heal."

The marks are lighter than yesterday, but they're still far from being completely healed. We don't have much left.

At this rate, they will be quite thin by the time the wave comes, but we need to change the holy water daily to maintain its effectiveness.

"I'm very sorry."

"It's my fault she got hurt. Don't worry about it."

"Okay."

"Then, let's visit the apothecary and have some food today."

"Okay!"

Raphatalia and Phylax nodded, and we left the inn with our belongings.

When we visited the apothecary, the shop owner greeted us as usual.

"It's been a while."

I responded to the shop owner's first words.

"Yeah, I've been using the intermediate recipes you gave me."

"I see..."

Looking at the potions available, they still can't match the professional level.

"By the way, an old acquaintance, an accessory merchant, came to see you."

"Huh?"

I was surprised by the unexpected connection.

"How did you get in with that miser? He praised you."

"Are you acquainted with him?"

"Long ago. More importantly, answer me. He recognized the technique I taught you from the faint scent of the herbs in your healing potion."

At that time, he identified the intermediate recipe I got from the apothecary just by smelling my healing potion!?

What kind of person is this accessory merchant? I have no idea... he's a mystery.

"Hmm... you know he's a traveling merchant, right?"

The shop owner nodded. Since he has connections in Reute Village, he must know about the traveling merchant.

"When he rode in my carriage as an assassin in a territory dispute, we defeated the bandits targeting him."

"I doubt he would be impressed by just that."

You know him well. Is he famous, this accessory merchant?

"Yeah, what impressed him was probably that I stripped the bandits and raided their hideout to seize their assets."

The shop owner silently nodded, placing his hand on his forehead.

"You would do that. I see, if you did all that, it makes sense he would be impressed."

"Then, I was thoroughly trained in crafting techniques."

"He rarely praises anyone, but he said you learned quickly and he wanted to make you his successor."

"Please don't."

I'm not doing this for money; I need the equipment. My real goal isn't money.

"So, what brings you here today?"

"I came to ask if you have any advanced recipes for sale."

The shop owner's hands, which were mixing potions, stopped.

"...That's quick. I thought you still lacked the skills to make all of them."

"Yeah, there are still potions from the recipes you taught me that I can't make."

Strong acid water, magic water, and soul healing potion are still beyond my reach.

I can identify the ingredients from the supply routes the accessory merchant taught me, but I don't need them yet.

"But... there were times when my potions couldn't save someone. Fortunately, a healer made a higher-level potion and saved them. I felt inadequate."

The shop owner nodded, seemingly understanding my answer.

"I see... but it's still too early for advanced recipes."

"Is it that difficult...?"

"Many of the potions in the intermediate recipes require them. There are also other recipes you need to make."

So, I need multiple ingredients... that's tough.

"The next recipe book is expensive, but I can sell it to you."

"I'll take it."

"Then, it's 500 silver coins. I can't lower the price."

I can tell he's giving me a good deal.

I can easily imagine that there are organizations or guilds that control the recipes, and he's risking pressure to teach me and sell the recipes.

"Alright."

I handed over 500 silver coins.

"Hmm... then, this is the next one."

He handed me a book titled "Poison Herbs and Poison Recipes."

I can read the language of this world to some extent.

"A poison recipe?"

"To master potions, you can't avoid this. It's like the dark side of the intermediate recipes."

"Hmm..."

I skimmed through it. It seemed to cover simple poisons, anesthetics, and narcotics.

It does seem difficult. But if I need to understand this to advance, it's worth learning.

"Thank you. By the way, for the beginner recipes, do I only need to remember the healing pills and regular potions?"

The shop owner, who was acting cool, almost fell over.

"...You were trying the intermediate recipes without knowing the basics?"

"I learned by watching you."

"Like a monk reading scriptures without understanding them..."

This proverb is Japanese. It's probably a translation of a similar phrase in this world.

The shop owner sighed deeply and quickly wrote something on a piece of parchment.

"I wrote down the basics of the beginner recipes. Remember them."

"Okay."

I turned around to see Phylax sniffing the medicine cabinet and disliking the smell, while Raphatalia was staring intently at the herbs, trying to memorize them.

"Mr. Shield Hero!"

As we left the apothecary, I heard an unfamiliar voice and turned around.

A 14-15-year-old boy, dressed as a soldier, was running towards us, out of breath.

I instinctively tried to run away, and Raphatalia and Phylax followed me. I have too many reasons to be cautious.

"Wait! I'm not trying to capture you!"

"Then what do you want?"

"I just want to talk!"

...Suspicious, but... I'll stop for now. If it's a lie, I can sic Phylax on him.

"Huff... huff... I finally found you."

The boy, panting, caught his breath and looked up at me.

"What do you want?"

"Well, during the wave... I want to join you."

"Huh?"

What is he saying? I looked at him, surprised.

"During the last wave, we, the lower-ranked soldiers, were impressed by your fighting style."

The boy explained that during the last wave, many lower-ranked soldiers were impressed by the way I and Raphatalia defended Reute Village.

Although they couldn't praise me loudly due to the knightly culture, a network formed quietly after the wave ended.

"When we found the Shield Hero on patrol, we decided to talk to you."

"I see..."

"Our duty is to fight the waves, but our primary goal is to minimize civilian casualties."

A noble thought. I wish the other heroes could hear this.

"So, Mr. Shield Hero, please let us join you during the wave."

"Even if you want to fight in the wave, I'm not the only one who can do it."

There's probably an ulterior motive.

Likely, soldiers and knights who perform well in the wave can advance in rank.

If they join me and perform well, their status will improve.

However, the other heroes probably understand the wave's fighting style by now, given how much I've criticized them.

The status magic has a "formation" category under the "companions" section, probably for the wave.

Using this to form a team and fight the wave is what I believe is the correct way to fight.

It's like a guild or team in an online game, competing in a defensive battle. The enemies aren't human, but the feeling is similar.

Otherwise, fighting so many monsters alone would be extremely reckless.

Certainly, the boss monsters would be handled by the high-level players... the heroes, but the other minions can be handled by the residents of this world.

The last wave fits this description.

The wave occurred near Reute Village, a town close to the castle, so the knights could rush to help. But the next one could be anywhere.

This country is vast. If it happens far away, it could be a disaster.

In that case, a small team would need to minimize the damage.

Putting aside the established strategies for fighting waves, I want to hear why this boy made such a proposal.

It's probably because the competition is fierce, and he chose the least competitive option, me.

"No, we want to protect the citizens with the Shield Hero."

He can say anything on the surface.

"Is your goal to advance in rank?"

"No."

The boy shook his head quickly and gestured to a boy in a mage-like outfit standing behind me.

The mage's outfit wasn't purple like a magic shop's, but a cheap yellow.

The two of them bowed to me.

"I... I'm from Reute Village. The Shield Hero saved my family... so I want to help in any way I can."

"I see..."

He wants to repay the favor for saving his family.

"I know there are those who think like the heroes, but I want to be of help to the Shield Hero."

"I see, you're a rare one... huh?"

"Mr. Hero..."

The boy in the mage-like outfit lifted his face and showed the lining of his robe, pointing a quill at me.

"Please... sign."

There might be something behind this. I could write "Motokatsu" in Japanese.

Hmm?

On closer inspection, this boy is a demi-human.

In this human-supremacist country, a demi-human becoming a soldier suggests he has some thoughts.

The cheap outfit, compared to the mages who accompanied the knights during the last wave, suggests more than just age and rank.

I signed the lining of the robe lightly, as he wished. It didn't seem to have any magical effects, so it probably won't bind me.

If anything happens later, I can ignore it.

The boy in the mage-like outfit blushed and smiled happily.

It's making me feel uncomfortable.

"He's a fan of the Shield Hero. He's heard stories of heroes from other countries and has always admired the Shield Hero."

"I see..."

A small group of people who trust me want to be of help.

This boy might be from a village I saved during my travels.

I'll give it a try.

I used the formation category in the status magic to appoint the boy as a squad leader.

The party status is with me as the leader, followed by Raphatalia and Phylax.

I gave the squad leader authority to gather those who want to join.

However, don't misunderstand. If you just use me or try anything inappropriate, I will definitely dissolve the team.

"Yes! Thank you!"

The two of them saluted and left.

I have my thoughts, but I'm gradually gaining trust in this country.

It was a moment of realization.

Of course, if anything happens, I won't hesitate to act.