Chapter 51

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

Aera told me about the existence of the Inspire Source.

Since it seemed to go well with tonkatsu, I suggested increasing the amount.

To do this, we needed to find Dindles.

The next day, after having breakfast, I went to pick up Aera, and we set off for the eastern forest.

Since I was the only one who knew the location, I led the way through the forest.

Aera was equipped with leather armor, a bow and arrows, and a backpack, making her look more like an adventurer than Yuki and Natuki.

The two of them were wearing chainmail over their under-armor, with larger clothes on top and backpacks on their backs.

While we were buying the chainmail, we also took measurements, so we should receive our own chainmail in a few days.

Thanks to our focus on scouting along the way, we managed to reach the nearest Dindle tree without any battles.

"Well, this is the closest tree... What do you think?"

Using her [Eagle Eye] skill, I could see that there were still some fruits, though not many.

"Quite a large tree... There are still some left, it seems."

"Oh, Aera can see them too?"

"Yes, I have pretty good eyesight."

Aera smiled and said this. If her eyesight is as good as mine, does that mean she has a similar skill?

Well, I have [Piercing Gaze]! Let's see...

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Name: Aera

Race: Elf

Status: Healthy

Skills: [Archery Lv.2] [Eagle Eye Lv.1] [Perception Lv.2]

[Stealth Lv.1] [Disassembly Lv.2] [Agriculture Lv.2]

[Plant Knowledge Lv.3] [Food Knowledge Lv.4] [Cooking Lv.3]

[Wind Magic Lv.2] [Water Magic Lv.1] [Cleaning Lv.2]

[Flute Lv.1]

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...No way, she's pretty strong, right?

Considering her experience, she might even be stronger than us.

Moreover, she can see quite clearly.

Indeed, [Piercing Gaze] is a pretty mysterious skill.

Her age isn't displayed, but in case of an emergency, this status is reassuring.

"Um, I can't see them, but they're at the top of this tree, right? Are we going to climb it?"

"Um... I don't think I can manage that."

Oh, right, I didn't mention that.

Yuki and Natuki are hesitant.

I'm already used to it, but normally, climbing a tree this tall would be impossible.

"Ah, I'll climb it -- is it okay for Aera too?"

"Yes, of course. It's a bit big, but there shouldn't be any problem."

"Got it. You two wait at the lowest branch."

I took out a rope and hooked it to the lowest branch. Having done this many times, I was already skilled at it.

I climbed up to the branch, and Yuki and Natuki followed without much trouble.

Aera, being a genuine elf, climbed almost without using the rope.

"Aera, your bag won't hold much, so let's borrow Yuki's backpack. Is that okay?"

"Sure, that's fine. Here, Aera, do you know how to wear it?"

"Yes, it seems convenient. I can use both hands."

"Yeah, it's quite handy. It's easier to carry even heavy things than holding them normally."

I also mentioned that it was 'Recently released by the Adventurer's Guild!' as an advertisement.

It might not be necessary for Aera, the cook, but it could be useful for shopping.

"Shall we go up?"

"Yes, I'll go first."

After adjusting the backpack Yuki gave me and confirming it was fine, I said this, and Aera nodded and started climbing smoothly.

I hurried to follow, but her speed was quite fast.

I could keep up because I've climbed this tree many times, but if it were a new tree, it would have been impossible.

"Naoto, that's amazing. I was known for being good at climbing trees, you know?"

"Well, not really. I've climbed this tree a few times, though."

Aera looked back with admiration, but it was really close.

Please don't try to speed up with a slightly dissatisfied look, I beg you.

In the end, I reached the top a little after Aera.

Losing to someone climbing for the first time is a bit embarrassing, but Aera looks satisfied and happy while collecting the fruits, so it's fine.

If I fell while rushing, I might die?

I think I would get caught on branches on the way down, but it's still scary.

"Aera, how's it looking?"

"As you can see, there aren't many, and they seem a bit overripe, but there are still some on the tips of the branches, so we should be able to gather a decent amount."

The fruits are on the tips of the branches because we were afraid to go there.

Aera is collecting them while standing on branches thinner than her wrist, which is honestly scary to watch.

We always try to maintain three points of contact, but Aera sometimes has only one foot on the branch, even for a moment...

No, I won't imitate that.

I collect the fruits within reach steadily.

At first, we could collect many without moving, but now we have to move to collect one, then move again to collect another. If we consider efficiency, it's much worse.

We continued collecting for about 30 minutes.

My backpack is still more than half empty, but continuing here won't be efficient.

"Aera, shall we go down soon?"

"Already? There are still some more to collect..."

Whoa, don't turn around so casually on those branch tips!

It's really scary. I feel a chill.

"Even if we can collect more, it's not efficient. There are still a few more trees, so let's move to them."

"Understood. Let's go down then."

Saying this, Aera -- what!?

Ignoring my exclamation, Aera easily jumps down to the lower branches.

"--- Seriously? That's impossible."

If it were 2 or 3 meters from the ground, it might have been possible.

So, it's not impossible in terms of ability.

But, can you do that from dozens of meters above the ground? Absolutely not.

My body shivers with fear.

"Let's go down normally, even if it takes time..."

It only takes about 5 minutes to climb down, so there's no point in trying to compete.

When I finally climbed down and reached Yuki and the others, Aera was transferring the Dindles from her backpack to Natuki's.

She seems to want to fill all three of our backpacks...

"Aera, we plan to hunt Task Boars on the way back, so we need space for that too."

"Wh-What!? In my backpack?"

"No, it won't fit."

Aera, who looks small and even childlike, has a small backpack.

It's hard to imagine fitting a boar weighing over 100 kilograms into it.

"Naoto, we can carry the meat in leather bags, right? Then we can carry it without putting it in the backpacks."

"Yes, we can share the load, can't we?"

Oh, even Yuki and serious Natuki agree. I see.

So, they're strong when it comes to sweets.

I've had enough, so I'm calm, but if it were the first day we came to collect Dindles, I would have agreed too.

"Um, if we kill a big one, it will be quite heavy?"

There's a big difference between carrying 20 kilograms on your back and carrying it in your hands.

Obviously, the latter is much harder.

"\"We'll do our best!\""

The three of them said this in unison with determination, and I reluctantly nodded.

"...Okay? If that's the case, it's fine."

If it comes to it, we might have to abandon some, which would be a waste.

But it's better than going against three women who are excited about sweets.

Surely.