Chapter 133 Close Friend Character
We repeated the task of synthesizing antidotes and injecting them into the soil around Fontapuune-sama's great tree for about ten days. Lukas and the others still hadn't returned, and our days were filled with nothing but waiting.
On that evening, I visited Fontapuune-sama's great tree with Marta, as I did every day. Today, I put the antidote I synthesized into a pointed glass container, similar to an ampule I used to see in my previous life's gardening tools, and inserted multiple containers around the tree.
Around me, Marta was pouring the antidote into the soil as if watering plants.
"What's the current state of the poison?"
"It's not decreasing significantly, but it's not increasing either."
"Hmm, is it better than just maintaining the current state?"
"Yes."
I smiled wryly at Marta's words, "maintaining the current state." In reality, I took soil samples every morning and kept a record of the toxin levels, but the numbers hadn't decreased significantly, even though they weren't increasing either. There was some effect, but it was too small.
Marta, who had asked me, smiled brightly, opposite to my expression.
"Well, it's still better than nothing."
"That's true. At least we're not going backwards."
I spoke encouraging words to myself, too. We just had to hold on until Lukas and the others returned. It was enough.
Marta gazed at The Drinking Water of the Spirits and muttered.
"I wonder when Lukas and the others will come back."
I also looked at The Drinking Water of the Spirits, where Marta was gazing. She was looking at the "entrance" where I appeared after traversing the narrow passage of time and space.
If Lukas and the others had helped Spirit-sama in Likerland Canyon, they would probably come to this place through the narrow gap of time and space, thinking they were running out of time. It was an extremely dangerous act, but we couldn't afford to waste even a second.
However, I also thought that I didn't want them to get hurt in their hurry.
"I don't know. I just want them to be safe..."
"Yeah, I know. It's a canyon, so it's probably a rough road. But Lukas and the others will be okay, don't you think?"
Marta gave me a reassuring smile, and in that instant *Tremble* The ground shook.
I looked at Marta, and in that one shock, I knew it wasn't an earthquake. Then, it must be... a monster?
"What's going on now?"
"...Is it a monster?"
Marta laughed nervously at my words, saying "Yeah, right?" It seemed she was thinking the same thing.
We were stuck in this one place, Flaria, and indirectly interfering with the monsters' plans. It was only a matter of time before the monsters noticed our interference and made a move.
Marta muttered while putting her hand on the short sword at her waist.
"Oh no, they've noticed us!"
"What should we do? Should we not leave from here?"
I also reached for the pouch containing healing potions and poison that I always carried for self-defense. Then, I asked Marta.
She knew more about monsters than I did, so it was better to leave it to her.
"Hmm... If we try to leave now, the barrier will weaken for a moment, and the monsters might get in. In that case, it's better to stay quiet and wait. Sorry, but we can't help."
I nodded in agreement with Marta's calm judgment. Flaria was protected by Avour's powerful barrier, and the Savila Knight Order, including Arnold, was here.
We should be okay for a while. But if our interference had already been noticed by the demon king, and he sent a large group of monsters, it would be tough. If it became a long battle, we would also exhaust ourselves, and all we could do was wait for Lukas and the others to return as soon as possible.
As I became aware of my quickening heartbeat, I handed the pouch containing healing potions and poison to Marta for safekeeping.
"Marta, take this."
"What's this?"
"Poison and healing potion set. For emergencies."
So, Marta's eyes sparkled. And then, I think she rummaged around her waist area, and
"Wow, thanks! Now it's my turn!"
"...Dagger"
"That's my partner, Ma-chan."
She handed me a single dagger.
I received it, muttering the dagger's "name," Ma-chan. It was surprisingly heavy, and I felt its weight.
Marta had been using these daggers lightly in battle. I thought they were much lighter, but they were actually this heavy. It made me think, "She's really a chosen 'hero'."
As I gazed at Ma-chan, Marta showed me 2 more daggers.
"And these are Lu-chan and Ta-chan."
I see, she's naming them after herself.
Her simple naming sense made me chuckle.
"I've never used a weapon like this."
I had received a dagger and shield from the people of Emme Village for self-defense, but they were sleeping in the royal capital's dormitory, unused.
Marta guided my hand from the side, making me grip the dagger's hilt.
"Just in case, okay? Hold it like this――"
Marta taught me the simple way to use it. It was difficult for me to handle the heavy dagger with one hand, unlike Marta's elegant swordsmanship, but I somehow understood how to use it.
Marta nodded in satisfaction, and I wondered where she had learned this dagger technique. There was an event in "Last Brave" that touched on her past, but her combat abilities were vaguely described as "naturally developed while searching for treasure."
"Who taught Marta how to use a dagger?"
When I asked, she showed a thoughtful expression, saying "Hmm..." I thought, "Maybe she naturally developed her skills while searching for treasure, just like in this life..."
"I had a master-like person, so I learned from them. It was mostly self-taught, though."
In "Last Brave," she mentioned the existence of a Master.
"Huh?" I said, my eyes widening in surprise. So, Master was also a Treasure Hunter, just like that person? I wanted to hear more, but I decided it was better to ask when we were more calm.
However, even if Master was there, it's still mostly self-taught, so I guess she has natural talent. As someone who's almost completely clueless about fighting, I honestly envied her skills.
"Yeah, I'm totally useless in battle"
"You may not be good at fighting, but you're super useful in other areas If Laura was ridiculously strong, I'd be in trouble!"
Haha, Marta's words made my tension dissipate. She smiled at my unintentionally smiling face, and continued.
"Instead of wishing for something you don't have, isn't it better to work hard in your own area of expertise?"
What she said was absolutely right. I was given the talent for synthesis, and Marta was given the talent for Treasure Hunting. That's really amazing, and not something to be jealous of.
Marta can't do what I can do, and I can't do what Marta can do. That's why we can work hard in our own areas of expertise and support each other.
Marta's words are always straightforward and can clear up the doubts in my heart in an instant. The protagonist of "Last Brave" has been saved many times by her words, and she's still saving Lukas and the others in this world.
"That's right. Thanks, Marta"
I'm glad she's also a Hero's companion in this world.
I thought to myself, feeling grateful, and Marta responded with a slightly red face, "You're welcome."
――At a time when a monster might be approaching, a peaceful atmosphere flowed between us, but it didn't last long.
Suddenly, the grass nearby started shaking violently. Marta stepped forward to protect me.
"What's going on?!"
Marta raised her voice. And then, a young man emerged from the grass...
We relaxed for a moment because it wasn't a monster. But, the instant he collapsed, the air became tense again.
Marta rushed over to the young man in a panic. And then, she dragged him to me.
I held a healing potion in one hand and examined the young man's condition. He had a large gash on his side ―― a wound that looked like it was torn open by sharp claws.
Fontapuune-sama said that the Spirits here would invite injured travelers into the barrier and help them. So, it made sense that this young man was invited here too. But, when I thought about why the young man was injured――
A monster's roar shook my eardrums.
"Monster!"
Marta shouted. When I looked over, I saw 2 humanoid monsters with 2 legs, unlike beasts, emerging from the grass and heading towards us.
The young man must have been chased by these 2 monsters. And when the barrier was relaxed to invite him in, the monsters snuck in too, I suppose.
When I took a closer look, the monsters were staggering. They also had many wounds. He must have inflicted those wounds on them. They looked quite weak.
"Laura, treat that guy's wounds! Both monsters are heavily injured, and I can handle them alone!"
Marta said, and then launched a preemptive attack on the monsters. Marta's short sword accurately pierced the monster's body, and the monster let out a pained cry.
I held the young man's upper body to administer the healing potion. And when I lifted his chestnut-colored hair, his neat face came into view, frozen in place.
(This person...)
His eyelids were closed. But I knew the color of his eyes hidden beneath them. His eyes were green. He was a character who laughed a lot, talked a lot, and was good at understanding people's feelings.
So, that's who he was. The young man with chestnut-colored hair, injured and lying there.
"Close friend character..."
――The protagonist met this character during his journey, with whom he would build a unique friendship, "Last Brave" party member and best friend character.
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