Volume 1 Chapter 24 What Do the Beast's Traces Reveal？
Fortunately, we didn't encounter any dangerous animals like boars and kept walking until we reached a saltwater lake connected to the sea.
After gathering the seashells Lene uses and scooping up the salt-rich water, we turned back, picking up the clay we had left behind on the way in—since it would've been a burden before—before heading home.
"What will the clay be used for?"
"It becomes a fine medicine. It can heal people—or become a poison."
"This can be used as medicine!? Alchemy truly runs deep..."
Huh, so that's why we're bringing it back. Never would've thought clay could be medicine.
Even if you're not Lady Cecil, that's still surprising.
"Alchemy, you say? Even ordinary pharmacies use it. It works as a remedy to regulate digestion."
"Huh... Diet's always complaining about stomach pain. Maybe he should try it?"
"...Perhaps so."
At Lady Cecil's completely innocent words, Mr. Dietrich broke into a cold sweat.
...Ah, I get it.
The cause of his stomach pain is probably Lady Cecil.
Hopefully, he won't end up with a mountain of clay later.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of clay, I'd like some bricks."
"Bricks? Big Bro Ryuuji, are you planning to build a house?"
No, no, why would I?
I just rented a place, you know.
"That place is plenty. No, I meant I want a kiln."
"Ah, for enchantment work?"
Yep, exactly.
Since heat is needed in the process, having a kiln to apply it steadily to a large number of magic stones would make things more efficient.
"A kiln is needed for enchantment?"
Not only Mr. Dietrich but also Lady Cecil and Lene looked puzzled.
Well, for someone who doesn't know how to create a magic stone, that might be the impression.
"In magic stone creation, there's a process where you apply heat alongside materials like plants to give power based on the <Stone of Nothingness>. If you have a kiln, it significantly increases mass production efficiency. Well, the efficiency for polishing, which requires human touch, can't be improved much, though."
"I see... so that's why you were gathering the plants as materials this time."
The 3 of them were impressed.
Minori knows this well since she's always been watching my work.
Though it seems she lacks talent in bestowing techniques herself.
"But isn't it difficult to build a kiln in a rental?"
"That's right... once I save enough money, I might consider purchasing one. Well, I should discuss it with Lene too."
"That makes sense."
Minori is right.
I can't just add a kiln to the yard of a rental property.
Even if I buy it, it's something to decide after discussing it with Lene.
The person involved is also unsure about making a decision right now, so she's smiling wryly.
* * *
While we were talking and working, I realized we had finished gathering the materials we needed for the return journey.
I gathered a bit extra for safety and collected materials for other magic stones, but it should be more than enough to create the <Dispel Magic Stone>.
"Have we gathered the materials?"
"Yes, Lady Cecil. No problems here. Lene, we don't have any issues with the medicine materials, right?"
I asked that, but... there was no reply.
When I looked back, she was sniffing and making a tense expression.
"...Lene?"
"I smell beast and blood. I think it's coming from ahead."
What?
Hearing that, Mr. Dietrich raised his greatshield and stepped in front of me, advancing cautiously.
We followed slowly behind him.
Before long, we discovered the source of the smell.
"This is... a Slender Boar?"
"Or rather, its carcass..."
Lene added to my words, crouching down to examine the boar's wounds.
"...A large beast... Judging by the claw marks and fang size, it was likely a bear."
"A bear, huh..."
Well, whatever kind of creature preys on boars, if it's not a monster, a bear would be the best guess.
"But... something's odd."
Standing up, Lene crossed her arms under her unusually full chest—at least for an elf, who are usually slender—and seemed deep in thought.
She must have noticed something.
"This boar's carcass... it's only partially eaten. If it were a bear big enough to leave these claw marks, it should have devoured much more of it."
"...Partially eaten?"
"Yes. Almost as if... it's still in the middle of—"
Lene cut herself off, her eyes widening in realization. Then, she suddenly pointed toward an unremarkable patch of grass.
"Mr. Dietrich!"
"Understood!"
The moment Lene shouted, we had already heard something rustling in the grass.
Mr. Dietrich reacted instantly, bracing his shield toward the source of the noise.
A split second later—
A golden blur burst from the grass, slamming into Mr. Dietrich's greatshield with a deafening crash.
"Guh!?"
The impact was immense, but thanks to *Mighty Arm*, Mr. Dietrich managed to hold his ground.
However—
"What... the hell is this thing?"
Standing before me, its towering form easily over two meters tall, was a massive, golden-furred bear. I could only stare up at it in stunned silence, forcing out those words.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)