189 - - an unexpected side

The view of the dark mud that fills the lightly clouded field of vision forever.

It was supposed to be a view of mud, but there was a different color.

In the midst of the blackness, there were faintly shining silver dots as if they were scattered.

What was peeking out from the mud were flowers in full bloom.

Their stems and leaves were hidden by the mud, and only their silvery petals, which could fit in the palm of your hand, were gracefully opening on the surface of the swamp.

The women were elated by this strange sight.

"Phew. ....... This is ......, what a wonderful view ......."

"Amazing!　It's like the flowers are just floating. I didn't know they bloomed in places like this.　

Thor and his group arrived at a muddy area south of the campsite of the "Bearers of the Burning Flame.

It was a place far from the passage to the prison.

The swamp is filled with silver flowers, and there is not a shadow of a giant in sight around the swamp, giving it a different calm atmosphere.

Yuril and Sora's eyes widened and their mouths fell open when they were shown an unexpected aspect of the place.

"Are you surprised?　Yes, because of their somewhat unusual appearance, they are called silver floating flowers. They are said to be a type of water plant, but their detailed ecology is not well understood, and it is very interesting to see how they survive in this harsh swamp environment.

"I didn't realize they were really in flower. So, what are you picking these flowers for?"

Thor, who was not so interested in flowers, asked Barconia directly.

The black-robed flame charmer nodded broadly with a smile on his face and began to explain the benefits of flowers.

"Not plucking exactly, but collecting the water that collects in the petals," he said. The water has special properties, and when ingested, it relieves mental fatigue. However, it is not very effective as it is, so it has to be collected in large quantities and boiled down, and it cannot be mass-produced so easily.

"You mean, if I drink it, what happens?"

Yes, specifically, it is a medicine that restores magic power. Then let me show you how to collect them. Well then, Rasel... I'll leave it to you.

At Balconia's words, a swordsman with a long stick in his hand stepped forward silently.

The end of the stick was as wide as a plowshare, somewhat similar to an oar used to row a boat.

Rasel remained silent as he plunged the oar into the swamp and gently shook the mud.

Wrinkle-like ripples form, and silvery flowers softly approach the shore.

Another swordsman, waiting for them, gently inserts a thin shell behind the petals to collect the water mixed with honey.

It seems that three flowers can fill one scroll shell.

The oar handles pull in the flowers one after another, and the other men quickly collect the water.

As we watched their brilliant coordination, Barconia offered Thor and the other men the shellfish he had received.

"It's not very potent because it hasn't been boiled down yet, but would you like to taste it?　You will be surprised. Come on, come on, come on."

Tolle took only a sip, but the taste lifted his eyebrows, as he had heard that drinking too much might cause stomach problems.

The taste was so gentle on the palate that it slipped easily into the back of his throat.

After that, a refreshing aroma passes through the nostrils, leaving only a slight sweetness on the tongue.

Before you know it, it is gone from your mouth.

It is a drink that can only be described as "pleasant.

"Did you just drink that?

"Oh, it's delicious."

"Sweet!　More!"

"You'll get a stomach ache, so just hold off on that."

"Mwah!　If you keep on complaining, Moe, one day you're going to burst out in a big heap."

"Don't worry. When the time comes, Tor-chan will take good care of you.

The silver floating flower is said to have long roots and can easily come to the shore if it makes a few waves.

However, this is only near the shore, and there is nothing that can be done if the oar cannot reach them.

So they have to walk along the shore for a long time to collect them.

"So the ones in the middle of the swamp are untouched. All right, Moo-chan, you're up!"

"What's up with you all of a sudden, Sola-chan?"

Let's reply "Rairai" there. Look, if it's Moo-chan's sled, we can get to the flower without sinking.

The child looked thoughtful for a moment, then clapped his hands and looked up at Thor.

"Hey, Tor. I just realized that Ohanamaru might be able to go all the way to the center of those hana.

"Oh, I'm surprised you noticed that, Moe."

"Well, can I go get a bunch of sweet stuff?"

"Yeah, but first make sure it's not dangerous."

"I love you!"

"Ehh,...... ehh."

Moe, in a good mood, checks with his to make sure there are no monsters, and rides bravely into the swamp with a fine conch in his hand.

To cut a long story short, Barukkonia tells us that apparently monsters are less likely to be found in the silver floating flower colony.

The child deftly adjusts the direction of the wind with a storm crystal stone and collects the water from the flowers.

The water seemed to accumulate well, and soon the shells were filled up.

After being transferred to a leather bag, Moo went back and forth again and again, looking very proud of himself.

He rolled over a couple of times, but Thor, who was watching over him, pretended that he had not done so.

We pulled out before dark, with a great harvest of five leather bags.

Barconia rolled his eyes in admiration.

It's wonderful!　I've never seen so much gathered in half a day. You really are multi-talented people, Thor and his team. I hope you will join us again in the future!

Dinner was also a sumptuous barbeque.

Moo, who had drunk too much sweet water, was fine and performed the meat festival dance with Sora.

Afterwards, only Thor and Yuril were invited to the Balconian tent for a detailed explanation.

Basically, the only thing to do in this encampment is to kill the monsters in the passage connecting the entrance to the swamp and the prison dungeon.

Other than that, every few days, we have to collect nectar water from the silver floating flowers.

The maximum number of people staying in the camp is ten, and it is said that the number is changed by three every four days.

If Thor and the others will join us, they say that we can take turns in groups of four.

Despite the enthusiastic solicitation, Thor and the others remained reserved in their response.

Because of the small size of the encampment, the sleeping tents were again allocated to the four of us.

That night, as expected, Thor was shaken awake by Moe, who had drunk too much water.　

"Tor-chan, I have to pee. ......"

"Yeah, okay."

With Moe under his arm, Thor left the tent and went down the stairs next to the stone wall to the latrine on the first floor.

There was a white haze around the tent, as if some miasma had appeared.

While pushing the child into the toilet, Thor notices a figure standing behind the mist.

The figure is wielding a long sword.