28-Episode 28: Merchant and Magic Grass

Huh!

Liliera-san runs across the battlefield.

With a spear strike delivered from her body strengthened by body strengthening magic, the demons are reamed away horizontally.

''Gyuu!''

Fluffy Mofu runs across the land and dives into the crowd of demons.

He not only uses his small body to disrupt the demons by passing underneath their feet, but he also sees an opening and bites their throats off without mercy.

''Kyuun!''

And then the mofos start eating the defeated enemies.

Hmmm, it's quite gutsy of you to start eating in the middle of an enemy.

Kyuun!

I mean, I feel like I'm kind of roughing it, don't I?

''Ah, I understand that sister, but what the hell is that little one over there!

The adventurer who was guarding the merchants nearby shouted in surprise.

''He's a child of a demon we found in the forest,''

What the hell?　Are you sure it's safe to bring that thing with you?

When the merchants found out that Fluffy Fluffy's true identity was a demon, they oozed fright.

''It's okay then. I'm sure they mistook me for a parent when they saw me right after I hatched from an egg, and they've become completely attached to me.

Is that so?

And you see, even dragon knights ride with dragons.

In order to reassure the merchants, I cite the Dragon Knights of the High Mountain Province to explain.

''Aren't the Dragon Knights a fairytale existence...''

For some reason, the merchants laugh at my words.

''Huh?''

The Dragon Knights are a fairy tale?　What is this man talking about?

Isn't it natural for a dragon knight to ride a dragon?

''It's done!''

As I was talking to her, Liliera-san came back.

''Kyuun!''

And it looks like Fluffy Mofu is still eating.

Or rather, he's still roughing it.

''Alright, let's strip the material off!

After the battle, the adventurers begin to dismantle the demons they have defeated.

I didn't participate in this battle, so I'll be on guard while everyone else is stripping them down.

That's because I fought flamboyantly in the last attack, so Liliera-san nailed me to pretend that I'm depleted of magic power.

According to her, it's not good to show off too much.

After hearing that, I obediently followed Rieliela's advice.

In my own past life, I was eyed by many noblemen and other people because I stood out too much.

And just like she said, we can't take away everyone's opportunities to play an active role.

Just as hunters and fishermen do not destroy each other's hunting grounds, adventurers need to take care not to steal other people's prey.

That's why I've decided to refrain from taking away everyone's prey.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, Liliella.

She's got a lot to learn about being an adventurer.

''Nah, when push comes to shove, there's an A-ranked adventurer there to fight with the best of them.

Yeah, it's nice to have the peace of mind of knowing that I'm in good hands behind you.

When my gaze met with the adventurers I was chatting with, they waved to me, so I waved back as well.

To be honest, I don't think I'm worthy of the A-rank, but if that makes everyone feel comfortable fighting, I guess that's fine.

When I was keeping watch like that, I overheard the conversation of the merchants who happened to be nearby.

''Even so, the demons are coming out all over the place this time.

''Yeah. The first raid was especially bad, if it wasn't for him as an A-rank, we would have been wiped out.

'There are that many demons?'

I join the conversation as I continue to keep watch.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. And there are some powerful demons in the mix that wouldn't normally appear.

Saying that, the leader of the merchant unit looks at the demon being dismantled.

'It's a rogue grapter. A demon that acts in packs in the forest and moves around in all directions, chasing around and killing its prey until it gets tired. It's rare for them to venture outside the forest.''

Rogue Raptors are terribly powerful demons on the outside, but in reality, they are cowardly demons.　

That's why, even when they are outnumbered, they won't attack until they've driven you around and tired you out.

The reason why they don't leave the forest is to avoid fighting in an unshielded area.

And yet, the rogue grapers attacked this merchant unit.

''It's also unusual for more than one monster to attack at the same time. This has never happened before, not even once.

Hmmm....impossible things happening in a row?

You don't have to be a merchant to feel uncomfortable about that.

I've got a bad feeling about this. Someone might have done this.

Did you get it?

Yeah, I get them sometimes. f*cking idiots who can't understand reason.

I don't know, but does this mean that someone did something to make it happen?

You're talking about...

Are you suggesting that someone deliberately created this situation?

Yeah, it's just that I didn't know what would happen if I went in there.

Did you bring it in?

All right, let's take a look. Hey, guys!　I'm going to change my package!

At the leader's command, the merchants who were nearby nodded and gathered around.

''Hey, hey, that's not a peaceful way to reform your load, General.

No, this is very unusual. I'd better check it out.

Okay. Let's check it out while I have some adventurers watching the perimeter.

What's that?

The adventurers, who have finished dismantling it, come over to us to see what's going on.

'What's going on?'

Yeah, I've been wondering if the demon attacks will continue. I've decided to do a quick check of everyone's luggage. I'm sorry, but we need to check yours as well.

You packed?

Yeah, we're wondering who brought in the demon and what it is that's rubbing off on him.

The product that stimulates the demons, that's what it is.

It's true that some demons overreact to certain objects, shapes and colors.

This is the reason why the demons in this case also reacted to something and attacked us, right?

Well, if that's the case.

This is how we ended up checking each other's luggage.

"You don't have much in your luggage.

The merchant tilts his head at my lack of luggage.

''My luggage is always this much.

Because I have a magic bag, and I don't have to carry heavy loads outside.

The only heavy items are, at best, weapons.

And since the goods in the magic bag don't smell, there's no need to show the contents of the magic bag.

I mean, if I went through all of them, I'd lose the day.

''So that's all I have, too.''

And Liliera-san, who left most of her luggage with me, also only showed me a small amount of luggage.

''I see, high-ranking adventurers don't carry useless luggage.

'We have water and fire for you by magic, and you value lightness more than anything else. That's helpful.

The adventurers nearby looked at us and nodded vigorously.

We're in good shape.

No problem.

The merchants checked each other's luggage to make sure there were no problems.

And I finished checking the last one's luggage, and I didn't see anything suspicious anywhere.

''I'm afraid I didn't see it coming.''

I was sure that someone had brought in some dangerous items, so the merchants consulted with the merchants with a shrug of their shoulders.

''So, does that mean that the demons really attacked us by accident in a herd?

I guess that's what it's all about, isn't it?

The merchants accept the results, despite their unconcerned faces.

''It can't be helped, let's continue to increase our vigilance and head to the royal capital. There really might be some other reason for this, too.''

Yeah.

Everyone repacked their bags and the journey was to be resumed again.

'Oi mofo!　It's about time you came back!

I call out to the mofo who was still eating.

'Cue!　Cue!

The Fluffy Fluffy comes running towards me when I call him.

"Come on!

I drop to my knees and spread my arms out in a welcoming posture for the mofo.

'Cue!'

Fluffy Fluff jumped into my arms and didn't come....

Huh?

For some reason, Mohumofu ignores me and Liliera-san and heads towards the merchants.

''Oi, what's up, Mohammofu?''

Then Mohammed ran towards the merchants' carriage and ducked under one of them.

'Hey! Hey! It's dangerous!

I crouched down to drag Fluffy out from underneath the carriage, hoping to avoid being run over by it as it began to move.

Then I came across Fluffy Mofu under the carriage, which was moving in a strange way.

'Squeak!'

The Fluffy Mofu stood up on two legs and kept jumping and clapping his hands in the air.

What the hell is he doing?

I use the magic of the lights to illuminate the bottom of the carriage to see what the mofo is doing.

'Hmm?　Is this...?

There's a discreet shelf at the bottom of the carriage with a bunch of sacks fixed inside it.

"Hey, what are you doing?

When I was curious about what I saw underneath the carriage, I was yelled at by the merchant who seemed to be the owner of the carriage.

''S-sorry, I was wondering about the bag that was strapped under the carriage.''

'Hey, na na na!　What are you talking about?

What are you talking about?　Why are you upset?

No, sir, that's why the bag in the bottom of the wagon...

Hey, don't be stupid!

No, it's actually happening.

What's the fuss about?

As we were questioning him, the leader of the trading company heard the commotion and came over.

"Hey, it's nothing!

The merchant is about to turn away the leaders who came after him, but he notices me peeking out from under the carriage and crouches down to look under it.

This is a hidden cabinet. It must be a shameful thing to have such a thing inside. When did they make this thing? Hey, guys!

Hey!

At the leader's command, the other merchants and servants restrain the carriage's owner, the merchant.

''Ha, let go!''

Then the other merchants pull a sack out from under the carriage.

'Is this what caused the demons to attack?

Kyu!　Giu!

Fluffy jumped on the sack, more excited than ever.

'Oh, come on!'

And then he tore one of the bags apart with a chirpy snap.

'Hm?　What the hell?

What came out of the sack that Fluffy had torn up was a pile of purple-colored grass.

''Swoosh!''

Fluffy Fluff jumped on the purple grass and began to munch on it.

''Ah kora!　Don't eat without permission!

The restrained merchant yells at Fluffy.

But that's just not possible.

''I'm sorry about our mofo mofo. But if you load up on unprocessed magic grass as it is, no matter what kind of demon you are, you won't be able to stand it. The grass needs to be processed properly.

That's right, what Fluffy was gnawing on was demon grass, a grass that demons love to eat.

It's no wonder he's so excited to see such a thing.

I'm sure he got so excited by the hunt that he lost his patience and jumped on the grass.

"Magic grass?　This is the evil herb?

The leaders were surprised.

"Huh?　Haven't you all seen the magic plant?

This is surprising. I didn't know the peddlers on their way to King's Landing had never seen any magic plant.

You're a merchant, right? You're a merchant, right? What everyone is looking at is the appearance of the herb that has been processed.

It's just a matter of time before you find out.　An evil demon plant that attracts demons.

What kind of hyperbole is that?

It's only a demon's favorite food.

It can be used as a medicine, though.

"Demon grass is a herb that gives off a scent that demons love. That's why the demons that attacked us so far seem to have followed the scent of unprocessed grass.

Speaking of weed, that's a forbidden item, isn't it? You're carrying that thing around?

The merchants stare at the restrained merchants.

'But how come you weren't attacked by demons before you came to Hexi's town?

Come to think of it, when we met up in Hexi town, the demons didn't seem to be gathering in the town.

Normally, demons would gather wherever there were demon grasses, lured by the scent, but...

Hmmm........ah, it's torn.

If you look closely, one of the bags is torn.

It looks like it was caught in the middle of transporting the carriage and torn.

So, if it weren't for the A-ranked brothers, we would have been killed by a demon because of this idiot. You idiot!

The leader angrily slaps the restrained merchant on the head.

'Wait!　I ain't carrying no magic weed!

The restrained merchant desperately denies that he's not carrying the magic plant.

''What the hell are you talking about? It's right here!

That's just what he says, but none of us have actually seen it.

Apparently, this merchant doesn't want to admit that he was carrying the magic plant.

''It's the testimony of an A-ranked adventurer. It's more believable than your word that you've been hiding it here. Besides, if you go back to the town and ask the guild to check it out, they will know for sure if this is the magic weed or not.

Well, that's...

The restrained merchant looks down as the leader stares at him.

Surely, even if you can't tell here, if you examine it properly, you'll find out that this really is a magic herb, right?

''In any case, the magic weed is a contraband. I'm sure the government officials will take you to task if they find out you're handling it.

Huh?　Witchcraft is contraband?　When did that happen?

I thought it was a dangerous item in my previous life, but it wasn't a contraband, in my memory.

'Well, wait a minute!　I don't know anything about it!　He asked me to carry it for him because it's medicine material!

'You're going to hide it in a hidden compartment in the carriage?　Huh?

Well, the reward was good. They said it was a valuable herb for medicine, and they wanted me to carry it hidden away so it wouldn't be stolen!

I'm tired of being taken advantage of, you idiot.

The leader lets out a sigh of dismay.

''Anyway, we're going to get rid of this thing. There's no reason to carry it until it's attacked by a demon, and above all, it's a prohibited item.

'Wait!　I won't get paid if you do that!

"Idiots!　Don't get us into this mess!

Please!　We won't be able to pay our debts!

You had it coming, a**h*le!

Help me out, Dad!

Dad?

We are surprised at his sudden coming out.

This detained merchant, whose name is Boz, is the son of the leader of the trading company.

He told us that he had made a debt in an underground gambling den, and even the tools of his trade were about to be taken away to cover his debts.

But then a mysterious man in a robe appeared and asked him to take the job in exchange for the debt.

Hmmm, that's very suspicious.

And although he didn't really know what was in the package, he still seemed to have a hint that it was an illegal product.

"So what kind of guy asked you to do this?

The leader of the group chokes me, but Boz shakes his head, saying he doesn't understand.

'Wow, I don't know. I was just putting my hood up over my eyes and changing my voice.

That's no help at all. If you throw this away, you can pretend you didn't see anything. But if you don't get rid of it, you're out of the merchant corps. Take your pick.

Oh, no...

Mr. Boz's face turns blue with despair.

It's like there's practically no answer.

If you don't get rid of it, you'll be kicked out of the merchant corps, and then attacked by the demons that have gathered further, and you'll be dead.

He said that if he threw it away, he would be in trouble for not being able to pay off his debts.

'Why don't you honestly report it to the guards?　If you're in debt to someone who made you carry illegal goods, you can clear your name.

Liliera's opinion is seemingly reasonable.

But that's not good enough.

I'm not an idiot. We're peddling in the streets, you know. If it's known that we abandoned our jobs, we don't know what town we'll be ambushed by the guys in.

The people in the underworld have an amazing network of information and persistence.

They value their men more than anything else, and they will retaliate against anyone who embarrasses them in their face without regard to profit.

For a peddler working in a small group, it would literally be a matter of life and death.

That's no longer a problem. I guess we'll just have to abandon them.

Don't say that to me.

You were bullish a moment ago, but now that you've been found out, you're looking all weak.

Well, when the items you were carrying were contraband and there was nowhere to run, right?

However, the scene of abandoning your own son is not a pleasant one to watch.

I'm not sure if that's why I couldn't help but slip out of my mouth.

It's not that there isn't a way, but...

Do you have one?

Boz, who had been half-crying at my mumbling, bites down.

That's surprisingly hard to hear.

Hey!　Do you have any good ideas?　Tell me about it!

'Well, the idea, or rather, the idea that we should just use what they have to say.

What do you mean?

Boz-san nods his head, and I explain to him.

''Well, they said that the magic plant is an ingredient in medicine, right?

Oh, yeah. Yeah. He said that for sure.

So why don't you actually make it into a drug?

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

What do they mean?　I nodded my head.

''I mean, Boz-san was handed this magic herb because he was told it was an ingredient in a potion. So I don't know what's in it. That's what it's supposed to be, isn't it?

Oh, yeah. I didn't tell you what I was carrying.

''So, you see. I process the demon grasses and process them in such a way that they can only be used to make harmless medicines. If I process it, I can also remove the ingredients that attract demons.

"You can do that?

The leader rolls his eyes in surprise.

No, no, it's not that big of a deal.

But isn't it a bad idea to process it without permission?

I'm worried that if Liliera-san finds out that she processed the magic plant, it won't taste bad.

I'm not going to be able to tell you what's inside, so you just have to dismiss the fact that I carried it as I was told. It's not like I switched the contents of the bag. I'm not going to change the appearance of the product, so it's easy to cheat.

'Huh ... how can you do that ...'

"A-list adventurers are awesome.

You can do anything you want, being an A-list adventurer.

The other adventurers are talking about how great and awesome it is, but I can only do it because I had a taste for a little potion-related research in my previous life.

''Oh Boz, you've got your wits about you here. You don't need to worry about it anymore, do you?

When the leader said that, Boz nodded, choking up.

''Oh, please......... Please help me.........''

Yeah, I'll take care of it.

It doesn't feel good to abandon him now that he's been involved to this point.

They say that even the great swordsman Rygaard couldn't abandon his evil friend until the end.

"Fools take care of you. I'll make sure to thank you for this.

The leader comes to me with his head down.

For what it's worth, I guess he didn't want to give up on his son.

The leader's eyes were filled with tears.

''Haha, you don't have to worry so much about it.

After deciding to process the magic plant, we started to act immediately.

First of all, the adventurers escorted us around, and then I took out the tools for medicine from my magic bag.

"Whoa!　Where in the world was that stuff in there?

Those A-rated adventurers are awesome!

Now, now, now, focus on the escort!

""Hey, Miss!"

Liliella-san reprimands me and the adventurers return to watch.

I don't know when they call me Miss.

''First, soak the magical plants in crystal water for an hour. Meanwhile, I'm going to grind the dried sunshine grass into a powder...

I quickly prepare the necessary ingredients and put them into the crystal water in which the magic plant was soaked.

''All that's left is for the solution to soak through and it's done.

That's pretty easy.

The nervous leader shrugged his shoulders.

It's just a matter of preparing them for use in medicine. It's just that there are so many of them, so it's a lot of work for that.

Then the well-dipped potion is dried with a hot air spell that is a combination of fire magic and wind magic.

''Hot air!''

Then, I check out the sufficiently dry magical plants.

'Yeah, OK.'

I tell everyone that I've finished processing the magic plant.

"Oh, so it's done already?

That was quicker than I expected.

This way, no demons will be attracted to the smell of the evil plant and come to you.

Saying that, he brought Mohammov close to the magic grass, but Mohammov kicked the magic grass with his hind legs, uninterestedly.

''Ooh, this one looks fine!　Thank you, brother!　That's what I'm talking about, an A-list adventurer!　I didn't expect you to be able to nullify that infamous demonic grass!

The leader pats me on the back and whispers in my ear.

The people who set up my stupid son will be punished for it. I won't cause you any more trouble.

No, no, it's nothing to worry about.

I'll pretend I didn't hear anything, too.

The rest is their problem.

I'm sorry!　I owe you, brother!

Wait, why the hell did you do that?

I owe you big time for this.　I promise!

'Yes, you stupid son of a b*tc*!　If it weren't for this man, I'd have handed you over to him!

I'm sorry, Dad!

Well, for what it's worth, they're a close father and son.

They are both tearful and happy.

''By the way, you said that the processed magical plants can only be used as ingredients for safe medicines, what kind of medicines can they be used for?

Liliera-san seems to be suddenly curious, and asks me what the use of the processed magic plant is.

Everyone around her is indeed curious and looks at me with interest.

''Uh, I guess.''

Yes.

The processed magic weed, sir.

Yes.

It's a cold remedy.

...What?

So, here's your cold remedy.

A forbidden magical plant turned into a cold remedy?

I will.

Everyone looks puzzled at the use they hadn't imagined.

And.........

''P........kukku.''

What's a cold remedy for...

""Buhahahahahahaha!"

Everyone began to burst out laughing as if they couldn't stand it anymore.

'The only thing you can do with a forbidden item is a cold pill!

Wait, an underworlder who needs cold medicine!

''Buhahahahaha, the evil master is taking cold medicine in his room!

By the way, it works pretty well, right?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Thus, the air that had been bleak a moment ago became completely harmonious.

Yeah, you made the right choice with the cold medicine.