447 - - Four hundred and forty-five, sir?

Sylphy gave me a little warning about my attitude toward spirits, but it was an important warning for me, so I'll keep it in mind. Well, that's all right, I heard that mushroom picking is not a problem, so let's go out there and pick mushrooms with all our might.

"Okay. Okay, let's look for mushrooms. Dory. I think mushrooms are supposed to grow in the shade of trees or on fallen trees, am I right?"

Probably I'm not wrong, but in a world where fantasy plants like spirit trees and all-purpose plants exist, you can never be too careful.

"Yes, that's right. Except for mushrooms classified as demons, Yuta is right."　

Demon mushrooms......... look like they might spit poisonous spores or something, but I guess we don't have to worry about that now that Sylphy is here. What I'm interested in is the taste. We didn't eat demon mushrooms at the food stall yesterday, did we?

"Do mushroom demons taste good?"

I have high expectations for them, because they are surprisingly tasty. If they can surpass the taste of natural mushrooms, I would definitely like to try them. Ah, this is the real mushroom hunting. Let's not say it out loud because it's sure to be a slip-up.

"Mushroom monsters use poison to protect themselves and attack, so you can almost assume that they are inedible. Except for mushrooms that live in special environments, they do not live in this forest.

I see. If mushrooms are demons, it would be strange if they are not poisonous. I'd rather have a mushroom that uses weapons or magic than a mushroom that uses poisonous mushrooms.

It's a pity that we can't eat them, but natural mushrooms are more than tasty enough, so let's concentrate on picking regular mushrooms this time. I had a hard time catching animals in the forest before, but I'm sure the mushrooms will be fine and I'll give it a try.

"...... can't find any edible mushrooms"

We also looked for damp places shaded by fallen trees. I found some mushrooms, but they were all poisonous.

I have no talent for hunting animals or mushrooms?　Are you cursed to find only poisonous mushrooms like cartoon and anime characters?

All you have are pioneering tools and a high affinity for spirits. ...... Yeah, those two things are usually enough to get by, so let's not be extravagant.

I'm a spiritualist, so it's only natural for me to ask for help from spirits. Nothing to be ashamed of.

"Miss Dolly. I can't find any mushrooms to eat.

"Why the honorific?　Also, I'm not a teacher, am I?"

Dolly replies with a scowling expression. Deanne would have been getting on her high horse, but Dolly is very serious.

I guess I shouldn't think ...... that Deanne is easier and easier to control. I've just been warned by Sylphy and I'll try to be respectful to Deanne as well. The problem is that with Deanne, I am likely to forget respect as soon as possible.

"No, I'm asking you to teach me a lesson, so it's only natural that you should be respectful.

You don't need honorifics and you don't need a teacher. The reason why Mr. Yuta can't find any edible mushrooms is because there are no edible mushrooms around here. It would be better to change the place."

I'm shocked, right?

"I was hoping you'd tell me sooner?"

"Hmm. It's important to think for yourself. Yuta-san. Why do you think there are no edible mushrooms growing around here?"

Dolly smiled prettily and posed the question. Maybe she is happy to be called a teacher?　Let's give it a try.

"Yes. "Yes, Ms. Dolly. I don't understand."

"Don't give up so easily. Let's take this a little more seriously. A clue is the distance from King's Landing.

Oh, I knew it! I think I've seen an unexpected side of Dolly. But she's not a good teacher when she gives out hints so quickly. However, since Ms. Dolly gave me a hint, I would like to answer correctly.

The clue was the distance from the capital. We are in the forest about 10 minutes after leaving the capital, right? ...... Oh no. I think I've made a mistake. I'm sure I've made a mistake.

"Sir. Do you think that the edible mushrooms around here have been picked by the people of King's Landing?

"Correct. To support the many inhabitants of King's Landing, a lot of food is needed. Even though the forests are rich, it is safe to assume that all edible food in the vicinity is being harvested.

I'd like to say "Yay, I got it right," but I'm embarrassed because it was such an ordinary mistake. But it's like I'm playing with images, and it's a little bit fun.

"Dr. Dolly, I understand now. Thank you very much. Let's see, Sylphie. Can you take me to a place that's off the beaten path?"

"Oh?　That's normal for me. ...... Well, okay. I thought Yuta would say he wanted to look for it on his own at first, is that okay?"

It's no good to treat Sylphy as a teacher, because it seems somehow dangerous. Also, I think Sylphy is wondering why I made the choice to have Sylphy take me there as soon as possible.

Well, it is true that he has a policy to try to do things by himself at first with his stupid willpower. But .......

"It would be great if you could take me this time."

This time I'm going separately from Gina and the others, so I want to pick a lot of mushrooms to show off. I want to be told that I'm a master.

"Well, if Yuta says so, I don't mind. Oh, Rain just caught a wild boar. The other kids seem to have a good idea of where the boar is, so shouldn't we move after we bring the boar?"

Come to think of it, you have to have the boar roasted. I want to go looking for mushrooms as soon as possible, but interrupting the trip is not good for me. Let's wait here.

But Rain is first. It's a little surprising, since Belle is usually the first in such events.

"Cue."

Oh, Rain is flapping his flippers cheerfully next to the boar being carried by Sylphy's wind. It's cute, but if someone who can't see spirits could witness it, it would be a horror scene of a dead boar flying. Well, Sylphy would never make such a mistake.

"Cue cue!"

"Hey, Rain, good job. You caught a nice boar."

He catches Rain who jumps into his chest and pampers him with lots of praise and petting. Rain's smiling face is cute and unusual.

"Yoota. I found a tasty-looking one!"

Second place goes to Belle. I don't know about you, but Belle has been looking for a tasty-looking boar. If you can tell if a boar looks good just by looking at it, that's great.

Oh, Tamamo and Tulu are back together. I have a feeling that Tulu was watching over Tamamo.

"......?　Flare hasn't come back. Sylphy, are you all right?"

All the praise and petting and frolicking with Belle and her friends didn't bring Flair back. Sylphy said they all have their eyes on her, so all we have to do is catch Flare, right?

"Flare is fine. But pff ......."

Sylphy couldn't hold back and let out a laugh. Is Flare doing something funny?

"Um, Sylphie. What is Flare doing?"

"Hmmm...hmmm...maybe I should keep this to myself?　But whichever you choose, Yuta should know that Flare has been worrying hard about it."

Sylphy was alone in his worries and came to a conclusion alone. Apparently, he is going to tell us what Flare is doing. Well, you can guess what's going on from Sylphy's words.

"Flare has found a big boar and a good-sized boar, and he is having a hard time deciding which one to catch.

As expected. Flare understands that he should catch the right-sized boar.

But, being a showy person, she is stuck in the dilemma of wanting to catch a big boar and surprise them. He's still a little boy, but he has a difficult personality.

"I understand. I won't be offended if Flair chooses either one. But if she chooses the big boar, I should warn her, right?"

As a contractor, you can't just coddle them.

"Right. You should say what you need to say. Hey, Flair caught a boar. I'll carry it now."

Apparently, Flair won't tell us which way he chose. Since it's easy to praise him, let's consider a caution if he chooses the bigger one. I've decided to trust and watch, but it's important to be prepared.

"Ah, Sylphy. What should I do in this case?　Should I praise him?　Should I be careful?"

"Well?　I can't judge. Yuta should decide."

I see. I get to decide. Flare is making an incredibly smug face on a boar that's the right size and a boar that looks like it belongs in Ji-Li's world. You had a hard time deciding, and you chose both.

I can't warn you about this, because I didn't say that you can only catch ......1 boars, or that you can't catch big boars. I feel a little defeated, but I guess I can ask Ruby to cook the big boar for me. Flare wins this time.

"Gotcha!"

"Yeah. That's great...I didn't expect you to get two!"

He praises Flare, who seems to be pleased with the word "unexpected" and is puffing out his chest.

"Ah, Sylphy. Can you catch me a boar of the right size?"

"Five aren't enough?"

"Yes. I'm sure Belle and her friends would like to eat the boar they catch themselves. I'm sorry, but I'll take the boar Sylphy caught and bring it to .

Those gymnasts have recovered from their hangover, but it would be awkward for us to eat a whole roasted wild boar by ourselves.

Well, I don't want to get caught up in the banquet, so I'm definitely going separately from Mr. Viktor and the others.　

I see. I understand."

He easily agreed.

"This is good, right?"

And in no time at all, a boar of just the right size was brought in. That's the great spirit of the wind. You're very good at what you do.

Considering how hard Belle and the others worked, I'm not so sure, but I guess it doesn't matter since Belle and the others are flocking to Sylphy and praising her without a care in the world. Well, now that we're all set, let's take it to the vendor. Tonight we roast the whole thing!

Oh, and let's grill some mushrooms too. Grill them over a charcoal fire. ...... I guess salt?