CH 34

Taula says she wants to say hello to Kalin, so I take her to Kalin’s tent, and head to the camp’s square.

Kalin invited me to eat with her, the people from Toma, and Taula to welcome them to the camp, but I declined. Apparently Zahle and the others are leaving tomorrow, so I want to have this done before then. I have to transmute the kagero fruits into magic crystals.

I can’t help but feel like this is a great business opportunity, and the faster I take care of this the better.

As I approach the square, I see a few small piles of kagero fruits. I take one of the fruits, and hold it up towards the sun that’s beginning to set.

“Let’s begin.”

I activate the scrolls.

◆◇

It’s been a few hours since I started, and I’m getting thirsty.

It’s completely dark around me, and I’m only illuminated by the faintly shining scrolls, and a magic item for illumination, which reflects off the pile of completed magic crystals.

“I’ve done quite a bit.”

I say before lightly coughing.

“Master Rust.”

I turn to look and see Ahri.

“I brought you something to eat and drink. How about you take a break?”

Says Ahri, who is carrying a tray with food.

It appears to be a suggestion based on what she said, but the way she said it makes it clear that no is not an option.

“Yes, thank you. I was just starting to get thirsty too. I think I’ve reached my goal, so I’ll gladly take it.”

I take the tray, and I’m about to start eating standing up.

“Master Rust.”

“…Yes.”

I guess she’s right, so I start looking around for a place to sit.”

“My tent is nearby, so I can bring you a seat if you want.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

I reflexively apologize.

“No, it’s no big deal.”

Says Ahri as she begins to walk.

I follow her and we soon reach the tent she shares with her sister.

She walks in and quickly walks out with two stools.

They’re wooden stools covered with cloths. They look like they’ve been made using as little wood as possible, which still makes them valuable items in a region where lumber is hard to come by.

We sit in front of the tent, and I start eating right away.

First I taste the drink in the mug.

It’s ale, which refreshes the throat that’s been working for a few hours straight, and it’s strong rustic aroma enters my nostrils.

I unconsciously let out a sound as I drink it.

“Apparently Litna made it for the welcome banquet. He’s really proud of it, because he’s been trying to perfect it via trial and error ever since he got here, and finally got it right.”

“It really is good. I’ve never felt a smell like this coming from ale. Maybe he used ingredients from a plant type monster. So he’s not only in charge of food storage, he even makes drinks too.”

“I remember him being really happy that a barley monster wandered in, and went after it to hunt it.”

I respond while I start eating.

It’s twin linehorn steak. I’ve eaten this a few times so I’m used to it, but it’s always good. It’s red meat, but it’s tender with almost no veins.

It goes perfectly with this ale, and I finish very quickly.

As soon as I’m done, Ahri speaks.

“Master Rust, there is something I want to talk to you about.”

“If it’s something I can help you with, go ahead and say it.”

And then she talks about something that has been troubling her and her sister.