CH 119

We meet up with Ahri and Roa, and take a break near the pond where I found Seilook.

We also use this time for them to report on the current situation around here.

“I see, so Toma is already…”

“Yes, Master Rust. It’s exactly as Mister Harold said. As far as we can tell, the neighboring dominion is completely infested by those parasitic mushrooms.”

“That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. First of all, thanks for taking up such a dangerous job.”

“Those were Lady Kalin’s orders. And we are the ones who should be thanking you. You gave us all that potion and even lent us two Hipopo Brothers.”

Says Ahri, looking tired, but still with a smile on her face.

“And thank you for the amulets as well.”

“Ah. The ones I made in a hurry. Sorry they’re so simple.”

I made them and gave them to them before they went out on a reconnaissance in force, but I apologize for how they came out. They ended up looking really bland, with no value as an accessory. All the effort went into their functionality.

“That’s not true. Actually, Ahri was so clumsy that…”

“Roa…”

Whispers Ahri, sounding embarrassed, and Roa shuts her mouth.

Judging by this, I assume they actually came in handy. The amulet’s function is to splash potion on their bodies when they are hit by an attack that causes a moderate amount of damage.

What I was really worried about was the idea of the two of them being infected by those mushrooms at the same time, and being unable to use potions on themselves. The concept behind them was to create a chance to purify them in case this happened, with a condition attached.

The feeling I’m getting from Ahri is that I shouldn’t ask any more about it, so I let it end here.

“So Rust. Are we going straight to the capital?”

Asks Taula, sounding impatient.

“No, I want to stop by Toma first.”

I say, not only to Taula but to Ahri and Roa too.

“Why? As things stand, even if you save the villagers, they’re just going to be fed to those mushrooms again. If you are getting carried away by emotion and want to save them because you know people there…”

Is Taula’s harsh response.

“No Taula. This is necessary to put my alternate plan in motion.”

I say, interrupting her.

The first thing I had planned was very safe, and the alternative is more dangerous. Stopping by Toma will be handy to tone down the danger by just a bit.

“…I see, I apologize for what I said.”

Taula sincerely apologizes.

I tell Hipopo to run, while feeling somewhat dazzled by her straightforwardness.

Our next stop is Toma.