Volume 1 - CH 14

[Tons of St. John's Wort grows inside this forest]

Led by Liddie-chan, the travelling time was around 20 minutes. As the broom wasn't usable inside the dense forest, we had no choice but to walk.

The entanglement from the surrounding ivy made it tedious to traverse. I am starting to feel this is not worth the effort. If I let the father drink tons of potion, would it cure his waist I wonder.

Before that, it feels like over-the-counter medicine would work if it's just a strained back. The problem is how would the children feed themselves while he is recuperating, if I prepare provisions to last them for those few days......

...Entertaining that thought, I was interrupted by Liddie-chan voice [Here it is. We have arrived]

Returning to myself I scanned my surroundings. Without realizing we have to the clearing and am now at a meadow around my knee's height. Heh, to think there is such a place within the forest.

[This red grass is it. Normally it's used as medicine but it's also a dye component]

Within the grass field was a long red plant. Pointing to that, Liddie-chan exclaimed. What a beautiful color. While the recipe book depicts the completed product, that is not true for the ingredient. It's probably important to see the real thing.

[Well then, let's take a few]

Seeing that I am in front of a little girl, I dropped the pretense of having to use a different tone and collected the herb. Not knowing how much herb is needed but presumably 20 should be enough.

[Ah, this grass emits red syrup so be sure not to stain yourself]

[Ugyah!?]

Cutting off the stem, at the same type a deep red liquid started flowing out. Gush. What the hell is this!? It's as if it is blood. Graphic! Too graphical! What the hell!?

[That's why I told you to be careful didn't I]

My waist dropped from the shock but Liddie-chan who was beside me continued picking the herb normally. I wonder if she does this usually, she's used to it.

Previously, I crafted the fully automated hand sickle for a harvesting request but I am glad I didn't use it. The scene would be straight up from a splatter.

◯ ◯ ◯

[Ok. Is this enough? Should we collect more?]

...30 minute have passed since then. With a bloodied appearance......incorrect, Liddie-chan who was soaked with red liquid passed me the collected herb with a smiling face. As I am averse to handling it with my bare hands, I opened the bag of infinite capacity and asked her to toss it inside. [Won't the inside of the bag get soiled?] was the question she posed but it's fine since it's infinite capacity.

[In that case, let's go Liddie-chan. I am counting on your navigation again]

With this the ointment is all but done......in the moment I thought that, a shadow loomed over us. Did the cloud started to form or something I wonder.

[......Huh?]

Looking up without a care, there it was. A magnificent silver figure covered in scale with two gigantic wings, the advent of a flying dragon. C-c-could this be the dragon that attacked Tim-kun!? We encountered it-!?

I felt like fleeing from the scene at the first chance I get but seeing the appearance of Liddie-chan who was blue with fear calmed me down. Aa, this is one of those situations where fleeing is not an option.

[Ey! I am the strongest alchemist, Mei! Your opponent is me!]

Purposely raising my voice to draw the dragon's attention from Liddie-chan, I reached for the bomb in my pocket. This is the only weapon I currently have.

It's true that I have battled the wolves in the forest previously, however they are creatures that exist in my original world too. Even I am afraid of a dragon. His appearance is sturdy too.

[Liddie-chan, duck! Let's have a clean good fight! Deryaah--!]

As if to disperse my fear, I spouted whatever came to my mind as I threw the bomb. The next moment, a thundering sound was rung.

[Awaaah--!?]

Receiving the brunt of the wind impact, I covered Liddie-chan with my body. Opening my eyes which I couldn't help my close, the sight of the dragon lying on the ground greeted me.

Cautiously regaining my posture, the surrounding trees mowed down radially was a testament to the intensity of the shockwave. I forgot. This firepower of this bomb is really high.

[B-big sister alchemist. Amazing. You defeated the dragon]

Liddie-chan who stood up following me looked at me with an envious expression. This is kinda embarrassing.

[W-well it seems like it's still breathing so let's escape before it recovers. Come on, get on]

Asserting that in an attempt to conceal my embarrassment, I took out the the witch's broom from my bag. Due to the impact knocking down the trees, the view is much clearer and it's now possible to cross using the broom.

[So, you aren't an alchemist but Ms. Witch] ignoring Liddie-chan question, we made for the village at full speed.