CH 45

There were two men who had collapsed.

Both had minor injuries and were not in critical condition.

The contents of the cart were also checked, and nothing seemed to have been stolen.

“Thank you so much. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“If you want to thank anyone, say it to her.”

And with that, Yuren-kun pointed to me.

The two merchants repeatedly thanked us while bowing their heads.

“Thank you so much. The potion healed our wounds completely.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen something that works so well.”

“Don’t worry about it. If you’re not feeling well, please see a doctor.”

The two merchants decided to return to Floria.

They had some broken merchandise due to the accident, so they decided to settle down before departing again, since Floria was closer than the royal capital.

We decided to stay behind to investigate the scene.

We saw them off.

“Thanks for the help Aria, I didn’t know you had potions.”

“Yes, I’ve been carrying them with me lately.”

In addition to healing potions, I also have a range of detoxifying potions.

There are people I couldn’t help before.

So, I always try to be prepared so that I don’t have to go through the same experience again.

I didn’t expect it, but this time, the preparation came in handy.

I feel relieved.

At that moment, Hisui-san and Fusaki-kun return after checking the surroundings.

“How was it?”

“No good. We know the direction they fled, but they’re too far away.”

“What should we do? I can pursue them if you want?”

“…No, it’s better not to be too reckless. The movements of the recent bandits are strange.”

The two of them understand after hearing Yuren-kun’s story.

I feel left behind, being the only one who didn’t know.

“What do you mean by strange? Did something happen?”

“Thieves have been around here and there before. But they were all individuals and their numbers were small. Besides, they didn’t come to places as conspicuous as this.”

Hisui-san continues to explain.

“But recently, they’ve begun moving in an organized group. There’s a high possibility that a leader who gathered them has appeared.”

“I also have that information! It is almost certain that they have a leader. Their power has quickly expanded in recent weeks, and there are rumors that they are dealing with dangerous drugs.”

“Drugs”

Might it be poison or something? The memory of past events makes my heart ache.

When dangerous substances fall into the hands of bad people, it is impossible to predict what the outcome will be.

“For now, we’ll also enter Floria. There are concerns, but we have to do what needs to be done.”

“That’s right. We’ll report to the guards and contact the capital as well. We need to increase security in the surrounding area for a while.”

“Can I go on ahead?”

“No, you can’t. Please focus on protecting Aria.”

“Understood.”

We got on horses and headed towards the town of Floria.

There was no danger afterward, and we were able to enter the town.

It was smaller than the capital, but it was bustling with a lot of people.

It seems that many merchants come and go in the town, which is also a characteristic.

“We have work, but what about Aria?”

“Um, if possible, I’d like to go pick some Seven Leaf Grass in the nearby forest…”

After what happened earlier, I was feeling a bit uneasy.

But since I had come all this way, I wanted to at least pick a few.

In short, I was struggling.

“It’s okay! I’m with you, and the distance isn’t that far away.”

“I don’t think I’d have a problem with it in the daytime, either. They were after the luggage. There’s no reason for them to go after her.”

Fusaki-kun and Hisui-san were saying that.

Yuren-kun still seemed to be a bit hesitant.

“What do you want to do, Aria?”

“I… just want to gather some materials even if it’s just a little. I don’t think it will take that much time.”

“I see. Then it’s until daytime. Be sure to come back by evening.”

“Okay.”

With Yuren-kun’s approval, Fusaki-kun and I headed to the forest right next to the town.

It was a distinctive forest with trees in shades of green, as well as trees in shades of red and brown.

The forest had already been explored by various people, so signboards were placed to prevent getting lost.

There were no dangerous animals, and it seemed like a safer place than I thought.

“Fusaki-kun, do you remember where it was?”

“It’s a little further ahead. I remember it was growing just before the cliff.”

“Near the cliff. By the way, do you remember what the leaves looked like?”

“I think they had a normal shape~ a roundish feel, but I don’t remember it clearly.”

Seven-leaf grass changes its leaf shape depending on the environment.

It is named after having seven different shapes.

If it’s a round shape, there are three types.

In my estimation, the leaves are slender ovals.

“Hey, Fusaki-kun, do you think there might be any nuts or something around here? I prefer ones with strong acidity if possible.”

“I think there are some. Shall we take a detour?”

“Sure.”

So we went deeper into the forest.

Fusaki-kun was with me, and it was a reassuring place because there was a clear path.

Still, I feel a little uneasy.

Maybe I’m just being nervous because of the succession of bad things that have happened.

This matter doesn’t directly concern me, so I thought it would probably be okay.