Work in the Village
Earlier, Irinya had been crushing herbs, but that must have been the last of it. Currently, Irinya and I were tasked with grinding herbs. It would be troubling if we ran out of work.
I wanted to ask about how to leave the forest as well, but I thought I'd make sure to secure my job first.
「What kind of herbs are these? The ones that look like the usual leaves?」
When I asked, Mikel furrowed his brows and Rolf turned his back to us, taking something out. Mikel pulled out something weed-like from Rolf's leather pouch. It had broad leaves and a reddish, thick stem. It looked like the usual spinach-like herb. It was the herb used to make a low-grade potion called Meral. It had effects on its own, and in a game, you could click to recover some health.
Just like some of the monsters, these herbs also appeared similar to those in games. Of course, there were also some completely unknown and commonly widespread items. It was intriguing.
「It's Meral grass. If that's the case, I might be able to find some.」
「Huh?」
「What?」
As I muttered this, Mikel and Rolf made strange noises. I chuckled at them and called out to Irinya.
「Is it okay if I explore a little? I'm sure Mikel and Rolf would help too.」
「Ah, y-yes!」
Irinya immediately agreed, but Mikel and Rolf looked incredibly displeased.
「Ugh.」
「I just want to go home.」
It seemed they were tired of looking for herbs. Like kids throwing a tantrum, they crossed their arms and looked up at me, sighing as I opened my mouth.
「... Do we not need herbs?」
When I asked them, their beast-like ears and tails drooped.
「... We do want herbs.」
「We don't want to get scolded...」
It seemed they were strictly ordered to gather herbs. Well, since they usually only hunt, it's understandable if they can't find herbs. If these two were being mobilized, then other beast folks must be searching for herbs too.
If the supplies were this depleted, I'd be happy to help even a little.
「Alright, let's go then. Over here, everyone.」
Leading the dispirited duo and Irinya, I headed upstream along the river. There was a big rock there, so I used Mikel's back as a makeshift step ladder to climb up. He was saying it hurt, but since I'm quite light, it should be fine. Mikel was pretty dramatic.
Once on top, my view broadened considerably. The forest remained dense, but I could see a fair view of the surroundings. The side with more moss on the trees and rocks was probably the north side?
As I intensely gazed at the surroundings, Mikel and the others called up to me from below.
「You won't find anything just from above!」
「They're really small, you know? They mostly hide among other grass.」
They offered some advice, but unfortunately, they were off the mark. The herbs grew in clusters, so it was correct to look for places where herbs were likely to grow, rather than searching for a single small herb.
Well, as someone who's spent years trying various job aptitudes in games, there's probably no more accurate knowledge.
「... Maybe over there.」
Though it took some time, I finally found a promising spot. Trees surrounded it, just the right distance from the water, and it also seemed to get plenty of sunlight.
「Let me down.」
「Alright, alright.」
When I called out, Mikel extended his hands for me to step on.
「Don't stand on my hands....」
「Thanks.」
Though he looked somewhat thin, Mikel was surprisingly muscular. Like a trophy, he managed to lower me steadily to the ground.
「Over this way.」
「Are you sure...?」
「Think it's okay...?」
As I called and headed into the depths of the forest, Mikel and Rolf followed hesitantly. Irinya chuckled softly.
Avoiding the muddy ground, we advanced about fifty meters through the forest, where the scent of greenery became stronger. Even though we moved away from the river, the humidity was high. However, there were no pools or swamps, increasing the likelihood.
Thinking that, I parted the overlapping large leaves to the left and right, revealing small, hand-sized grass. Although it looked like small spinach, these were indeed Meral grass.
「Found it!」
When I called everyone, they came running at frightening speeds.
「No way!?」
「Really!?」
They must have been having a hard time finding herbs. Mikel and Rolf widened their eyes in disbelief at the Meral grass growing from the ground.
「... You found them well, master Lars.」
Irinya couldn't hide her surprise either. Laughing, I patted my own chest.
「Leave it to me. I've studied a lot.」
Smiling at them, Mikel and Rolf stared at me with disbelief in their eyes.
-------------= Author's Notes -------------=
If you found yourself curious about 'what happens next,' it would make me happy if you could press the ☆ button at the bottom of the page!
It motivates the author!・:*+.\(( °ω° ))/.:+
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌ )】