kscans

Chapter 15 - The Forest's Bounty and the Kobito-san

"Lady Chihiro, will you not be making a pilgrimage?"

"Huh? A pilgrimage?"

At Merda's unexpected words, Chihiro tilted her head.

Pilgrimage, pilgrimage... Come to think of it, we had those on Earth. Like holy land pilgrimages. I guess the Ohenro pilgrimage counts too?

Though in modern Japan, there were many pilgrimages with a different meaning.

As the Kobito-san's eyes grew distant, Merda explained with a complicated look on her face.

For some reason, I can sense the subtleties of the honeybees these days. Or have I always been able to? Merda has been pretty expressive since we first met.

According to her, those who became the Golden King would travel to the forests in various regions and form pacts with each of the Forest Masters. The forests that had formed pacts would be connected by golden magic, and when the connection formed a complete ring, it would resonate, creating a synergistic effect that filled the area within with rich magic.

"Whoa, really?"

"Yes. That is why I recommend a pilgrimage."

"Hey, Dolphen. Are there other forests in this country?"

"There are. We are in the center of Frontier, but there are forests in Geshbellista to the south and Adalusia to the west. And though it is not in this country, there is one in the neighboring country to the east, close to the border."

At his words, Chihiro recalled the regions she had learned about from books and maps. The southern and western regions were rich breadbaskets. The south, in particular, faced the sea and was famous for its abundant seafood.

It was only natural that the Kobito-san's mouth began to water as he explained with the map. The way she had latched onto Geshbellista, to the point of making her geography teacher recoil, was a fond memory. ...Right?

Conversely, the neighboring country to the east, Flawers, had a lot of wasteland and was famous as an advanced nation of tools. It was a vast land with many rugged mountains, and people lived on the few flat areas. The country was long and thin, and she remembered it well because she thought its shape was similar to Japan's. This is the Kanto Plain, right? It was her secret that she had been supplementing her knowledge with her own mental map. The specialty of such a country as Flawers was ore. Mines that produced not only iron, gold, and silver, but also many precious stones and gems were a blessing unique to a rugged, mountainous region. On the other hand, its national power was weak, and it was a precarious country that imported food through technological partnerships.

Recalling all this, the Kobito-san was picking up chestnuts in their burrs with the honeybees. Autumn had deepened, and the rich forest was full of bounty.

"I had no idea this was edible."

No way.

The Kobito-san couldn't help but look up at Dolphen with an exasperated expression.

Basically, people did not enter the forest unless they had a very good reason. There were monsters and beasts. Monsters, in particular, would attack humans on sight without question, so most people did not even go near the forest. The only ones who would come were adventurers who had accepted a quest.

As a result, the bounty of the forest was left untouched. What a waste.

Well, I guess with a dangerous look like this, you wouldn't think it was edible.

The Kobito-san gave a wry smile.

Inside the prickly burrs were sweet chestnuts. The ecosystem here was almost the same as on Earth. Having confirmed this after obtaining many things like raspberries, brambleberries, and gumi berries, Chihiro began to try other things. Wild grasses, mountain vegetables, and mushrooms. For each one, she would perform a patch test, then hold a small amount in her mouth. She would keep it there for about an hour, and if nothing happened, she would swallow it. If there were no abnormalities in her body after a full day, it passed. If both the toddler Chihiro and the adult Dolphen did this, there would be no mistake, and they could also determine differences, such as things that were fine for adults but bad for children.

As a result, all the plants that were the same as those on Earth were fine.

She might get burned one day, but someone had to take the first step. The book of wild grasses that was so useful during Japan's great famines was apparently written by the author who tasted them himself to judge. It was a necessary challenge.

The Kobito-san raised her fist, but there was no need for her to do it. She could have just collected and explained them and left the rest to someone else, but such a thought never even occurred to the curiosity-filled Kobito-san.

And Dolphen was oblivious to such dangers. Basically a muscle-head, he did not question Chihiro's actions. He simply followed along with whatever she wished, whatever she thought. He was a failure as a guard, but for the Kobito-san, he was a welcome guardian.

That was why she could come to the forest so freely and forage.

If the Kobito-san gave Dolphen even one of her innocent smiles, he would do anything for her. He was a cheap retainer.

"Alright, this should be enough."

Having gathered a huge pile of chestnuts, the Kobito-san was very pleased.

Dolphen and the honeybees had removed the burrs, so all that was left was to go home and cook.

Roasted chestnuts, chestnuts in syrup, glacé, paste. Ooh, a Mont Blanc-like dessert would be good too.

Unconsciously suppressing a smile, the Kobito-san danced, hyokotan, hyokotan. It was an unconscious movement, so her steps were awkward, but Dolphen, who was sealing the chestnuts, narrowed his eyes in amusement.

It is because I get to see moments like this that I cannot quit being this one's guard.

Witnessing the adorable sight of the Kobito-san, something only possible because he was always with her, Dolphen felt a sense of bliss. He lifted her into his arms, said goodbye to Merda, and left the forest.

"Hey, hey, Dolphen! Chestnuts are sweet and fluffy, you know. I'm so happy, we have so many. Let's all eat them together."

The Kobito-san spoke passionately, gesturing with her hands.

Aaaaaah, how adorable she is. I, Dolphen, am full from just that smile alone.

Reflected in the eyes of Dolphen, whose mouth was curved into a pleased grin, was the Kobito-san, her hands on her cheeks, smiling with a 'mufun' and squeezing her eyes shut, 'kyuu'.

Knocked out by her overwhelming cuteness, Dolphen froze for a moment, and Chihiro patted him with a puzzled look on her face.

Dolphen would be seen freezing like this in various places from time to time, but no one knew the reason, and his secret pleasure is still protected to this day.

Cuteness was justice.