kscans

Chapter 118 - Blasphemy

In the afternoon, we devoted ourselves to monster hunting. Although the three of them said they would yield to me, I’d get tired doing it all by myself, so we took turns hunting monsters, with my share being slightly larger.

As always, Yoshino-san and Lin-san were strong, defeating monsters without any trouble. With three people capable of close-quarters combat, Nanapon was also able to calmly use her magic to defeat monsters.

As for me…

"Hyaah!"

I had just cut down a High Wolf. As expected, I didn't struggle with it.

"See? He definitely smiles, doesn’t he?"

"Hmm, well, Lin smiles too, so…"

"I think it’s fine. He has a knack for it."

I was being subtly teased by the three girls…

"I told you, I’m not smiling…"

I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression.

"You are smiling. I can feel a joyful aura coming from your back."

What is that supposed to mean?

"Well, to be honest, I know how you feel. I’ve been practicing swordsmanship since I was a child, but I’ve almost never had a chance to use a real sword," Yoshino-san said.

"I get it too. At most, we used wooden swords," Lin-san added.

That’s true… If I had used a real sword, I’d be behind bars by now. So, I can’t deny that being able to use one is a pleasure. It’s fun to be able to use a skill I’ve been confident in since I was a child.

"Were you two in the kendo club?" Nanapon asked Yoshino-san and Lin-san.

"I didn’t join the kendo club. I was in the literature club," Yoshino-san replied.

So Yoshino-san was a literary girl.

"I was in the basketball club," Lin-san said.

And Lin-san was a sports girl.

"If you practice swordsmanship, why weren’t you in the kendo club?"

"It’s hot, tough, and smelly…"

"I didn’t feel like doing swordsmanship at home and then doing kendo at school too."

I totally get that.

"Huh. Wait, weren’t you in the kendo club, Okita-san?" Nanapon asked as I was nodding along.

"I joined to improve my school record. My grades weren’t that great."

There were no other clubs I wanted to join, and I figured if I got good results in the kendo club, my record would improve, and I might get into college on a recommendation.

"I see… Forgive me for being rude, but I can kind of picture that."

I wish I had your Clairvoyance or Yoshino-san’s Perfect Memory.

"More importantly, it’s getting late, so why don’t we head back? You’re going out with Kaede, right, Okita-kun?" Lin-san said, fiddling with her ponytail. At her words, I checked the time and saw it was just past four in the afternoon.

"It’s this late already…?"

We’d been out here since morning, but the time had flown by. It was a huge difference from when I went to the Kunaar Ruins by myself.

"If you guys still want to go on, I’ll join you. What do you want to do?" Yoshino-san offered.

"What do you think, Nanapon? I’m going to Ginza with Kaede-chan, so I’m heading back with Lin-san."

I also want to take a shower.

"If you’re heading back, Okita-san, then I’ll go back too. We’d only have about an hour left anyway, so let’s call it a day and all go home together."

It gets dangerous after dark, so that’s probably for the best.

"Alright, let’s head back for today. Good work, everyone," Yoshino-san said, acknowledging our efforts.

"Thanks for today. I got the skill I wanted, so it was a great day."

"I’m glad I was able to learn a new type of magic. Thank you very much."

Nanapon and I thanked Yoshino-san and Lin-san.

"It’s fine. It was an apology for last time. But regardless of that, I’ll teach you again, so let’s go together again," Yoshino-san said.

"I don’t mind either. I like this Mireille Road, it’s full of nature," Lin-san added.

They’re good people.

"Well then, we’ll be in your care again. I’ll contact you."

For now, I think I’m good for this week. I want to rest tomorrow, and I have to go to the Shibuya Guild.

"Sounds good."

"Thanks."

"We look forward to it."

We finished our adventure for the day and started back down the road.

◆◇◆

On the way back, I was lost in thought while watching the three girls walking and talking ahead of me. Soon, Nanapon slowed her pace and came up beside me.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, looking up at me with a concerned expression.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when you’re walking behind everyone by yourself, it makes me think something’s up."

"Nothing’s wrong. I was just looking at you girls’ butts."

"You’re the worst."

Nanapon shot me a sidelong glance.

"I’m kidding."

Well, walking behind them, my eyes naturally drifted there, so it wasn't a complete lie.

"That’s not funny. So, what’s wrong? You’re being unnatural."

I guess so. Yoshino-san and Lin-san probably noticed too, but they were being considerate and not bringing it up. Even now, they’ve moved far enough ahead that they can’t hear our voices.

"When I checked my Status Card earlier, my level had gone up. I’m at 10, same as you."

"That’s great. I thought you would level up after defeating so many monsters."

Nanapon had reached level 10, so I expected I would too. It was as I had predicted.

"Naturally, a new recipe appeared."

"Right. What was it?"

"Water of Life. It can bring the dead back to life."

"…………"

Nanapon fell silent. I understood how she felt. That’s why I had been walking in silence too.

"Do you want to hear the rest?"

"...Let’s hear it. I am your disciple, and your companion."

She says the nicest things.

"Do you remember what Claire said before? About how when people die in Frontier, they disappear just like monsters."

"I remember. It was when I was kidnapped. Eleanor-san… or rather, Claire-san and Harry-san told me when they disposed of the kidnappers they killed."

That was when I first learned about it too. Apparently, when people die in Frontier, they vanish into smoke. I thought it was a little scary.

"Humans and monsters both vanish into smoke. But you said humans take a little longer to disappear, right? It seems the Water of Life can revive them if you make them drink it during that time. However, it has no effect on Earth."

"The fact that it can’t be used on Earth is both a relief and a shame, but either way, that’s an incredible item…"

It would be convenient to have, and there would definitely be a demand for it. A demand far greater than for Healing Potions. But its effect is just too insane. Bringing people back to life…

"If I sell this, I’ll be confirmed as a witch for sure."

It would be a blasphemy against life. Religious groups would probably raise a fuss.

"It’s okay. Eleanor-san is already a confirmed witch."

"You’re right…"

The name Golden Witch was now firmly established throughout the world.

"What will you do?"

"I want to think about it for a bit. Besides, I don’t have the ingredients."

"What are the ingredients?"

"Crystal of Life and a level 3 Healing Potion."

I have the level 3 Healing Potion. But I don’t know what a Crystal of Life is.

"Crystal of Life… I’ve never heard of it, but the name is quite telling."

"Right?"

"Aren’t you going to ask Yoshino-san and Lin-san?"

Yoshino-san and Lin-san… That’s what I was grappling with on my own. Whether or not to tell those two, or more specifically, Yoshino-san.

"I want to think about that too. An item that brings people back to life is too dangerous, so I’m thinking of just making enough for you and me, just in case."

"So you’re going to keep it from Yoshino-san? Because she’s a money-grubber? Or because she’s the Chief’s subordinate?"

"No, that’s not it. Yoshino-san and Lin-san would probably keep it a secret. But think about it, would you make an item that revives the dead and give it to them ‘just in case’? Those two are strong adventurers who don’t take unnecessary risks. If they were to use it, it would be on their party members. That’s the problem."

If that happened, there’s a chance the existence of the Water of Life, and by extension Alchemy, could be leaked. But Yoshino-san values her comrades, so she would probably use it without hesitation. From my perspective, however, Yoshino-san’s precious comrades are people whose names and faces I don’t even know. Why should I put myself in danger to save someone like that?

It’s cold, but I’m not a saint. I value myself, and I have people I care about, like Kaede-chan and Nanapon. I can’t take that risk.

"That’s true… So, what’s the plan?"

"First, I need to try making it. I’ll ask Kaede-chan about the ingredient, the Crystal of Life. Or have her look into it."

Yoshino-san and Lin-san might know, but if I ask them if they know about a Crystal of Life in this situation, anyone would get suspicious. They know I can use Alchemy, and the name ‘Crystal of Life’ is just too potent.

"Is that the only way…?"

"Even if I make it, I can’t test it, so I’ll probably just keep it as a precaution. But first, I have to make it. We’ll talk after that."

I don't know how rare the Crystal of Life is. The ingredients so far have all been trivial, but judging by the name, the Crystal of Life seems like a rare material.

"Understood. It goes without saying, but I won’t tell anyone about this. What about Satsuki-san?"

"I’ll tell her when the time is right. She seems busy right now."

She wasn’t in yesterday either. She’s probably busy with that surveying company and the auction for the level 3 Healing Potions.

"That’s true. I can look it up too. On the internet, that is…"

"I’ll be using the internet too."

For ordinary people like us, that’s all we have. Our best hope is Kaede-chan, the guild employee.

"My Clairvoyance and everyone else’s unique skills are exceptional, but your Alchemy, Okita-san, feels like it’s in a league of its own."

It’s a production-type skill that’s completely useless in combat, but the things it can create are insane. It’s certainly on a different level from other unique skills.

"Nanapon, if I were to quit being an adventurer, what would you do?"

I realized I hadn't asked her this before.

"Does that mean Eleanor-san would be quitting too?"

"It would. Sorry about that."

"...In that case, I would quit too. I was only an adventurer to earn some pocket money in the first place. I have no intention of doing it alone."

If Nanapon wanted to continue being an adventurer, I was thinking of entrusting her to Yoshino-san’s party, but I guess she’d quit too… Well, she was already semi-retired when Satsuki-san dragged her back in, so that makes sense.

"Got it. In that case, I’ll give you a hefty severance package."

"Please do. I have no intention of becoming your mistress or your friend with benefits."

You can start saying things like that when you’re a little older.