Departure

I healed the sick mother (father).

After that… I was introduced to a merchant who knew the mother. From him, I was able to receive not a horse… but a land dragon.

“Gwah! Gaa!”

We stood at the stable next to the trading company.

A land dragon. A type of dragon specialized in running. Its size was a little bigger than me.

Many land dragons were lined up. Each cost quite a lot.

“Is it really okay to receive one for free?”

I asked the merchant who knew the mother.

He nodded with a smile.

“Yes. I was indebted to that person. So to you who helped them, I will gladly give you a land dragon.”

Hmm, lucky. I didn’t expect the person I helped to be that important…

I just wanted the cookie recipe, and well, I couldn’t leave someone in trouble alone.

“Now then. Which one should we pick? Daphne-chan.”

“Yes!”

The Rabi tribe girl raised her hand energetically. Her enthusiasm was healing to watch.

“You can talk to animals, right?”

“Yes!”

She jumped while raising both hands. Cute like a rabbit.

“Then can you choose one that seems motivated?”

“Yes! I’ll do my best to pick for big sis!”

Daphne-chan ran off energetically.

If we’re getting one, I want a motivated land dragon. We’ll use it long-term.

Soon, Daphne-chan selected a red land dragon.

“This one is super motivated after seeing us!”

“Gwah gwah! Gaa!”

The land dragon snorted excitedly while looking at us.

“Oh? What is it saying?”

“Um… ‘So many girls! Woohoo! A harem party!’ it says!”

…Why do I suddenly not want this one?

Probably a male.

“Are you motivated?”

“Gwa, gaa!”

“It says ‘Of course!’”

Well, even if it’s perverted, motivation matters. I don’t want it losing motivation in the middle of the wilderness.

“Excuse me, we’ll take this one.”

“Are you sure…? That one is an uncontrollable troublemaker.”

The merchant widened his eyes.

“I think it’ll be fine. Right, um… since it’s a land dragon… Chii-chan.”

“Gaa! Gwah!”

“It says ‘Of course, boss lady.’”

Boss lady? Well, I was their master so… maybe that’s fine?

The merchant nodded.

“As expected, Saintess-sama also has a good eye.”

“No no… I’m not a saintess, I’m an alchemist.”

“Oh my, modest as always. No alchemist can make a potion that removes basilisk petrification.”

I was literally right here…

Well whatever. Correcting him was troublesome.

“Saintess-sama, actually I have a request. Could you give me that holy water which cured the basilisk petrification?”

“Holy water… it’s just an antidote potion, but sure.”

I took out about 20 antidote potions from the [Alchemy Workshop] stock.

It felt awkward receiving such a fine land dragon completely free.

Antidote potions could be made quickly from nearby herbs anyway.

“Thank you. And the price?”

“Huh, no need. They’re free.”

“C-Can I really receive so many expensive items!?”

“Yes. Sell them or use them for people in need.”

Low-grade potions (ones without magical effects like Numbers) could be made as easily as breathing.

They used cheap materials, so giving them away didn’t hurt me.

If I sold them, I’d get money, but then people would ask how I made them or who taught me.

If I gave them for free, they’d hesitate to pry out of politeness.

I think things through too.

Afterward, we left the trading house and began final preparations.

We attached Chii-chan the land dragon to the wagon.

Daphne-chan became the driver. Since she could talk to animals, she’d handle the reins well.

Beside her sat Toka-chan as guard.

I gave her a spear for monsters.

Zenith-chan and I rode in the back.

Traveling by wagon. Alone it’d be tiring, but with the slave girls it should go smoothly.

Managing three people sounded hard, but it ended up easier—and more fun.

“Alright, departure!”

““Yeah!””

“Gwaa!”

“…Yes.”

We left the town of Mitsuke behind.