Helping People In The Wasteland (Unintentionally)

Before heading to the elf nation Anemosgive, we decided to stop by my master’s workshop to resupply.

Chi-chan the earth dragon ran across the wasteland with heavy thuds. The shaking was a bit bothersome, but still better than walking.

I rode inside the covered wagon. Daphne-chan slept on my lap.

“Shupii～… big sis… I wuv you…♡”

The fluffy-haired rabbit-eared girl curled up like a baby.

Every time I touched her ears they twitched adorably. It made me want to keep touching them forever.

Zenith, sitting beside me, spoke.

“…By the way, Lady Seyi, how long does the monster-repellent potion last?”

“Ah… come to think of it, I’ve never measured it. Well, until it wears off?”

“…Th-that’s vague.”

“It definitely disappears after bathing and washing off the surface. Otherwise… who knows～”

I had only thought, as long as it works that’s fine, so I never measured duration.

The venomous snake… ah right, the Hydra.

Since I obtained high-purity snake venom, I could make a high-rank repellent potion, so I figured the effect would last fairly long.

“Hmm! My lord! Enemy ahead!”

Toka-chan at the driver’s seat reported to me.

I borrowed binoculars from Zenith, who managed the luggage, and looked out.

A carriage… was being attacked by gray wolves.

“That carriage is under attack… troublesome if they come this way… Toka-chan, can you use a bow?”

When we received Chi-chan the earth dragon, we were also given some used weapons as a bonus.

“Of course! I am proficient in all martial arts!”

Oh my, reliable. Not just a spear but a bow too.

Zenith took over driving, and Toka-chan fired arrows.

“Here, use this.”

“Hmm? There’s something attached to the arrowhead?”

“Yep, repellent potion.”

“I see! If I fire toward them, the bottle will shatter and disperse the potion!”

Exactly.

Toka-chan stood on the driver’s platform and nocked the arrow.

“Hah…!”

The arrow traced an arc and accurately fell into the pack of wolves attacking the carriage.

At that moment, thud…! the wolves collapsed all at once.

The potion is harmless to humans, but monsters inhaling the vaporized potion can’t handle it.

“Zenith-chan, can you bring us closer? There might be injured people.”

“…Will you help them?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Travelers might know the area well.

They might know about my master’s workshop.

So I intended to help for practical reasons.

“As expected, my lord is compassionate!”

For some reason, I was admired. Well, correcting them would be a hassle.

Zenith brought the dragon carriage closer.

“Are you alright?”

“O-oh… you people. You saved us earlier, didn’t you?”

From their appearance, they seemed to be merchants and escort adventurers.

“You’re injured. Do you have potions?”

“Unfortunately…”

Oh dear, I thought potions were essential for travel.

But after seeing Mitsuke’s market, I confirmed potions were barely sold openly.

Only poor-quality ones were sold secretly, so few people would buy them.

“If you wish, I can share some.”

“What!? R-really?”

“Yes. Everyone, please treat them.”

“““Yes!”””

I had the slave girls distribute potions.

Meanwhile, I spoke with the merchant.

“A tower?”

“Yes, I believe it’s around here.”

“…Could it be the Demon Tower?”

“Demon Tower…? What’s that?”

“You don’t know? A terrifying dungeon in this wasteland.”

A dungeon…?

“There’s a metal magic doll inside that counterattacks intruders.”

“Ah…”

Yeah… that’s the guardian protecting my master’s workshop.

Since valuable items are stored there, guardian golems were installed.

But Demon Tower… quite a rumor.

“Do you know where it is?”

“I do… but miss, you’re not going there? Many treasure hunters tried and were defeated!”

The merchant hurriedly tried to stop me. Naturally, anyone would stop someone walking into danger.

But I didn’t want to waste time here.

“It’s fine, I won’t enter. Just seeing it from afar is enough.”

“I-I see… well then.”

The merchant marked the location on the map. He was a traveling trader familiar with the land. Lucky.

Meanwhile the adventurers’ treatment finished, and they were amazed.

“A-amazing! The bleeding stopped instantly!”

“The wounds healed crazy fast!”

The slave girls returned. I patted everyone’s heads.

Daphne-chan and Toka-chan looked delighted.

Zenith looked embarrassed but not displeased. Cute.

“Well then, we’ll be going.”

“Um! Are you really not taking money? You saved us and healed us…”

The merchant looked apologetic. I didn’t mind.

I just wanted the workshop location anyway.

“No need. See you…”

We boarded the carriage and Chi-chan started running.

Phew, a bit of a detour, but we learned the workshop’s location. All’s well that ends well.