The Former Child Prodigy Ends Up Searching For A Rare Medicinal Herb

One month after the Geo Dragon subjugation—

That day, Phonic was attending the regular reporting meeting as one of Black Dragon’s Fang’s executives. That said, there was no way all of the busy Eight Stars would be present, so the only ones gathered were Phonic, Carmilla, Varnir, and Orfred.

Varnir, who was making money through medicinal herb gathering, gave his report confidently.

After proudly speaking at length about the sales figures and the various measures he had implemented, he concluded with complete confidence.

“This month is also progressing smoothly. There are no problems in particular.”

In response to Varnir’s words, Orfred, who had been listening in silence, asked a question.

“…I have heard rumors that high-quality medicinal herbs not belonging to us are circulating on the market. What of that matter?”

“Your ears are as sharp as ever!”

Varnir exclaimed in admiration, the corners of his mouth lifting.

“However, there is no problem at all. The supply has already stopped, and we have returned to our monopoly. Most likely, someone merely happened to find a patch where high-quality medicinal herbs grew—and then harvested it dry.”

“…I see. But remain vigilant. Do not grow careless.”

After saying that, Orfred changed the subject.

“By the way, is the preparation of the Granveil Grass proceeding without issue?”

“Of course it is.”

Granveil Grass was a plant used as a raw material in medicine for curing a certain incurable illness. It was an extremely precious plant that was very difficult to cultivate, and at present, it could only be gathered in Black Dragon’s Fang’s exclusive territory.

“There is only one plant, but its growth is proceeding smoothly. I guarantee it will be ready by the promised day.”

“No safeguard? Could you not manage two plants?”

“…That would be difficult. The difficulty of managing it can be overcome with effort, but it is a medicinal herb that requires an extremely large amount of nutrients. Raising one plant reliably is the limit.”

“Understood. I will leave it to you. But engrave this in your heart—you will not be forgiven if you fail.”

The Granveil Grass deal was an important one. The trading partner was a very powerful person, and in light of the clan’s future development, it carried great significance. That was why Orfred’s demands were so strict.

Even so—

“Of course.”

Varnir answered with a smile on his face. He did not appear to be considering the possibility of his own failure in the slightest.

Next, Orfred’s eyes turned to Phonic.

“Phonic, there is something I wish to ask you.”

“Anything you wish.”

Orfred picked up the sheet of paper resting on the table. It was the report Phonic had compiled.

By the time they arrived, the Geo Dragon had already been slain, and apparently, the weapon used by the person who killed it had been—

“Wooden branches, you say?”

The voice that slipped from Orfred’s mouth was full of suspicion.

Phonic nodded.

“…Yes. That is what seems most likely.”

“Meteor Swordsman Phonic, with your skill, could you defeat a Geo Dragon covered in hard scales with wooden branches?”

“Of course not.”

“I thought not. I could not either.”

Orfred, who possessed swordsmanship refined to the very realm of a sword saint, said so without hesitation.

“And even so, you still say wooden branches?”

“According to Carmilla’s judgment, it would be possible if the wooden branches had been enchanted—imbued with magic power.”

“Enchantment, hm—”

Orfred looked up at the ceiling and thought for a moment.

“But exactly what sort of wielder would be needed to cut through a dragon’s scales with wooden branches? Carmilla.”

“…Presumably, someone at the highest level of the current age.”

In response to Carmilla’s words, Orfred did not answer immediately.

Silence filled the meeting room for a while. At last, Orfred murmured:

“…I want them.”

“When you say you want them?”

At Phonic’s question, Orfred gave a grin.

“An enchanter of that caliber is in the Imperial Capital. There is no reason not to draw them into our ranks. If we invite them into Black Dragon’s Fang, our strength will undoubtedly increase.”

The growth of this clan was everything to him—that was why Orfred continued as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“If they desire it, I could even give them a seat among the Eight Stars.”

Orfred’s words added a palpable pressure to the air in the room.

To add a new wielder to the Eight Stars meant, in other words, that one of the current Eight Stars would be removed. There were only eight seats among the Eight Stars, after all. That was the sort of thing Orfred said casually right in front of them.

And yet, none of them were dissatisfied.

Because being one of the Eight Stars meant one had to continue proving strength worthy of that position.

Phonic and the others knew that.

“Phonic, gather information on this enchanter.”

“Understood.”

All he had to do was continue producing the results Orfred desired.

One month after that—

I was lazing around at home. Thanks to gathering medicinal herbs, I had more than enough living expenses for the time being. In that sort of situation, there was no way someone like me, depleted of spirit, could possibly work.

So there I was, lying sprawled on the sofa reading a comedy novel, when—

“Hey, Onii-chan, could you give back the emotion I felt that night?”

My little sister Arisa poked my cheek with her finger.

I opened my mouth while still reading the novel.

“You see, Onii-chan worked super hard, so right now I am in a recovery period.”

“…You know, since you do not have much experience as a working adult, let me teach you something. Ordinary working adults only rest for two days out of a week. How long have you been resting?”

“…Hmm… a lot?”

I answered while being careful not to look Arisa in the eyes.

Arisa let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Come on, it is about time you started working again, right?”

“No, wait, Arisa! I chose the free path of an adventurer so I could ‘work just a little and then loaf around the rest of the time’! If I keep working here, what happens to that noble resolve? That would be completely backwards—!”

“Yes, yes, stop saying pathetic things in impressive-sounding words!”

My little sister mercilessly cut down my words.

“Go work, Onii-chan.”

“No way, I want to rest! I want to rest while I still have money! Once it runs out, I will work again, so let me slack off for a while!”

“Do not say pathetic things in pathetic words either! There is no saving that!”

And so, I was driven out of the house.

A mini-expulsion.

Well, but now I had the endlessly regrowing job known as medicinal herb gathering, so unlike before, I did not feel particularly pressed.

I headed to the great forest near the Imperial Capital, picked medicinal herbs here and there, and brought them to the Adventurer’s Guild.

When I showed them to the usual purchasing clerk—

“Wooooooooooooooooow! As amazing as ever! What is this incomprehensibly high quality!? Even after taking time off, the Hand of God is still alive and well!”

She got all excited like that.

Still unable to contain her excitement, the purchasing clerk spoke to me.

“Mr. Ilvis, it has been a while! You had not been showing up at the guild lately, so I was wondering what had happened!”

I had been slacking off and lazing around!

I could not exactly say that, so putting on a crisp air, I answered like this.

“Self-improvement.”

The purchasing clerk, who still did not know my true nature, made her eyes sparkle.

“As expected of the owner of the Hand of God—the man who moves the medicinal herb market with his little finger!”

Why was I suddenly gaining such a weird title!?

“…What is that, ‘the man who moves the medicinal herb market with his little finger’? That is going way too far, is it not?”

“Hahahaha! You are right, that was too much. Using the little finger is a bit much!”

That is not the part I meant.

“I do not move the market, you know?”

“Eh? But you do.”

“Ehhh…? You are joking, right? How did that happen?”

“You remember I told you before that high-quality medicinal herbs are monopolized by Black Dragon’s Fang, right?”

“You did.”

“Well, if this much high-quality medicinal herb supply comes in through a route other than theirs, then of course various things will change.”

“This much supply, you say… The amount gathered by me alone cannot be all that much, can it?”

“No, no, but this is ‘high quality,’ after all. Even before Black Dragon’s Fang monopolized them, there was never that much of them to begin with.”

“Huh.”

“So even this amount has more than enough impact.”

Nodding along, the purchasing clerk continued.

“To be honest, many healing clinics have been saved. Black Dragon’s Fang’s sale prices are too high, so ordinary decent clinics cannot afford to buy from them…. Thank you very much, Mr. Ilvis.”

“Haha, you are welcome.”

Being told something like that made me feel embarrassed.

…But I really was glad. The simple fact that there were people made happy by what I had done genuinely pleased me.

When I returned home, I told my little sister Arisa about it.

“When I went to gather medicinal herbs, the guild clerk told me something. Apparently, I am pretty good at herb gathering. She said it has really been helping people.”

“Reeeally?”

Arisa looked at me with suspicious eyes.

Then her expression suddenly softened, and a gentle smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

“Well, I will believe you! Onii-chan, I am glad you were able to be useful to people!”

“Thanks. …Though I still do not really feel it yet.”

“Onii-chan, are you gathering medicinal herbs?”

“That is right. Apparently, for an inexperienced adventurer, that is the standard way to earn money.”

“Hmmm.”

Arisa looked at my face as though testing me.

After thinking for a little while, she spoke as if she had made up her mind.

“Hey, well, if you find it—only if you find it, okay—but there is a medicinal herb I want you to look for.”

“What herb?”

After a slight pause, Arisa answered my question.

“…It is called Granveil Grass—have you heard of it?”