Chapter 16: The Adventurers’ Grief

Chapter 16:
The Adventurers’ Grief

 

THERE WASN’T MUCH BUSINESS at the drugstore today, so I kind of spaced out—only to hear footsteps approaching. I fought off a yawn and stretched.

A man with a poorly trimmed beard entered, calling in a loud voice, “Is the manager in?!”

He wore an old breastplate and gauntlets, and at his hip was a worn sword. He struck me as a veteran adventurer rather than a soldier. Outside the store were two individuals I presumed were his pals; all three men looked a little over forty.

“That’d be me,” I answered. “How can I help you?”

The old adventurer introduced himself as Heath. “We’d like a hand with something, sir.”

I had a bad feeling about that. The drugstore had recently become something of a consultation service, with lots of people visiting to ask for vague help.

“What kind of help are we talking?”

“We heard that the Red Cat Brigade drove off several skilled bandits the other day. Apparently, they threw some kind of strange liquid at the bandits and captured them all alive—a strange liquid you created.”

It seemed that this Heath fellow had heard about the capshin fluid. Man, I really don’t wanna make too much of that stuff. What if there’s an accident while I’m mixing it? Not to mention that someone could misuse it.

“I did in fact make that liquid,” I replied. “But I don’t manufacture the stuff except in extreme cases. If you’re here to purchase some, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“No, you misunderstand! I’m not here because I want to buy it. A bastard of a kodola’s appeared deep in the nearby forest. We took a quest to hunt the thing down, but we got our butts handed to us.”

What the heck’s a “kodola”? Some kind of monster?

Heath noticed my confusion. “Hmph. Sir, you don’t know of kodolas? They’re small dragons. About the size of two horses, give or take.”

“Small dragons, huh?”

“That’s why I’m here to request your help,” Heath concluded.

This old adventurer sure wasn’t acting like he’d asked me for help, more like my helping him was a forgone conclusion. Ugh, what a pain. Why does it always have to be me?

At the same time…the forest where this “kodola” thing had really popped up turned out to be the same one where Noela and I gathered herbs, which meant that until it was dealt with, we wouldn’t be able to gather ingredients safely. Noela’s search ability had kept us from encountering monsters up until now, but what if we had some bad luck?

“The thing spits fire, so it’s pretty much impossible to get close to,” Heath added, in a tone of voice like he was trying to show off his fighting experience.

I don’t know who he’s trying to impress here.

For now, I decided to find out the actual terms of Heath’s quest. “Do you absolutely have to defeat this kodola thing?”

“It’s an elimination quest. With that kodola running around, lumberjacks and hunters can’t do their jobs in the woods—it breathes fire at them as soon as it sees them. It’s a dangerous bastard.”

I considered suggesting the animal repellent I’d made for Zeral, but I wasn’t sure that’d be effective, since we were talking about protecting an entire forest. If I prescribed an inadequate repellent, the hunters would be in big trouble.

“Okay, I get the picture,” I said. “I’ll help, just give me some time.”

“Mmm…hurry!”

Yeah, yeah. I had Heath wait in the drugstore and headed back into the house.

Noela was curled up on the sofa; I patted her back lightly. “Noela? Earth to Noela! Got a sec?”

“What wrong, Master…?” Noela rubbed her sleepy eyes as she sat up.

“Apparently, a dragon called a kodola turned up in that forest we always visit.”

“Yup.”

“Wait, you’re familiar with the kodola? Has it been around for a while?”

“Mm-hmm. Kodola protect forest.”

“Huh? Seriously?”

Noela nodded sleepily. According to her, the monster was fairly peaceful unless something endangered the forest. It usually forgave the presence of hunters.

“Well, it seems like folks in those woods are having a rough time,” I explained. “I guess the kodola’s been breathing fire.”

“Kodola no fire. Very rare. See human, run away.”

Noela explained that the kodola was a peaceful creature that didn’t just attack humans on sight, even humans who came to strike it down. Once it sensed their presence, the kodola hid immediately. People rarely even saw the thing.

“Something’s off,” I muttered.

“Off?”

“Yeah. The lumberjacks and hunters put out an elimination quest on the kodola. They say the creature makes it too dangerous to do their jobs. But…”

“Weird. Kodola hide.”

“Yeah. From what you’re telling me, the thing’s been in the woods for ages without anyone even knowing. Now, though, it’s suddenly been spotted.”

“No kill kodola. Endanger forest.”

“Based on what you said, that’s definitely not an option.”

The werewolf girl stood up, suddenly driven. “Noela go check on kodola!”

Given her ability to search the forest for other creatures, I figured it should be fairly simple for her to find the kodola.

Ka-thunk! The door opened, and Mina entered.

“I heard everything,” she said with a stern expression. “Let me pack you a lunch to take, Noela.”

“Mina hurry-hurry.”

“Hang on. Mr. Reiji, I’ll make you a nice lunch, too.”

Just like that, our little kodola-finding expedition started to feel more like a picnic. Heading back into the drugstore, I told Heath about Noela and her plan.

“If that beastling girl’s telling the truth, then what happened to the kodola?”

“That’s my question,” I replied. “So, we’re heading into the forest with Noela to investigate.”

Noela wore a proud expression.

“Sorry for the wait!” Mina said, coming over with a basket.

Looks like she even packed enough lunch for the adventurers.

“I figured I ought to make you all some,” she added. “I hope you enjoy it.”

“Thanks for going out of your way,” Heath said. “I’m borrowing your husband here for a bit, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure to get him back to you in one piece.”

“O-oh, gosh! I’m not Mr. Reiji’s wife,” Mina cried. “I-I just live here, is all! L-Like a…uh…a freeloader!”

She escaped back into the house like a gust of wind.

“Ha ha ha! I’m jealous, good sir.” Heath slapped my back hard several times.

Ouch, Heath.

“Shall we be on our way?” He marched forward, clearly in a good mood.

I guess Mina’s homemade lunch cheered him up. That didn’t take much, Mr. Adventurer.

The five of us made our way to the forest. Noela and I had last been here three days earlier. To be honest, nothing seemed particularly different. Noela transformed into a wolf and walked ahead, sniffing the air to detect other creatures’ presences.

“Grrrrr…” Her ears and nose twitched, and she stopped in her tracks.

Directly ahead of Noela was a giant lizard, likely the kodola. It was large, with wide wings spread out on its back, and its mouth shot fire seemingly at random.

“See, good sir?” Heath frowned. “We can’t get anywhere near the thing. Still, we’re gonna take it down.”

Don’t get cocky.

 

Kodola: Small dragon. Highly intelligent. Cowardly. Sometimes breathes fire defensively.

 

Noela had said that the kodola would hide if it recognized humans, which probably meant it hadn’t noticed us yet.

“Hmm,” I mused. “It doesn’t really look as if it’s trying to attack us directly. But that doesn’t change the fact that we can’t get close.”

“Wait and see. Lunch, Master.”

Without my even noticing, Noela had transformed back into a human, reached into the picnic basket, pulled out the sheet, and spread it on the ground. Plopping down, she took a sandwich from the basket and chomped away.

“Arrroooo!”

Well, doesn’t she sound happy? I wish I could be that carefree.

Since the kodola hadn’t noticed us, we kept our distance and ate lunch. Even the adventurers sat down with Noela to eat, but I could feel a dark mood fall over the three of them.

“You’re real danged lucky, you know?” Heath said. “A young drugstore manager gets to live in that house with a cute girl…!”

“She’s good at cooking, to boot,” added another adventurer. “You even have a beastling girl calling you master.”

“You’re a talented pharmacist, too. I’m so darn jealous.”

I did my best to ignore the envy from the middle-aged adventurers. “What do you think, Noela?”

“Kodola weird. Close, should notice us.”

What’s up with it, then? The creature just sat there, breathing fire. The vegetation near the kodola was burnt, but the flames hadn’t spread, fortunately for the forest. Still, if the dragon kept it up, there was no telling what could happen.

If the kodola burns down the forest, it’ll get even harder for Noela and I to replenish our stockpiled herbs. We can’t kill the thing, either.

Perhaps calming down, the kodola ceased breathing fire and ate some grass. It moved its large jaws up and down, then roared into the air.

“Master!” Noela exclaimed. “Master, kodola no eat grass. Animal carcass or tree nut only!”

“Wait, really?” Now that I looked carefully, I’d actually never seen grass like that before.

 

Arimana Grass: Antipyretic medicinal herb. Effective against stomach pain. May be addictive/hallucinogenic in excess.

 

The kodola shouldn’t eat grass—yet here it is, eating grass. And, according to my identification skill, consuming too much arimana grass makes you see things. I get it now.

“Basically, it can’t distinguish between the real world and what’s happening in its brain,” I muttered. Is it hallucinating some sort of enemy?

“Master understand problem?”

“Yeah, I think so. The kodola’s just a little confused, is all. If we fix that, it should go back to normal.” I just need to mix an antidote.

I quickly explained the situation to the adventurers.

“This antidote of yours will cure the creature?” Heath asked.

“Yup. I’ll go get what I need to create it. Think you guys can lend me a hand?”

“If we do, can I see Miss Mina?”

“Quit it,” I snapped. “We’re not that kind of shop.”

“I-In that case, what about another homemade lunch?”

“We’re not that kind of shop either. Give me a break.”

“Th-then we refuse to help!” Heath cried.

Is this guy a child?! You’re the ones who couldn’t complete this quest to begin with!

“Would it really hurt you to share Mina’s gentle, healing goodness?” Heath fell to his hands and knees, sobbing. “If she isn’t your wife, can’t I at least visit her? Can’t she at least make me lunch?”

Man, fine. I gently patted Heath’s shoulder. “I don’t mind if you come to the drugstore as a customer.”

“Thank you, good sir!” Heath cried with a worshipful gaze.

I swear, this guy’s impossible. I haven’t told him that there’s a good chance I’ll be the one watching the store, but whatever.

“Then you’re gonna help?” I asked.

“Of course!”

Just like that, the past-his-prime adventurer was behaving again. Before long, we acquired the necessary ingredients for the antidote, and I rode Noela home so I could create the kodola’s treatment.

 

Antidote: Sedative capable of discharging harmful materials from the body.

 

With the new medication completed, Noela and I headed back into the forest.

Heath greeted us, smiling. “I’ll bring some baked goods to the drugstore next time I drop in. Do you have any requests, good sir?”

“Er…why do you ask?”

“I just figured showing up empty-handed would be rude.”

Now he’s trying to get on my good side?

The old adventurer rubbed his hands together, a big smile on his face. “Does Lady Mina—er, I mean, Miss Mina—like sweets?”

“She sure does.”

“Hmm, hmm.” Heath nodded, smiling in what seemed like a calculating way. “Hm, hm, hmm. Heh!”

His buddies looked exasperated. From their reactions, Heath was probably always like this.

“As I explained earlier, the antidote’s in this little bottle,” I reminded them. “Get the kodola to drink it.”

When I tried to pass the bottle to an adventurer, they all averted their gaze. They’re like schoolkids who just got called on to answer a question.

“Um, you gotta…” I trailed off.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Not a single one of them would look me in the eye. They put their hands in their pockets or behind their back, each clearly avoiding being the one to take the bottle.

This was your quest, not mine, you jerks! Why’re you so against getting close to the kodola? Wasn’t your quest to get rid of it? Where’s your pride?!

Meanwhile, the kodola sat peacefully on the ground.

“Go forth, good sir,” Heath whispered. “You know how to administer that antidote better than any of us.”

His pals nodded in agreement. I swear, these old dudes!

“Argh, fine! I’ll do it, okay?! But it’s just because I don’t want to lose my harvesting spot—and for the lumberjacks and hunters who use this forest, too!”

The old men applauded, impressed by my vigor. “Putting your nose to the grindstone is part of being young, good sir!” Heath exclaimed.

“Ha ha! I remember a time when I was just like you!” his companion added. “Takes me back. I used to think I could do anything and everything. Didn’t even need sleep!”

“Heh! You’re a real man, Sir Manager!”

“Shut up.”

Noela tugged at my hem. “Ride on Noela, Master. Boosh glug glug.”

Little Miss Noela, beyond “ride on me,” I have no idea what you’re trying to say. But I guess I’ll do as you suggest.

She turned into a wolf, and I climbed up on her back. I’m assuming that “boosh” of hers described the kodola breathing fire. And the “glug glug” was us making it drink the antidote…probably?

Noela started to run. The kodola glared at us. Eek, that thing’s scary!

The beast roared. “Groooaaaaaah!”

Noela completely ignored it and continued running. When the kodola’s mouth opened, we’d both seen flames gathering in the back of its throat.

Now! I quickly tossed the small bottle I held into the creature’s mouth.

The kodola widened its eyes in surprise, swallowing loudly. Yes! It drank the stuff!

Noela stopped a fair distance away. I got off her back before she transformed into a human.

“Kodola acting different.”

“Is it?” I couldn’t see any change after the kodola swallowed the antidote, but Noela seemed to sense something.

The beast sat down again. “Groooaaah…”

That thing looks like it’s in pain. Is it okay? According to my identification skill, the antidote shouldn’t have negative effects.

“Well done, Sir Manager!” Heath raised his arms triumphantly.

Pssshhhhhhhhh…

With that uncomfortable noise, the kodola started to pee.

All over the old adventurers.

The beast kept going for nearly three full minutes, showering the middle-aged men, who were frozen in shock.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Having, uh…done its business…the kodola’s expression seemed relieved. “Grooaaah…”

“Master! Kodola feel better!”

“Yeah. Even I can tell.”

The antidote is ‘capable of discharging harmful materials,’ eh? I guess it has a diuretic effect. Maybe it was a little too powerful.

But, hey, the kodola didn’t look sick anymore; it seemed okay. A moment later, it noticed us and trotted away.

I’d call this a grand victory. From now on, if I see arimana grass, I gotta pick it all so this doesn’t happen again.

After the horrifying shower, the three adventurers turned on each other.

“That’s why I didn’t wanna take this gig! Don’t underestimate them monsters, dammit!”

“You dang wimp! You were the one who was all in! I told you this’d be a raw deal!”

“Well, I’d say meeting little Mina made this worthwhile,” Heath concluded. “Harumph!”

“You gross old man! It’s all ‘Mina’ this and ‘Mina’ that with you!”

“Excuse me?! Who are you calling a gross old man?!”

Ahh. Now, this is good. Keep at it! I chuckled, then turned to Noela. “Wonder why the kodola ate that arimana grass in the first place?”

“Don’t know. Kodola eat meat and tree nut.”

I searched quickly for the nuts Noela mentioned, but didn’t find any. “Did the kodola maybe eat them all?”

“Nuts all on ground now. Usually in trees.” Noela explained that the nuts grew in grapelike bunches. The kodola ate them off trees, but any it missed would eventually fall to the ground.

“So, the kodola ran out of food and ate the nuts off the ground, eating some grass along with them.”

The three adventurers sprawled on the forest floor, exhausted.

“You weren’t too bad.”

“Heh! Because I’m stronger than you, of course.”

“What the heck were we even doing on this quest…?”

That’s my question! You three thrust your quest on me, and then Heath decided to get a friggin’ crush straight out of a high school soap opera!

“Let’s head home, Noela.” Turning, I called to the adventurers. “We hope you’ll return to Kirio Drugs!”

The three men responded with tired agreement. They might have motivation issues, but they’re not bad guys. Leaving the forest, Noela and I made our way home.

Mina came out from the back and greeted us. “Welcome home, Mr. Reiji, Noela!”

“Mina. Master work big!”

“Oh, gosh! Is that so?”

Despite her clumsy wording, Noela successfully filled Mina in on the day’s events.

To my surprise, tears welled up in Mina’s eyes. She stared straight at me. “Um, Mina? Are you okay?”

“You aren’t an adventurer, Mr. Reiji. You’re a pharmacist! Why put yourself in such danger? When you’re acting like this, how could I not worry about you? If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do!”

Now that I think about it, that was pretty crazy of me. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”

Mina kept crying, likely imagining the worst-case scenario. “Mr. Reiji, you’re a pharmacist! You’re not supposed to go on dangerous adventures!”

“H-hey, c’mon. Don’t cry! I got home safe and sound, right?”

“Something happen to Master…Noela very sad.” Just like that, Noela’s eyes filled with tears, too. Clutching me, she began to weep in earnest. “Don’t go, Master! Don’t die!”

“You too, Noela?! Calm down! I’m right here. I’m not dead!” I stroked her back comfortingly.

Mina leaned against my chest as she sobbed. “Waaaaaaah! Mr. Reiji…!”

I wrapped my arms around them both, gently rubbing their heads. “I promise I won’t do anything to worry you two anymore.”

“Thank you…!”

“Noela protect Master!”

This was honestly a thousand times more effective than just getting lectured. I didn’t think they cared so much about me.

The next morning, Heath visited the drugstore with dozens of baked goods.

“You really saved our butts yesterday, Sir Manager! Ha ha ha!”

He didn’t wait long, did he? Kinda rude to show up so early…well, maybe those rules don’t apply in this world.

This time, Heath wasn’t in his adventurer’s attire. He wore a formal-looking suit, and had a bouquet in one hand.

“Yeah, you’re welcome,” I replied. “What brings you here today…?”

“Is Mina in?”

I’d actually had her watching the store up until a moment ago, but Noela had sensed Heath approaching, so I took over for Mina. She’d told me yesterday that she felt uncomfortable with how Heath looked at her. He’d arrived just as Mina and I switched places. In fact, Noela and Mina were peeking into the drugstore from the doorway.

“Oh, she’s doing chores today, I think,” I told Heath.

“Is that so? Then could you give her these?” Heath placed the flowers and sweets on the counter. “Good day! If I ever need your help again, I’ll be back.”

“We’re not consultants, so don’t!”

I doubted that he was listening, since he simply laughed warmly and left. Considering how upbeat he was, you’d never guess that a dragon peed on him yesterday. In his shoes, I’d have curled up in a ball for days, incapable of setting foot outside.

The door to the back of the house opened, and Mina and Noela came into the drugstore.

“Wow!” Mina exclaimed. “More snacks? I’m so happy!”

“Mina, have you ever been described as ‘easy to please’?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing,” I said. “I guess, even if you don’t like someone, it never hurts to get flowers or sweets from them.”

Noela had already dug into the treats, dropping the box with reckless abandon.

“Well, the flowers and sweets didn’t do anything wrong.” Mina smiled brightly. “Ah—but if you ever bought me something, I’d be happy with it no matter what it was, Mr. Reiji!”

Like I said, she’s super easy to please.

Chuckling, I glanced out the window just in time to see a dark shadow pass over.

Flap! Flap! Flap!

As that sound grew distant, I exited the drugstore and saw the kodola from yesterday flying away.

“Master! Master, look.”

Turning to Noela, I found a huge pile of red nuts sitting on a leaf.

 

Rokushou Nut: Highly aromatic tree nut. A delicacy.

 

Did the kodola come here just to deliver these rokushou nuts to us?

I couldn’t really know what an animal like the kodola was thinking. Nonetheless, I yelled “Thank you!” to the dragon as it flew into the distance.