The Novice Alchemist’s Store

"What's going on? You're weak."

"It also makes me weak. We've been walking quite a distance, but if we made it a straight distance, how much do you think we could have traveled?

It's still better if you're on the middle hips or sidewalks, there are a few places where you have to crawl and go, and you can guess how fast you travel when you do.

In addition to the upward and downward journeys, there are many paths that lead to turning back in the direction they came from, and Iris' itinerary, which has gone uncertain in its intended direction, could never be described as going well.

"... Honestly, I don't really want to think about it."

"Right? I'd like to think it's close to the exit... but I can also assume it's not in itself"

"It's a natural cave. But if you're desperate, let's do it after the food runs out. It's a little early."

To Kate, who strives to brighten up, Iris smiles bitterly.

"When you run out, do you mean portable food? There's still enough for a few months."

"No, not until there's nothing left to eat. Luckily, like Black Vipers, there are demons out there that can be eaten? It's okay, even if it's slightly unsavory, we have an orange spring water bottle that the manager has prepared for us."

"No, that's right... but I mean, don't despair,"

"It's obvious. Rise to the brink of death. Master Adelbert will scold you if he finds out you gave up even though you have the skill to live. And I, your mother, will kill me. Even though it's pretty bad at the moment."

Although Iris and Kate are best friends to each other, in reality they are subordinates to the main body.

He is the eldest daughter of the Starven family, whose loyalty could not be shaken, even if the Rotze family was crumbling with debt, and is harshly raised by his parents to help Iris.

Naturally, that includes Iris' follow-up, and in a way, Kate may be the most stressful of these three.

"Hmm. I'll defend myself then."

Kate, who had heard the words and was thinking a little, looked up hah.

"... No, let's just say that this job was forcefully contracted by Iris. That way, I can draw sympathy from Lady Adelbert and Deanna for 'being attached to an unscrupulous Iris', and in that state, neither mother nor father should be able to say strongly!

"Hey, is that why I'm being scolded by your fathers?

To Iris, who turns her eyes, Kate smiles with a very good smile.

"Iris, we, we're best friends, right?

"... you're my best friend, so you want me to sacrifice you?

"It's okay. Whatever you say, Master Adelbert is sweet on you. First, without asking for details, I said," Yes! 'Who could have said that?

"Ugh! That's weak when they say it"

"And after we get back safely, they won't say it's that tight, I'm sure."

"Maybe... oh, yeah. What do you say we don't let your fathers know about this?

Kate shakes her head like a shudder at Iris, who brightens her expression just because she comes up with something good.

"Hey, Iris. Probably, but I think the manager is spending a lot of money on this one. He said, 'I asked my master for help,' but you don't think that's costly?

"... the opponent is a master class. If you're normal, you'll need a hell of a thank you. Even if it's a real cost, it's going to cost a lot."

"Right? I don't think that even that unplugged trail detector, no matter how many store managers, created it in a bump production, and I think there's a good chance he's doing a lot of other things. You can't just not give back the money you spent on them, can you?

"Naturally. I will return the favor I received. As the daughter of the Rozze family, it cannot be conceded"

If you said you didn't need Sarasa, it wouldn't be very acceptable as Iris.

Iris, as well as Kate, were carrying that much clarity together.

"Yeah. I mean, in addition to the debt we have as it stands, that means more -"

"How can you not talk to your fathers?"

"That sort of thing"

"Uh-huh. Kind of more money to lose than we, the money we make as collectors?

"Right. But in the sense of" fringe, "it's a lot of positive income and expense, right? I'm not in debt, but the Rozzes are saved."

"Is it all because I knew His Excellency the Store Manager? including my life."

So smug and groaning, Nordrad's voice rang from afar to Iris, who conceived, "Mmmm..."

"Hey, both of you! It's time you took my place!

"Oh, oh, I'm sorry! I'll cut it off already! - So Kate, we'll talk about it when we get home."

"As far as I'm concerned, Iris sacrificed..."

"Talk to me when you get home! Look, Kate, wipe your body quick, and get dressed. Nord's gonna see us!

Saying Kate's words in a feisty manner, Iris raises her legs from the hot springs to hasten Kate.

"Yes, sir. Understood ~"

While responding lightly to it, Kate breathed softly relief in Iris's expression, which was much brighter than earlier.

◇ ◇ ◇

The wreck of the Iris was over thirty days old.

Through the side of the place where the hot springs were located, up once, down again...... the distance walked had grown well, but the subtleties had not changed in the straight distance.

In addition to that, the rest of the magic crystal stones have become scarce, and given the maintenance of the walnut body, the number of times I use the unplugged trail detector mochi is also in a suppressive mood.

"... Also a split. What are we gonna do, use it?

"There are three easy walking paths, and a small gap? That's what bothers you."

If the easy way to walk is divided into two strands these days, head out directly to confirm.

If there is more than one split path that needs to be narrow or crawled forward, use a drain trail detector to confirm.

If the number of branches is high, depending on the circumstances.

The situation in this branch was the type of worrying about what to do.

"How long did the magic crystal stone remain?

"I think it's time to cut one hand off. If the walnuts are to be lost, we can't face the manager, can we?

"Even to Lorea. They could cry."

The walnut magic is consumed in order to use the walnut trail detector, but the walnut needs magic in order to exist.

If we don't have the means to replenish it, sooner or later, the walnuts won't be able to move.

It would be for each person to see that as the death of an alchemy creature (homunculus), but for Iris, who had spent a long time together, there was also a strong desire not to lose the walnuts himself, along with the feeling of sorry for Sarasa and the others.

"Then let's go check this time..."

"Right..."

I don't want to go, but I swallowed the word, and the next moment the Iris and I tried to walk out, a walnut stood up on Iris' luggage and jumped right down to the ground.

"Ugh!

"What! walnuts!?"

"Duh, what's wrong!?"

Kate and Iris raise their bewildered voices to the sudden behavior of walnuts who stick to their luggage except for the break and, if not told, do not try to move, but as soon as the walnuts looked back at Chirali and Iris, they picked a path and began to take a long run.

"What the hell -"

"Uh, before I say anything, shouldn't we go after him?

"Oh yeah!

Iris, who was pointed out by Nordrad and immediately began to chase after the walnuts, but clearly the walnut's motor ability greatly outweighed them.

It passes through without difficulty, even in narrow places, and climbs out easily with nails up, even on steep rock walls.

Such advantages other than simple physical abilities, as well as the ability to even run flat, are unimaginable from their little bodies and short legs.

If the walnuts were going to leave the three of them, they would have been lightly pulled apart, but nothing like that, repeatedly running out again when they caught up...... would that chase have lasted for about an hour?

"K, walnut, are we done?

"Quite tired..."

"Bo, as far as I'm concerned, oh, it would help if you ended it, wouldn't it? It's just so hard..."

Kate is still showing her tiredness, although better than Iris, in front of a walnut who finally stopped her leg, hands on her knees and breathes.

And Nordrad, with the most luggage, sat on the spot, breathing heavily on his shoulders.

"Did you want to bring me to this place?

"Probably.... but nothing?

The walnut stopped. There, at first glance, was a passage without any philosophy.