Chapter 91: Gossip – Mio, Cooking and Hero (3) (1/2)
Chapter 91: Gossip – Mio, Cooking and Hero (3)
“Ara, you came”
At the interior of the counter, in a place where there is a workshop, a familiar voice is heard. Hibiki and the others notice that they have arrived to their objective.
They are at Tsige which is showing the most growth in this remote region, and moreover, in the Rembrandt Company that is riding on the momentum and growing with it. They are at a corner.
A darkish skin demi-human smiled at them gently from the counter and received them.
It’s the sub-branch of Kuzunoha Company in Tsige.
This company has already obtained a deep amount of stable customers and among the adventurers it is a store they admire.
It uses outstanding materials and in this town it is the place with the highest quality of equipment. Moreover, if one has the right amount of money, they even accept orders for improvements or original weapon creations. For equipment that will certainly last for a long time, not only the adventurers but the people who have occupations where they will encounter battles, rate this place highly.
Even so, there are a number of merchants at a corner lining up to buy medicine. Kuzunoha Company’s medications are famous for being more effective than those other unskillful magic medications and their sales are rising. There’s no doubt that it is doing well as a company.
Right now the armor orders are temporarily stopped, so in the place for armor orders, there’s no one. However, a number of adventurer-looking hyumans were there looking at the situation from the distance, so some people were anticipating that the orders will begin again.
Hibiki and her companions were transported to an inn in Tsige by Mio while they were unconscious. Mio gave detailed instructions to the landlady and left the inn. Hibiki’s group heard the situation from the landlady (several parts were altered) and devoted themselves to Bredda who was heavily injured, living several days there.
And so, today.
Because Bredda was able to walk normally now, they once again reunited and headed to Kuzunoha Company’s sub-branch where they were told they could contact Mio.
Hibiki’s group didn’t know about the gazes of inquisitiveness and envy that were being directed at them. It’s because they were envious of them having connections with Mio, but Hibiki’s group who don’t know about Kuzunoha Company and the status of Mio in this town, it is no surprise that they haven’t noticed.
When the Forest Oni clerk said “Sorry for making you wait”, a black haired girl they met a few days ago appeared.
“That knight, it seems he has healed already-desu ne. It’s great that it was nothing serious” (Mio)
“Yeah… That time you really aided us. From what I heard, you even lend a hand in healing. We thank you” (Bredda)
Bredda himself steps forward and thanks Mio. Mio glances at him and soon turns her gaze to Hibiki.
“I don’t mind-desu wa. I am used to protecting after all. And so Hibiki, it seems that your companion is in a good state but, do you have time?” (Mio)
“Yes. I heard from the landlady that you had business with me. So uhm… Is it about the fight with the mamono?” (Hibiki)
Hibiki’s expression is gloomy. Showing a pathetic appearance and being told that she was disappointed, had become a lingering discomfort inside her. For her, there were no past experiences where she has disappointed anyone and no experience in confronting her own weakness.
Coupled with the fight of the demon general that made her hold doubts about her strength, she who is a hero, hadn’t been able to digest this feeling inside her yet.
“Fight? Ah, I don’t really mind that. I just said this but, because of reasons, I am used to protecting people like you. Just think of it as being lucky-desu wa” (Mio)
However, Mio’s words totally negated Hibiki’s thoughts. From Mio’s point of view, the way back to Tsige had turned into protecting hyumans, that’s all.
“We were lucky…?” (Hibiki)
“Yeah, because you guys didn’t die. Moreover, I am not your companion nor your teacher and yet, why do I have to grade your fight and scold you?” (Mio)
Mio’s words implied that she didn’t care much about the life of Hibiki’s group. Those words stabbed Hibiki’s group.
“That is… then why did you save us?” (Hibiki)
“I told this to the landlady too but, Hibiki, it’s because I had business with you-desu. I still haven’t asked you about how to make Dashi from the marine products and dried fish after all” (Mio)
“D-Dashi is it?” (Hibiki)
“Yes” (Mio)
“Just because of that?” (Hibiki)
“? That’s right. If you know about ways to cook, it would be a pity to have you die. Just that. Now Hibiki, you have already taken care of your worries, so please give me some of your time” (Mio)
Without any concern, Mio just answers the words of the dazed Hibiki.
“Mio-dono, we are grateful for saving us, but we are unable to agree to your request. The reason we came here is to train and get good equipment. Sadly, we don’t have time to spare…” (Wudi)
Wudi opposes Mio’s proposal. Hibiki’s group came to Tsige because they were looking for an outstanding place to train. And also to find equipment that matches their skills. For the sake of the rematch with the demon general and also to overcome Stella Fort this time for certain. All of these actions are for that sake.
“Stop it. To be defeated by an enemy of that level and moreover for a party that has the decision making of a baby, stepping into the wasteland will just turn you into feed. Your levels may be high, but in that place that just makes you a child with big build. It’s impossible-desu” (Mio)
Mio rejects Wudi’s speech as if amazed. It wasn’t that she belittled them or scorned them. It was like she was really admonishing a kid.
“Even so! We have to get stronger! We don’t have the time!” (Hibiki)
Mio sighs at Hibiki’s intense words. Because she saw in her eyes the light of an adventurer hurrying to its death place, the characteristic eyes of a person with narrowed vision.
“I don’t understand. I thought you were adventurers who were a bit different, but do you have an objective that makes you hurry that much?” (Mio)
“That is…”
“But I want you to at least repay me for saving your life? Also, no matter how strong you are, do you intent to take such a small child to the wasteland?” (Mio)
“…”
“Silent-desu ka. To think you guys were more stupid than I thought. Hmph, even so, this is troubling. I also can’t back off after all…” (Mio)
“Mio-san, for a while we will be moving in the day. So how about I tag along with Mio-san at night?” (Hibiki)
“From how you said it, it feels like there might not even be that many days-desu wa ne. I see, what should I do…?” (Mio)
Hibiki and Mio converse across the counter.
There, one man cuts in. It’s a man that just like Mio, came from the interior of the store.
“Then, how about this?”
“N, Beren. Do you have an ingenious idea?” (Mio)
“It’s not to the point of calling it ingenious though. Mio-sama wants to ask about cooking to that lady there right? And if possible, learn the techniques as well” (Beren)
“Yeah” (Mio)
“And so, the group says they want to get stronger at the wasteland” (Beren)
“Yes. That’s the reason why we came” (Hibiki)
Aside from Hibiki who answered, the others also assent.
“I see, just like how Mio-sama said, if it continues like this, you guys will die in given time. Practically certain” (Beren)
“!!”
“Beren, don’t beat around the bush and just say it!” (Mio)
“Sorry for the discourtesy. If you are going to teach Mio-sama cooking, in regards of teaching her, I will also provide everyone with equipment that fits you in deferred payment. You can leave to the wasteland at that time. That way, until the equipment is done… let’s see, three days maybe. In that time it will be done. After that, you will continue teaching Mio-sama cooking at night. What do you think? Excuse me for my impoliteness, it is true that everyone’s equipment is reasonably good, but they seem to be quite damaged. To go to the wasteland like that is suicide” (Beren)
“… Can we be at peace by just changing the equipment?” (Mio)
“Then, how about having Toa and the others accompany them as well? If it’s Mio-sama’s request, they won’t refuse” (Beren)
“I see. If it’s them, as long as it is in the day there’s not much to worry. Beren, wasn’t it an ingenious idea after all?” (Mio)
“I am honored. And so, how about it?” (Beren)
The opinions of the people inside the counter had been arranged and the dwarf craftsman asks for the answer of Hibiki’s group.
“Three days huh. You can’t shorten that time?” (Bredda)
“I will be taking the measurements now so. It is a different story from just repairing. Three days is an incredibly short time that no matter what craftsmen you ask would concur” (Beren)
To Bredda’s question, the craftsman Beren answers politely. Inside him, he was amazed by the knight who didn’t understand smithing.
“What prove do we have that the accompanying adventurers can be trusted?” (Wudi)
It’s the magician Wudi. He was worried whether the people accompanying can be trusted. To have the adventurers you hired betray you, isn’t that unusual of a story. If a betrayal occurs in a dangerous place, it can even kill them all.
“Toa-dono is the person at the top of Tsige’s list. Her face is known and she is not the kind of person who would do unreasonable things. Her party’s average level is over 450 and its ability can soon be called high class” (Beren)
“450?!”
“Also, they are adventurers Mio-sama trusts. If you say there’s no way you can trust them, then at that time we would have to think of another way” (Beren)
“?!”
Wudi trembles at the gaze mixed with blood thirst that Beren released for a second. He felt like he wouldn’t hesitate to take unscrupulous means. To feel danger from a conversation about cooking is just unreasonable.
With a nod that one could take as consent, Wudi steps back.
“Hibiki, what will you do? I do think this proposal is advantageous for your party though?” (Beren)
“… I count on you” (Hibiki)
“Great! Then let’s begin the measuring as soon as possible. Beren, hurry. The first one will be Hibiki okay? After that, contact Toa and…” (Mio)
“Everyone, over here please” (Beren)