Episode 215 – High-Spec

Author’s Note: This chapter is from the POV of Rosalie, the Guild employee.

“I finished gathering plants on my side, how’s it going over here?” (Lewin)

It seemed that Jade must have managed to gather enough plants, seeing that he had made his way back to us. When I straightened my stiff back and turned around to tell him about the results of our plant-gathering, something completely absurd caught my eye.

“Yeah. We managed to collect a bit…EH?! What the heck is with that amount?” (Aruna)

“Before I came to Landaust, I used to make a living by gathering plants, so it’s one of my few strong points.” (Lewin)

Aruna immediately reacted in shock at the amount of plants Jade was carrying, and my jaw dropped. Aruna couldn’t really distinguish between the plants, but it still had taken the two of us to gather 15 plants.

In a place where there were no monsters, I had thought that we would be able to gather a lot… But Jade had over 50 plants in his arms alone. Behind him, I could see that there was another massive bundle of plants on his back.

It was a totally inexplicable amount, unless the person in question was picking up whatever they saw without caring whether it was a weed or not.

“No, even if you say it’s a strong point, this is a bit… Gathering this many plants in such a short time should be impossible, shouldn’t it…?” (Rosalie)

“Well, I did gather this many, so I wouldn’t really say it’s impossible…” (Lewin)

“It’s not that I’m doubting you or anything, but would it be alright if I could take a look at them?” (Rosalie)

“Of course. The Magical Grass and Medical Herbs are tied up on the left side, so please go ahead and take a look.” (Lewin)

I had said that I didn’t doubt him, but nonetheless I thought it was so improbable that I asked him to let me see for myself. Jade gave me permission far easier than I had expected, and I did as he said and checked the plants on the left side.

…Medical Herb… Medical Herb… Magical Grass… Medical Herb.

I grabbed random plants and checked them, but I could really only find Medical Herbs and Magical Grass.

“……Amazing. This really is all Medical Herb and Magical Grass… Could it be that you’re actually an amazing person, Jade-san?” (Rosalie)

We easily dealt with any monsters even while carrying so many plants, and we were eventually able to safely leave the Dungeon. Today, from start to finish, I was able to fight without my social anxiety flaring up, so I felt that I did pretty well today.

“Thanks for your hard work. I’ll take care of the plants we collected, and I think that I should be able to give each of you the proportionate amount from selling them by tomorrow. However, please keep in mind that I’m considering making them into potions before selling them, so I might not be able to hand all of it over tomorrow.” (Lewin)

Eh? I’m receiving a portion of the money too? Jade was the one who had gathered the most, and apart from this I was being paid either way. We hadn’t achieved much so far, and just as I was about to refuse… My mind suddenly made sense of the second part of his words.

…Potion? Just now, did he say he was going to make them into potions?!

“Eh?! You can brew potions, Lewin-san? I thought you only had slime bottles.” (Rosalie)

“Well, I can brew potions, more or less. I’m only able to make simple ones, and the ones I have on me right now are basically only ones that I prepared myself.” (Lewin)

“I knew Aruna was an amazing person, but to think that you were just as amazing, Lewin-san…” (Rosalie)

“Hm… The more I know, the less I understand. Weird.” (Aruna)

Potions were commodities that could only be brewed if one had the proper technical knowledge and the specialized equipment to do so. Although there were cheap potions on the market, most of them were not authentic potions but instead were fake goods with recovery effects.

If he can actually make real potions… I honestly think Jade might actually be a more amazing person than Aruna.

Aruna had said that Lewin was the first person who she thought was strong because of something other than their combat ability. I felt that those words were truly fitting.

Jade went back first, leaving me and Aruna in silence for a while. He had above-average fighting skills, the judgment to make quick decisions, and the ability to immediately discern injuries and apply healing and support. He also had an inhuman plant-gathering ability and possessed the intellect and skill to brew potions.

“……Isn’t he way too capable?” (Rosalie)

“To be honest, I’m a little scared I won’t be able to keep up.” (Rosalie)

“It’s alright. I’m here, and if you make a mistake, Lewin will cover for you. Also, you’re plenty strong as long as you don’t go crazy, Rosalie.” (Aruna)

“…I guess you’re right. If I can overcome my social anxiety somehow, I think I can be somewhat of a help.” (Rosalie)

“Was it because of your previous party?” (Aruna)

“………Yes, that’s right.” (Rosalie)

“I’ll listen if you want to talk about it. Might help you get over it.” (Aruna)

I didn’t want to remember it, so I had always kept it buried in the depths of my heart. But in order to keep moving forward… perhaps it’s important for me to look back as well.

I nodded slowly at Aruna’s words, and we made our way to our usual coffee shop.