Kays Translations

Chapter 100: Requesting Rare Materials

A young forest now covered the slope before us. It could no longer be called a bald mountain.

What was I supposed to do with the report I had planned to send Father? I had intended to write that Mount Claire had been stripped bare. That was no longer visibly true.

I had also intended to condemn the manager, but much of the evidence had disappeared beneath rapidly grown trees.

This was troublesome.

“Kyu.”

“I have a headache, Mira. Let us inspect the new forest together.”

“Kyu!”

I didn’t need to approach the slope, but walking would help me think. My escort followed, as did Mars. His researcher’s instincts had clearly been ignited by the impossible growth, and he studied every tree intensely.

Mira bounded happily through the open air. They seemed to prefer the outdoors to life inside the mansion.

Perhaps a large natural area would be better for them. The mansion would certainly become too small once the holy dragon reached adulthood.

If House Heine placed Mount Claire under direct control, access could be restricted and Mira would eventually have a safe place to roam.

“Lord Julius,” Mars said, eyes shining, “the effect of Plant Nutrient is astonishing. Could it not be used to grow potion ingredients rapidly?”

“One mustn’t use it repeatedly on the same soil. Continuous application would exhaust the land. A treated plot should rest for at least a year.”

“I see. Lady Margaret’s research had progressed even that far.”

Mars had tried to ask an intelligent question, but anyone could predict that forced growth would consume soil nutrients. Still, allowing Grandmother to receive the credit was safer.

I walked through the young forest with Mira. The trees appeared healthy, and no immediate disaster was visible.

I would simply tell Father the truth: Mount Claire had been stripped, I intervened, and it was now covered in young trees. The absurd details couldn’t be avoided.

After confirming that no Plant Nutrient remained, I ordered the workers to maintain the mountain carefully and returned home.

The knights must have sent word ahead, because lunch was ready as soon as we reached the estate.

I washed my hands, then cleaned Mira’s paws and fastened their apron before carrying them into the dining room. Rosalia was already waiting.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back, Big brother.”

“Kyu.”

“Welcome home, Mira.”

During lunch, I described the morning without mentioning that the saplings had grown into trees almost instantly. Rosalia would surely turn it into another heroic saga.

“Do you want Mira to live freely on Mount Claire?” she asked.

“Eventually. Mira is happiest in places with plenty of nature. A large mountain would be more suitable than a mansion once they grow.”

“Why not let them play in the garden?”

House Heine’s garden was large enough for Mira now. The problem was their adult size. If the game’s holy dragons were any guide, even that garden would eventually become cramped.

Mount Claire offered far more space and was close enough for regular visits. Direct management would also allow us to limit outsiders.

Rosalia clearly disliked the idea of separation. There was no need to rush.

“For now, Mira may play in the garden. Is that acceptable?”

“Kyu!”

The cheerful answer probably meant yes.

Rosalia’s sprinkler magic tool still needed further work. I offered one small suggestion, and believed she would finish soon.

After lunch, I retired to my room to write Father’s report and prepare confidential requests for rare materials. I left Mira with Rosalia.

No one needed to know that I was seeking ingredients for another Panacea.

Father and Lionel knew that rare materials had been used to make the first one, but almost no one else did. If questioned, I had no convincing explanation for why a child wanted such ingredients.

My habit of collecting unusual materials was already well known, but even that excuse had limits. Nevertheless, I needed more Panaceas. A supply of reliable trump cards could save lives.

“The ingredients I still lack are Careless Grass, purple slime powder, a shed crane-fly shell, Marc berries, a World Tree leaf, and dragon’s blood.”

Technically, Mira could provide the blood, but I didn’t want to hurt them. Blood from a wild dragon would be preferable.

Careless Grass grew deep within the elven forest. Purple slimes probably inhabited rocky, mana-dense regions.

I stopped.

Before commissioning anything, I needed better geographical knowledge. On the other hand, experienced adventurers might already know where each material could be found.

Perhaps the best approach was to combine both methods: study the geography myself and ask the Adventurers’ Guild to identify possible sources.

Rare ingredients might take months or years to obtain. The sooner I began, the better.

I took out fresh paper and started drafting the requests.

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