Chapter 112: If You Retire

“Alright, let’s take a break.”

After several hours of combat with monsters since entering the forest, Ishud and the others began to take a break at a suitable spot.

“Alright, dig in, guys!!”

With that, Ishud started grilling the meat of the monsters Gulf and the others had defeated that were edible.

“…I understand that it’s very grateful to have filling meals in such places, but won’t the smell attract more monsters?” 

“Hmm? Oh… right. Since this is a different hunting ground than before, I’ll use this.”

Ishud took out a barrier-type magic item and set it up.

“Ishud, what kind of magic item is that?”

“It sends the smell generated within the barrier up high.”

A chimney-like structure extended from the top of the barrier, releasing the smell above the trees where flying monsters couldn’t enter.

“Who made such a magic item…?”

“It was made by the person who serves as Suara’s mentor. I asked if they could make a magic item like this, and two weeks later, they actually made it exactly as requested.”

“…Can I buy this?”

After fighting continuously in the forest governed by the Regula family for several hours, they felt the difference in level compared to monsters inhabiting other territories.

However, that didn’t mean they could afford to be careless against monsters inhabiting other regions. They wanted to leisurely enjoy their lunch during the camping.

“Well, I don’t know until I ask Suara’s mentor. Anyway, dig in, dig in.”

While eating himself, Ishdo continued to grill the meat, sprinkling seasoning to change the flavor.

Then… several tens of minutes later, everyone was full.

“Ishud… using seasoning to change the taste while eating in a place like this… seriously, that’s cheating, man.”

“Well, it’s our fault for overeating… but… I’m really full.”

Philip and Dustin were filled with a sense of contentment due to their full stomachs, although they could still move around.

“It’s pathetic, Philip.”

“…Shut up. You’ve eaten quite a lot and have a bulging belly yourself.”

“Ugh!!!”

Eating a certain amount would naturally make one’s stomach bulge, which wasn’t something to be ashamed of—it happened to everyone.

However… Philip’s lack of delicacy towards Michela was evident in his unabashed remarks.

“You really are!!! …Ugh… Never mind.”

“Huh, that’s rare. I thought you’d be more furious.”

“…Even I have a sense of fullness. There’s no point in getting angry unnecessarily; it just tires me out.”

Taking a seat on a chair she had prepared, Michela looked outside the barrier.

“Anyway, it’s truly an excellent barrier.”

Outside the barrier, several monsters lay defeated, their corpses being dismantled by Ishud.

“Even C-rank monsters are included… As Michela mentioned earlier, if it’s something we can purchase, I definitely want to buy it.”

“…Hey, do you think Ishud can do alchemy or something?”

“What are you talking about, Gulf? Ishud’s profession is a frontline combat role. It’s impossible for him to learn alchemy.”

“Well, I guess… I don’t know much about alchemy, but with Ishud, if he understands the principles and techniques, it feels like he could do it.”

Even Lyune, who understood Ishud’s unusual aspects among their family members, agreed with Gulf’s thoughts, nodding in agreement.

“Ishud-niisan is a particularly unusual presence even within our Regula family, so it’s premature to conclude it’s impossible just because he’s a frontline combatant.”

An unusual presence.

Hearing those words, they all remembered Ishud’s exhibition match during the Fierce Battle Festival and his fight with Roberto, who was recognized for stepping into the realm of a demigod in the recently held super special training ground.

(Come to think of it, during that time, Ishud activated magic despite being a frontline fighter… He mentioned having a special profession, but considering its uniqueness… That scene was definitely strange, wasn’t it????)

(In the final moments of the fight with Roberto… the strike Ishud unleashed was certainly a technique based on the relaxation used in iaido.)

(Hmm… While it’s true that there’s potential for Ishud-kun, alchemy is undoubtedly the power of a producer. No matter how skilled Ishud-kun may be… such thinking would ultimately narrow one’s perspective.)

While Michela and the others pondered various thoughts during their meal break, Ishud returned after finishing dismantling the monsters defeated by the counterattack of the barrier. Gulf didn’t hesitate to ask.

“Hey, Ishud. Can you do alchemy or something?”

“That’s a pretty abrupt question. Well, I guess I could make potions or something. I might not have the same production speed or quality as someone with alchemy skills, though.”

“So, you can make them… It’s amazing that there’s a path for you to pursue even after retirement, although I guess you’re not interested in that, Ishud.”

“Haha, maybe. But if I were to retire… I think I’d want to pursue the path of a blacksmith.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, you know, weapons are just cool.”

It was rather… a simplistic and childlike notion.

Pursuing something just because it’s cool isn’t as simple as it seems. 

While it’s hard to believe he doesn’t understand that, his reasoning was just too simple, leaving everyone speechless.

“Just like physical strength, it’s an endless path, but yeah, the coolest weapons are the main reason. I still remember when I first saw a real weapon… Heh, I couldn’t stop smiling.”

Naturally, he never had the chance to see real weapons in his previous life.

Because he had some admiration for them, he still remembered the shock of seeing them for the first time.

As Gulf and the others shared similar sentiments, they refrained from commenting on how childish the reason sounded.

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