Ch.202202. Cut your hair. It looks terrible.

“It grew back as soon as I drank the decoction?”

After sending Rebecca away, I asked Castleton, who immediately launched into an excited explanation, spittle flying.

“I tried it as an experiment. And as soon as I drank it, my hair grew exponentially. It’s unbelievable!!”

“Hmm…”

“Honestly, I was just conducting a simple experiment. It’s not like I’m lacking hair, right? But the way the hair grew was something else…”

“Something else…?”

Finding it incredible himself, Castleton let out a hollow laugh.

Then, twisting his head, he pointed to the side of his scalp with his finger.

“This part never grew hair before. When I was young, I injured myself and had a small scar there. What you’d call a ‘bald patch.'”

“And now it’s grown back?”

“Yes! I checked to make sure, and hair has grown even where the scar was. Not only the speed, but the effect is truly remarkable.”

Castleton seemed very excited, his shoulders twitching and his eyes gleaming with vitality.

And for good reason.

It would be surprising enough if hair grew back slowly, but growing immediately after drinking the decoction? How astonishing is that?

No wonder Chief Loris had amassed such wealth.

“How much money do you think we could make?”

“It would exceed all imagination. How many nobles are bald? If we could make their hair grow back, they’d come running desperately. This must be why the people of Pandera territory were so adamant about keeping outsiders away.”

“No, the people of Pandera don’t know that the magic grass affects hair.”

“…Pardon? What do you mean?”

“I’m saying the village chief of Pandera kept the profits to himself.”

Castleton thought quietly for a moment, then raised his voice.

“Doesn’t Pandera territory have no class system?”

“That’s what I heard too, but when I actually went there, it wasn’t exactly the case.”

“…Anyway, the magic grass from Pandera will be worth whatever price we name.”

“I know, but if word gets out, other noble families will find any excuse to start a war. That’s why Chief Loris moved so cautiously.”

“True, with effects this powerful, he should be selling the magic grass on a large scale, but there are only rumors…”

Now that I know the magic grass is effective, the key question is whether Chief Loris is connected to the missing persons.

If he’s completely uninvolved in the incident, we’ll need to make a fair contract.

Why make a deal with a materialistic person like Chief Loris who doesn’t properly take care of the Pandera people?

What choice do we have?

As they say, power corrupts, and anyone would take advantage of such profits.

As long as no crimes are being committed, there’s no need to create unnecessary problems.

The magic-infused necklace is concerning, but that doesn’t mean Chief Loris has done anything wrong with it.

‘Besides, as I told Clara, I’m not a robber.’

I’ve spent quite a bit of the money from the Fail fruit on defensive formations to block monster waves and mercenary wages, but I’m still financially stable.

And if the price of monster blood continues to rise, that’s even better.

Therefore.

There’s no need to accumulate wealth by abandoning human decency.

Doing so would only create more enemies.

I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Ahem! You understand this must be kept absolutely confidential, right?”

“I understand.”

“And try giving the magic grass decoction to any knights or mercenaries who are bald. There might be differences between individuals.”

Castleton nodded, then made a troubled expression.

“But sir, you said to keep this confidential. If we give the decoction to knights or mercenaries, won’t rumors spread quickly?”

“That’s for you to figure out. Slip it into their food secretly or invite them for drinks and mix it in their alcohol.”

“…Will that be alright?”

“It was used as an antidote ingredient, so it shouldn’t be harmful.”

“Understood. I’ll experiment as discreetly as possible.”

“Good, work hard. Report back when you have everything sorted.”

As Castleton was bowing to leave, I added one more thing.

“Castleton.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Cut your hair. It looks unsightly.”

“…Yes, sir.”

*

“Haha! You must be tired from walking around all day today!”

In a tavern in Lake territory.

Clara shyly responded to Jawill Wilson’s awkward greeting.

“…I’m fine.”

“Have you heard of the Forest of Death in Lake territory?”

“I’ve heard of it. Isn’t that where the monster wave occurred?”

Jawill Wilson straightened his back while remaining seated.

“We’re currently exterminating all the monsters in the Forest of Death. The young master plans to turn it into a tourist attraction. When it becomes one, I’ll definitely show you around.”

Clara looked at Jawill Wilson with slightly dubious eyes as he scratched the back of his head and smiled brightly.

“This young master you speak of…”

“Ah! Our young master Selden Alphonse?”

“Is he really a good person?”

“Huh!? What do you mean?”

Clara trembled slightly, seemingly recalling what happened in the Silver Forest.

“He killed people without even a change in his expression. No, I couldn’t even feel any emotion from him.”

Jawill Wilson gave a slightly awkward smile.

“The young master does have that side to him.”

“…Will you be okay? What if you make a mistake while living here…”

Even without visiting other territories, she had heard rumors about nobles.

Beings who, despite being human like herself, looked down on those of lower status and considered themselves superior.

Especially for Clara, who had lived her entire life in Pandera territory, these were incomprehensible matters.

Swish-!

Jawill Wilson, who had always smiled foolishly while showing her around Lake territory, hardened his expression and quietly picked up his glass.

Gulp-! Gulp-!

After downing the drink in one go, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“Clara.”

“…Huh?”

Clara was startled by his low, heavy voice.

Jawill Wilson continued without concern.

“I’m always causing trouble for the young master. Recently, I went to Kataria territory and made a mess of things again.”

“…I see.”

“He’s not the frightening person you’re worried about. However, there are times when he gets angry enough to be feared. Do you know when that is?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“It’s when someone messes with his people.”

“…”

As Clara nodded silently, Jawill Wilson continued.

“Honestly, I’m so grateful to the young master. He protected Berik, Wartman, and you.”

“That wouldn’t have happened if your young master hadn’t come to Pandera territory in the first place.”

“So what? It already happened. And the young master protected you all.”

“…”

“Plus, he even treated your mother.”

It was a first.

Seeing Jawill Wilson, who had always been on her side, standing on the opposite side advocating for someone else.

Clara’s throat tightened slightly, causing her to clear it involuntarily.

“…I am grateful for that.”

“The young master can seem cold to the point of indifference to those who aren’t his people. Yet he cared about you. What do you think that means?”

“Because of you.”

“Yes, but the young master doesn’t even show it to me. Rather, he always makes light jokes to my face.”

“He does seem to have that side.”

“You can insult me if you want, but don’t disrespect the young master. That would be insulting my profession and my dreams.”

She had only been concerned.

Yet she received such a chillingly cold response.

Hiding her hurt feelings at Jawill Wilson’s stern attitude, Clara spoke.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. There are still people who call our young master the ruffian from the eastern continent’s edge. I understand how misunderstandings can happen.”

Clara slowly raised her head.

When she first came to Lake territory, she had been shocked to discover there were two Jawill Wilsons and had fainted.

However, after waking up and hearing the explanation from Jawill Wilson, she had sighed in relief.

It seemed like the innocent Jawill Wilson she had missed had returned.

But.

The current Jawill Wilson was not the childhood Jawill Wilson she remembered.

His foolish smile remained, but it no longer gave a lightweight impression.

He was still large, but covered in firm muscle rather than soft flesh.

“Jawill Wilson.”

“…Yeah?”

Clara spoke with wavering eyes and a voice full of emotion.

“…You’ve become more handsome.”