Ch.3939. Sewers (E)

After the not-so-enjoyable journey through the underground sewers.

“A mid-level black mage, and a demon that appeared from the mage’s corpse… W-wait a moment, please! This is beyond my authority to resolve…!”

“Yes, then I shall wait for now.”

After returning from the sewers and reporting back to the Adventurer’s Guild, I briefly summarized the events that had transpired underground. The news that a mid-level black mage had been discovered in the sewers instantly sent shockwaves through the guild.

While everyone knew that security in the slums and sewers was abysmal, allowing a black mage to remain undisturbed until reaching mid-level was an entirely different matter.

Mid-level is essentially equivalent to a human-sized tank or armored vehicle. It’s fundamentally a different weight class from ordinary people—just being mid-level alone is enough to warrant noble treatment in civilized society.

The fact that such a mid-level black mage had been hiding in the sewers, kidnapping people and plotting schemes, all while the knights protecting the capital remained unaware (or ignored it), was becoming a major political issue, but…

“The Prophet asks if this might cause problems for her comrade.”

“Huh? Oh, it’ll be fine. Those guys must know the name ‘Aleinos’ too.”

“…’Aleinos’?”

Even a political incident that could become troublesome is nothing before the power of the name “Aleinos.”

Rather, what we two needed to focus on now was how to handle this valuable mid-level demon essence—a materialized demon soul.

Apart from distributing the rewards for the sewer cleaning request and the demon worshipper extermination bounty, we hadn’t yet decided how to dispose of this mid-level demon essence and divide its value.

For druids like us, demon essence is merely materialized soul with remnants of evil power. No matter how it might be processed, it remains somewhat unsuitable for druid use.

On the other hand, for tower mages, this materialized demon soul is an incredible material. After purification with the help of temple powers, its properties can be utilized to assist with magical calculations.

Therefore, the value of a mid-level demon essence is literally whatever price one names for it. Selling it could buy a middle-class two-story mansion in the capital city of Frank, but…

“…The Prophet wants the essence. She’ll pay for it…”

“Then here, use it as you wish.”

Being in a position where I could produce money in abundance anyway, there was no reason to refuse when my only human companion offered her share of the reward from this request.

Druids are inherently high-income professionals. Using the various magics available to druids, earning substantial amounts of money is quite easy, so there’s no need to risk turning a good relationship sour by being stingy about money.

While it might be somewhat regrettable to sell demon essence to the magic tower, excessive attachment to worldly possessions like money won’t help me advance further in my practice.

Anyway, after handing over the demon essence, Sophia and I moved to the same inn for mutual convenience.

The inn where Sophia had been staying wasn’t exactly cheap, but it wasn’t among the luxury establishments either. Following my judgment that it would be better to stay in a nicer place, we each rented three-person rooms in a high-class inn.

And now, inside these rented inn rooms…

[[[This tastes good—excellent!]]]

[Amazing… It’s incredibly delicious!]

A modest party was underway for the two newcomers, featuring food that I had created from scratch.

After achieving greatness as a druid, I could produce most ingredients infinitely through magic, so I literally ground through ingredients to hone my cooking skills.

Especially with the help of my mother, who was skilled in all kinds of cooking methods thanks to her long experience, I can now confidently say that I possess skills approaching those of a proper chef, if not quite first-class.

…Though since learning to cook, I’ve mostly been too lazy and usually make do with fresh fruit or grilled dishes, but I couldn’t possibly give a half-hearted welcome to our newcomers.

[…(Gulp). Gregory’s cooking skills seem to be improving.]

[True, the first stew he made was terrible. Disgustingly salty and spicy with way too much garlic.]

“You two talk too much. Keep it up and I won’t give you any refills.”

[Eep! I am the master’s faithful pet bird!]

[…(Munch).]

While scolding Oya for his unnecessary comments, I mentally organized these creatures’ eating habits.

Thunder Bird Corin is carnivorous… or rather omnivorous. He generally prefers meat but will eat small amounts of grain or fruit.

Silver Deer Astra, on the other hand, is strictly herbivorous. Perhaps due to his species, meat doesn’t agree with him except for milk, so he usually enjoys the salads or vegetable dishes I prepare.

And I’ve also finished analyzing the eating habits of the two newcomers, Robo and the shadow mouse collective… nicknamed “Squeakers.”

First, Fenrir Robo is a strictly carnivorous animal, though he likes sweet foods, his staple is meat. …Though he’s clearly a wolf, his fondness for bread and sweet pumpkin gives him more of a puppy-like impression.

The Squeakers, perhaps due to their long life in the sewers, seem to like any fresh food. Of course, their most preferred food is plant seeds—they went crazy for the roasted nuts I gave them as a test.

And then…

“…Hmm.”

Suddenly remembering Sophia, who had been holed up in her room for days without coming out, I decided to share some of the extra food I had prepared.

A meat stew based on tomato-like fruit, a salad made with fresh vegetables, and mashed potatoes with gravy sauce that I’d made too much of. It would make a perfect meal.

Given Sophia’s personality—which could only be described as spacey despite her appearance—she probably wouldn’t specially prepare meals by cooking herself.

[…Huh? Master, where are you going?]

‘Just to the next room!’

Leaving behind the four gluttons who were devouring the pile of food I’d prepared, I skillfully picked up several plates and went to Sophia’s room next door to knock.

-Knock knock knock.

“Sophia, it’s me! Could I see your face for a moment?”

“…Comrade?”

A crawling voice echoed from beyond the door, followed by the sound of something being hurriedly organized inside.

And after some time had passed.

-Creeeak…

“…The Prophet wants to know why her comrade has visited.”

The door to the adjacent inn room opened cautiously, and Sophia’s head peeked through the gap.

She must have been deeply focused on purifying and modifying the demon essence. Unlike her usual expressionless demeanor, she wore a slightly tired look, then swallowed hard when she saw the food plates I was holding.

“T-the Prophet asks her comrade what this delicious-looking food is.”

“We’re having a party to welcome our newcomers. We made too much food, so I thought I’d share some… Have you already eaten?”

“Comrade need not worry. The Prophet has been fasting for the past few days.”

Due to the influence of nature’s mysteries, druids at the formal (mid-level) can go without eating anything for about a month without major issues. So Sophia going hungry for a few days shouldn’t be a problem… or so one might think.

According to my theory, the longer druids are harmonized with nature’s mysteries, the more side effects they experience.

The prime example of these side effects is the loss of humanity, crushed under the presence of nature. This phenomenon of dulled emotions or mental deficiency can… surprisingly be controlled to some extent through ordinary daily life.

Despite the weight of the term “loss of humanity,” the gravity of this condition isn’t that dramatic… it’s more like health management, so to speak.

“Then take this. They say we druids can go hungry for weeks without problems, but it’s still better to eat meals regularly.”

“…The Prophet expresses her gratitude.”

Anyway, Sophia didn’t reject my kindness and accepted the meal plates from me. She bowed her head slightly and stepped back to close the door, but then…

“…W-would you be willing to cook for the Prophet again next time?”

“Of course. You’re my first companion, so anytime. Just let me know in advance if there’s something you’d like.”

“Y-yes, the Prophet feels grateful toward her comrade.”

I was more than willing to grant this request from Sophia, who was showing her inherently shy nature to me.

…I had no ulterior motives. None at all.