Ch.46I Did It, Mister (4)

# Let Me Go! I Need to Wash It Off With Water!

“Captain! Get a hold of yourself!”

“Aaaaargh!”

Two mercenaries wrestled with each other in water barely reaching their ankles.

While I was watching this spectacle, the administrator snatched the Healing Potion from my hand and dashed into the riverside shower facility.

“Ugh… Ugghhh… Ahh, that feels refreshing…”

When the sound of a middle-aged man enjoying a bath came from inside, Brasya approached curiously, splashing water as she poked her head in.

“Jack. The administrator is doing something strange. He’s spraying potion all over himself?”

“I don’t need the details.”

“Whew, so refreshing…”

“Captain! Get up! Don’t take off your pants!”

“Aaaaargh! Get out of my way!”

Oh my head. My head. My head!!

* * * * *

Since that day, my underwear stopped shrinking.

After getting a harsh lesson from the prank, it seems no one dares touch my underwear anymore.

Good, that problem is solved. Now I can focus on the city upgrade again.

The Starting Village ship that went for waterway trade will probably return tomorrow or the day after.

All the groundwork has been laid, and the palisades can delay enemies at key entry points.

The work to surround the entire village with inner walls will be completed by next month at the latest.

The construction of buildings in the commercial district where technicians will move in is also progressing smoothly.

Just then, the search party I sent to Mestopin’s Junkyard returned.

They brought back various items that I should take to the shop for appraisal.

In the afternoon, teams that had been scouting the village outskirts returned.

I had sent them with a resident who used to be a miner to check out a suspected vein location, and they say it’s a mine.

“A mine?”

“Yes, Jack. A mine. We saw signs of collapse, so we dug around and found what looks like a mine entrance outline. It’s definitely a mine.”

What is this all about? A mine?

There was a mine in Starting Village?!

“Excuse me, do you know what kind of minerals might be buried there?”

“We’ll have to dig to find out.”

I immediately dispatched dozens of members armed with pickaxes and shovels to the location with the cooperation of the knights.

After sending them off, I searched for the list of craftsmen and gathered people who could smelt.

“Please write down the equipment you need here. We’ll prepare it right away.”

We’ll make what we can in the village, and whatever we need to buy, we’ll send for in a second trade expedition when the Starting Village ship returns.

It doesn’t matter what mineral it is. As long as something comes out.

Iron would be good, copper would be good, and if we’re really lucky and gold or other gems come out, that would be perfect.

Things are really going well.

If no accidents happen, we’ll meet all the requirements for upgrading to a city within a few months.

Very good. Keep going like this, Jack.

I can see the end of this self-imposed village development quest that I started to live safely and comfortably after being possessed by a weak potion shop NPC.

Humming a tune, I returned to the shop to find a letter placed in front of the door.

Oh, could it be from Alreina? I rushed over and picked up the envelope.

‘To the Potion Mister.’

Judging by the round handwriting, it’s definitely from Alreina.

I hurriedly tore open the envelope and began reading the letter.

* * * * *

Hello, Potion Mister.

This is Alreina. It’s been so long since I last wrote that I’m afraid you might have forgotten me.

I’ve finished everything in the Fredegund Archipelago and have now crossed over to the Entana Kingdom.

I’m preparing here to tackle the dragon’s nest you told me about.

Since it’s the Scarlet Dragon, known for its nasty temper, it’s taking a long time.

But I’m not afraid. Because I have the strategy guide you gave me.

Recently, the guide was about to tear, so I copied it into a new notebook.

Throughout the transcription, I could feel your warmth.

Every time I defeat a strong enemy, I wonder.

Why did you give me this amazing prophecy book?

To a young adventurer who knew nothing when we first met at the shop.

If you are a god, am I an apostle chosen by the divine?

Am I a human bearing the heavy responsibility of realizing divine will on earth?

I can’t hear the answer right now.

Someday, when I finish everything and return, please tell me then.

Why you gave everything to me.

Oh, and a few days ago, you appeared in my dream.

In that potion shop where we first met.

You were focused on writing the strategy guide, and I was watching you.

I was happy.

Because I could meet you in the midst of my lonely and arduous adventure.

Even if it was just a dream.

Mister, I miss you. Really.

If I could, I’d give up everything and return to Starting Village right now.

But I’ve decided not to.

After I finish everything with the strategy guide you gave me, I’ll come back then.

Please don’t forget me and wait for me.

And when we meet again, let’s talk.

I’ll tell you how much I missed you and how earnest my feelings were.

I’ll write again after I defeat the Scarlet Dragon.

Take care, Mister.

From Alreina, who misses you terribly.

* * * * *

After dotting the final period, Alreina sighed and neatly folded the letter.

This was already the umpteenth letter she was sending to the potion shop owner in Starting Village.

She had never received a reply from him. That was to be expected. The shop owner stayed in one place, but Alreina kept moving.

Still, Alreina continued to write letters.

If she didn’t do at least this much, she felt afraid that her connection with him would be completely severed.

The adventure that began in Starting Village had already passed the half-year mark.

Alreina had moved farther and farther from Starting Village and was now in a place that required crossing an ocean to reach.

It would be close to a miracle if this letter even reached him.

After sealing the envelope tightly, Alreina sat vacantly, staring at her tattered strategy guide.

The guide had become almost like a rag from being flipped through several times a day.

She had already copied everything into a new notebook, so it wouldn’t matter, but Alreina couldn’t let it go.

This was written directly by him for me. I have to return it to him later.

Alreina’s left hand, which caressed the cover of the strategy guide, was pitch black.

Ever since she barely survived an evil black magic attack from a lich, for some reason, her skin color hadn’t returned to normal.

Still, she should be grateful that she didn’t die and her arm was intact.

She had followed the strategy guide exactly, but the enemy was too fast for her to respond properly.

It’s my fault for not living up to his expectations. I need to become stronger.

“Hero.”

A soldier entered and stood at attention.

“Everything you requested has been prepared.”

“I understand.”

Alreina rose from her seat and handed the envelope to the soldier.

“If you don’t mind, please mail this. It’s an important letter.”

“Don’t worry.”

After the soldier received the letter, Alreina passed by him and went outside.

The carriage in front of the lodging was loaded with everything Alreina had requested.

These were tools for hunting the Scarlet Dragon, which would soon awaken from hibernation and bring calamity to the east.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, Alreina flipped through the strategy guide and carefully read the strategy for the Scarlet Dragon again.

* * * * *

1. Required Equipment:

The Scarlet Dragon is vulnerable to ice elements. Make active use of Frostroar obtained after defeating the ice golem of the Glacier Fortress.

Armor with fire resistance is good, and the Flame Ward Shield obtained from killing the fire mage Incendius is best.

For consumables, definitely prepare fire immunity and instant mass recovery potions.

Mass recovery potions can be purchased in level 5 major cities, and fire immunity potions from the alchemist Hester in the underground market.

2. Battle Strategy:

Since the Scarlet Dragon uses area attacks rather than targeting, always retreat to places like valleys where you can hide when signs of attack appear.

Attack timing comes regularly. Dragons enter mana recovery after area attacks, and you must land effective hits during this time.

However, don’t get too close. Stay more than 10 meters away from the tail and 6 meters from the claws to survive.

3. Attack Patterns:

When sparks fly between the dragon’s teeth, a flame breath will come after 3 seconds, so dodge to the side.

When the dragon suddenly spreads its wings left and right, it will flap them and press down on the air, so retreat backward.

If it suddenly raises its hind legs straight, it’s preparing for a charging attack, so dodge at all costs. Never try to withstand it physically.

4. Weaknesses:

Dragons have no weaknesses. However, if you continuously inflict sustained damage to the head and neck during mana recovery, it will gradually weaken.

If you can read and avoid the final desperate attack pattern four times, your opportunity will come.

If you’ve prepared enough potions, time is on your side. Endure and endure, and slay the beast, Alreina.

* * * * *

Closing the strategy guide, Alreina nodded with a determined expression.

I understand, Mister. I’ll do my best.

I’ll kill the crazy Scarlet Dragon and bring peace to the east.

And after I finish everything, I’ll return to you.

When that time comes, Mister.

Please accept me.