Chapter-06 · EP-098
Episode 98: Souvenir Exchange
"I can't believe there was still that much antidote herb left. I'm astonished."
The Duke, having returned from the dungeon to the surface, spoke with excitement, as if his surprise hadn't yet subsided.
"Also, the fact that it regenerates if you only cut the new shoots was surprising. That Saito-san must have been a remarkable explorer."
Though not to the same extent as the Duke, Mr. Ikoma also seemed to still be somewhat high-strung.
"Now the question is how long it takes to regrow enough to harvest again. We'll have to observe that over time, but we'll need to arrange for specialized harvesters."
The two were passionately discussing the future of the antidote production.
As I watched them, Hikaru spoke to me.
"Ichinose-san, thank you."
"Oh?"
"Thanks to you, I was able to reach level 3. I never imagined I could level up so quickly and easily."
Hikaru's leveling had also gone without any major issues.
I had called her all the way out here in the middle of a family trip, so this much thanks was only natural. Besides, while partying with her for leveling, I secretly used Skill Camouflage to make her skill usable for myself. I figured that much was fair game.
Shirou Ichinose: LV5 ▶
Skill: Skill Camouflage (Hide) ▶
Healing Magic LV2 (Active, Hide) ▶
Water Magic LV1 (Active, Hide) ▶
Analysis (Active, Hide) ▶
Party: None
Hikaru's skill, Analysis, apparently had the same effect as a Skill Board. I'd try using it later.
As I looked at my status via Skill Camouflage, grinning at the increased skills, the Duke called out to me.
"Ichinose-kun."
"Ah, yes!"
"Then, I'll make arrangements to turn this dungeon into a closed dungeon from now on. Thank you very much for today."
A closed dungeon basically means a non-public dungeon, one that only specific authorized people can enter. Conversely, dungeons open to everyone are called open dungeons. Shinjuku Dungeon is one of those.
The academy's dungeon is a closed dungeon because only academy personnel can enter.
The Okutama Dungeon had been an open dungeon, so anyone could enter in theory. However, there were almost no explorers to begin with, and if a third party pulled the antidote herbs out by the roots and destroyed them, Yamashita-san's antidote production would be impossible. So it would be made closed.
Since an ordinary citizen can't just arrange something like that on their own, the Duke would use his authority to handle it.
There are many unpleasant nobles, but when they're as cooperative as Hikaru, you have to rely on them.
And so, Yamashita-san's antidote production and the antidote herbs that Saito-san had protected in the Okutama Dungeon were saved. I was very satisfied with this perfect outcome.
"By the way, Ichinose-kun, Yamashita-san's antidote production will become a major enterprise. I'd like to discuss your share of the profits for discovering the antidote herb."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Yamashita-san's factory will likely be rebuilt into a hugely profitable operation. The proceeds would be split among Yamashita-san, my company, and you. I'll have Ikoma draw up a profit plan, so I'd like to put the profit distribution in writing."
"Huh? That's not necessary!"
I hurriedly declined.
My part was done.
I thought it ended with just passing Saito-san and Yamashita-san's achievement on to the Duke.
"Why? Humility isn't a virtue, you know? You discovered the antidote herb, and you contacted me to make the production sustainable. You could probably make enough money to live in leisure for the rest of your life."
"Eh?"
Enough to live in leisure for a lifetime? This might have turned into something too big for me to even imagine.
"Well, it was Saito-san who discovered it; I just found it using the clues he left. Besides, I don't intend to live in leisure for the rest of my life…"
Still, I declined.
The Duke thought for a moment, then answered.
"Very well. Then I'll decide your share and keep it for you, ready for when you might need it. Still, to think my daughter has a friend like you. Please continue to get along with her."
"N-no, the feeling is mine…"
After that, we returned to Yamashita-san's factory. While the Duke and the others were talking with Yamashita-san about various things, Hikaru, having changed out of her exploration gear into casual clothes, came back from the car.
"Ichinose-san, this is a souvenir."
Hikaru handed me a small package. It was beautifully wrapped, like a confection.
"Oh, thank you. Where is it from?"
"I told you yesterday, didn't I? We went to Shosenkyo."
"Ah, that's right, you did mention that. It's in Yamanashi Prefecture, right? Sorry for calling you away during a family trip."
Apparently, Hikaru and her family had gone to a place called Shosenkyo, sightseeing and leveling up in the dungeon there.
I apologized for interrupting their family trip during Golden Week.
"It's fine. I managed to reach level 3, and Father was apparently bored while we were exploring."
Hikaru smiled, unconcerned.
Even if Hikaru forgave me, I couldn't help but worry that Kazuma-san, who had stayed behind to continue leveling, might resent me.
As I thought about that while looking at the souvenir from Hikaru, I suddenly remembered.
"Ah, hold on. I forgot I also have a souvenir for you, young lady!"
"Oh, thank you. What is it?"
I took a Heal Gem from my pocket and placed it in Hikaru's palm.
"Here, a souvenir."
Hikaru looked at the number on the gem in her palm and was speechless.
"Rank 4?!"
Her voice cracked. The men in black around us glanced over for a moment.
"Yeah! The Rank 4 potion I promised. I finally got it! It was tough!"
I said proudly.
After contacting Hikaru the other day, I started farming the Huge Slime.
At level 5, I could defeat it more easily than before, and yesterday I finally got a Rank 4 potion.
"You really got it?!"
"Well, you said you wouldn't be satisfied with just a Rank 3, right?"
When I said casually, Hikaru hurriedly replied.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that… I felt I'd been nothing but trouble for you, so I was trying to hold back…"
"Well, don't worry about things like that."
I said with a laugh. It was indeed tough, but it was also good experience.
"You really are something else…"
Hikaru said with a complex expression, as if unsure whether to be exasperated or admiring. Then she stared at the Rank 4 potion.
"Thank you. I'll use it carefully."
She bowed deeply to me with a serious face.
And so, my Golden Week came to an end.
I only managed to raise my level by one, but I obtained the Rank 4 potion I'd promised Hikaru, and I also discovered an application for Water Magic. Looking out at the nature of Okutama, I thought it had been a fulfilling Golden Week.
This concludes Chapter 6.
Thank you for following Shirou's growth so far.
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