A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai (素材採取家の異世界旅行記)

Excuse me...

Do you happen to sell scissors for gathering materials?

Scissors? Nope, don't carry 'em.

Are you the material gatherer everyone's talkin' about?

What? Well... yeah. I'm Takeru.

My name is Ribl. Nice to meet ya!

If that's the case, I might be able to help ya out.

Really?!

Sure thing. Our master here, Grusas, is a top-class blacksmith.

But you'll need to fetch something the old man's been looking for first.

I see. Could I hear the details?

Incredible.

Right? I'm one of the folks who fell in love with that fire.

Someday, I'm gonna steal the old man's technique and forge a sword fit for a hero!

I hope your dream comes true.

Yeah.

Boss, I'm comin' in!

Ribl. Who's the guy?

He's that material gatherer everyone's been talkin' about lately!

Hello.

Hmph. Quite the reputation for a newcomer.

I've been lucky, that's all.

I was thinkin' maybe he could bring back some Ildra Ore for the sword

we're entering into the craftsman's exhibition!

Ildra Ore?

Hah! No way I'm sendin' some gatherer into Ryuhai Mine! It's far too dangerous.

You'll never know unless you ask him!

Shut up! I said no!

Like hell I'll shut up! You stubborn old mule, think about the deadline!

So this is the legendary blacksmith.

Fine, then! Forge it with half-baked materials!

See if you can still call yourself a master after that!

Half-baked, huh?! You've got some nerve, brat!

Ryuhai isn't just crawling with monsters right now.

There are rumors of demons down there!

Demons...?

I heard. They said the reason the Ildra Ore supply dropped so much

might be because of that thing down there.

Did you tell him about that?

No... I didn't...

Ribl. A smith who can't value life has no business holding a hammer.

Master...

I appreciate you bringin' him here for the sake of the forge,

but I won't send some youngster to die just 'cause we're desperate.

M-Master.

Takeru, I'm sorry. Forget the whole thing.

So, what you're saying is...

the only ore suitable for your sword is in that dangerous Ryuhai Mine?

Yeah... but...

Master Grusas. If I can gather Ildra Ore from Ryuhai Mine...

would you forge me a pair of scissors as my reward? Ones that only I can use.

What?! Were you even listening to what I just said?!

I can handle whatever's down there.

That's a beast even rank B adventurers struggle with!

Exactly. So please, let me take on this job.

The Ryuhai Mine. Our destination lies beyond Ebuira Village and is managed by Vozra Olif.

Huh? You want crab? No, we're all out of crab, sorry.

Yeah, I'd love to have some again too...

Strange things have been happening lately, haven't they?

Like how all the poisonous herbs at Robris Pass suddenly withered overnight.

I heard there were some odd disturbances in the Forest of White Trees, too...

Could that have been my fault? No, there's no way.

All right then. Hm?

A horse trader, huh...

Sure would be nice if I could travel on horseback someday.

This isn't what I was told at all!

That voice... Wait, I've heard it before.

I asked for a pure white steed that could gallop across the heavens!

This is clearly a giant white raven, not a horse!

I knew it.

Hey now, this is a horse dealer, miss.

Around here, we just call it a horse if it can haul cargo,

whether it's a giant eagle or a giant raven.

What? Is that so...

Then I must've worded my request poorly. My apologies.

Nah, no harm done. I should've double-checked myself.

A white pegasus, huh... You might have better luck in Voszraol.

Voszraol. That's the Dwarven Kingdom, isn't it?

So, that elf's heading to the same place too, huh...

All right, Bee. How about we take our time and gather some materials along the way?

Noreitz Mushroom A mushroom with poisonous-looking white spots on a green cap. Despite its appearance, it's a highly nutritious ingredient that boosts stamina.

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The forest around here is...

Mausso Mushroom A red-capped mushroom with white spots that looks poisonous, but actually promotes rapid growth and development when eaten.

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a treasure trove of ingredients!

Oh?

Moon Night Grass A yellow flower said to bloom under the crescent moon. Its nectar is a favorite of spirits and helps relieve fatigue. When crushed, it can be used as an effective salve for wounds.

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Whoa! There's so much Moon Night Grass here!

That took longer than I expected, but at least it paid off.

Huh?! Wait, is that...?

This feels way too familiar.

W-Water... please...

Seriously. Not once, but twice now...

You truly have my gratitude!

Ugh! You reek! Clean, activate!

Ngyyaaahh!!

Wh-What did you just do to me?!

I just couldn't stand to watch the image of

"pure, graceful elves" fall apart any further, that's all.

My name is Vell Vareita Brolite.

Uh, I'm Takeru. Umm... Velva... Vare... uh...

Elven names are hard for humans, aren't they?

My brother calls me Brolite.

You've done me a great favor both now and before.

Don't worry about it. Anyway, take care.

That won't do.

Elves do not repay kindness with neglect.

I didn't help you expecting anything in return...

Whoa!

Then allow me to assist you with your work!

Umm....

Oh! So the dragon approves of me?

Fine. I'll take you up on it until we reach the next town.

Hey, Takeru! I've found something amazing!

It's Hammer Anteater poop!

Just a rock.

That's just a rock.

What?!

Then what about this one?!

Poop.

That's just poop.

What?!

Then how about this?!

Poisonous Mushroom.

Poisonous Mushroom.

Poison?! Truly terrifying!

Her mental age might be about the same as Bee's.

Shall I go gather some firewood?

Nah, no need. I've got magic stones for that.

Takeru. Leaving traces of a campfire behind is important.

That way, others who pass through will know this spot is safe for camping.

I see. That makes sense.

I shall go then!

I have returned!

Huh?! Wait. That's not firewood, that's a whole log!

Patience, my friend.

See? Firewood!

Are elves supposed to be like this?

Still, those swords... They're impressive. Let's see here.

Sylph Jambiya RANK A A high elf treasure. Daggers imbued with the power of air spirits that boost sharpness and speed. Their effectiveness changes according to the latent magic power of the wielder. Even among high elves, only those of a chosen bloodline can wield them. Detect danger.

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Whoa, a rank A weapon?! This is the first time I've seen one up close!

May I partake of this as well?

Of course.

What a delightful aroma this is...!

Wh-What is this?!

The chewy texture of these white dumplings...

The vegetables have soaked into the broth,

giving it such a gentle yet profoundly rich flavor...

This... This is incredible!

You're exaggerating.

So, yuadf tou aer bomsn fo vzlkkd?

Swallow before you talk.

So, you too are bound for Voszraol?

Yeah. I've got a job. Need to collect something called Ildra Ore from the Ryuhai Mine.

What about you, Brolite?

Ah... I...

I'm searching for the white pegasus of the heavens

that my sister, Ryutikara, has been longing for.

You really killed the mood there...

Still, I've ended up feasting on your cooking again.

My debt to you keeps growing.

Then how about I hire you as my bodyguard?

Bodyguard...?

You mean a skilled warrior who protects their master from evil-doers, yes?

Right?

Yeah. And I could use someone to teach me things like that campfire trick earlier.

That's... all you ask of me?

Pretty sure that's already asking a lot.

Whatever fate brought us together here,

I take it as a good omen.

Praise be to our divine goddess, Liveralina.

Vell Vareita Brolite accepts your offer.

As your bodyguard, I shall accompany you on this journey!

Yeah. Looking forward to it.

They're so loud.

I can't sleep!

Across that river lies the Dwarven Kingdom, and that's the Ryuhai mountain range.

Whoa... It looks just like the Hotaka mountain range back home.

Hotaka mountain range?

Long story. But the first thing is food.

Here you go! Three orders of the dwarven specialty, Meat Wrapped Jupé!

Meat Wrapped Jupé Nutritious jupé stalks wrapped in meat. Black pepper and salt bring out the rich juices of the meat and flavor of the jupé in this dwarven specialty.

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Delicious!

Just as my friend told me!