Chapter 97, Side Story: Mysterious Plants

Translator: Barnnn

 

The room was bare, emptied of furniture and echoing with silence. Duris and Sharoella stood side by side, sharing a quiet, wistful glance.

They had both been born in Jasted. They’d met here, fallen in love here, and begun their life together in this very apartment.

Even with the looming threat of a Dungeon Deluge, they had clung to their hope of starting a family — and raised two daughters beneath this roof.

After a long stretch of living as evacuees, the day they returned to find their home miraculously untouched, the entire family had broken down in tears.

Since then, their eldest daughter had married and moved out. Their younger had left the city to chase her dream of becoming an adventurer.

It had been five years now, just the two of them again.

They had thought they would grow old and live out the rest of their days here.

 

“All right then,” Duris said with a soft sigh, “let’s give the place a quick sweep and hand over the keys.”

Sharoella nodded. “Yes. We still have to sort through the new place, too. Don’t throw your back out.”

He chuckled. “That’s what I rely on you for, my Healer.”

 

There was something soothing about the way he said that — Healer — half in jest but always with reverence. Her usually serious husband only said it now and then, which made it all the more dear.

Sharoella let out a soft laugh and took his hand. Duris gave hers a firm squeeze in return.

Their skin wasn’t as smooth as it once was, worn rough by the years and work.

But that made it all the more precious.

 

◆

 

The idea to move had taken root two months ago.

Their quiet life had gained two curious companions: Magical plant-creatures — at least for now — as Sugar Mandragoras. Jas and Ted.

“Magical plant-creature” was only a placeholder term. They weren’t exactly Mystic Plants, nor could they rightly be called Mystic Beasts. But they were undeniably alive, so magical plant-creature would do — for now.

There were no plans to publish anything on the matter, and the name wasn’t likely to spread beyond those already in the know.

 

“Kuppyo.”

“Jas, sweetheart,” Sharoella said gently, “I need you to be quiet, just for a bit.”

“Kuu…”

“Thank you.”

 

It was night. Sharoella stroked the wide, dewy leaf of Jas, who swayed contentedly beneath the soft glow of healing magic. Beside it, Ted trembled slightly in anticipation, and she reached out to it as well, channeling the same warm light.

 

“Dyu…”

“There, very good. Thank you,” she murmured with a smile.

 

Ted gave a happy rustle, brushing her fingers with its leaves. She stroked it tenderly in return, her smile filled with affection.

 

Duris watched the scene in silence before speaking. “Maybe it really is time to move?”

“You think it’s too hard on them here?” Sharoella asked, glancing down at the pair.

“It’s just… only being able to let them out of the bag at night, keeping them from running around, asking them to stay quiet all the time… It doesn’t feel right.”

“Hmm…”

 

Sharoella nodded slowly and ran her fingers along the creatures’ smooth, rounded bodies once more. Jas and Ted gave a delighted shiver, voices held in but joy clear in their trembling forms.

Such sweet, gentle creatures.

Just as Ize had said, these two were overflowing with emotion. They couldn’t be dismissed as mere plants.

They had become part of the household — beings that would not only share in their daily lives but someday, perhaps, save lives themselves. They deserved a space where they could stretch and breathe freely.

 

“Now that the girls are gone,” she mused, “we could say we’re downsizing to a place that suits just the two of us.”

Duris smiled, eyes crinkling as the deep lines on his face softened. “A nice balcony garden wouldn’t be a bad project for retirement.”

 

Sharoella let out a spirited “Right!” as if steeling herself for the task ahead. They would start looking over the weekend.

Just the right size for two, with soundproofing and a spacious balcony — that would be perfect. In cramped Jasted, no one could afford a yard, but many people raised vegetables on wide, sunny terraces.

They would need to shop for pots and seasonal seeds. And naturally, the first purchase would be turnips.

 

◆

 

“Okay, go on. Time for some sunbathing!”

“Ku!”

“Dyu!”

Duris grinned. “You can use your voices now, you know.”

“Quuu?”

“Dyuru?”

“That’s right!” Sharoella said warmly. “You can make as much noise as you like. Run around, explore!”

“QUUUUUUPPYO!”

“DYURUDYURUDYUDDYU!”

 

With her blessing, the two let out jubilant cries and darted off, short limbs flailing with excitement. Their high-pitched voices filled the home that had, until moments ago, been wrapped in silence.

The lingering melancholy from leaving their old apartment seemed to lift, carried away by the delighted squeals of their unusual housemates.

 

Sharoella moved to the window, her eyes drifting over the rows of leafy greens sprouting vigorously in the sun. Beside them was a large planter, still empty for now — meant for Jas and Ted, of course.

At the base of the planter sat a narrow cloth and a wide tub, set there so the pair could wipe themselves clean after digging in the soil.

She smiled as she recalled the time tidy little Jas had carefully brushed the dirt off Ted’s back with a leaf.

From a moving box, she pulled out a large basket and a pile of soft cushions. After scanning the room, she placed them in a sunlit corner, safely hidden from view from the outside.

Her daughters’ old travel case — its legs wobbly, once destined for the trash — had become Ted’s favorite cradle. She set it at the foot of her and Duris’s bed.

Beside it sat a handcrafted wooden box, one Duris had made by hand. Jas had watched the entire process, insisting on every detail. The result had been a masterpiece of collaborative stubbornness.

Sharoella looked around the room and let out a quiet sigh of relief. They’d get through tonight just fine.

From the bath came a burst of giggles, and she turned with a smile to follow the sound.

 

************************************************

 

Light Novel 2 Bonus 2 – Side Story: Seeking the Mysterious

 

Perspective: Wardon

 

BOOM!

 

“Gah!”

 

The man flew through the air and slammed into the wall before crumpling to the ground. I’d meant to just kick the knife out of his hand — but his whole body went with it. Aiming only for the hand is harder than it looks. Nothing for it. Not like I feel bad. Wouldn’t matter even if I did; he’s not in any shape to hear an apology.

Around us, men lay scattered like rag dolls, the fight long gone from them. One of them groaned underfoot as Ivern stepped over him, his pleasant face belying the pitiless nature beneath.

 

“No trouble on my end, Wardon,” he said.

“Thanks, Ivern,” I replied, raising a hand in acknowledgment.

 

I stick out too much — too big, too broad. It’s a pain when I need to have a word with someone. And my party members, who’d jump at the chance to rough someone up, are currently out of commission — literally can’t move.

 

“These the guys who’ve been selling Mandragora to the central region nobles?”

 

Ivern glanced at the fallen men, frowning slightly. “No… They’re still ranked C. No way they could harvest Mandragora themselves. Most likely they’re just go-betweens for the nobles and actual adventurers.”

 

I clicked my tongue. Great. That means there’s still another layer of scum we’ve got to root out. What a pain.

 

“But I know a party that meets with these guys pretty often,” Ivern added. “We can trace it from there.”

“That helps. Thanks.”

 

In the five years I’d been gone, most of the old faces in Jasted had changed, save for adventurers who’d decided to stay long-term. The only ones who still knew the adventuring scene here inside and out were people like Ivern and his crew.

 

“Sorry we couldn’t dig them out sooner,” Ivern said.

“You did more than enough,” I told him. “I know you couldn’t just drop your own missions.”

 

Ivern’s team had the full trust of the Jasted Adventurers’ Guild. That meant they couldn’t just stop submitting deliveries or halting their Dungeon exploration every time I came asking. They’d helped search for Mandragora whenever they could, but ferreting out shady adventurers on top of that was asking too much.

Besides, I’d heard nobles were eyeing Ivern’s crew as potential pawns — trying to rope them in for their own use. They had to be careful. Too much movement would have drawn the wrong kind of attention.

As we spoke, Poe — the party’s shield-bearer — appeared without a sound, hefting unconscious bodies over his shoulder and disappearing again. A silent, efficient ghost — completely at odds with the usual boisterous wall of noise he was. You’d never guess from his size that he could move like mist. Surely he’s got some sort of skill to manipulate perception. He could draw an enemy’s focus — or vanish from it entirely. For a guy his size to go unnoticed… it was so damn unfair.

 

“So Hal’s list included Guild staff too?” I asked.

“Yeah. Duris and Sharoella are already working with the Guild Master on that,” Ivern said. “According to Hal, the Guild Master’s clean. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“…Has Hal ever actually met the Guild Master?”

Ivern shrugged. “No idea.”

 

I couldn’t help picturing Hal and Ize grinning as they handed me that list. They’d had the same mischievous glint I’d once seen on a Cait-Sith inside a hallucinatory forest Dungeon. It had felt… unnatural. Ominous, even.

And Fieda puts up with that thing on the regular? Makes you wonder what toll it’s taking on his stomach — or his hairline. Maybe next time I see him, I’ll hand over that hair-health potion Odelya gave me.

 

“And, hey, sorry to keep you here so long,” Ivern said. “You probably want to get back to your team.”

“Nah. After all the trouble these guys gave us, if I don’t make sure it’s wrapped up properly, my own crew’ll chew me out,” I replied with a grin.

“Fair enough.”

 

It had taken us five months to finally get our hands on Mandragoras — not just because the stuff was rare, but because we’d been dealing with interference every step of the way. Adventurers selling them off to nobles, tailing us, setting up ambushes… real persistent bastards.

That’s why we’d had to smuggle Sharoella into the Dungeon in secret. Why, even after meeting Fieda’s party inside, we’d had to go on exploring other floors before it was safe to come back to the surface. Every move had to be cautious. Quiet.

But it was over now. Or nearly. Most of the tension had burned off in today’s brawl. Just a bit of cleanup left, and then I’d finally be free to leave Jasted.

This trip home had stretched on far longer than I’d planned. Next time I came back would probably be after the Dormancy Operation — assuming I survived that long.

 

“Being an adventurer’s fun,” I muttered, “but also not really.”

“Hah! That’s rich — coming from a top-ranked adventurer,” Ivern laughed.

“I didn’t ask to be A-rank, you know.”

“Well, like it or not, you and your crew are the shining stars of Jasted.”

 

As we passed through the street, a fellow adventurer waved to us. I waved back. My face was a little too well known in this city… though really, it was probably the sheer size of me that gave it away.

 

“Honestly, I think you guys deserve the credit,” I said.

“We’re just gatherers, mostly,” Ivern replied. “People think it’s boring work.”

“They’re idiots. You’re the kind of team that lives long. You explore the same places over and over and still never let your guard down — that’s what real strength looks like.”

“Careful. Keep talking like that and I might blush.”

“Since you’re a senior adventurer, the least you could do is treat me to something.”

“You’re probably making more coin than I am.”

“Maybe. But this mess drained quite a lot out of my savings account.”

“Point taken.”

 

We emerged from the alleyway and headed toward the inn I was renting. Since Ivern’s crew all had families now, my place was the safest option for any private talks.

Truth be told, Ivern and his team could’ve been A-rank ages ago. But they chose to stay at B-rank, avoiding the increased attention and entanglements with the noble class that came with a promotion. Smart move, really.

In my team’s case, we didn’t really have a choice. Even before becoming adventurers, our party had already had a run-in with some nobles — and not the friendly kind. We had to rise to A-rank quickly, just to protect ourselves.

Adventurers are supposed to be free, but the reality is different. Nobility, social rank — they follow you everywhere, even into the Dungeons.

Even if you dye your hair and live under a new name, calling yourself an adventurer, there’ll come a day when you have to return to who you really are, to the identity you left behind. Until that day comes, I just hope they get to live freely — wild and unburdened.

 

“If you help with the Dormancy Operation,” I said, “the Guild contribution you earn will be substantial. You’ll secure your place as adventurers.”

“I see. So that’s why you pulled Hal and Ize in,” Ivern replied with a nod.

“There’s no way Fieda can protect those two all by himself,” I said, shaking my head. “Hal and Ize have to climb up on their own, too.”

“True enough.”

 

Whatever their relationship was, the two clearly trusted Fieda. He was probably a source of emotional strength for them. But Fieda wasn’t from the Kingdom of Tajellia, nor did he have noble blood. I couldn’t imagine him holding his own against those in power.

It would be better if those two learned to carve their own path — if only for the moment things went south.

 

“Man,” I muttered, stretching my shoulders, “being A-rank is such a pain. You’ve got your hands full with your own life, and on top of that you’ve got to look after the younger ones, worry about them too.”

“That’s how we felt back when WE were looking after YOU,” Ivern said with a grin.

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for everything back then,” I replied sheepishly.

 

I’d been a hellspawn in my youth — must have driven the older adventurers half mad. And now, in my own party, I’ve got a real wild one too. Someone who once drop-kicked a noble, of all things. Compared to her, I — big as I am — was practically a teddy bear.

 

“These young ones were solid, though, weren’t they?” Ivern said, smiling faintly.

“Yeah… Hal and Ize really are… something else.”

 

Ivern’s tone was casual — he still didn’t know the two of them had black hair. If things were as simple as he thought, I wouldn’t be this damn worried. Just remembering them, now that they had gone on their way, weighs heavy in the pit of my stomach.

I’ll pass some stomach medicine to Fieda too. There was that old granny in the back alleys who used to make good stuff — should still be around.

Anyway, that scrawny, harmless-looking kid — Hal — he’s not what he seems.

 

[If you want our help, start by doing everything you can yourself,] he used to say at one point.

 

I recalled the moment Hal smiled — eyes narrowed with that dry, cynical grin — as he took in the state of this city. That look alone sent a shiver down my spine. The presence he exuded… even I, an A-rank, had to brace myself against it.

With that kind of face, he could probably survive in noble society if he really wanted to. Not that he would willingly go in. And Ize — yeah, she’d hate it there.

No doubt that soft-hearted brother of hers will keep his distance from that world, just for her sake.

 

“Well,” I said, heaving a sigh, “guess I’ll have to work hard too. For all my adorable younger siblings.”

“You’ve got a big family. How old’s the youngest one now?”

“Ten, I think? Or maybe nine?”

“Don’t forget your own siblings, man.”

“Hard not to when there’s so damn many,” I grumbled. “And they’re all huge.”

 

I always wanted a little sister I could carry on my shoulders, take for a run through the fields. That kind of thing looks fun. But my siblings — every time I went off on a Dungeon run, I’d come back and they’d already shot up faster than Bambush.

I heard Ize isn’t going to grow anymore. So she’ll stay tiny forever, huh?

 

“Can’t wait to see them again,” I said.

 

When I reunite with the rest of the party, I’ll tell them about Hal and Ize — how we met a fascinating pair of siblings.

Time to go, then… to the Rank 2 Dungeon city, Sooryab — also known as the City of Light.

Now, on the verge of another Deluge, despair casts long shadows across its streets.

And still, we wait — long for the day when that shadow will be pierced by the light of hope.