Days had flown by in the blink of an eye since my return from the Divine Realm. I spent a week in a comfortable routine—reading books with Kormi, experimenting with medicines made from materials found in the Sea of Trees, and alternating between research and lazy afternoons. Eventually, the day arrived for me to return to civilization.
"Waaaaaaaahhh!"
"My earnings...!"
"I lost... I actually lost again..."
Midway through my journey, the screams of adventurers echoed through the first outpost. It seemed they had once again been betting on whether or not I would make it back alive.
"Ah, those guys weren't here the last time you passed through," Old Man Stem remarked.
"So I was made the subject of a bet again?" I asked.
"In these parts, it’s not unusual for someone to make it back once, only to vanish on their second trip. Expect the betting to continue for a while yet. Once you've returned consistently enough, the novelty will wear off. More importantly, are you staying the night? Or heading straight out?"
"One night, please, with a room and meals. And one drink."
"Understood. Sit and wait, I’ll have it ready shortly."
Old Man Stem, the proprietor of the tavern at this base, was well-acquainted with how cheaply human life was valued in the Sea of Trees. He spoke with his usual bluntness before returning to his work, but I noticed his complexion looked poor. Even the speed at which he walked away was noticeably slower than during my previous visit.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s your drink and the room key. It’s the same one you used before. You can pay before you head up."
"Thank you... If you don't mind me asking, are you feeling alright? You look a bit pale."
Looking at his face as he returned, his color was definitely off. I wondered if he should rest or at least sit down, but he simply laughed.
"I’m an old man, as you can see. At this age, it’s normal to have a few parts failing."
"That may be true, but..."
"I’m not pushing myself, so don’t you worry," he said. Then, as if struck by a thought, he fell silent for a moment. "...If you’re truly worried about an old man's health, would you mind if I asked you a favor?"
"That depends on the request."
"I’m asking because I trust your skill—seeing as you can reach Kormi Village and return so easily—and because you’re kind enough to worry about an old man. Tell me, lad, do you plan to keep traveling back and forth between Kormi Village and the outside world?"
"Yes. I don’t know how often yet, but I plan to make the trip as regularly as possible."
"Then that’s perfect. Here’s the deal: if I die someday, would you carry my corpse back to Kormi Village? Afterward, you can bury me properly, or just toss me aside and let the monsters have a snack. I don’t care which."
I was momentarily taken aback by how casually he spoke of his own demise. When I asked why, he explained that the one lingering regret of his life was the goal he had held during his years as an adventurer: catching one last glimpse of the hometown the forest had swallowed up. Ironically, it was the same reason I had sought out Kormi Village.
"I think I mentioned it before, but I’m originally from a village further past Kormi. I was just a brat who didn't even understand what it meant to 'abandon the village' at the time, so it’s not like I have some deep sentimental attachment to the place itself... But after my parents took me and we moved to Kormi, then moved to another town when that got dangerous... well, I’ve lived a drifting life since I was a kid. I never had a place that felt like a true hometown like other folks do. I guess I grew to yearn for one without even realizing it."
Sitting down and puffing on his pipe, Old Man Stem spoke in quiet, measured tones. He hadn't aimed for his hometown from the start; he had become an adventurer simply to survive. However, as the years passed, his focus had narrowed toward that village deep within the Sea of Trees.
"Truth be told, I couldn't adapt to this forest the way you have. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make it past the frontline. I can't even try anymore, and I figured as long as I was inside the Sea of Trees, that was close enough to home. But if there’s someone who can put my body near my home village, I think I could pass on with a lighter heart."
If that was the case, I considered that I could possibly transport him to Kormi Village using Space Magic while he was still alive, but Old Man Stem shook his head firmly.
"When you work in this forest for as long as I have, you learn the code: 'Never go further than where you can return from on your own,' and 'Never take someone who can't return on their own.' There are plenty of fools who want to move forward by hitching a ride, but the Sea of Trees isn't soft enough to let you carry dead weight. I may be retired, but I was an adventurer of this forest once. I have no intention of becoming a burden."
"...I apologize for suggesting something so disrespectful. Please forget it."
"Don't worry about it; it's just my own stubbornness. It’s common sense to me, though it’s not exactly a rule. Sometimes veterans will take a promising newcomer under their wing, though whether they come back is another story. Besides, it would be easy for you, wouldn't it, lad?"
"If it’s only as far as Kormi Village, and assuming you're willing to stay inside my Dimension Home."
"Then there's nothing wrong with that. You simply judged what you could do and made a proposal based on your own limits."
Our strengths and perceptions were worlds apart. He simply laughed, acknowledging the gap between us.
"Besides, it's not like I'm going to kick the bucket this very second. I can't go on adventures like I used to, but running a tavern here is plenty profitable. I can buy expensive medicines that only nobles could afford on the outside, and I can see a doctor. I'll die when I die, but until then, I'll live as I please and in relative luxury."
He planned to ask a mage capable of Ice Magic to freeze his body once he passed. Afterward, he would have it kept in a Cold Box meant for monster materials until I visited again to take him to Kormi Village.
If the people he left behind didn't follow his request, he claimed that was a matter of his own lack of character. If I didn't arrive in time, that was simply fate. He was consistent in his detachment from his own remains, but if he was satisfied with that, I had nothing more to say.
"If that will resolve your lingering regrets, then I will accept the task."
"That answer is enough for me. It might not be much of a fee, but this drink and tonight's stay are on the house. Get some good rest."
With those words, Old Man Stem stood up and returned to his work. Continuing to labor until the very end in a forest where life was cheap seemed to be his own version of preparing for the end.
The next day.
"Thank you for everything."
"Yeah, take care out there. Don't you go dying before I do."
I bid farewell to Old Man Stem—who made a grim joke perfectly suited to the local environment—and left the base. It was pouring rain in the middle of a heavy squall, but that mattered little to me since I could use Space Magic.
I quickly escaped the Sea of Trees by repeatedly using teleportation and began my journey home. This time, however, I didn't head directly for the town of Gimul. I took a slight detour toward Lenaf, using a method of travel I hadn't tried before.
"Dimension Home."
From within the space, I summoned the Mimic Slime disguised as a Take Ostrich. Then, from my Item Box, I pulled out the custom Take Ostrich saddle I had ordered through the Duchess's connections.
The saddle was a high-quality piece where the seat and handles were integrated, similar to a western saddle. Since it was crafted by a master artisan recommended by Madam Elise herself, it fit the Mimic Slime's body perfectly. The slime didn't seem to feel any restriction, and the seat was remarkably comfortable.
"Alright, let's start with a light walk."
"Kee!"
I gripped the handles and gave the command. The Mimic Slime began to stride forward slowly on its ostrich legs.
"Yeah, this feels good."
Step by step, we moved forward at a rhythmic pace. Without the dense obstructions of the Sea of Trees, the slime's stride was wide and efficient. It already felt faster than an adult's walking pace, likely moving at the speed of a steady run. This was while its legs were barely working.
"A bit faster."
The moment I gave the word, the speed surged. I already knew the power and speed of a Take Ostrich from personal experience, but I reminded myself to be careful; its performance was incredibly sharp, like a high-performance motorcycle.
However, if it could traverse the rough terrain of the Sea of Trees and maintain this pace for long periods, it was an unparalleled mount. Thanks to the saddle, the risk of being thrown off was much lower, giving me a much-needed sense of stability.
Once I grew more accustomed to this, I would eventually be able to draw out the full potential of the Take Ostrich the Mimic Slime was imitating.
With my heart racing at this new use for my slimes, I rode down the highway, taking care not to bother other travelers. Remarkably, I reached the town of Lenaf by late that night.
Last time, it had taken about three days to reach Gimul using teleportation magic. Although Lenaf was somewhat closer, I hadn't expected to arrive in a single day.
"You may pass. It’s late, so find an inn quickly," the gatekeeper said.
"Thank you very much."
Accompanied by the concerned words of the guard, I passed through the gate and headed for the Saionji Company. I had already contacted them before leaving the Sea of Trees to let them know I would stop by on my way back. They had replied that staff would be on standby, but I worried it might be too late.
All the shops in the shopping district were closed as I approached. According to the letter, there was a contact entrance in the alley. I found it quickly—a single door with a light outside and a small window glowing from within.
I approached quietly and knocked. I heard movement on the other side, and the small window slid open.
"Who goes there?"
"I apologize for the late hour. My name is Ryoma Takebayashi."
Before I could even finish, I heard the hurried sound of a bolt being drawn, and the door swung open.
"We’ve been waiting for you! I received word from the Chairman. Please, come inside."
I sent the Mimic Slime back into the Dimension Home and stepped inside alone. The area was a spacious dirt-floor foyer, but I didn't have to wait long.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
To my surprise, Chairman Pioro was standing there, his posture commanding and full of energy.
"Wow, that was fast! I wasn't waiting at all. If anything, I’m the one who kept you waiting by arriving so late."
"I don't give a damn about the hour! More importantly, Ryoma, where's the cargo?"
"I have plenty stored in my Space Magic."
"How long since you harvested it?"
"Four days for the oldest items."
"Alright! Everyone! The top-tier goods have arrived! Freshness is everything! Wake up everyone who's sleeping!"
"OOOHHH!"
Since it was nighttime, there were only five or six people around, including security. Their volume was restrained, but the intensity they radiated was tremendous. As one staff member ran to the back of the shop, the atmosphere became frantic. I felt slightly guilty as I realized I was the cause of everyone being dragged out of bed.
"Now, Ryoma, this way. Start pulling out those Sea of Trees ingredients one after another."
Led by Pioro, who made no effort to hide his excitement, we moved to the front of the Saionji Company Warehouse.
In a large hall filled with aged desks, I began unloading the ingredients. The staff collected and displayed them, performing quality checks and assessments before moving the items to the warehouse or processing areas.
Once I had finished unloading, I was guided to a reception room.
"Sorry for making you work so soon after your journey. When I heard we were getting a massive amount of ingredients from the deep Sea of Trees, I got a bit too fired up."
"Since we’re dealing with food, it’s only natural to worry about freshness. More importantly, was everything alright?"
"Of course! You took care of the storage with slimes and magic, didn't you? If I’d asked a normal adventurer, things would have been handled much more roughly. In the first place, ingredients from the deep forest are so hard to harvest that they hardly circulate at all. This time, Ryoma, what you brought—monster meat, piles of fruit, spices... No matter how you look at the variety, quantity, or freshness, it's all top-tier! It’ll take some time for the final assessment because of the volume and rarity, but I’ll make sure you won't lose out!"
That was a relief. I knew there shouldn't be a problem, but having it confirmed by a professional finally took the weight off my shoulders.
"In that case, would you be willing to continue taking ingredients from the Sea of Trees off my hands? I intended to bring them to the Ducal House, but it seems that doing it too frequently causes political headaches for them."
"It’s a bad look if it seems like the Ducal House is monopolizing luxury items, right? Regardless of whether it’s food, the fact that a noble can obtain rare goods is a way to demonstrate their connections and authority. People who want a piece of the action for economic or social reasons will come swarming in. But if you put a moderate amount into the market, it becomes a problem that can be solved with money. It gives everyone an equal opportunity. In other words, it’s no longer a monopoly."
"As expected, you truly understand how the nobility works. I only checked with them because my secretary, Eleanora, suggested it."
"Normally, your instincts are right. You eat good food, share it with friends, and enjoy the taste. That’s how it should be. But for a noble, every action is assigned a value, and they stop being able to purely enjoy a meal. ...Of course, I’m the one who lines my pockets by exploiting that very side of high society!"
Pioro's energy was still high, and he grinned with overflowing motivation.
For my part, if Pioro made a profit by me providing these ingredients, a large sum of money would also flow into my pockets. And as business owners, we would eventually pay taxes, which meant that in the long run, the Ducal House's coffers would be enriched—it was a virtuous cycle.
Since we were business owners, we had employees. The money we earned would flow to them as wages, and as their financial situations improved, they would spend more in town. The entire economy of the Jamil Duchy would be stimulated, ultimately benefiting the Duke as the ruler.
Individually, my transactions might seem small, but the accumulation of micro-economic activities is what creates the macro-economy. I hoped this arrangement would reduce the Ducal House's troubles while providing future benefits for everyone.
As the conversation reached a natural stopping point, my tension finally relaxed, and a wave of sleepiness washed over me. Pioro was not the kind of man to miss such a change.
"Sorry, sorry. You delivered the goods in a huge hurry for me. Let's call it a night."
I was shown to a guest room in the Saionji Company and immediately surrendered myself to sleep.