CH 12

Chapter 12: Illness

My happiness is at an all-time high these days.

At first, I was just content talking to her over the counter, but I’ve recently been blessed with so many opportunities to talk to Garnet-san in private.

Thanks to that, I’ve become able to speak with her so naturally.

It would be nice if we could keep deepening our friendship and I manage to invite her out someday.

I look forward to it.

I finished a quest like I usually do and got on the train to return to the capital by the afternoon.

“Dorami, can you wait here?” (Jade)

“Umu. I’ll let everyone hear about my adventure today!” (Dorami)

Before I realized it, rumors had been spreading about “a little girl who is adventuring with Jade”. The children in the square all began to gather around Dorami.

Dorami, who began talking about our adventures, while mixing in her own tales of bravery, is very popular with children.

I entered the guild after leaving Dorami, who seemed to be in a good mood because she was being respected by all the children.

While returning the adventurers’ greetings, I made my way to the 18th counter.

Garnet-san is beautiful today as well.

Whenever I see her, my heart pounds, and I would end up talking to her with a hoarse voice.

—Well, not anymore.

“Hello, I’m Jade. I’ve completed the quest.” (Jade)

In front of the girl I love, I didn’t lose composure.

I’ve really grown…

“Jade-sama, please wait a moment.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san responded with the same indifferent voice that she always had.

Just as I was mesmerized by her appearance—

“Cough—” (Garnet)

Garnet-san coughed.

“Cough… cough.” (Garnet)

She began coughing repeatedly!

And, she’s even holding her throat and frowning like she’s in pain!

“Excuse me. Please let me take a look at the magic stone. …Where is it?” (Garnet)

“Y-yes! Umm… Here’s the magic stone!” (Jade)

“This is a pebble.” (Garnet)

“I’m sorry, I made a mistake! Dorami picked up a lot, so please keep it! The magic stone is over here!” (Jade)

I don’t care about magic stones anymore! Are you coughing?! Are you not feeling well?!

What kind of illness is it? I want to ask about her condition in detail so I can prepare the best medicine possible…

“I’ve confirmed it. This is the cheque for the reward of 25 million Gol.” (Garnet)

“T-thank you!” (Jade)

I didn’t hear her clearly.

Garnet-san is working despite her illness. I can’t just interrupt her work by talking to her.

“I’ll get my next request at a later date…” (Jade)

“Cough. Understood.” (Garnet)

Is this the end of the world…?

I left the guild while being overwhelmed with anxiety.

Dorami, who was making tons of gestures while telling tales about her adventures, looked worried as soon as she saw me.

“You look like you’ve heard that the world is going to end.” (Dorami)

“Do I look like it?” (Jade)

“You do. Are you having a tough time?” (Dorami)

“I guess so…” (Jade)

I saw the woman I love suffering with my own eyes.

T/N: He’s talking like Dorami here, ending his sentence with -noda.

I’ve never experienced anything this painful before.

But the one who’s suffering the most right now is definitely Garnet-san.

Even if I’m hurting right now, her situation won’t improve.

I have to do everything I can to help free Garnet-san from her suffering!

“A miracle medicine—let’s get some medicine that can heal absolutely anything!” (Jade)

“Such a thing exists?” (Dorami)

“I don’t know. But, I’ll definitely obtain it! I can’t stand not doing anything when there’s someone suffering right in front of me!” (Jade)

“As expected of Jade-sama…”

“We need to learn from his example…”

There was a round of applause.

“Let’s hurry!” (Jade)

We moved away from the guild as Dorami nodded at my words.

I went home first to get money then put it in my rucksack.

I’ll get the medicine no matter what. I don’t know how much it’ll cost, so I decided to prepare 1 billion Gol for the time being.

“Do you really need that much money?” (Dorami)

“If Garnet-san gets completely cured with this, then it’s a small price to pay!” (Jade)

“Garnet is sick? That’s very worrying…” (Dorami)

“I know right! It’s super worrying! I’m super worried too! That’s why I need to do everything I can!” (Jade)

“Dorami will help too! After all, Garnet is my friend too!” (Dorami)

“Dorami…!” (Jade)

When did you become friends with Garnet-san?? I stopped at being her neighbor, though! —Well, I’m not actually jealous.

Right now, I’m just happy that Dorami is so honest with her feelings. 

Then, Dorami suddenly clapped her hands.

“Among the children who adore Dorami, there’s a kid whose parent uses recovery magic!” (Dorami)

“No, that won’t work. Recovery magic can only heal wounds.” (Jade)

Recovery magic can’t cure poison or paralysis.

Because of this, adventurers always bring a variety of medicines with them as a countermeasure against monsters that cause status ailments.

“Jade, you don’t have any medicine on you?” (Dorami)

“I carry antidotes and stomach medicine with me in case something happens to you, but I don’t have any medicine for myself.” (Jade)

“You’re too tough…” (Dorami)

“It’s a strong point of mine. Besides, the medicine I have is medicine to use against monsters. I’m going to consult with an apothecary about Garnet-san’s symptoms and have them make a special medicine for her.” (Jade)

The effectiveness of the medicine depends on the skill of the apothecary.

A first-class apothecary asks for a lot of money just to have one medicine prepared.

“This should be enough.” (Jade)

After packing 1 billion Gol in my rucksack, I leave home with Dorami.

I walked along the cobblestone road leading to the main street. Then, I moved to a small road and walked for a while.

I arrived at an apothecary that looks like it had quite a history to it.

“It doesn’t seem to be very prosperous.” (Dorami)

“But I can vouch for their skills. The only reason I’m alive today is because of their help with removing some poison.” (Jade)

“Jade, you’ve almost died before?” (Dorami)

“Yeah. Though, it was a while ago when I was still a four-petal class.” (Jade)

Up until three petals, the area around the capital is a pretty active place, so it’s relatively safe.

At four petals, the range of activities you can do will greatly expand and danger will always be present. It’s not uncommon to encounter dangerous monsters as you venture into an unknown area.

“When I was still a four-petal class, I was attacked by a basilisk. At that time, I was prepared to die.” (Jade)

A basilisk is a snake monster with deadly venom.

With just a scratch from its fangs, your flesh will be torn, and the venom will spread throughout your body. In around 10 seconds, your body will be deprived of freedom, and in around 30 seconds, you’d be dead.

On top of that, you can’t negate the basilisk’s venom with just commercially available antidotes.

“However, you’re still alive.” (Dorami)

“That’s because I drank an antidote right away. If I panicked, I would’ve died. The antidote’s effectiveness was outstanding, and I was able to move immediately.” (Jade)

I ran away with all my might and had a rematch with it when I became a seven-petal class. I had received a formal subjugation request from the guild and safely defeated it.

“Then, the apothecary here is also Dorami’s benefactor!” (Dorami)

“Why?” (Jade)

“Because if Dorami hadn’t met Jade, Dorami would’ve starved to death by now! I want to meet this person and thank them!” (Dorami)

Dorami rushed into the store and then—

“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” (Dorami)

She let out a scream that I was already very used to hearing.