CH 13

Chapter 13: Apothecary’s Granddaughter

“W-we need to run away quickly!” (Dorami)

The moment I entered the store, Dorami went up to me with a tearful expression.

There were bottles of various sizes inside the store.

The contents were a variety of grotesque things like brains, eyes, dead caterpillars, and dried animals.

“If we stay here, we’ll get chopped up into little pieces!” (Dorami)

“Don’t worry. All of these are ingredients used for medicine.” (Jade)

“T-these things can be used as ingredients for medicine?” (Dorami)

“Some monsters can be used as materials for medicine, and some rare ones are even traded at high prices.” (Jade)

“…Is Dorami also included in those monsters that can be used as medicine?” (Dorami)

“Well… Don’t worry about it. Dorami is protected by the country, after all.” (Jade)

“That’s a relief…” (Dorami)

Dorami let out a sigh of relief.

“Who are you~?” (???)

A young woman walked out from the back of the store.

She was a woman with a gentle appearance, which really matched her soft voice.

However, she was holding a saw knife and her apron was stained red with blood.

“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!” (Dorami)

Dorami’s legs gave out.

Even though I tried so hard to comfort her…

“Ara~ Ojou-chan, where did you wander in from~?” (???)

T/N: Ojou-chan: little girl, little miss, etc. Can’t think of a good substitute in this context.

“D-d-d-don’t come over here! Y-you’re dangerous!” (Dorami)

“Ah, I’m sorry. Onee-chan here was just dismantling a magic beast~ Wanna see?” (???)

Dorami shook her head with vigor, got an all fours, then hid behind me.

The woman looked at the shuddering Dorami, then at me, and her eyes widened.

“Jade-san, is that you? It’s been a long time~ Do you still remember me?” (???)

“It’s Surin-san, isn’t it? Ku-san’s granddaughter.” (Jade)

“Waa~ You actually remembered me!” (Surin)

“It’s because Ku-san left quite the impression on me when she was preaching about making medicine.” (Jade)

“Grandma is a pretty strict person. Even now, I can still hear her yelling in my ears.” (Surin)

“I don’t see her anywhere. I came here because I had business with Ku-san but…” (Jade)

“Grandma has already retired~” (Surin)

“Eh? She’s retired? Then where is she…?” (Jade)

“She went back to the countryside~” (Surin)

Is returning to the countryside some sort of trend these days?

“That’s troubling… I wanted to ask Ku-san to mix me some medicine.” (Jade)

“Don’t worry~ I can synthesize almost any medicine.” (Surin)

It’s different from what I had planned, but Surin-san is Ku-san’s granddaughter and disciple.

If she trained daily under a first-class apothecary, she should also be able to make the miracle drug!

“Please, please help me release her from her suffering!” (Jade)

“Leave it to me~!” (Surin)

Surin-san tapped her big chest and stared at Dorami.

Being stared at by a blood-clad woman with a knife in her hand, Dorami couldn’t help but tremble in fear.

“Is one of the symptoms paralysis?” (Surin)

“No, I think she’s just trembling because she’s scared. Actually, she isn’t the one that needs medicine. It’s an acquaintance of mine.” (Jade)

“What are the symptoms?” (Surin)

“Coughing…” (Jade)

“A cough, huh?” (Surin)

“Umm, she’s also holding her throat like she’s suffering and is frowning in pain…” (Jade)

My voice stopped.

When I remember Garnet-san coughing, my heart hurts.

“If that’s the case, then please take some cough medicine from the shelf over there~” (Surin)

“Is it some miracle medicine?!” (Jade)

“No, it’s just normal commercial medicine~” (Surin)

“Just regular medicine isn’t enough! It’s not a regular cough!” (Jade)

“Was she vomiting blood or something?” (Surin)

“She wasn’t but… She was coughing pretty badly!” (Jade)

“…Is that it?” (Surin)

“From what I saw, yeah.” (Jade)

“If that’s the case, there’s no need for medicine~” (Surin)

“B-but that’s…! Please, can’t you do anything about it?!” (Jade)

“I feel like there’s really no need for me to do anything though~” (Surin)

“Please, I’ll do anything! Please release her from her suffering!” (Jade)

“Well, if you’re going that far… I’ll do what I can.” (Surin)

“Thank you so much!” (Jade)

“It’s nothing~ So, are there any symptoms other than coughing?” (Surin)

“She looked kind of down.” (Jade)

“So you need medicine that stops coughing and makes you feel better. Well then, let’s mix it right away~” (Surin)

A-amazing. As expected of a granddaughter of a first-class apothecary.

Even though she’s about to create a miracle medicine, she doesn’t feel any pressure.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please tell me!” (Jade)

“Dorami will help too!” (Dorami)

She must want to do something for Garnet-san too.

Dorami stood up and spoke but her trembling hadn’t subsided.

“Thank you~ Then, Dorami-chan, can you bring me that big bottle over there?” (Surin)

“Which one?” (Dorami)

“It’s the big bottle with eyeballs behind you~” (Surin)

“Hiii?! I-is this what you’re going to use?” (Dorami)

“It’s creamy and easy to drink. And, can you also pick up the small bottle next to it?” (Surin)

“Red liquid… Is this tomato juice?” (Dorami)

“It’s dragon’s blood~” (Surin)

“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” (Dorami)

“W-what’s wrong?”

“Sorry, Dorami doesn’t really like blood.” (Jade)

“It’s scary! Or more like, everything in this shop is too terrifying!” (Dorami)

Dorami looks like she’s about to cry.

If she keeps yelling, it might get in the way of Surin-san’s work. Maybe I should wait outside with Dorami.

After handing over the eyeballs and the bottle of blood to Surin-san, we head outside.

“I was able to complete it~” (Surin)

The sun had already gone down and the streets were only illuminated by the moon and streetlights, Surin-san came out holding a small bottle.

It’s the miracle medicine.

Hooray! With this, I can save Garnet-san!

“As you requested, this medicine will stop coughs and make you full of energy~” (Surin)

“Thank you so much! How much does it cost?” (Jade)

“30,000 Gol~” (Surin)

“30,000 Gol?!” (Jade)

“If it’s just normal medicine from the shelf, it’d be 2000 Gol at most. It’s expensive because I used rare materials~” (Surin)

“It’s not expensive at all!” (Jade)

After paying, I thanked Surin-san and left with Dorami.

I followed the road lit by streetlights to my house.

“Are you going to deliver it to Garnet’s house?” (Dorami)

“I want her to drink it right away. Even if she’s not at home, I’ll just wait outside until she returns.” (Jade)

“Outside? Weren’t you worried the other day if you’d be seen as a suspicious person?” (Dorami)

“This and that are different.” (Jade)

Garnet-san’s treatment should be prioritized.

I don’t care what she ends up thinking of me.

When I got to her door and knocked twice, Garnet-san came out.

Thank god, she’s alive…

“Please take this!” (Jade)

“What is it?” (Garnet)

“It’s a miracle cure for coughs and fatigue!” (Jade)

“Why are you giving this to me?” (Garnet)

“Garnet-san looked sick back at the counter! Now, please drink it before it’s too late!” (Jade)

“Drink up!” (Dorami)

“I don’t need it. I’m already better.” (Garnet)

“You’re already better… Did you use some miracle medicine?” (Jade)

“No. It just went away on its own. It was just a small fishbone that got stuck in my throat.” (Garnet)

I-is that so?

I thought she had some sort of serious illness…

“I didn’t think that you’d be worried.” (Garnet)

“Of course I am! After all, Garnet-san is important to…!” (Jade)

“Important to?” (Garnet)

“Important to… The guild! An important receptionist to the guild!” (Jade)

That was close.

I nearly confessed to her.

It’d be weird if I handed her medicine and then confessed.

The confession should be done in a proper situation and it’s only done after you get to know each other better.

…I don’t know when that day will come, though.

“There are a lot of other receptionists.” (Garnet)

“Garnet-san is special… because you’re a very nice receptionist! For example, Garnet-san gave a bouquet to the old man at the stereo you frequent!” (Jade)

“I see. By the way, can I still have that medicine?” (Garnet)

“A-are you still feeling unwell?!” (Jade)

“No, but my flowers are.” (Garnet)

Flowers?

…Aaah, Garnet-san was growing flowers.

I don’t know if it’ll work on flowers, but I guess it’s worth a try.

“Go ahead!” (Jade)

“Then, I’ll use it right away. Do you also want to take a look?” (Garnet)

“Eh?! Is that okay?!” (Jade)

“You’re a bit too surprised.” (Garnet)

Of course, I’d be surprised!

I was invited to the house of the girl I love!

B-but I have to act cool.

If I grin too much, I’ll get suspicious.

“S-sorry for the disturbance…” (Jade)

“I will be disturbing you~!” (Dorami)

We went into Garnet-san’s house.

It seems that her bedroom is on the second floor. The first floor is a living space with a beautifully polished floor, a wooden dining table, a work shelf for handicrafts, a fireplace, and so on.

Awesome! It’s Garnet-san’s house!

Does she always eat at that table?

I would be happy if we could eat together in this room someday.

“It’s wilted…” (Dorami)

Dorami said.

Flowerpots were lined up by the window but one of them—a white flower—was wilting.

“Let’s heal it quickly!” (Dorami)

“Right. I hope the medicine works…” (Jade)

While we were watching, Garnet-san poured the contents of the small bottle into the soil.

The medicine seeped into it and—

The wilted petals were suddenly invigorated.

“Wow! It revived!” (Jade)

“As expected of the miracle medicine!” (Dorami)

“It worked really well.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san was smiling next to us who were cheering.

Thank you, Surin-san!

Thanks to you, I was able to see Garnet-san’s happy face!

“The flower was saved thanks to you two.” (Garnet)

“It was no trouble!” (Jade)

“It’s great that we were able to help! …I’m a bit hungry now after all that yelling.” (Dorami)

“I was about to go out and eat.” (Garnet)

“Are there any other shops that you other shops that you frequent?” (Jade)

“I’ve been going to various places to try and find one. Do you want to come with me?” (Garnet)

“We will! Is it really alright?!” (Jade)

“There’s no reason not to.” (Garnet)

I did it! I did it…! Garnet-san invited me to dinner.

“Why are you grinning so much?” (Garnet)

“I was actually really hungry!” (Jade)

I was able to have a meal with Garnet-san at a restaurant and I continued to grin even after the meal was over.