Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 120

Having been requested by Carlisle, I returned to Grantel and headed straight for Drogan’s workshop.

The reason for suddenly visiting the workshop is because I heard there’s a dwarf settlement called Eld near the Ladeo Volcano, where many dwarves reside.

Since I heard from Carlisle that Drogan’s hometown is there, I thought I might obtain valuable information about the Radio Volcano.

As usual, when I entered the workshop, Rosca was attending to adventurers.

There was no sign of Drogan in the display space. Perhaps he’s in the forge or in the back room.

Maybe he’s gone to some gathering at a bad time again.

I wanted to ask Rosca if Drogan was around, but she’s busy right now, so I’ll just browse the weapons without bothering her.

There used to be many rugged weapons and armor here, but since Rosca became involved as a decorator, there are now many items that are also mindful of appearance.

As a result, some items have slightly higher prices, but it seems like there are still rugged ones left for those with empty pockets. It shows consideration for the clientele.

“What’s up? What brings you here today?”

As I gaze at the weapons thoughtfully, Drogan suddenly pops up from somewhere.

It seems he was out fetching water, judging by the bucket in his hand.

While there’s an image of him being holed up in the workshop, he’s the type to handle his own business when Rosca is busy.

Or rather, he probably didn’t expect me to come in and buy weapons. Well, I’m a gatherer and I primarily fight with magic, so I don’t buy them.

“I came today to ask Drogan about the Ladeo Volcano.”

“…Why ask me?”

“Carlisle-sama informed me that Drogan-san is from Eld.”

“I see, judging by that, were you perhaps requested by the lord?”

“What’s this, what’s this, Shuu-san! Is it a request from the lord!?”

Seems like Rosca finished attending to customers and comes over to us.

Even while attending to the customers, she seems to have listened carefully to our conversation. The hearing of beastkin is truly formidable.

“Yes, it’s for gathering Volkanos eggs.”

“Once again, you’ve been thrown a difficult task.”

Drogan wears a troubled expression.

“Is it really that difficult?”

“Of course. It’s not just about harvesting the eggs without defeating the Volkanos; the natural environment of the Ladeo Volcano is more of an enemy than anything. Harsh temperatures permeated with heat, magma swallowing everything. The creatures nesting there are of worse quality than those found elsewhere.”

He must have been there himself. Drogan’s words carried a sense of reality.

“But, in return, the materials you can gather are excellent. Being a volcanic region, there’s abundant ore, and there are things that can only be obtained there. The materials from the creatures are sturdy, with strong resistance to heat. Adventurers with no regard for their lives dream of striking it rich there.”

There are materials that can only be obtained there, despite the danger.

As long as those are available, there’s meaning for me to go gathering.

“I see. Then, we’ll need mining tools, won’t we?”

“For you to say this much without flinching, you must be quite the daredevil yourself.”

“It’s for the sake of rare materials.”

Gathering various materials is my raison d’être. I won’t back down with just that level of threat.

“Well, if you’re prepared, that’s good. When are you heading to Eld?”

“Well, there’s no specific date set, but they’ve asked me to hurry as much as possible, so tomorrow.”

“Then that works out just fine. I’ll guide you.”

“Huh? Are you coming along too, Drogan?”

“Nah, it’s just a little homecoming for me. I won’t go as far as gathering.”

Rosca seemed surprised too, thinking Drogan would come for gathering.

“Boss! What about the shop and me?”

“The shop will close temporarily. You come along too. You’ve been saying you want to learn more about decorative techniques for a while now. Go to my acquaintance who does decorations.”

“Boss! You remembered! I’m so touched!”

“Enough already, don’t cling to me!”

Drogan brushed off Rosca, who clung to him in excitement, seeming irritated.

It seems he thinks about his apprentice after all.

Just going to a city with many dwarves would be a good chance for Rosca. If she can work there, she’ll surely have things to learn.

“In that case, how about this: the boss provides information and guides to Eld, and in return, Shuu ensures the safety along the way?”

“Oh, that sounds good.”

Rosca, who was pushed aside, proposed as if it were a great idea, and Drogan agreed to it.

“That works for me. It’s no loss on my part.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Whether Drogan and Rosca’s travel expenses will be accounted for as expenses is uncertain, but being able to travel with reliable individuals and receive information is not a bad deal by any means.

Even if it’s not accounted for, I intend to pay for it myself. But the lodging expenses will be separate.

Once you know the luxury of a high-end carriage, there’s no going back to cramped, overcrowded ones.

♦ ♦ ♦

According to Drogan, the heat of the Ladeo Volcano is even more severe than imagined, and it seems support from items and equipment is essential. Specifically, without them, it’s impossible to venture deep into the volcano.

While I can alleviate the heat using ice magic, it’s also wise to prepare with tools. So, I decided to stop by Lumia’s shop.

I know how amazing that item I used in Lindblum is. It provided unparalleled reassurance.

“I see. In that case, these items here are recommended.”

When I explained about heading to the Ladeo Volcano, Lumia lined up items for heat relief.

【Cooling Sheet】

A cooling sheet imbued with ice magic. When applied, it provides a cooling sensation for about half a day. It’s sometimes used as medical equipment. Caution: risk of frostbite.

【Spring Water Flask】

A stone imbued with water magic is installed inside the flask. By charging it with magic, water is continuously generated. It won’t increase beyond full capacity.

If the magic stone degrades, water won’t flow.

【Fire Repellent Ring】

Mitigates high-temperature attacks. If the tolerance limit is exceeded, the gemstone will shatter.

Upon appraisal, more detailed information emerges.

“The cooling sheet seems very promising.”

“Yes, if applied to areas like the neck and armpits, where many blood vessels are present, it can alleviate the heat. And if you happen to get burned, simply applying this can serve as first aid.”

After all, you can’t always rely on ice magic.

“It seems like it’d feel nice on the forehead.”

“Oh, it’s colder than you think, so applying it there could lead to frostbite.”

As I involuntarily recalled the cooling sheet, Lumia said with a wry smile,

“Could it be that you’ve tried using it before?”

“…Yes, I tried it out, thinking along the same lines as Shuu-san.”

Lumia seems to have a strong sense of reality, perhaps because she actually got a minor frostbite. I couldn’t help but imagine Lumia with a red forehead and chuckled a bit.

“If we mix in components that give a sense of coolness rather than just ice magic, it might be safe and easy to feel refreshed.”

I vaguely remember that the cooling sheets from my previous life were something like that.

Though I just casually muttered, Lumia showed strong interest.

“Huh!? Can I try making a prototype later!?”

“Oh, um, sure. Please do.”

While surprised by Lumia’s enthusiasm, I agreed, and she took a breath, jotting something down on her note. Apparently, she wasn’t so consumed by the idea that she’d forget herself and start making it immediately. Having common sense and rationality is a big difference between her and Saffy.

“As for this spring water flask, it generates water just by charging it with magic, right?”

“Yes, in tropical and arid regions, you quickly become thirsty, so items like this are quite useful. One thing to note is that it takes time for the flask to fill up.”

In harshly hot places, your body loses moisture quickly, making you crave water immediately.

I have a magic bag, so I can drink water anytime, anywhere, but it seems like an essential item to have, so I should keep it.

Plus, if I don’t have it, it might raise suspicions.

According to Lumia, it takes about two hours to fill this 500 milliliter flask.

Even though it fills up quickly, if I gulp it down, it’ll disappear in no time.

And lastly, there’s the ring with the red gemstone.

“How much heat can the fire repellent ring mitigate?”

“It should alleviate the heat from flames wielded by Rank C monsters about ten times.”

I wonder how much heat Rank C monsters’ flames actually generate. Would it be like a typical fireball from a mage?

Honestly, I’m not quite sure about the measurement.

“I’m sorry for the ambiguity. Since facing monsters in the Ladeo Volcano can be tough, I hope you’ll consider it a little reassurance.”

Perhaps she noticed my confusion, as Lumia looks apologetic.

“Yes, it’s an item just in case.”

You shouldn’t expect too much from anything. Even if you’re flesh and blood, there’s no relief from excess.

Considering these items as something that could lower the mortality rate in case of emergency is sufficient.

“These three items will be fifty gold coins in total. Will that be alright?”

“Please let me buy all of them. They all seem useful.”

“Thank you very much!”

Given their usefulness, the price is quite reasonable, but it’s negligible compared to the price of Red Dragon materials or the rewards for completing requests.

Since I’m not one to spend money extravagantly, I’ll just spend freely when it comes to things I like.

I pay the money and store the items in my magic bag.

Lumia knows about the magic bag too, so I don’t have to be concerned, which is convenient.

“It sounds great. The Ladeo Volcano must have many valuable materials. I wish I could go if my master were back.”

Her master, Saffy, hasn’t returned to Grantel yet. She seems to still be involved in investigating the underwater temple in Lindblum.

Of course, I can’t just take her disciple, Lumia, without permission. There’s also the management of the shop to consider.

Well, regardless, it seems like a harsh place, so I didn’t plan on taking her anyway.

“If there are good materials, I’ll bring them back.”

“Really!? If possible, bring back heat stones, magic iron, flame black sand, and Firebird feathers—”

“…Sorry, could you write that down on a note?”

I casually said it to make Lumia happy, but maybe I rushed things.

Since there might be things even more challenging than Volkanos’ eggs, I decided to emphasize that if I can gather them.