Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 153

“I didn’t expect you to come so soon after yesterday…”

The day after I finished collecting the Aromashrooms, I was at Klaus’ house.

“When you said you had a favor to ask, it made me curious.”

From his tone, I could tell that it wasn’t urgent, but when someone says something like that, it’s only natural to be curious.

I’m not the type to pile up tasks.

When I have things like that, I can’t help but think about them while doing other things.

“Well, it’s not a bad thing to be early. Come in.”

Klaus said as he poured tea from a prepared teapot.

If that’s the case, I don’t think he needed to say something like, “You’re here already, you lazy bum.” But, understanding that this is Klaus’ tsundere way, I didn’t press the issue.

“What’s with that annoyed expression? I feel like I was interpreted in a very unpleasant way.”

“I didn’t say anything, and I don’t think that at all.”

How did he know? Could he tell from my expression?

Klaus is sharp in strange ways.

“Hmm? This isn’t your usual herbal tea.”

The tea Klaus made was not the usual deep green herbal tea, but a very light green tea. It didn’t have the distinctive sharp smell or grassy taste.

“It’s tea made from Fu leaves.”

“Is this plant from around here?”

“It was sent by my family. I don’t know beyond that.”

I see. No wonder I had no clue about it at all.

Though I don’t know every detail around here, I’ve never even seen this material circulating before.

I try the Fu tea leaves that Klaus had given me.

Refreshing scent of Fu leaves. As I swallow, a cool sensation pierces through my throat.

“Oh, this is delicious.”

It has a unique flavor and taste unlike herbal tea, green tea, or barley tea.

It might be a taste that divides people’s preferences, but I quite like it.

“I see. Then, I’ll give this to you.”

“Really? Is it okay? Wasn’t it sent with concern from Nelge and the others?”

“…There’s too much of it. I can’t finish it all by myself.”

Klaus points to where five bulging leather bags are lined up.

As I peek inside involuntarily, I see the bags filled to the brim with dried leaves.

【Dried Fu Leaves – High Quality】

Dried leaves of the Fu tree growing around Lindblum.

They have a slightly unique taste with little bitterness and a refreshing sensation.

They have blood purification, hematopoietic, and antioxidant effects, making them very beneficial for the body.

People with weak stomachs should be careful when consuming.
There is no immediate effect, and if you continue using it for a long period of time, you can expect your condition to improve.

Certainly, it’s very beneficial for the body, but I doubt I can consume this much.

I feel like it would spoil or become unusable from humidity before I finish drinking it all.

“Can I take two bags?”

“Yeah, no problem. In fact, take more if you want.”

Even though he says that, I can’t help but think about the concern Nelge and Solange have for Klaus, making it hard to accept.

“Why not give them out as a service to the customers who buy medicine?”

“…I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll try it later.”

Although it’s impossible for Klaus to consume all of them, by doing this, it indirectly benefits Klaus, so this kind of consumption is acceptable.

Klaus’ pharmacy is also favored by elderly people in the neighborhood, so they might appreciate it.

“So, what is it you want to ask?”

Once the discussion about Fu tea settles, I ask about the main topic.

“I would like to ask you for a collection request.”

“It’s a difficult material for you to request properly like this, isn’t it?”
Klaus trusts my collecting skills. If it weren’t for a material so difficult, he wouldn’t explain it so formally.

“Of course, it’s difficult, but above all, it’s dangerous.”

“What kind of material is it then?”

I hold my breath at Klaus’s serious demeanor.

“I need toxic materials. Preferably a variety of high-quality ones.”

“Toxic materials, meaning materials with poison, right?”

“Yes.”

Klaus nods firmly at my question.

When it comes to toxic materials, examples include poison glands in plants or insects, or venomous fangs in snakes. They have a significant impact on the human body and are very dangerous.

“Toxic materials, huh… We don’t see much of those around Grantel.”

“That’s right. If you’re actually going to collect them, the Terra Phios Marshes to the south of Grantel would be ideal. There, you’ll find many plants and monsters with toxic properties.”

Klaus spread out the map and pointed to a location south of Grantel.

“I didn’t realize it was such a dangerous place.”

I knew there was a vast wetland in the south, but I hadn’t realized it was so hazardous.

It would probably take about a week by carriage. Not too far from the Ladeo Volcano.

“Why exactly do you need toxic materials?”

“I’m an apothecary. It’s only natural for me to study poison to make antidotes, isn’t it? Besides, poison can also be used as medicine, depending on how it’s used.”

“I see, that makes sense.”

I wondered what Klaus intended to do with such dangerous materials, but his usual demeanor reassured me.

“Do you have specific materials in mind?”

It’s easier to search for a specific material when it’s named rather than being asked for a variety.

“I need the poison sac of the Swamp Toad, Dokudoku Mushrooms, the poisonous thorns of the Tarantos, the poison needles of the Caicedor, the venomous fangs of the Eos… I want materials like these.”

I’ve never heard of any of those, and just hearing about them makes me uneasy.

“Hmm, that includes monster materials, right? I don’t collect from monsters much though.”
I don’t really like subjugating monsters and collecting materials.

I just want to gather materials at my own pace.

When I express this sentiment, Klaus looks at me with a face of incomprehension.

“…You’ve defeated a Red Dragon, Dvorak, and Kraken, collected their materials, and yet you’re saying this?”

“Well, it’s not like I intentionally went after them. They just happened to pick a fight with me.”

I just want to gather materials leisurely, but I always end up getting into trouble. I’m definitely not deliberately hunting monsters.

Well, I do collect materials from monsters, so it’s not like I’m avoiding them.

Ideally, I just prefer gathering in a safer style.

“…Are you afraid because it’s toxic materials? For someone who claims to be a gatherer, you’re surprisingly timid. Is that the extent of your love for materials?”

“Alright! I’ll do it! Even if it’s materials found in monsters, they’re still materials. Since Klaus insists, I’ll go gather them for you!”

I know it’s a feeble provocation, but Klaus’s words get under my skin.

Being criticized like that, I can’t just back down as a gatherer.

What kind of dangerous and toxic materials are there? What about unknown places and monsters?

I came to this world seeking such experiences. As Klaus says, if I run away from them, I’ll tarnish the name of a gatherer. I can’t back down.

“As expected of the top gatherer in Grantel. Don’t disappoint my expectations, alright?”

When I declare that I’ll take on the challenge, Klaus smiles smugly.