Chapter 184: Questions and Consultations
“You won’t have any tea if you don’t start a fire. Did something happen?”
Since the temperature had risen quite a bit, we weren’t using the fireplace in the room. If we wanted to make tea or do anything else, we would likely use the fireplace or stove in the shared space downstairs. Retze’s fireplace was clean and well-kept.
“I want to ask you something. Was Reed acting strange?”
I thought about how I needed to clean up too while I asked what was on my mind.
“Ah… yesterday, he was with Dinoss. He was acting strange, but I heard from Chris that it might be due to the influence of the Unicorn Spirit. I can’t see it myself, so I can’t say for sure, but Reed seemed normal otherwise.”
Well, he was acting strange towards Uma too, you know?
The appearance of a spirit influences its nature. — Or is it the other way around? Does the nature of the spirit influence its appearance? I’m not sure, but it’s normal for the Rose Spirit to wear a rose dress. Spirits of light, darkness, and wind—those without a form in the Material Realm reflect the appearance of things they are interested in.
It’s a mystery whether they are influenced because they reflect what they are interested in, or if they are already influenced at the moment they take an interest. It’s said that spirits often take on human forms when appearing before humans, especially flower spirits, which frequently take on the appearance of those who admire flowers.
So, if the Unicorn Spirit properly takes on the form of a unicorn, I can understand how its nature would be influenced. But since it has a horse head, that’s a different story. If it took on the form of a unicorn, it would be closer to unicorns or horses than to humans.
There are spirits like Dinoss’s Fire Spirit (Dragon), so I can’t say it’s impossible. — Rishu? Rishu is our watchdog.
I read in a book at the library that mixed appearances often have no malice but tend to play tricks on humans. What about that mix of horse and human?
When I saw it, it had a cheerful appearance, and it didn’t seem bad. Reed’s mysterious trust in Uma might be due to the spirit’s influence, but it didn’t feel unpleasant.
“When Reed was dealing with Tina, how did he compare to Dean just before I met him?”
I had only met Dean once, and at that time, Tina hadn’t come up at all.
“…He seemed similar to how he is with his sister, I think. I was influenced too, so I can’t say for sure.”
Retze frowned, looking uncomfortable.
“…”
“…”
We fell into a somewhat awkward silence.
“Damn it. This feels bad.”
Retze scratched his head roughly and spat out his frustration.
I hesitated to ask Dean, thinking it might stir up old issues, so I turned to Retze, who seemed to have a longer acquaintance with him. But if Dean was friends with an adventurer, he must have met Reed’s sister.
“I avoided Reed, so I haven’t seen him in action. For now, let’s just wait for him to come back.”
“Don’t go doing anything reckless alone. Tina’s parents are both Gold Rank, and Chris is Silver Rank.”
“Right.”
Now that I think about it, that’s true.
While we waited for him to return, I thought about consulting Retze. Should I just throw it out there? How should I approach the conversation?
“Let’s go drink downstairs. If I eat alone, they’ll resent me, and I think Dean bought some good alcohol.”
Retze lifted the basket I had brought.
“That’s fine, but the place downstairs was kind of busy with water activities. Also, I want to search for some adult magazines in this room.”
I read in a manga that it’s customary to do that at a friend’s house.
“Don’t do that.”
I muttered, realizing Dean was the one who left the door unlocked while being completely naked, and Retze pulled out a booklet from beside his pillow.
“Adult magazines?”
“No. I thought you might be interested in this kind of stuff.”
When I flipped through it, I found information on types of insect-repelling herbs, as well as plants that attract specific insects, along with methods for handling them and precautions.
“I get the insect-repelling part, but why attract them?”
“Mostly to lure out the demon beasts that prey on those insects. Conversely, if you scatter those insects, the demon beasts might not show up at all. Insect repellent isn’t just for avoiding bites!”
“Really?”
I wondered if my thoughts were showing on my face. I had only been looking into insect repellent cream for when I go into the forest.
I tend to find things during Exploration, but many demon beasts hide by camouflaging themselves, especially the smaller ones. Sometimes, those that can be used as medicinal ingredients are mixed in, and it seems there are occasional requests from the Apothecary Guild to the Adventurer’s Guild for collection.
I felt like I had been distracted from the existence of adult magazines, but I was indeed curious. However, due to the damage caused by mosquitoes, gnats, and leeches right after my teleportation, I didn’t feel like gathering them even for hunting purposes.
“Can I tag along on your next hunt? Also, if it rains, could you help me assemble some furniture?”
“You know my hunting style is pretty low-key, right? I don’t mind helping, but it doesn’t rain much this season.”
Ah, that’s right. Unlike Japan, there’s no rainy season here. Kanum gets more rain than my house or Naruadeid, but it will be sparse until winter.
The forest is cooler than home, so I feel more inclined to go hunting. My plan to ask for help might fall through.
“I don’t have any plans for expeditions this year, and there are fewer requests in summer, so I can help out every three days or so. With some drinks and snacks.”
I felt like he read my expression again, but I had secured some labor!