Chapter 657: Family Service
Today, we’re diving back into a card game after a long time.
It’s the start of a rather dubious gathering. The usual faces are Dinoss, the Butler, and Retze. Haulon is busy this time and is taking the day off.
Before we start the game, I take a moment to enjoy the coffee the Butler brewed and nibble on the tea snacks I brought while engaging in conversation.
“Hey, is it alright if we push back the talk about the Labyrinth?” Dinoss asks.
“That’s fine, but is something up?”
“We can enter the Labyrinth again, but it’s super crowded right now! If we go down to the lower levels, it’ll be less packed, but…” Dinoss trails off, gazing upward as if picturing the scene.
“There’s a line of people waiting to go down?” Retze stops reaching for the nuts and asks back.
Ah, he must be talking about that iron wedge area. It’s a narrow spot where only one person can pass at a time, and if you take it slow, it’s definitely going to get congested. It’s like a ridge near the summit of Everest.
“My wife and kids went to check it out, but they gave up and came back,” Dinoss sighs.
Today was supposed to be a game tournament while Shiva and the kids were out. Dad, you know, it’s a bit embarrassing to be having so much fun while they’re away. I should bring back a basket of snacks for them. Use it to win over Shiva and the kids.
“I want to avoid dark, damp places for a while; it feels too stifling,” Dinoss adds.
The Land of Ruin felt just like that. It was damp and dark, and even though we were supposed to be outside, there was this suffocating atmosphere.
The Labyrinth is dark and moist, with many physically cramped areas. It’s similar in that regard.
“Isn’t the Demon Forest supposed to have some good herbs sprouting around next month? They’re not delicious or anything, but there are fruits that can only be harvested during that time,” Retze had mentioned something like that.
“Yeah, that’s right. But those herbs aren’t exactly high-frequency materials for potions. We should have enough stock, so it’s fine to pass on it,” Retze says while munching on a nut.
“Seasonal fruits are important,” I chime in. I want to try things I’ve never eaten before.
“I’d like to take the kids to gather those herbs,” Dinoss says.
Fruits are important too!!!
Adventurers often have a lot of requests for gathering materials, especially herbs, which can be quite mundane. Even without requests, they gather and sell what they find at the Guild.
There are requests for Demon Beast materials too, but those usually involve weak monsters that are abundant in shallow areas.
It’s probably because we can’t gather enough materials from strong monsters to develop recipes for commonly used potions. The materials from strong monsters are typically used for rare and incurable diseases or curses, which leads to the creation of unique potions after hastily asking Spirits for healing methods.
It might be a matter of cost-effectiveness.
“Lord Chris seems to want to take us back to his homeland during the most beautiful season,” the Butler says, enjoying the aroma of his coffee.
Chris’s homeland is near the Land of Ruin, and perhaps due to that influence, it tends to have more cloudy days depending on the season. It seems that around next month, there will be a break from the clouds, so we’re discussing going after next month.
“What a shame…” Everyone is thinking about next month.
“I’ll adjust my work schedule so we can go to both next month. I’ll let Dean and Chris know too.”
“I’ll also be focusing on family service this month,” Retze adds, who has obligations at work, along with Dinoss, who has a family.
I’ve been dragging them around.
“Why not invite Shiva and the kids?”
“I plan to ask Chris and invite them. Like I said earlier, we’re going to the Demon Forest. Taking them somewhere and providing for our daily lives are two different things, you know?” Dinoss winks.
This is definitely one of those moments where his words get a bit strange, and that wink? It’s definitely a habit he picked up from Haulon.
“Maybe I should also focus on family service and go fetch some Dragon Bones.”
Whether you see family and work relationships as burdens or as trustworthy connections depends on your perspective. Listening to Dinoss and Retze, it’s definitely the latter, though Retze is a bit more detached.
“Hey! Don’t just casually mention Dragon Bones like it’s nothing!?” Dinoss exclaims dramatically.
“Normally, the word ‘Dragon’ doesn’t come up in the context of family service,” the Butler shakes his head with a solemn expression.
“Why are we talking about Dragons in this context? Well, I get it, but this conversation is about our ‘normal’ daily lives, right? Keep your ‘usual’ stuff hidden,” Retze says with an exasperated look.
“It seems Rishu likes them,” I mention.
“How are you spoiling him!?”
I’ve learned that Dragon Bones can often be found lying around or stuck in places. It seems there’s a battle between Dragons and Demonized Dragons, so I might just take advantage of that…