Kingdom of Normitz – Rural Area
“Ah, what a perfect day for work, everyone!”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Let’s work up a good sweat today!”
Just a few days ago, it was only Uncle here, but now, the fields are surprisingly bustling with people. Those who remembered the deliciousness of the crops have returned, and others have reconsidered after seeing their hard work. It’s a slow but steady increase. Now, amidst the vast fields, there are scattered figures of people. Yet, Uncle—no, the King—still seems anxious that it isn’t enough. Yes, the man we thought was just an uncle is actually the King. Dressed like an ordinary person and working alongside everyone, it’s no wonder we didn’t realize.
I admire the King for saying that rank doesn’t matter when it comes to work. I never quite warmed up to the kings of Avangarde or the Wizard Kingdom, but with this man, I feel at ease.
“Your Majesty! We will help too! We apologize for our absence until now!”
“Yes, come here!”
Even though those who had been drinking and idling about have returned, the King didn’t scold them. On the contrary, he welcomed them with open arms. The once-ruined fields are gradually returning to their former glory, and if this pace continues, I believe the country will surely recover. However, there are still many who remain oblivious, and both Roel and I are struggling with that. Especially those who had been supporting the Three Sisters of Flowers, who were always playing around, have drawn the King’s harsh criticism for their lack of awareness. Yes, that explains the unsettling feeling I had.
“Your Majesty, we too…”
“No, you all will burn every last mushroom in that shed. Destroy all the stalls in town. They are the root of the problem… and we will drive out those who brought them into this country.”
“Understood!”
This country has its own castle and soldiers. The small gray palace visible beyond the hills is one of them. But it’s far smaller than Avangarde Castle. The King laughs heartily, saying that if they had the luxury to spend money on such a thing, there are plenty of other uses for it. Apparently, this has been the way of the country for generations, and I think the Kingdom of Avangarde could learn a thing or two from them.
“Adventurer girl… no, Rua. You have helped us. I was thinking of rewarding you, but given our current situation… could you wait just a little longer?”
“Actually, Your Majesty, I think it’s too early to celebrate. We need to completely eliminate those mushrooms and restore those who have been poisoned…”
“Do not worry. Our country will never succumb to such things again. It will take time, but we will eradicate them little by little.”
The King laughs, pounding his chest, but I wonder if it’s really that simple. Those mushrooms are said to be addictive, and if consumed continuously, they lead to dire consequences. They taste incredibly good and make you feel euphoric, prompting you to eat more. This cycle slowly erodes your body until you can no longer absorb proper nutrition and ultimately perish. I don’t understand the complicated details, but if Roel says so, then it must be true. Since even magic cannot completely cure the symptoms, there’s only one person we can rely on.
Kingdom of Normitz – Inn, Second Floor
“Ugh… where am I…?”
To free them from mushroom addiction, we locked them in a room. No matter how much they struggle, we keep them away from the mushrooms. At the same time, we’re helping them detox from alcohol. Roel mentioned she read somewhere that this method was used to treat those addicted to drugs. There are indeed spells that can cure such conditions, but Roel believes only someone of Lord Hast’s caliber could manage that.
“Rua and Roel, you two are here in this country…
Mushrooms? Ah, those are clearly dangerous. I didn’t touch them…
But it seems I drank too much… I have no memory of it at all.”
We didn’t help Barm and Gilbert. No, these two hadn’t eaten the mushrooms at all. So, it must be the alcohol to blame. I can hardly believe that Barm and Gilbert could end up in such a tragic state over a drink. Even now, they’re still unaware of their nakedness.
“What should I do? I was just trying to take a break at the inn when… a woman, an astonishingly beautiful woman, kept offering me drinks… but I refused… I can’t remember!”
“Barm, we can’t forget our mission from the King…”
Gilbert, still half-asleep, seems to be slowly grasping the situation. His panic upon realizing he’s naked is quite something. He wraps himself in the sheets, trembling, muttering about being unfit as a Royal Knight, as a knight, and as a person, without even looking at us.
“I can’t believe I… of all people… with such young girls… This must be a nightmare. Please, let me wake up…”
“I don’t really get it, but this isn’t a dream, so calm down.”
“Ahhh! I-I’m so sorry!”
“Roel, do you think Gilbert also ate the mushrooms?”
“It seems he’s too lost in his thoughts to talk, so let’s ask Barm instead.”
Let’s leave Gilbert to his muttering. I have something I want Barm to do. I’m not sure if he can, but with his alchemist knowledge, he might be able to help.
“I apologize for showing you such a disgraceful sight. When beautiful women offer you drinks like that…”
“Barm, is there a way to free them from the mushroom addiction?”
“If I can analyze the components of that mushroom, perhaps… do you have the actual specimen?”
“Yes, here it is.”
Roel had brought one mushroom with her just in case, and she handed it to Barm. He pinches it between his thumb and forefinger, tilting it to examine it closely.
“I’ve never seen this species before. In any case, let’s give it a try.”
He has a rather serious expression, but I wait with hopeful anticipation. Still, I can’t help but wonder why such a strange mushroom suddenly appeared. Lafoule seemed suspicious, but we haven’t seen her since.
Kingdom of Normitz – Rural Area
A few days later, many people had returned to the fields. It’s still a bit lonely compared to before, but seeing the King looking satisfied as the situation improves gives us some relief. However, it seems the analysis of the mushrooms is still ongoing, and many people remain trapped in mushroom addiction. Moreover, it appears some are secretly hoarding mushrooms, and figuring out how to control the spread of these mushrooms throughout the country is a challenge. Roel is worried about this, but I wonder what the King thinks.
“But if they know it’s dangerous, they shouldn’t eat those mushrooms again, right?”
“People are not that perfect. Humans tend to gravitate towards what is easy. Even knowing the risks, they can’t resist pleasure; it’s only natural to be swept away again. Even if they know it’s bad for them, they still want to eat delicious things, don’t they?”
“That’s true. I know Gyudon is definitely bad for my health, but I can’t help but eat five bowls!”
“Is that so…?”
That’s right. Roel worries about gaining weight every time she overeats, yet she repeats the same actions. Thinking about it, even if the people of this country are hard workers and serious, it seems escaping the grip of those mushrooms will be quite difficult. I may not eat as much as Roel, but I still want to enjoy delicious food. Even knowing it’s bad for me, I eat. I’ve never had my health compromised, so I can’t quite grasp that feeling.
“Even without those mushrooms, as long as there’s alcohol and beautiful women, people will drown themselves in pleasure. I learned that the hard way this time.”
A young man working nearby slumps his shoulders, looking utterly pathetic. In reality, even those who hadn’t eaten the mushrooms were still captivated by the beautiful women surrounding them. Barm and Gilbert were among them, and I believe that’s just one side of them. They may seem serious and kind, but you never know what’s inside. I realized that through this incident.
“The mushrooms that have spread throughout the country… Mattango will be banned from possession. Although we’ve announced it, our country has had lenient penalties for a long time. Perhaps we need to consider expanding the prison system.”
“Your Majesty, for now, let’s focus on eradicating Mattango as much as possible. The soldiers are heading to the town. It may be harsh, but we are also considering house searches, so for now, we can only wait for results.”
The minister and the King wear serious expressions, halting their work in the fields. With worries like these, no matter how diligent they are, they can’t concentrate. Yet, I can’t think of any good solutions either.
I really am useless at anything other than fighting.
“Roel, do you have any good ideas?”
“I’m afraid I can’t help with this. Besides, this is a national issue, so it doesn’t seem like it’s our place to interfere.”
Though she says that, Roel is worried too. The evidence lies in the lunchbox she’s holding, where the sandwiches haven’t been touched much. Normally, I’d find some of them missing before I even realized it.
“Thanks for your hard work! I brought some snacks!”
“Oh, no problem! Hey, everyone! It’s lunchtime!”
The workers who had been busy gathered around the lunchboxes brought by the landladies. My stomach growled; it was time to eat. But when I reached for a sandwich, it was already gone. I had been outsmarted.
“Oh, I’m sorry… I ate too much again…”
“I’ll go grab some of those snacks over there…”
Even I know that I can’t fight on an empty stomach. I could, but I really don’t want to. While the King and everyone else reached for the lunchboxes, I took my chance.
“Delicious…”
It was enough to make my legs buckle. I instinctively sank to the ground. With each bite of the sandwich, the sweetness burst forth, followed by a pleasantly toasted aftertaste. One bite wasn’t enough; I took another, and another. The more I ate, the hungrier I felt. I finally understood why Roel could eat so much. I wanted more; I couldn’t stop.
“Yum! This is the best sandwich I’ve ever had!”
“I’m curious about this paste. What’s in it?”
“That’s a Mattango sandwich!”
Her elongated tone made it clear who she was, even though we had only met once. Just as I thought her clothes twisted and transformed at high speed into a flamboyant dress, the women who had been landladies morphed into stunning beauties one after another. Among them were Lafoule and the women who had recommended Mattango soup. The Three Sisters of Flowers were also there.
“Y-You all are…”
“Ufufu, Your Majesty. To think you’d want to eliminate Mattango, how cruel of you. It’s so delicious and loved by everyone.”
The battle for the sandwiches in the lunchboxes had already begun. “It’s mine!” “No, it’s mine!” From the elderly to the young, they were all scrambling for the sandwiches. The hardworking people who had been toiling just moments ago were now throwing down their tools, completely absorbed in the chaos.
“Young ones, show some respect for the elderly!”
“Old man, respect the future of the young!”
This was outrageous. Those who had seemed so serious were now hurling insults at each other. I should have dealt with Lafoule and the others first. Had they been hiding until now to catch us off guard?
“Everyone, there are still plenty of sandwiches left! No fighting, please!”
“““Wooooo!”””
“Everyone! Pull yourselves together! Where did the resolve from earlier go? You must never touch those things again!”
“Your Majesty, humans get tired of being serious all the time. Even if we look like we’re working hard all day, all year, and all our lives, it eats away at our hearts. Ah, sometimes I just want to play! And this is the result of all that pent-up frustration, isn’t it? Is it Mattango’s fault? Sure, it’s addictive and not good for you, but it’s those people who kept eating it until they fell apart!”
“Ugh… But still…”
Seeing the King being outmatched in argument, Roel moved closer to Lafoule, determined. Yet Lafoule merely smiled, as if trying to ensnare Roel as well.
“Who are you people? Why did you bring such things into this country?”
“We simply thought the people here looked exhausted. We wanted to heal them, you know? Both body and heart… Hehehe.”
Roel shared my disgust at Lafoule’s licking her lips. It was clear from what we had just witnessed that they were anything but ordinary humans.
“No, you just want to corrupt us. You want to destroy this country’s traditions and turn everything upside down. Take your mushrooms and leave.”
“Oh dear, saying such things. Isn’t it you who’s the nuisance to those people? Look at how happily they’re stuffing their faces with sandwiches!”
Adults chomping down on sandwiches like children, their mouths smeared with food. I wanted to do something, but I felt powerless. Should I take the sandwiches away? But if I did that, I’d probably get scolded.
“Everyone, wake up! Please… I’m begging you…”
The King’s voice, which had been so strong, was now growing weaker. I could see tears welling in his eyes. Regretful tears; even I could feel the King’s emotions.
“Is this really the end…? The fields and the country we’ve cultivated since the previous generation… Is this all there is…?”
“Humans are like this, no matter how sincere they seem. When turned inside out, their filthy true nature shows. Once they learn to enjoy life, they start to fall. They abandon even those they swore love to, leaping at the sight of a beauty. Such shallow creatures, aren’t they? It’s just foolishness, you humans. Seriously, are you all that stupid?”
Her once cute smile now dripped with condescension. I had reached my limit with Lafoule’s high-pitched laughter.
“Enough already! If you keep making a mess of things, I won’t forgive you!”
“Huh? What are you going to do about it? Are you going to slice us up with that sword? Go ahead, I’d love to see you get beaten by everyone in this country!”
“Y-You…!”
As I clenched my fists, Lafoule and the other women began to chuckle.
“Alright, everyone! Let’s celebrate today with a bang!”
“Now then! With our stomachs filled, let’s get back to work this afternoon!”
“Eh…?”
The people who had been munching on sandwiches stretched and picked up their tools again, diving back into their work as if nothing had happened. The old man and the young one who had been arguing were now joking with each other.
“Old man, don’t push yourself too hard!”
“Youngster, you can only talk like that once you’ve grown up!”
“By then, you might not even be alive!”
“I’ll live for another hundred years!”
That’s a monster, I thought to myself. More than that, what on earth just happened? The people who had been lazily indulging in sandwiches moments ago now wore serious expressions.
“Everyone…!”
“Your Majesty, we said we would never again succumb to such things.”
“Oh… That’s the spirit of my people!”
“E-Everyone? There are still plenty of Mattango sandwiches left!”
“Hmm? Oh, they were delicious. But they’re already banned in this country. …Take them away.”
“Ha!”
At the King’s command, the soldiers—now farmers—snatched the lunchboxes from Lafoule and the others. Lafoule, who had been laughing heartily just moments ago, now stood there, mouth agape, at their mercy.
“After eating so much, what’s this? You were just saying it was all over!”
“No, I was genuinely sweating, thinking it might have returned to normal. It’s true that those Mattango sandwiches are delicious enough to fight over.”
“…Huh?”
“Don’t you get it? That was our answer.”
“…Huh?”
“We will no longer succumb to such things. We’ve learned that no matter how pleasurable, it’s a reward for living a fulfilling day. Knowing fatigue makes us appreciate healing. Thank you for the sandwiches. They were pretty good. Now, please leave us to our work. This time we’ll let you go, but next time it’s straight to the dungeons.”
The King said what he needed to say and ignored Lafoule, resuming his work. When I glanced over, Lafoule’s expression was terrifying. Her face was wrinkled like an old woman’s, her white teeth bared, and her eyes wide open. Her body trembled slightly, as if overflowing with humiliation and rage.
“Impossible… The Mattango addiction isn’t like that… What the hell is going on…? How dare these filthy humans… how dare they… how dare they!”
“You’ve toyed with us long enough! Get out!”
“Never come near our country again!”
“Get out! Get out! Get out!”
“Lua-chan, what’s happening…?”
“Yeah, everyone resisted that mushroom. What Roel did wasn’t in vain.”
“What should we do, Lafoule…?”
“What do you think? The fun is over. From here on out… you know what to do, right?”
“Fufu… I don’t like filthy things, but it wouldn’t be so bad to let fresh blood bloom in this country. Please watch, Lafoule. I’ll finish this quickly.”
The women who had once been human transformed into figures entwined with multiple vines. From humans to vines, and from vines to flowers. One by one, the beautiful women began to change in the same manner.
Brown spots bloomed on the toxic petals, and at the center, a mouth filled with green fangs gaped wide. No matter how you looked at it, the sight was nothing short of monstrous.
Eight Venom Flowers have appeared! HP: 620
Two Death Flowers have appeared! HP: 1020
Six Junudes have appeared! HP: 795
“M-Monsters…”
“Eek…”
Even the bravest among us faltered in the face of these creatures. An old man dropped his farming tools, paralyzed with fear, while another uncle stood his ground, refusing to back down. Most of the villagers were still grappling with the unexpected turn of events, but for us, there was only one course of action.
“Lafoule, don’t wreak havoc in this country. I’ll take care of them all.”
“Lady Lafoule, if we kill this little brat, there will be no one left in this country who can stand against us. Please, watch and see… Hohoho.”
Even transformed into a monster, her feminine tone remained unchanged. That stark contrast only served to terrify the farmers even more. Tending to the fields was the responsibility of the people of this land; the rest was up to us. Speaking of which, I remembered my father lamenting about pests infesting the crops, causing them trouble.
“Roel, protect everyone.”
“Okay!”
All I could do was eliminate the pests.