Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Gathering Frankincense
Chapter 70: Gathering Frankincense
It’s been six days since Marie and the others set off for Savoia.
For the first time in a while, we’re all heading outside the hideout together.
It’s for collecting frankincense.
The wilderness stretching before us still has harsh sunlight and dry winds, making our skin tingle. Despite the rich and vast nature around the hideout, there’s a comforting feeling of being protected and hidden.
Yet, this harsh yet liberating air of the barren wilderness isn’t so bad either.
“Thanks to Elizabeth, things have become much easier.”
“Meeeeee.”
And certainly, compared to the tension of wandering alone in the past, it’s completely different now. Of course, I can’t afford to be careless even now, nor do I intend to. But being surrounded by reliable companions like Kuro, Shiro, Elizabeth, Gisella, Zamza, and Mil, it feels like we can handle anything that comes our way, somehow.
Someday, I’d like to travel to the Eastern Mountains where the demons live or to the dangerous South.
Thinking about such things as we move, we quickly reach the first collection point.
“We collected from this tree before, right?”
“Yeah, just like Kuro does, you use a knife to scrape it off and gather it casually. Simple, right?”
“Ah, well, the task is easy, but… it’s usually difficult to come all the way here.”
“You can collect it from the trees.”
Mil and Gisella eagerly help with the collection. Actually, these two seem to particularly like the scent of frankincense and were personally interested in it. Especially Mil, who seems sensitive to scents, often brings his nose close to various things and sniffs around, even in the hideout’s life.
Because of that, they decided to go out for collection this time.
The west side of the hideout is a desolate land with hardly any plants, but surprisingly, these trees sporadically grow. Moreover, they inhabit a fairly extensive area, so if you collect diligently, you can gather quite a lot.
“Let’s take a little break.”
“Gyauugyauu~”
Even though we’re not particularly tired, it’s a good time for a break. Kuro prepares coffee. While Gisella and Zamza lay out the carpet and set up the tarp, I tidy up the frankincense collected with Mil and distribute the fruit compote that Mil made, cooked with sugar, which tastes very sweet and goes well with coffee, so I end up eating too much.
It’s Pink and Zamza’s favorite.
“With this many people, we don’t have enough fabric.”
“When we go to town next time, let’s buy more.”
“Come to think of it, I wonder if Marie is okay…”
“Shiro eats too, right?”
“Mm~ I’m fine for now.”
By the way, when everyone is relaxing a bit like this, Shiro is by my side, not letting her guard down, holding her weapon, and staying vigilant around me. From Shiro’s perspective, maybe she’s anxious because I seem too weak. Certainly, if the roles were reversed, I might be very uneasy. Looking at her somewhat dignified figure, I remember the time when I mistakenly thought of Shiro as a guy.
“Shiro, here, aaah~.”
“Mmm… delicious.”
When I stuff the compote into Shiro’s mouth, her face softens.
She’s changed a lot since then, without a doubt.
“Gyaa~u.”
“Aaah~”
Quickly, Kuro, Gisella, and for some reason, Pink, open their mouths in front of me. Anyway, I keep stuffing their mouths with compote.
And Zamza… why are you so restless too? Eat on your own.
Mil, on the other hand, eats the compote she made, nodding satisfactorily. Certainly, today’s compote, with its fruity aroma and acidity, might be the best so far.
“Hey Mil, what smells so good?”
“This is made with the bark of a fragrant tree.”
No wonder it smells like cinnamon.
This might further expand the variety of chocolates…
“Mil’s curiosity and sense of craftsmanship are amazing, as always.”
“No, it’s because the place is too good. And because I’m always doing various things with Gisella-chan.”
“Mil-chan, you have such a sense~”
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, Kuro and Shiro stand up and gaze in the same direction.
While Elizabeth doesn’t seem particularly cautious, she slowly gets up too.
“Gyau… gyugyau!”
“Bonus, something’s coming.”
“Got it. Let’s hurry and tidy up.”
For now, we leave vigilance and direct response to Kuro and Shiro, and the rest of us quickly clean up. Just as we finish loading all our belongings onto the carriers, we see something dark approaching amidst the dust in the distance.
It’s probably a Kidanakemo…
Mil, Gisella, Zamza, and I eagerly shoulder the carriers and keep our distance so as not to get in the way.
Kuro seems to have already grasped the situation and swiftly takes out her knife and runs without hesitation.
Shiro carries a metal rod on her shoulder but doesn’t move, showing considerable composure. Those two and the little one handle Kidanakemo outside the hideout every day, so they probably don’t need Pink’s help.
“Man, they’re so calm in that situation. It’s crazy, right?”
“Yeah, insane…”
Even the onis find Kuro and Shiro strange. Well, certainly, when I saw them fighting with Elizabeth up close, I thought they might be crazy.
As I focus my gaze, I gradually understand the situation. It seems like someone is being chased by the Kidanakemo.
Mil squints her eyes as she tries to confirm the situation.
“Hey, isn’t that Azir over there?”
“Oh… you’re right.”