Twilight Alchemist 21.1

Test

21.1. The Reason To Do Our Best Is Because It's Important, Isn't It?

"There's no mistake, it's the Ambrosia flower."

After two months of exploration, Raidoc and the others finally pinpointed the habitat of Ambrosia. Now, in front of us, is the precious herb that we managed to collect from just one plant.

I, Leafan, Kyle, Myna, Persia, Alphard, and Raidoc gathered in the mansion's reception room.

"It took time to find, but now that we know the location, if we go straight, we can reach the village in a few days. If the road is well-maintained, we might even get there in a day."

"That's for adventurers traveling at full speed, using stamina potions, right?"

"That's right."

The distance covered by Raidoc and the others in their full-speed movement would take several days, which is quite far by normal standards.

"So... it was there?"

"Yeah, it was."

Kyle looked at me and Raidoc alternately with a puzzled expression.

"Raidoc, I'll leave the monster's details in the herb habitat to you."

"Yeah. I tried to act without being noticed, keeping the distance to the limit, but there was no mistake. It was a dragon."

Persia and Alphard shivered slightly.

"It didn't have wings. I think it's a type of land dragon. It was entirely green. Probably a Green Dragon."

"I see."

Few people have directly seen a dragon, but their appearance is well-known. 

They appear in various stories and are a common motif in elaborate artworks. 

If you live in this country, you would likely know their appearance in some form.

"Not flying might be a stroke of luck in misfortune."

"On the flip side, it's rumored to be tough and powerful."

"If we know the enemy, there's a way to deal with it."

"That's right."

At the time when Raidoc and I exchanged wry smiles, Kyle entered the conversation.

"Um, there are a few things that have been bothering me since earlier, is it okay if I ask?"

"Of course."

While furrowing his brow, Kyle inquired about the situation.

"First, Craft-san, you asked Raidoc-san to search for the rare herb, right?"

"That's right."

"Then, there was a dragon in the habitat. Am I correct so far?"

"Yeah."

"But it seems, from the way the conversation is going, that it's leading to defeating that dragon."

"You're not wrong."

"...Huh?"

"We're about to discuss how to defeat the dragon."

"...Huh!? Wait a minute! It's a dragon! Why are we talking about fighting it!?"

Persia also threw a glance in our direction.

"There must be a reason, right?"

"Hey, Persia?"

Alphard couldn't help but react to Persia's attitude.

"It's because we need a large quantity of this Ambrosia flower."

"Could it be?"

"That's right. It's the ingredient for the universal healing elixir, Elixir, only spoken of in stories."

"Craft-san!!"

The one who shouted was Kyle.

"No! I can't allow you to take risks for my sake!"

"Well, I thought you'd say that."

"Of course!"

"But, we've also found a reason to defeat it."

"...Huh?"

"First, the distance. It might take an ordinary person about a month one way, but now, for the people in this village, it's probably a week or so to get there. It's quite far. But not so distant as to be impossible. Furthermore, this habitat is right in the middle of the planned highway."

"What!?"