Chapter 332: Chapter 242 Part 1

Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”

The sun has set in the royal capital.

In the living room of my house, I spread out a book on magical beasts on the floor and read it with my familiars. I had borrowed it from a book rental shop after paying a visit to Light cruiser-sensei.

「Is it this guy? It says here they eat poisonous bracken」

A 20 centimeter long caterpillar and a 15 centimeter long dung beetle surround the book about magical beasts.

In order to wait for the turtle to return, I went straight home without having a night out. However, we don’t know exactly at what time he will return, so we passed the time by doing some research like this.

『They are more bigger』

Imosuke, the leader of my familiars, shakes his head from side to side in response to my question.

A magical beast that eats poisonous mushrooms. I’m the only one who doesn’t know what it looks like.

Imosuke and the others didn’t know the name given by the human race, so I showed them the illustration while observing their reaction.

「Right, you guys did say they’re a large-type magical beast」

What was drawn on the page was an overweight rabbit with antlers like a deer. Judging from the background of the illustration, it is probably a small-type magical beast.

I turned the page, and the next thing I saw was a goat. Its strangely twisted horns caught my attention.

As my eyes shifted from the illustration to the text, I received a message from the two animals.

『This one!』

『Probably』

When I turned my head to look at them, they were all moving their heads up and down.

Turning back to the picture book, I read, 『About 14 meters tall. This species eats poisonous plants, mushrooms and poison oak』. Apparently this was the guy we’re looking for.

「Hoo, so it’s called 『Capricorn』huh. It said that they are friendly creatures, but they look pretty scary」

The shape of its horns is one thing, but its most striking feature was its eyes. They may have been intended to widen the field of vision, but the long, square pupils stirred up a sense of unease.

If it were to come out of the magic circle in the middle of the night, one would think that a demon had been summoned.

「Though I think it won’t be that bad once you get used to seeing it」

I gave my impressions, but there was no reply from my familiars. The two animals looked at each other and talked to each other.

The topic of conversation was about what kind of food the garden forest could provide for the Capricorns.

『Mushrooms?』

『We could also grew some grass』

It seems it was something that Dangorou found recently. Apparently, poisonous plants have been growing in the forest garden lately.

Poisonous plants are often used as ingredients for medicines, but I don’t need them. I’d rather have them eat it all without worrying about it.

As I was thinking about this, Imosuke looked back toward the garden. Followed by Dangorou.

「Have they returned?」

They returned to face me and nodded. I stood up with Imosuke on my head and Dangorou in my hand.

I put on my sandals and walked out into the garden.

The caterpillar and dung beetle are slow, so this is the fastest way to go.

「The Heavy Lancers have also gathered」

The group gathered on the shore with their leader in the lead. He turns his head toward the turtle swimming toward us.

I crouches down, lowers Dangorou to the ground, and waits for Zaratan’s arrival with the Heavy Lancers.

「Hm?」

When I looked at them with the help of the moon and stars, and the light from the living room, I saw a few figures standing on his shell. It looked the same as when they departed.

The closer they got, the more certain I became.

「It seems they failed to bring them in huh」

『So it seems』

『What a shame』

Imosuke and Dangouro nodded and replied.

We waited for Zaratan’s arrival and moved to the living room. I decided to hold a debriefing there.

I put Dangorou on my shoulder and grabbed the turtle with both of my hands. The Heavy Lancers were small but fast, so I asked them to follow me.

「Welcome back. First of all, I’m glad you guys can return safely」

In front of me on my knees, lined up on a spread out bath towel, are three Heavy Lancers, the leader of the Heavy Lancers, and Zaratan.

Imosuke and Dangorou are in the palm of my hands between my legs. They lined up in a narrow space so they are pressing against each other.

「There weren’t any of them, so it can’t be helped. It’s not your guys fault」

The turtle who looked apologetic after giving his report and the Heavy Lancers who were sitting quietly next to him. I told them such.

Dangorou’s constant movement of his antennae suggests that he is interpreting my words.

「It’s the same with the other herd of Heavy Lancers. I’m sure they have their own circumstances」

I don’t want them to force the other herd just because they think their idea is best. If the other side wants to come, we will accept them.

「Though, I’d really like to see you come with the Capricorns. Let’s think of another way then」

My familiars nodded. Imosuke turns around and tilts his head lightly.

『Where did they go I wonder?』

『I wonder』

Dangorou nodded back.

I heard that it was getting harder and harder to live there, so they might have given up and moved out.

「According to the picture book, it seems that they live in places other than the Spirit Forest, so I guess I’ll ask around at the merchant guild next time」

It would be a good idea to consult with my familiars again after confirming where they live.

A wave of understanding came at me after I said that.

「Well, that’s it for today. Good work you guys」

The Heavy Lancers, turtle, dung beetle, and caterpillar went outside to their respective locations.

Thus, the whole Tauro familiars worked together, but unfortunately, the mission ended in failure.

***

The next morning, I left my house and walked to the central square with my potions bag on my shoulder.

I was going to the merchant guild to deliver the potions, but I planned to have breakfast at a stall in the square before that.

(Is there no pollen disease in this world?)

As I walked along the street bustling with many people, I had such sudden thought.

We’re at the time of the year when winter is about to turn into spring. In my previous world, this would be the time when people with symptoms would be teary-eyed.

However, I looked around and didn’t see anyone who looked like that.

(Well, they do have a magic to cure disease after all)

Right after I muttered in my mind, a question came up and I put my hand on my chin.

Disease or abnormal status. Which one does hay fever belong to?

(If I do happen to catch it, I’ll just drink them both. I mean, it’s not like it can’t be cured)

I nodded my head in agreement.

Cure injury, cure diseases, and cure status abnormality Thanks to these magics, I don’t have any health problems.

Tooth decay and athlete’s foot are no problem at all.

I can’t thank that stone statue enough. I think I’ll make a shrine in the garden and gave some pomelo as an offering.

「Then, I’ll have this breakfast set, please」

When I arrived at the square, I picked a random stall and ordered. I had a clubhouse sandwich and coffee for breakfast.

Looking to the east, I saw a large three-story building where people were constantly coming and going. The Merchant guild seemed to be busy from this morning as well.

「Good morning, Tauro-san. Thank you for your hard work as always」

When I entered the building and sat down at the potion purchase counter, the usual tough-looking old man came out from the back. He carefully checked each of the potions I brought.

I started talking to him after finding the right moment so as not to interfere with his work.

「Hmm… the habitat of Capricorns is it?」

I waited with an expectant expression on my face, while the old man wrinkled his brow in thought.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

But the answer that came from him was disappointing.

「I’m not too that knowledgeable about them since they stay in steep mountains and don’t come down to human settlements」

It’s not the kind of beast that attacks carriages on the highway. That’s why they have little to do with the merchant guild

「I will look into it for you later」

The disappointment must have shown on my face, the old man smiled and agreed to my request. While giving my guild card back to me, which had already been paid, he asked me about something else.

「I heard you’re going to the eastern country with the Saintess this time?」

It’s about the request for escorting a VIP. He must have heard about it from the vice-guild master.

What he said is true, but it’s not exactly right, so I’m going to correct it.

「The knight order are the ones who will escort the Saintess and her party. While I will be on a separate mission」

The merchant guild is in the process of selecting the suitable person to deliver the official message of 『Sin and Punishment』 to the Eastern country.

And I will be escorting that person. The only reason we’re going with the Saintess is because the dates of her return overlap with ours.

The tough-looking man who heard my explanation shrugged and shook his head.

「…『Sin and Punishment』, is it? I really don’t understand what’s so good about it」

He was invited by the vice-guild leader to go to a brothel for a two-on-two. What he received was a soft play for beginners, but it was not something that touched his heart.

Meanwhile, Santa Claus was lying naked on the floor in front of him. Every time he was whipped and candles were dangled, he would let out a roar of delight and apologize to the queen.

『It was impossible for me』

The tough-looking man realized instantly.