The Scorned Noble Lady Picks Up The Path of Alchemy in Her Second Life
The One Who Hoarded the Herbs
Translated by: S3
-Horizontal.jpg)
*****
I arrived once again for an herb purchase and was drawn into my familiar shop.
「Obaba-sama. I need more herbs, please.」
I had just come to buy herbs this morning, yet here I was again, buying the exact same thing.
I want to practice the Formation skill more calmly. But I couldn't neglect either Vanessa-san's herb request or my assistant duties.
「What's with the gloomy face? You haven't stumbled in your potion-making, have you?」
「It's the opposite. The result of things going too well is that I'm being flooded with potion-making work. I can't find time to practice the essential Formation skill.」
In contrast to my sulky mood, Obaba-sama sighed heavily in exasperation.
「You have a luxurious worry, don't you? You're probably the only one who says such a thing.」
「I won't deny it, but I think a little more balance would be nice.」
I couldn't help but complain, but just as Obaba-sama said, I knew I was in a fortunate environment.
It would normally be unthinkable for an apprentice alchemist to be overflowing with work. In Lord Zeel's case, it took him several years to build up experience before he finally got an offer for a C-Rank contract request from the Alchemists Guild.
Yet, why was I forced to sign a C-Rank contract on the very first day I registered at the Alchemists Guild? I couldn't understand it for the life of me.
While thinking about that, I looked around the shop and saw that the space where herbs were usually placed was unusually empty.
「Oh? Obaba-sama, where are the herbs?」
「Ask your own heart. You'll figure out who the culprit who bought them all is.」
It was no wonder I flinched. Not only did I buy a massive amount just a few hours ago, but I've been visiting Obaba-sama's shop repeatedly lately.
I came to buy herbs when I was assisting Lord Zeel, when I became Lord Clein's assistant, and now to fulfill Vanessa-san's request.
If it were a request to deliver twenty or thirty potions, fine... but since I'm accepting large-scale requests to deliver in the hundreds, I can't argue when I'm accused of hoarding.
Whether Obaba-sama would accept my excuses or not was a separate matter.
「I still have stock in the back, but I have other customers too. If you buy up so much, I can't exactly put it on the shelves.」
「That... I'm sorry.」
「You ought to reflect more. Thanks to you, I can't run my business of selling poor-quality herbs at high prices anymore. Heeheehee.」
No, please sell high-quality products at a high price. There is no need to rip people off unnecessarily.
Well, I suppose I shouldn't be the one to say that, since I'm the one who bought everything up.
But if that's the case, I'm in trouble. I haven't bought herbs from any shop other than Obaba-sama's lately, so I don't know the situation at other stores.
「Are there any good places besides your shop that stock nice herbs, Obaba-sama?」
「There are none. Mine is definitely the best.」
「Please, somehow. If you tell me, I'll give you this kinako mochi (roasted soybean flour rice cake).」
Naturally, when I come to buy repeatedly in such a short period, I bring a small gift. It's a noble's rule, so to speak, to ensure smooth transactions. Of course, one would know the other party's favorite food beforehand.
「Heeheehee. You certainly know what you’re doing.」
「I have work experience, you see.」
「After you've gone this far, I can't not tell you... is what I want to say. But right now, there really are none.」
「Hm? What do you mean?」
I know that herb shortages happen, but this isn't the season for it.
Unless there's a war, a mass outbreak of monsters, or a prolonged drought, herbs should be transported in. There are people who own specialized herb farms, so a herb shortage in the capital should be rare.
「It seems some incompetent, foolish alchemist with no skill went on a buying spree, so everything is scarce everywhere. When things like this happen, it's too late once you realize it, and we're currently restricting transactions.」
「Oh no... If someone did something to draw that kind of attention, they would only incur resentment from those around them. Who on earth would do that?」
「Heeheehee. Ignorance might be bliss, as they say. If you need a large amount, procure it from the Adventurers Guild.」
The Adventurers Guild, huh... Since Catarina, who handled the noble's section, quit, Alice seems to be in charge, so maybe I should stop by. It's only been a short time since I resigned, so it feels a little embarrassing.
I decided to head to the Adventurers Guild right away... but even though I gave her a souvenir, it felt difficult to leave Obaba-sama's shop empty-handed. Lord Clein probably wants to experiment with other materials too, so I should buy something good.
「I'll buy some Middle Potion materials.」
「Heeheehee. You really are a good girl. Here, these are the best materials.」
「...These are poor-quality goods.」
「That's where you're no fun. You could at least fall for my trick a little.」
「Please don't try to rip me off.」
「I was only trying to charge you for the information.」
Thinking that Obaba-sama was formidable, I purchased the Middle Potion materials and headed for the Adventurers Guild.
*****
Thank you for reading.
If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below.
Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.
OR
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
-Horizontal.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment