Chapter 37 – Cleaned (Start)
Within the Shennong Horn spatial region. A light globe was suspended roughly 30 metres high in the air and emitting a golden radiance.
Rumont was inside. Even though he had already entered this place through his mind countless of times, it was still yet an inconceivable feeling.
“Chinese lobelia.” he yelled out into the air.
Consequently, the data of Chinese lobelia emerged out. This was a type of medicinal herb from Earth. Because of its efficacy in treating injuries involving snakes out in the wilds, therefore, Rumont had grown a batch. Rumont reviewed the data of this medicinal herb, the content inside wasn’t quite the same as when he last saw it on Earth. This was probably due to the arising differences in law of the two worlds. However, it was still good, it still had the efficacy of being a type of snake cure.
Rumont took out from within the spatial region some herbs he had already dried in the shades———within the Shennong Horn spatial region, it had what seemed to be a small specialized area used for storage and preparation. Some medicinal herbs were laid therein; which would preserve the state of when it had entered. Afterwards, he left the Shennong Horn.
Returning back to the simple room provided to Sackville’s apprentices, Rumont looked at the Chinese lobelia in his palm, his expression showed a small smile.
The magic lamp emitted an unusual feeble white light, barely illuminating the surrounding area of roughly 1 metre.
Rumont dragged out a small wooden chest from underneath the bed. The insides had a collection of herb priming tools frequently used by an apothecarist. A small bowl used for grinding could similarly used for juice extraction, a small knife used for cutting, a guillotine was a tool used for conveniently cutting in batches, scissors used to get the most tenderest of sprout leaves, it could also be used to break things up. There was also a tiny jar of pottery, which could be used to steep herbs in———this was what Apothecarist Anson had given to him within the Shrine back at Ricca town.
Rumont took out amongst them the small knife and began to in accordance of this world’s methods of priming Butterfly Grass, prime the Chinese lobelia.
For the first step in handling a herb was to remove the poorer attribute parts of the herb and retain the best features, or perhaps divide the medicinal herb according to the distinct properties of the different parts. After the appropriately given processing, increasing its medicinal strength or causing a subtle medicinal change, or perhaps even lengthen the preservation time of the herb; these were all classified as the most fundamental sections of herbology.
On Earth, undergoing two thousand years of development, traditional Chinese medical science called this division of knowledge as concoction studies.
As for this world, herbology unexpectedly also developed in such a way, even though it couldn’t avoid the long term refining of alchemy studies; existing as one of the fundamental division studies of alchemy synthesis. The reason eluded him, this was definitely a world of magic.
Rumont diligently primed the Chinese lobelia, even if he clearly understood that this wasn’t the poisonous Butterfly Grass, he however nevertheless had to make some people when they looked at it, believe that it was something the Thieves would accidently harvest and had mixed with. A completely new type of plant that was extremely similar to Butterfly Grass, in which afterwards the Thieves had lost it; all of the benefits being taken away by the victorious Rumont. Later on, in regards to the original and the new plant, it was due to the sensitivity as a Druid that among the Butterfly Grass, a different type of plant was discovered.
This was Rumont’s attempt of a strange tale for others to hear.
This was how Rumont thought, mentally however, he still wasn’t too willing. Plants from Earth was one of his trumps that he didn’t want to expose the most. However, if it wasn’t like so, how would it have reached Old Waylon, which then entered the Black Market and getting a vote of recommendation? Without this vote of recommendation, how would he launder the money he had? If he couldn’t launder the money, he couldn’t settle his own debts, not to even mention was improving Nick’s future livelihood.
Shortly though, the Chinese lobelia in his hands was primed in accordance of the method for Butterfly Grass, completely preserving the big fat foliages; however, the connecting roots had to be carefully razed. As for the roots, it was as it turns out, the area of difference between the 2 types of herbs, Chinese lobelia was a plant with a straight connecting root, having an obvious main root, whereas Butterfly Grass had fibrous connecting roots, without an obvious main root.
Rumont placed the well primed Chinese lobelia by his side, into a small long narrow wooden box that he had prepared in advance; the inside of the small box in addition had used some hemp waddings, carefully padding the cracks. Afterwards, Rumont placed the small wooden box into the Shennong Horn spatial region, turned off the lamp and went to sleep feeling relieved, a night without dreams.
The next day at dusk, after the sun had passed through the western end of the horizon, Rumont was carrying the small wooden box he had prepared yesterday, heading towards Old Waylon’s place. During the trip, the sky was already slightly black, the night seemed like a large pool of water with a drop of black ink. As for the dispersed pale yellow light rays, people that had travelled to a far distant area would view it as a fuzziness.
Rumont kept a smile and greeted the people he was already familiar with, a different feeling arose from within suddenly.
Pondering as he went, Rumont saw Old Waylon’s store in front had already stopped serving. He went up and rapped on the door. Yvette was the one that opened the door, the young lady was just cleaning the pub and wearing an apron.
“Father’s waiting for you inside.” Yvette said to him, “Rumont, have you properly prepared your things?” yesterday when he went back, Rumont revealed to Yvette some of his intentions, as a result, Yvette was curious and worried in regards to the goods that Rumont had brought over.
Rumont laughed while tidying Yvette’s forehead lock of hair, afterwards he passed through the not at all neatly placed tables and chairs, advancing upright and unafraid inside.
Old Waylon was currently sitting by the fireplace in the small living room, waiting for him.
“Brought the thing over yet?” Old Waylon threw a piece of firewood into the fireplace, exploding with a “pa pa” of fire embers.
Rumont placed the small wooden box onto the wooden table in the living room: “I’ve brought it, please take a look sir.”
Old Waylon got up from within his rocking chair, the firelight from within the fireplace illuminated his back, causing all the long shadows to recede.
He easily and also lazily extended his fleshy palm out, carelessly opening the small wooden box Rumont had placed onto the tabletop. All of a sudden, he stared with wide eyes: “this isn’t Butterfly Grass!” the voice was full of resoluteness, decisiveness, uncertainty and delight.
Rumont was amazed: “Old Waylon surprisingly also has an uncommon knowledge of medicinal herbs!” this thought flashed by in his head. In a moment, Rumont then thought of Old Waylon’s secret recipe of cider and Earthen Wolf meat. The man isn’t a as simple as a Rank 5 Warrior!
He suddenly felt some regret. Was it right in exposing his trump card to this kind of person?
Following on, he could only hope on the relationship between him and Yvette’s. Rumont thought this, his hands were clenched firmly into fists below the table.
Old Waylon rushed “dongdongdong” into the inner room, before sounds of overturning things in search passed through. Afterwards he again “dongdongdong” darted back. One hand waving tweezers and the right eye was wearing a crystal lens.
Old Waylon held his breath on top of the table, carefully using the tweezers to turn over the herbs within the wooden box, while using the crystal lens to carefully examine it, while often making “zeze” clicking sounds within his mouth.
In the end, Waylon took off his lens, whispering: “goddamnit, the connecting roots have been destroyed.”
Rumont stood with deferential respect: “Mister Waylon, does my commodity have the qualifications to obtain an admission ticket?”
Old Waylon looked at Rumont. His facial expression showing a profound and thought provoking smile: “I originally wanted to have a look at the kid that Yvette liked, to see what kind of capability he had. Currently it seems though, that Luck is also a type of power.” he said as he patted Rumont’s shoulder. “I want this item, I’ve already heard about your matter from Yvette, I can help you launder all of the cash and merchandises, as for the commission, this herb would be quite sufficient.”
“I’m extremely thankful to you, Mister Waylon sir.” Rumont gave a bow. Finally dealt with this matter properly, was what he thought.
A period of a fortnight passed by. On an early morning day, the sky was still a fuzzy darkness. On the main road, the night patrolling soldiers were incessantly rubbing their eyes, breaking into yawns. Those that laboured in the night, when this time arrived, would honestly be really sleepy.
All of a sudden, discovered by a patrolling squad of soldiers at the eastern end, a person that wore a long hooded cape, whose gender was unclearly seen by others, was seen in the far distance.
“Who is it!” the Lieutenant yelled in a loud voice, speaking while subconsciously placing his hand onto the sword handle by his waist.
“Guang Dang!1” an object was thrown at the front of the Lieutenant’s leg.
The Lieutenant, borrowing the remnant torchlight from the soldier behind to see, straightaway collected up the item in front of his foot.
It was a metallic token, on it was the city’s Lord, Aider2 clan heraldry. This was a special pass issued to the territorial Lord’s distinguished guests for use.
The Lieutenant promptly cleaned the token on the top of his clothes, before bending at the waist, both arms giving to the caped person: “milord, if you please.”
The caped person extended an arm to receive it, the caped hand was meticulously maintained. An utterly conspicuous sapphire ring was worn on the host’s right hand.
The Lieutenant saw the caped person heading towards Old Waylon’s pub before knocking the door.
“These eccentric indulged nobles, who else would think of having a drink first thing in the morning eh.” the Lieutenant scratched his head, finally instructing his brothers to continue along patrolling the roads.
Morning. Rumont as a habit, visited Magician Sackville’s workplace. He went to his own separated room, closed the door and sat by his work desk, placing a bottle of compound in front of him, before beginning to, with the help of breathing and harmonizing his spirit, begun the day’s work.
Outside of the sectioned room were the envious and admiring emotions of his colleagues at the workplace.
Everyone knew that Rumont had somehow obtained an unplanned and unknown uncle’s inheritance. Even though the specific figure wasn’t clearly understood, yet since this inheritance was arranged with the stately holy emblem of the Shrine’s Lord of Radiance, in which afterwards it was also entrusted to the Adventurers Guild as an issued mission. It was evident in that case that there were several hundreds of gold coins. In brief, Rumont struck it rich.
To have obtained the so-called inheritance———in reality, it was laundered stolen property that was snatched from the Thieves Guild in Ricca———on that same day, Rumont was at the Adventurers Guild and paying back his accumulated 100 silver coins.
At what was the centre of Appleseed city, under Viscount Igor Adell’s3 backing, the Adventurers Guild broadcasted his territory and the territory of his vassals. Consequently, business profits and information tasks were gradually established and administered by the Adventurers Guild. Of course, if an Adventurer with a debt were to escape the city to the outside areas, in that case, Appleseed city’s Adventurers Guild would then need to consider the problem of the costs of chasing after the debt.
Rumont did not intend to immediately return to Ricca town after clearing his debt. In honesty, if it wasn’t for the responsibility and guilt of Nick’s injury, if it wasn’t due to the enmity of Tax Officer Barcas and Priest Dennis. Rumont even thought of using his own wealth to buy a property in Appleseed city, afterwards, he would then work for money, pay enough taxes on time, and finally acquire in Appleseed the right of autonomy; which would also be a good option. Let alone in Appleseed, inside of Old Waylon’s pub, there was still a young lady who loved him and would accompany him in sword practice, who would rush to take his dirty clothes for washing, would when delivering food give him more with prejudice……
However, Rumont felt he still needed to return. A strong man could differentiate between kindness and resentment. He wasn’t able to abandon Nick, nor relinquish his enmity.
Like this, choosing the right time to return was a worthy and important question to think deeply over. Rumont vaguely thought: following the approach of spring, along with the increasingly more flourishing Blue Grass within the Shennong Horn, the opportunity to get himself promoted to a Rank 2 Druid was already increasingly more evident. Once the batch of Blue Grass matures, the spatial region would then obtain the energy from cultivated plants, completing the upgrade!
As a result, with the current circumstances, probably only the most stupid of people wouldn’t be able to endure like this.
Rumont, having chosen to remain in Appleseed before the beginning of spring, felt relieved while synthesizing the medical compounds at the Magician’s workplace. However the next month, Rumont decided to no longer work here, even if he could indeed learn quite a bit of knowledge Sackville’s place every week.
“After all, a Druid was different to a Mage,” Rumont unenthusiastically thought while taking note of the already successfully harmonized vulnerary. Underneath the illumination of the magic lamp within the room, the medical compound within the glass bottle was showing a luster like a ruby crystal. Many ordinary people would believe that this type of hue would signify the essence of blood and the never ending flames of life.
“All types of magical goods, even the present negligible Mending vulnerary, are a wonder.” nobody would even believe such a point like the Earth originating Rumont. Rumont changed the glass bottle to a different angle, the dazzling the red liquid was really like a blaze leaping about. “It’s a pity that I’m not a Mage ah, a Druid should get closer to Nature.”
Rumont simply slumped his body on top of the desk, he suddenly thought of his former Master Jeff. The often green leafed cape wearing middle-aged man. He only just now remembered clearly, the first lesson Jeff ever gave him: a Druid ought to be intimate with Nature.
“A Druid should be intimate with Nature!” Rumont murmured: “I’ve asked Alex before what a Mage was. Alex told me, the first lesson Sackville instructed him was that a Mage was someone that pursued knowledge and truths. I also asked Yvette what a Warrior was, Yvette told me the first lesson that Waylon instructed her on, was that a Warrior was either you died or I perished. So every kind of profession possesses its own intrinsic belief and ideal eh. I understand what knowledge and truths mean, I also know about survival and death, however, who can tell me what Nature is?”
Rumont was feeling miserable, he thought about the reasons Jeff expelled him. All his comprehension of Nature was about balance and protection. A Druid should carefully protect the working balance of Nature, and not to use one’s own power to damage it———that was one’s Nature right?
Rumont placed the completed compound onto the table before using the bell. His emotions today were comparatively melancholy, it was better to go out and relieve his mind. That was how he thought as he went to find Yvette.
After Alex had examined the compound, Rumont smoothly obtained 7 silver coins. He went along the road until Old Waylon’s pub.
“Eh? Why is Old Waylon’s pub closed so early? Or is it that he never did open today?” Rumont was utterly perplexed by the locked up entrance of the pub.
He went ahead and knocked on the door. Nobody replied.
“Rumont ah, no need to knock, that scoundrel Waylon isn’t in, Yvette as well. Who knows where that pair had ran off to, they didn’t open at all today.” the one that spoke was a frequent visitor of the pub, he was currently grumbling.
Rumont felt even more depressed. He decided to go back and continue making the medicines……
However, this morning, Rumont absolutely wasn’t the most depressed person.
—————
Author: a plea for votes, recommend!
1. [咣當 crashing sound]↩
2. [艾德爾 – Ai De Er]↩
3. [伊格爾·艾德爾 – Yi Ge Er Ai De Er]↩
Bo~ 