NOVEL WEB Chapter 222.2
Chapter 222.2. Magical Plants
It seems a child came alone from the distant ruins. We met when we heard that a group of goblins appeared in the northwest and went to exterminate them. She was huddled, exhausted, in a narrow alley between dim, sunless, abandoned buildings.
When I called out to her, she held her stomach, saying, “Ugh, a sudden hiccup…” So, she must have been hungry. When I asked what a hiccup was, she explained it meant being hungry. It seems that’s what it means.
Since she’s still a very young girl, we decided to take her under our group’s protection.
She’s a bright and hardworking child, but sometimes she plays pranks like a child. Since she’s basically a good kid, there’s no need to scold her harshly.
Just one more thing…
“It’s a big mistake!”
She toppled over, spilling the basket. The flower petals she had carefully gathered fluttered away, and as she frantically tried to gather them, she flailed her arms in a panic.
“I’ll help too~”
I chuckle and help her gather the scattered petals. Even if they’re dirty from the soil, Hina can purify them, so it should be fine.
For some reason, Mitoko-chan often makes big mistakes. Even though she usually handles tasks smoothly, it must be her natural clumsiness.
“Thank you very much. I’ll repay you by sharing some meat for the curry.”
“You know I’m the one making the curry, right?”
I smile at Mitoko-chan, who bows her head to express her gratitude, and we continue picking flowers.
The sun climbed high overhead, and after a while, we finally finished picking the balloon flowers. Picking flowers takes a toll on your back, so the others were grumbling and patting their backs, and it’s indeed a tough job. This work might be better suited for shorter people. Since the flowers can’t be picked by machines, it might be easier for children like me to do it.
“Why… why did I end up with such a job…? Damn you, Uriel!”
A bit further away, a man who recently came to this area grumbled in frustration. He’s a rare case, originally from the inner town. Others are also grumbling similarly. Apparently, he failed at something, lost all his assets, and was exiled.
The men who still can’t forget their life in the inner town wear old clothes and mutter complaints to themselves.
Despite their complaints, they work earnestly and diligently in this safe, well-paying job.
“I’ll get out of here soon and make my way back. First, I’ll gather the funds…”
The man mutters loudly, and though those around him are exasperated, they don’t pay much attention, as there are all sorts of people in the ruins.
“Come on, let’s take the baskets. After that, we’ll buy ingredients for the curry.”
Mitoko-chan tugs at my sleeve, and I nod in agreement.
We carry the baskets to the front of the parked truck. The baskets, filled with flower petals, are lined up, and the diligent workers are loading them.
“I have to go too. I need to check if they can make the Ring of the Zephyr properly.”
“I’m coming with you! I’m really interested in the new crafting techniques!”
Mitoko-chan seems interested in the new skills recently developed by Amatsugahara Corporation.
“Alright, let’s go together.”
I smile and take her hand as we head to the regular bus.
We arrive at Amatsugahara Corporation’s headquarters after a bumpy bus ride. The area around the headquarters is noisy, with old buildings being demolished and new facilities being built. The sounds of machinery echo, and the workers are shouting.
As new buildings are being constructed one after another, in a few years, no one will call this area the ruins anymore, I thought happily as we headed to our destination. The transport truck had already arrived, and the baskets were being unloaded.
“Hello~”
“Hello there!”
The factory has a curved roof like a kamaboko. However, it’s not a shack but a solid concrete building, so it might be more appropriate to call it a research institute rather than a factory.
The new building’s exterior is only partially painted, and the interior is still unfinished. The receptionists are arranging document shelves, and furniture vendors are discussing where to place sofas and tables with the employees.
The security guard nods slightly when he sees me. I have a pass, so I walk in with a bit of pride.
As we move further inside and enter a room, we find a spacious area with a large table covered in flower petals. Hina is standing in front of the table, her expression serious.
She notices me and nods slightly in return. Next to her stands a beautiful albino girl with pure white hair, ruby-red eyes, and pale white skin. It’s Kamishiro Serika.
“Hey, hello, Hana. It’s been a while.”
She raises one hand and greets me with a smile, so I smile and greet her back.
“Serika-san, you’re here too?”
“Yeah, I heard the mass production system was finally on track. As the supervisor, I thought I’d check it out. Hm? Is this your first time meeting that girl?”
Serika-san tilts her head, looking at Mitoko-chan. I was about to tell Mitoko-chan to greet her, but…
“What… what are you doing?”
For some reason, she was sitting in the corner of the room, holding her head in her hands, making herself small.
“Please wait a moment. Everything should be perfect, so it’s fine. [Sage] skill is level 10. If they didn’t notice, roll the dice.”
After muttering something, Mitoko-chan stood up, turned to Serika-san, cleared her throat with a cough, and smiled.
“I’m Mitoko. Nice to meet you. What is your name, Nadja?”
“…Soon, I’ll be Amano Serika, but for now, it’s Kamishiro Serika. Nice to meet you, Mitoko.”
Serika-san introduced herself, a bit puzzled by Mitoko-chan’s strange behavior. I wonder if I should ask what she meant by Nadja and if everything’s alright…
“For now, let’s watch the Ring of the Zephyr being made.”
“Yes, let’s.”
The Ring of the Zephyr is currently a popular item among those who make a living hunting monsters.