We haven’t been in Eril in a while, and it’s thriving to the point where I don’t recognize it.
It feels more imposing too, probably because of the walls.
These people were attacked by spies from Elesya, so that’s probably why they’re so cautious. I can’t imagine anyone being crazy enough to attack a place where many demons live, but there are also elves, so…
After Transfering to Eril, we see there’s kind of a festival going on, because Morrigan told the others.
They’re welcoming us, but I think it’s also just a reason to have a party.
Still, Chris and the others are happy to see Morrigan and Eris, so I’m glad we came here.
◇ ◇ ◇
The next day, we leave the town and go to the forest.
But it’s not just us. We have people like Eris, kids, and demons that escort us. It’s a big group.
Part of the reason why we’re here is that we’ve been cooped up in the dungeon or that town for so long, that we wanted to feel nature. So we’re gathering medicinal plants for the first time in a while.
It’s a nice way to relax, but also to restock potions, especially mana potions.
Ah, and since we’re in Eril, and there’s a guild here now, we left the monsters there. They were surprised when they saw lords, but when they asked where we got them, we answered honestly. But we also asked to keep it a secret that we sold them.
After all, we’re supposed to be in Zuirya right now.
“Sora, there are a lot of them here!”
We reach the place where the kids are guiding us, that’s a small open area in the forest.
There really are medicinal herbs blooming all over, and there’s a spot where they’re clustered.
Some of the kids start picking with me, and some are led by Eris and the others.
I use Appraisal as always, and take my time picking.
The kids keep talking and asking what we’ve been doing, so I tell them about our travels.
“There are a lot of good ones.”
I whisper, and they say with pride that Suiren and the others come by from time to time to grow the medicinal herbs.
That makes me wonder if I should be picking here, but they say there are other spots like this near the town.
“Ah, Sora, I want to start preparing the food, so can you make a cooking area?”
Asks Mia, after I spend two hours focused on picking.
The word food makes the kids’ eyes shine.
I choose a place with no herbs, and set it up with Earth Magic.
Mia starts cooking right away, but she’s surrounded by excited kids.
“Do you want to help?”
She asks, and receives nods with big smiles in return.
“Can you put what I cut in skewers?”
I bring out the skewers, after seeing Mia asking me with her eyes.
“Listen to Sora to learn how to do it.”
“It’s okay. We can do it!”
“Really? Then please do.”
I’ll start cutting ingredients too I guess.
I cut meat, bell peppers, onions, and vegetables, but the kids’ hands aren’t moving.
They only start when it’s all cut. Are they trying to keep a good balance?
“Fufu, it really brings out their individuality.”
Says Mia as she sees the skewers, while preparing something else.
Yes. And Hikari, who’s here all of a sudden, makes skewers that are just meat.
When the kids tell her that she needs to use vegetables too, she argues that it’s okay because it’s different kinds of meat.
The kids react to this like it’s some sort of divine revelation, and start copying her.
Also, Hikari changes the flavorings for each piece of meat, and adds stuff like a nice sauce and salt, further changing the flavor and making the kids even more excited.
Let’s just pretend I didn’t see that. Mia is also smiling awkwardly, but not saying anything.
Well, they’re having fun. Not to mention that they never get to cook like this, so we can forgive it just this once.
Once the food is ready, we meet up with Chris and the others, who have flower crowns on their heads.
We have a lively meal together, and once we’re done, we split into two groups.
One is going to take it easy in the open area. Mostly watching the kids that are taking a nap.
The other is going to the forest to look for fruits and berries. I’m with this one, along with Hikari and Mia.
Chris and the others are staying to watch the kids with Eris.
“Hikari, don’t get too carried away.”
Hikari is leading a group of kids that’s collecting fruits and berries, and when she easily goes up a tree, the kids try it too.
They’re being watched by adults like me, but some of them are pretty reckless. Mia can heal them if they’re not too badly hurt, but I’m still nervous watching them.
“…I’ll teach you.”
A class on how to climb trees begins, and the kids that were struggling start clinging too.
I don’t know if the kids have good physical abilities or if Hikari is just a good teacher… Probably both.
We get a bunch of fruit from the trees, and walk around the forest for a while, until we meet up with the others in time to make it back to Eril before the sun sets.
The next day, we stay in Eril in the morning, and then Transfer back to Zuirya.
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It is nice to take a break once in a while. Thanks for the treat.