Chapter 3-14 : Saving The Mermaid Village (part 1)
「Roan-san, can you tell me about the villagers’ illness? In detail, if possible.」(Kako)
「Why do you ask? Are you a doctor or something?」(Roan)
「No, but I’m a merchant, and I sell potions. I can sell them to you.」(Kako)
I wanted to help the people here, but after listening to Roan’s story, I learned that mermaids were a pride race. Moreover, they hate humans. I don’t think they will accept the help from me, a human.
Therefore, I’m thinking of trading with them.
I can trade my potions with the mermaids for some fresh fish or materials from the sea monsters they catch.
That’s right. This is business. It’s not simply help coming from a naive, kind human girl, so I’m sure they will accept it.
「Potions, huh? We’ve tried them, of course, but they didn’t work.」(Roan)
「I see. But can you at least tell me about the illness? Like what kind of symptoms the sick villagers here have?」(Kako)
「Alright. Those who got sick would have a cough for a few days, just like those children. If the symptoms worsen, they would weaken as if their strength were being drained. After that, they would feel intense pain all over their body.」(Roan)
「That’s horrible…」(Kako)
That’s more serious than I expected.
Looks like the poisonous substance polluting the sea is extremely dangerous.
At this rate, not only the mermaids, but the humans who eat fish from the sea will eventually have those symptoms too.
「I’m sorry, I only have normal potions and the ones for seasickness. I don’t think they will be enough…」(Kako)
From the symptoms, I could tell that it was a serious illness that couldn’t be cured with normal potions. I think we need a specific antidote or medicine to cure it.
「Told you. Well, it’s alright. You don’t need to worry about it.」(Roan)
Judging from Roan’s face, I could tell he wasn’t expecting me to be useful from the start.
However, I can’t just give up.
「Um, is it possible to collect a sample of that poisonous substance?」(Kako)
「You want that cursed substance? For what?」(Roan)
「I want to study it. Perhaps I can find a cure if I know what it is.」(Kako)
In my previous life, I learned that antivenom serums for snake venom were made using snake venom itself.
With that idea, I’m thinking if I may be able to make the antidote using the extracted components from the poison itself.
Venom and poison are different, I know, but I think it’s worth trying.
Roan still looked kind of doubtful. He knew I was trying to save the villagers, but he didn’t seem to believe I would pull it off.
However, he told me anyway.
「…Hmm… I think that will be difficult. After all that substance has already mixed into the sea. There’s one part of the sea where the poison is concentrated, but that place is too dangerous. If we get too close, we’ll be poisoned and get sick.」(Roan)
「I see.」(Kako)
That makes sense.
Collecting the poisonous substance that hasn’t been mixed with seawater seems impossible.
I’m not sure if I can make the antidote using the poison mixed with seawater, but it’s better than nothing.
「Forget about the poison, can you bring me a sample of the seawater instead?」(Kako)
「Is this water not good enough?」(Roan)
Roan pointed at the river in front of us. It’s connected with the sea, but it won’t do.
「No. I want the water that has been polluted. For example, the one from your hunting ground.」(Kako)
「Hunting ground?」(Roan)
「Yes. When you go out to hunt fish, please collect the seawater there. I might be able to extract the poison from it. Moreover, if I can determine the level of poison mixed in it, and if the concentration is high, we can warn people not to hunt in that area again.」(Kako)
「I see. Alright, I’ll do it for you.」(Roan)
「Thanks. One more thing. When I was on the boat, I saw a huge variety of vegetation on this island.」(Kako)
「This island indeed has a dense forest, but what about it?」(Roan)
「I’m thinking of collecting medical herbs and making something from them.」(Kako)
「Medical herbs, huh?」(Roan)
「Yes, so… Can I go outside?」(Kako)
「Yeah, sure.」(Roan)
I was surprised that he gave me permission so easily.
「Thanks, but honestly, I thought you would forbid me from leaving this cave.」(Kako)
「Huh? I said you were under my protection while you were on this island, but I never said you were my prisoner.」(Roan)
「Ah, right.」(Kako)
「You’re free to roam around this island, but remember not to go too deep into the forest. We don’t know what’s in there.」(Roan)
「You don’t know?」(Kako)
「We regularly patrol around the village and the waterside areas, so no beasts or monsters dare to come near the water. However, we don’t have two legs like humans, so we can’t go deep into the forest. Although we have been living on this island for decades, we have only grasped a small part of this entire island. There are so many unknown places we have yet to discover. You’re free to go to the forest, but don’t go too deep and stick to waterside areas where you can call someone for help if something happens.」(Roan)
「I see. Got it.」(Kako)
I can’t go deep, but knowing I can escape if I run toward water is reassuring.
「Before you go, do you have a weapon? You may want to bring one for safety. A normal trident is too big for you, but I can lend you a child-size trident if you want.」(Roan)
「I’m not a child! And I don’t need a trident. I have my own weapon.」(Kako)
As I declined Roan’s offer, I rummaged through my magic bag and took out a magic sword I made. I planned to sell it, but as Roan said, I need a weapon to protect myself just in case.
By the way, I called this sword the Quagmire Magic Sword. It works similarly to the Bottomless Quicksand Magic Sword, but less powerful.
It’s not as mighty as the Bottomless Quicksand Magic Sword, but in exchange, it consumes less magical power. It’s more efficient than its predecessor.
Although it can’t turn the ground into a large bottomless quicksand that sucks everything on it, it turns the ground into soft mud that’s strong enough to stop your enemies’ movements.
It’s not the strongest magic sword I have, but it’s definitely much better than Roan’s child-size trident.
「Wow, you have a good weapon. I didn’t know a young girl like you could use a sword.」(Roan)
「I can’t, but this is a magic sword, and it’s easy to activate.」(Kako)
「A magic sword? I thought only navy commanders had those kinds of weapons. Incredible.」(Roan)
「Well, ordinary people don’t usually have these weapons.」(Kako)
「Anyway, now I know you will be able to protect yourself in the forest, but don’t forget what I said.」(Roan)
「Don’t go too deep and stick to the waterside areas.」(Kako)
「That’s right. I’ll take you to the entrance. Let’s go.」(Roan)
I nodded to Roan and followed him toward the entrance of the village.
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