Chapter 17

It was late afternoon, the sun dipping behind the mountains.

“Arrived, as always~!”

With his usual cheer, the ostrich coachman swung the door open.

…No matter how many times I see it, that lace-covered, ribbon-stuffed tunic isn’t my style. And that ridiculous straw hat covering half his face—seriously…

Heidi was staring at him, remembering her suspicion that maybe he liked her, when he spoke.

“So, how did your strawberries sell today?”

“Yes.”

His friendly tone made her uncomfortable, so she answered curtly.

“Then I guess your busy work is over now?”

“…Yes, but why?”

Was he… asking her out? A date?

Wow. Didn’t expect him to be this direct. I’ll have to decline, but politely. After all, I’ll be seeing him again. What do I say…?

Her thoughts spun—until his next words shattered them.

“Actually, I wanted to introduce you to a very profitable crop~!”

“…What?”

That wasn’t a date proposal—it sounded like a sales pitch.

“I don’t usually tell just anyone, but since we know each other…”

“Excuse me?! That’s the oldest scam line in the book! I’m not buying anything!” Heidi snapped, glaring at him.

Of course. The guy who had once given her a donut cushion joke gift wouldn’t be confessing his love. He was trying to scam her!

“Really won’t consider it? Shame. I’m offering you a rare chance. If it works out, you’ll make a fortune! And it’s such a rare plant, not just anyone can grow it!”

“That just makes it sound more suspicious! If it’s so profitable, there must be a catch. Something dangerous.”

The coachman fell silent. Bullseye.

“Well, yes, it is a liiittle risky.”

“…”

“But fortune favors the bold, right? Besides, I wouldn’t bring it up if it were too dangerous. And you won’t be alone—you’ll have strong allies with you~!”

“There’s nothing more to hear. Let’s go, Ber.”

She turned sharply—only to freeze at the coachman’s desperate shout.

“Wait! One root starts at five million rute minimum! The record auction price was one hundred million rute!”

…That was too big a number to dismiss out of hand.

Maybe she should hear him out, just in case. Her eyes lit up despite herself.

“What crop is it?”

“A rare herb called mandrake.”

“Hm, never heard of it. What’s it for?”

“In simple terms: rejuvenation. It reduces wrinkles, makes skin look younger, and boosts vitality~.”

Ah. That explained the price. Anything that “improves stamina” was bound to sell like wildfire.

“And where do you get it?”

“Well, that’s the tricky part. It only grows in very specific conditions—foggy, damp, shady climates. That’s why the Grand Temple’s herbal gardens have basically monopolized it. Buuut…”

The temple’s herbal gardens were ancient, with 700 years of history, cultivating sacred plants to aid in healing. It wasn’t strange they had it. Though… why holy priests needed an aphrodisiac was a mystery.

“After much research, I discovered records that mandrakes also grow on the slopes of Mount Aurum~!”

Her excitement crashed instantly.

Mount Aurum—the official name of the Demon Forest right behind her land. A place infamous for monsters.

“…No way. I can’t go there.”

Even if she wanted money, she wasn’t about to get eaten alive.

“No worries! Only mid-level monsters show up on the slopes~!”

“Mid-level monsters are still strong enough to kill four or five grown men.”

His cheerful tone didn’t reassure her.

“Why worry? Isn’t your worker—Ber, was it?”

“Yes. Call me Ber.”

Ber finally spoke up after remaining silent until now.

“See? With someone like him around, mid-level monsters are nothing! He looks like he could turn them into jerky with one swing~!”

“…That’s true!”

Heidi’s eyes widened. She had been so used to thinking of Ber as a farmhand that she forgot what he really was.

“Ber, you’re a first-class mercenary in the Blue Dragon Guild, right? Uncle Henry said you’ve even fought high-level monsters alone!”

“…Yes.”

Heidi proudly bragged for him, leaving Ber a little awkward as he answered.

“If you want to go, I’ll take you to Mount Aurum.”

“R-really? Are you sure?”

“Mid-level monsters won’t be a problem. Even if you came along, I could protect you.”

“…Protect me too?”

She had only imagined sending Ber alone, but if he could escort her safely…

“Yes. Protecting one person is within my ability.”

“That would be perfect. If I see the plant’s environment myself, I’ll be able to recreate it later.”

“Then I’ll prepare.”

His steady answer made her heart pound again.

How can he be so good at farm work and still strong enough to handle monsters? He was the perfect worker, and she found herself liking him more and more.

But then the coachman interrupted.

“So, you’ve decided to go~?”

“…Well, Ber takes care of the safety issue, but we still don’t know where to find the mandrakes.”

“Then I’ll guide you!”

“…What?”

The offer made Heidi blink.

“I know the mountain’s geography well. I’ve even seen mandrakes myself, so I know what they look like.”

That claim made Heidi suspicious.

…He knows the Demon Forest’s terrain?

That was nearly impossible. Few ever returned alive from the Demon Forest, much less with a working map.

Which meant two things:

First, he was powerful enough to explore it and live.

Second, he must hold some high status—since only the rich or powerful could acquire such rare plants.

So I’ve been treating someone wealthy and strong like just some eccentric coachman? I’m just a minor baroness living like a commoner—what have I been doing?!

Cold sweat trickled down her back.

“Miss? Why so quiet~?”

His playful voice suddenly felt sinister, now that she thought of him as someone with power.

But staying silent too long might raise suspicion. Heidi clenched her skirts, forcing herself to reply.

“N-no, it’s nothing! I’m just impressed—you’ve even seen mandrakes before. Amazing knowledge.”

She tried to smooth things over with flattery.

“Huh? How strange. You never compliment me. Usually it’s complaints about my carriage.”

He tilted his head curiously.

Right. I’ve never praised him before. Just grumbled about his carriage.

Suddenly, his innocent words felt like an interrogation.

What excuse could she use? Her mind spun, but nothing came.

“…Thank you for the offer, but I think we’ll decline your company.”