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Chapter 7 – Visit to a Village
“What a beautiful view…”
“You certainly can’t see this kind of scenery in the Great Sea of Trees.”
For a while, Clare was captivated by the view that unfolded before her eyes. It was the first time she had seen such a view since she was born as Clare. Even in her previous life, she had not had many opportunities to see such a naturally rich plain with her own eyes.
After a while, Clare turned her gaze to Rona.
“Hmm. Are you sure? We’ve left the Great Sea of Trees, but do you know where we are?”
“The northeast part of Rostadt Kingdom. The edge of Margrave Tolland’s territory?”
The girl doll answered, guessing from the direction we had come.
“That’s right. Let’s go to the nearest village first.”
Rona nodded in satisfaction at the answer. She started walking towards the grassland path, and Clare followed her.
Margrave Tolland. A prestigious family that protects the northeast of Rostadt Kingdom. The general opinion is that they are a simple and strong fighters with a strong knight order.
But Rona says they are battle maniacs, or battle fools. The head of the family, his wife, and their three children. All of them are of the type who would take to the front lines in a battle against the monsters of the Great Sea of Trees. They are not only of high character, but also highly skilled, and it is rumored that the youngest child can use unique magic.
The knights under Margrave Tolland, led by such a noble family, are also brave and strong. It is said that there are no weaklings in Tolland.
Such temperament and ability are probably necessary to protect the north of the kingdom – to confront the monsters of the Great Sea of Trees. It also has the meaning of protecting the Vulgark Empire to the north across the Great Sea of Trees.
However, since the Margrave family’s military force is directed solely at monsters, there is no need to be overly cautious. …At least for Rona, that is the disclaimer.
She is a witch who has the skills to make various medicines and knows the Great Sea of Trees well. In a way, it was only natural that the Margrave’s people did not look down on her. It was also a meritocracy because they were facing monsters in the Great Sea of Trees.
After walking along the path made in the grassland for about an hour, the village came into view.
As we approached the village, the villagers on the watchtower bowed to Rona.
Rona said that this village is the closest to the Great Sea of Trees, and that she sometimes sells medicines to this village and strengthens the barrier against monsters. This was the first time that Clare had accompanied her, but she was sometimes left to watch the Great Sea of Trees when she was away.
Rona said that it would be beneficial to do someone a favor.
The villager on the watchtower was making gestures and calling out to the villagers, and then, as if in response, an elderly man appeared from the other side of the fence.
“This is the witch…!”
“Yes. I’ve come to sell medicine as usual. This is my apprentice, Clare. Clare, I’m the village chief.”
“Um… nice to meet you.”
“That’s very kind of you. I heard that the witch has an apprentice.”
She doesn’t take off her hat, but she raises the brim a little and bows.
Rona has asked her not to show her face in the village too often. Even though she has disguised her hair and eyes, some people might guess something from her appearance. Rona has told her that if anyone asks her anything, she can just say it’s the custom of an apprentice witch.
It’s a relief for Clare that she doesn’t have to make eye contact or face strangers.
The village chief introduces himself to Clare with a respectful look. Rona’s respect is evident from the way she treats her apprentice so well.
“The medicine I brought today was compounded by Clare. As her master, I can guarantee that it’s just as effective as always. Since the quality is the same, I don’t intend to sell it cheaply, but please tell the villagers that it was made by Clare.”
“I see. I understand.”
The village chief nods. The village chief buys medicine for the villagers all at once, listening to their actual requests. Medicine is valuable, so it’s not something that individual villagers can buy casually.
According to Rona, this village is also the base closest to the Great Sea of Trees, so having a stockpile of medicine also helps protect the lives of soldiers and adventurers. That’s why the Margrave also has a budget for purchasing medicine.
Vaginal medicine, antipyretics, painkillers, antidotes. Cold medicine, stomach medicine, etc. There are many types of medicine, but they are like a shared property for the villagers to stockpile in case of need.
At the same time, soldiers dispatched to the village, adventurers who happen to be there, and traveling merchants will come and buy medicines individually if necessary. It’s important to have a stockpile of medicines at the front-line base, but in their case, they may need them while working.
“Thanks, Rona.”
Clare tells me in her own words.
“What’s the matter?”
“Thanks to that, I won’t be ripped off when I buy medicines.”
“Well, it’s true that the quality is reliable. It’s also a matter of my reputation as a witch.”
Rona shrugs at Clare’s words. But still. If it were just Clare, some people would look down on her as a child or an apprentice witch, or look down on her.
When she puts out the medicines in the village square to sell to them, soldiers and adventurers immediately start gathering to buy medicines. Since the witch’s apprentice is accompanying her, the villagers also come to look at her from a distance and say hello, and quite a crowd gathers.
“You’re the apprentice I’ve heard about.”
“I didn’t think you were so small.”
“My name is Clare. I’ll come here occasionally to sell you medicine, so I hope you’ll continue to help me.”
Clare says as she makes the doll gesture as usual. Clare is a ventriloquist even when she’s out in the town, but her hat brim is wide, so no one can see her face.
She doesn’t seem very shy or reserved, as she usually manipulates dolls, and Rona encourages her to think it’s for magical reasons or because she’s a witch.
Recalling her memories of being on stage and the difficult interpersonal experiences of her part-time job, Clare does her job well through the doll, even while attracting attention.
Selling medicine is also part of her training. Rona supervises her to make sure the type and efficacy of the medicine she is handing over and the amount she is receiving are correct.
That said, Clare has memorized the effects and prices of the medicines. Having received a Japanese education in her previous life, Clare can perform mental arithmetic without any problems, and the peddlers, soldiers, and villagers are impressed and amazed by her speed, saying, “She’s definitely a witch’s apprentice,” and “What’s going on with that doll…”
She passes out goods and change through a doll that is hung from a string and manipulated… The villagers and adventurers look at her with admiration and a smile, watching her move quickly and skillfully.
Watching Clare sell medicine, Rona decides that there doesn’t seem to be any problem and asks the village chief.
“So, there’s a carriage to the capital today, right?”
“That’s right. It’s also the day the witch comes to visit.”
Normally, Rona doesn’t go to the capital unless she has something to do. She sells her medicine here and can buy what she wants from the peddlers.
On the other hand, the carriage is also timed to Rona’s schedule so that she can buy the witch’s medicine and transport it to the capital.
“What? Are you trying to match me? Well, that’s fine, but this time we’re going to the capital, so let us ride too.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know.”
“Hey, aren’t you going on a broom? You can fly outside the Great Sea of Trees.”
Clare, who had been listening to the story, tilted the head of the girl doll and asked. As a witch, she also had the skill to fly on a broom.
However, while low-altitude flight training was permitted within the hermitage grounds, Rona had forbidden her from increasing the altitude. In the Great Sea of Trees, there is a domain lord who has designated the skies above the sea of trees as his hunting ground. Creatures that can fly are naturally overlooked, but if they find creatures that can’t fly, the domain lord will actively come hunting them. It’s as if he’s telling them to know their territory.
They won’t necessarily be detected and attacked, but if they fly in a way that draws attention, they will eventually be hunted.
“If you want to expand your life outside, you have to learn the normal way first.”
“I see.”
Rona had told me this before. If you rely only on your own knowledge and common sense, you may fail.
For an individual to travel by flying was not common sense in Clare’s previous life. She had been told that it was a normal way for witches, but it certainly isn’t a common way in this world either.
And even if it is common sense for witches, doing it in the Great Sea of Trees can be fatal. Common-sense and correct answers change depending on the place.
In any case, knowing the normal way to fill in the gaps with the public’s perception is certainly necessary for her to interact with the world, Clare nodded.
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