Chapter 532

Outing with Al-sama (4)
“Takumi, I think we should give up on reaching the forest.”
“Well, yeah, it’s looking that way.”

If we’re getting sidetracked every few steps, that’s inevitable.
Even now, the kids are crouched in the bushes, working hard at collecting herbs.

“By the way… what are they picking this time?”
“From what I can see, it’s just common herbs like Lily Grass and Fenze Grass.”
“I see. Then there’s no problem.”

Hearing that it was just common herbs, Al-sama visibly relaxed.

“Al-sama, Al-sama! We found Blanc Mushrooms and Noir Mushrooms!”
“What!? Again!?”

He had just been relieved by Allen and Elena’s herbs, but Kaiser’s haul left him speechless.
And this time, it wasn’t just one of each—he had several. Kaiser really is good at finding Blanc and Noir Mushrooms.

“Kaiser, those mushrooms need to be raised with magic power, right? They should’ve been tiny when you found them. How did you manage to get so many?”
“Hmm? I’ve kind of gotten the hang of it, so it’s actually pretty easy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You just spread your magic power thinly around the area. Then the small mushrooms suddenly grow big. Once you notice that, you pour in more magic to finish growing them! Simple, right?”
“Whoa… so you weren’t growing them after finding them.”

So he was scattering magic power before even finding them.
That means he was wasting a fair bit of magic power to locate them… but I guess the method isn’t inefficient overall?

““Ogh~ Kaiser, you’re amazing~!””
“Hahaha! Indeed, indeed!”

Allen and Elena, who had somehow returned without me noticing, praised Kaiser, who puffed out his chest proudly.

“Allen wants to find some too.”
“Elena too!”
“Alright, shall we give it a try then?”
““Yeah!””

Before I could stop them, Allen, Elena, and Kaiser all ran off to hunt mushrooms.

“Just use a little magic power. Spread it thinly around you. The important part is not to miss any changes in your surroundings.”
““Got it~!””

A little ways off, they were already taking lessons from Kaiser and starting their mushroom search.

““Hmmmmm… take that!””
“Good, good. Your magic power release looks fine. Now you just need to watch for changes.”
“Hmm?… Doesn’t look like anything happened for Allen?”
“Ah! There! Elena found something!”
“Alright, Elena. Focus your magic power there.”
“Okay!”

As Elena concentrated her magic power on the area that had reacted, a mushroom suddenly grew up tall.

“I did it! It’s a Blanc Mushroom!”
“Indeed. A fine mushroom you’ve got there.”

Elena had successfully gathered a Blanc Mushroom.
But watching the process firsthand… that’s quite the absurd method.

“Muhh~ Allen’s gonna try again!”

Maybe because only Elena succeeded, Allen moved to another spot and started releasing magic power again.

“Elena’s gonna try again too~”

And off she went as well, to another location.

“Al-sama, I’ve got a feeling we’re going to end up with a lot of Blanc and Noir Mushrooms.”
“I’ve got that same feeling. Those kids aren’t the type to stop after just one or two, are they?”
“Not a chance.”
“Didn’t think so.”

I can say with full confidence—they’re definitely not stopping until they’ve picked a ton of mushrooms.

“Just to confirm… do you actually need all of these?”
“…… Can I leave that undecided for now? I’m not sure whether I can store them safely as ingredients, or if they’ll spoil once processed into medicine.”
“Ah, that’s an important point. Well, whether we sell them, use them, or… eat them? We’ll wait for your decision first.”
“Eat them!?”
“Well… they are said to be edible, so I figured I’d keep the option open.”

Though honestly, since they’re medicinal ingredients, I don’t really plan on cooking with them.

““Are they tasty?””
“—!? They’re edible mushrooms, but I don’t know if they’re tas—huh!?”

I turned around mid-sentence, startled by Allen and Elena’s voices behind me—when did they come back?—
And then I froze, words catching in my throat.

“Allen, Elena… what is that?”

Perched on top of each of their heads was a tiny flying squirrel, about the size of a clenched adult fist.

““Sugar Glider!””
“Uh, I wasn’t asking for the species name…”

Sugar Gliders are F-rank monsters that love sweet things.
Like the Pastel Rabbits, they’re a peaceful species that doesn’t like fighting.

“Why are there Sugar Gliders sitting on your heads?”
““We made friends!””
“”Kyuui!””
“I see, you made friends, huh.”

Each Sugar Glider was holding a little candy in both hands, happily licking away.
In the forest, they’d usually only have fruit or tree sap, so candy must be a first for them.

“Just to be sure—what are you planning to do with them?”
“They said they want to come with us.”
“Al-sama, is that okay?”
“”Kyuui!””

Looks like they’re aiming to become pets at the Meeting Hall.

“…… Takumi.”
“…… Al-sama, it’s okay to say no if you want. If that’s the case, I’ll take responsibility and either find them a proper caretaker or make them my contracted beasts.”

If the Meeting Hall doesn’t take them, maybe the Ruven family will.
And if not, I’m sure someone out there would love to raise them.
Worst case, I can just contract them like I did with Shiro and the others.

“Well, I mean… they look gentle enough, so I doubt there’ll be a problem. But let me give you an answer later.”
“Of course. Whatever happens, I’ll take full responsibility for them.”
“I’d honestly love to take them in myself though…”
“Oh? Al-sama, are they your type?”
“Wha—!?”

Yup, looks like these little critters have completely captured small-animal-loving Al-sama’s heart.
That probably means the Interaction Hall option’s as good as decided—Al-sama’s sure to push for it.

“By the way, are you done gathering mushrooms?”
““We’re satisfied!””
“Yup! We worked hard~”

Right on cue, Kaiser proudly held out a basket full of Blanc and Noir Mushrooms.

“... Wait, when did you pick this many?”
“The children released a bit too much magic power. Luckily, it happened right over a cluster of wild mushrooms, and they all grew at once.”
“Ah… so they hit a colony spot, huh.”

I was stunned by the sheer amount of mushrooms they’d collected—but apparently, luck had been on their side.

“Anyway, monsters aside, please don’t gather any more mushrooms or herbs today.”
“Hahaha~”

Al-sama’s spirit was clearly worn thin.
Ten Pastel Rabbits, two Gluttony Rabbits, two Sugar Gliders, and a mountain of rare mushrooms… yeah, that would tire anyone out.

“Alright, Allen, Elena, Kaiser—we’re heading home for today.”
““Ehh!?””
“What!?”

Still, seeing how much it was weighing on Al-sama, I gently convinced the disappointed kids, and we all turned back—
having never even made it to the entrance of the forest.

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