Twelve: You know, getting rid of sickness takes a sword, right?

That day, I woke up before the sun rose.

"Ugh... I had nothing to do last night, so I guess I’ll take a walk."

I’d stocked up plenty on potions and oils, so I’d gone to bed early. Must’ve woken up at some weird hour.

Too early for breakfast, I thought I’d check on the fields. Stepped outside the house, and there was Persia, swinging her sword in the courtyard in front of the manor.

"Good morning, Persia."

"Craft. Early, aren’t you?"

"Kinda woke up. You’re serious about this."

"All I can do is swing a sword."

"That’s not true."

A guy who just swings a sword? How could he protect anyone?

And yet, just the two of us. Only a few people could handle that.

"...Craft, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Huh?"

He gave a look of deep thought, then turned away without so much as a glance in my direction. His face was sharp, tense.

"Over here."

Following Persia, we slipped into the manor.

"Be quiet."

"Yeah. But this place..."

Ahead, moving like a shadow, was Kyle’s bedroom.

(Whoa—)

(Look.)

I followed the motion of my thoughts, my gaze landing on the bed. Not the peaceful sight of Kyle sleeping soundly.

"U... ugh... un... gah... hah..."

Kyle was groaning, drenched in sweat, writhing in pain.

"Hey—gotta wake him up—"

This wasn't normal. Not even close.

I lunged to shake him awake, but Persia stopped me.

(Keep it quiet. It's fine.)

(But he looks like he's in agony!)

(This is Kyle’s everyday life.)

(What?!)

No, this is way better than it used to be. Especially since I started taking stamina potions—now I can actually fall asleep.

Like I didn’t even notice. Is this just how he’s always been?

Just at night now. That’s what the potion’s doing. But when the effect fades, like it is now, it’s back to the old agony.

Damn it.

Persia silently leaves the room. I follow.

We return to the square. Sit side by side on a log bench.

“Kyle’s been that sick this whole time?”

“Always keeps it together. Can’t blame you for not knowing.”

Makes sense. That’s why Persia and Alphard’ve been so overprotective all along.

“What kind of illness is it?”

“Don’t know. Says it’s been like that since birth. That’s why I’m asking you something.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Didn’t even tell you yet.”

You think I’m gonna get it through to you like this? I’ll make a cure potion—just watch.

……Please.

Got it.

The mage’s mark never did much good for anyone. But this alchemist’s sigil glowing in the dusk? It’s gotta help someone this time.

There’s one problem though. We’re short on ingredients.

“Short on materials. Gotta go scout a bit.”

“Yeah. If there’s anything I can do, just say the word.”

“Then guarding Kyle’s the best thing you can do.”

“Protecting his life is my duty—no matter the cost.”

“You seem calm. See you later.”

I rushed back to the provisional guild hall, digging through the documents only Kyle and I were allowed to see.

翻了药草图鉴，查那几种草药的生长地点。

Why weren’t Cure Potions more common, even though Healing Potions were pretty widespread? Turns out it was the ingredients.

Now that I knew what the alchemist’s sigil revealed, and saw how the market worked, it made sense.

...They weren’t just ripping us off.

The herbs we needed mostly grew in swamps.

And most swamps were dangerous—no good for people.

I spread out the map from the documents.

Simple, but enough for what I needed right now.

"There’s a swamp a bit further out… Wanna check it?"

Kyle and Leifan would probably try to stop me if I told them. So I decided to leave before they woke up.

◆

So it is…

A massive multi-headed serpent wandering the swamp. A hydra.

Three heads. Four. Even seven.

The hydra is born with two heads and gains more with each molt—lord of the swamp.

One reason humans rarely set foot here, even in marshlands where rice farming is possible with minor soil improvements.

Scanning the marsh from a safe zone using “Far Sight” magic.

Deep in the vast wetlands, I spot the target herb in bud.

“Sneaking it out… not gonna work.”

If the hydra stayed still, maybe I could’ve managed with magic. But spread out over such a wide area? Just throwing fire spells won’t cut it.

I’d need front-line support.

I’d better not push myself. Back to the village for now.

“Ah, Craft. Where’d you go?”

It was lunchtime, so I figured I’d explain while eating.

“Just felt like trying a new potion. Went out to find some herbs.”

“Ah, that’s right. Did you find it?”

I knew where it was, but couldn’t get it.

What happened?

The wild herbs grow in marshlands. And marshlands? Hydras are always there, just like clockwork.

"Hydra!?"

Leifan stands up with a clatter.

His face was hard, clearly angry.

“What’s the problem? Hydras aren’t exactly rare in swamps, are they?”

...Sorry, sorry...

Leifan took a deep breath, then slowly sank back into the chair.

I said before there was a gnome settlement around here, right?

"Ah."

There’s a bunch of small details, but the biggest reason the village was wiped out was the Hydra.

What the hell?

Hydras don’t usually leave their territory.

Since the staple food’s fish, they probably won’t cause much trouble as long as you don’t step into their territory.

“Don’t know why, but one day, a whole bunch of hydras just descended on the settlement…”

Leifan clenches his fist tight.

“Leifan, you used to live there as a kid, right?”

“Yeah… still dream about it sometimes.”

“Huh….”

Probably why the land’s been so slow to develop—this kind of thing might be part of it.

Most people get sent out without even being told how dangerous the place is.

Just being warned this time around? That’s practically a miracle for a settlement.

“So, Craft, what’re you planning to do?”

“My goal’s the herbs. Hit it fast with a small group, grab the herbs, and get out quick. If there’s time, I’d like some magic stones too.”

Hydra stones are better quality than oak ones—any of them would make things easier.

Got a ton of stuff I wanna make, but Hydra stones’d solve most of it.

"Just don’t plan on wiping them all out this time. Just expecting minimal combat."

If things get tight, we can skip the stones and just bring back herbs.

Good thing my alchemy doesn’t need much.

"I’m going too!"

"...Can you promise you won’t push yourself?"

"You’re an ex-adventurer and a mage, right? I’ll follow orders."

"Alright. Two people’s not enough. Let’s gather more."

That night, when everyone was gathered, I explained the situation.

Didn’t mention Kyle. Just said we were heading out for needed herbs—and if possible, magic stones.

"I’ll go!"

Persia stepped up right away, got it fast.

"Hey, Persia, our job’s—"

"Please, Al. Let me come."

Persia fixed her gaze straight at Alphard. Alphard frowned, then scratched his head.

"...Alright. Seems like there's something going on. I'll leave Kyle and Maina to you."

"Right. I'm counting on you."

Kyle watched the exchange, eyebrows knitted in confusion, but said nothing.

"Then I'm headin' out too."

Jitarou stepped forward with a grin.

A bit of a worry, though.

"What? Maina’s got her bow. She’ll keep her distance. If Leifan and Persia’s sister are up front, we need someone to cover Craft while she uses magic, right?"

"True enough."

"Then it’s settled. Just the four of us. Count on us."

"Leave it to us!"

Leifan answered brightly.

But I didn’t miss the muttered words that came after.

...We’ve been building实战 experience specifically to take down the Hydra.

Skill level seemed solid enough.