おっさん冒険者ケインの善行 (Ossan Boukensha Kein No Zenkou)
Author: 風来山 (Fuuraisan)
The Good Deeds of Old Adventurer Kane
1 – Prologue
For old Kane, it was another day of working hard with the herb gathering request he had accepted from the Adventurers Guild.
Though he avoided goblins and other weak monsters as much as possible, fighting was occasionally necessary as he filled his bag with medicinal herbs deep in the mountains.
“Oh, so many Kuko Seeds and Sobague Grass.”
If he picked fruits and mountain vegetables along the way, then he would have something to eat as well.
“Perhaps I’ll have the Baccus bartender cook something again.”
Kuko Seeds were nutritious and could be eaten freshly picked. They were often used for desserts. These fruits often grew in the Kuko Mountains.
As for Sobague Grass, if it was lightly boiled by the bartender of ‘Baccus’, his favorite tavern, then it would become slightly bitter, and be a perfect companion for a tankard of ale.
“It could also be used with an omelette.”
His mouth watered at the thought.
Herb gathering was not a popular request, as it did not pay very well. However, Kane was only a D-Rank Adventurer. And as this work was relatively safe to do alone, and there were smaller benefits like this, he continued to do them for a long time.
“Well then…I’ve gathered enough for myself. Time to leave an offering then.”
Kane descended the mountain and stopped by a small shrine near the entrance of the mountain.
Here, there was a small stone statue. Kane wiped it clean before making an offering of new Kuko seeds. Then he put his hands together and prayed.
“I was able to finish another adventure safely today. Thank you.”
It was a simple shrine that was barely large enough to shelter one from the rain and wind. In fact, Kane had built it himself.
While climbing the mountain for medicinal herbs, he had discovered the ancient statue that had been abandoned. Perhaps the sight of something old and forgotten had struck a chord. It was just like him in a way… And so he created the shrine and prayed like this.
He did not even know which god it was. However, after washing it with clean mountain water, the figure beneath was small and sweet-looking.
And so he could not help but hope that if he venerated it, it might become a guardian of the mountain.
“Now then…”
After praying, he always buried the old tree seeds near the shrine.
This way, they might one day grow into strong trees that would offer shade around the shrine.
“…Wait…huh!?”
Kane was startled.
After all, there was a large tree that he had never seen before.
This was a strange kind of miracle that should not have been possible.
Could it be that his god had blessed him so quickly?
As Kane approached it hesitantly, he noticed that there was a single large fruit growing on the tree. He had never seen such a fruit before.
“I wonder if it is edible?”
Kane had become quite familiar with wild mountains as he gathered herbs. And yet it was rare enough to have escaped his notice before.
In any case, he pulled out his pocket-sized plant guide and looked it up.
“This. Could it be…”
There was only one plant that matched the description.
Rarity: SSS.
‘Resurrection Fruit’
‘A legendary plant that grows in the Kuko Mountains. However, as the tree will disappear when the fruit is picked, the plant itself is veiled in mystery. It is of the highest rarity and is said to only appear once every ten years. Just like the Dew of Life, it is known as being an ingredient for Resurrection potions. It’s value on the market is beyond measure.’
This was the Kuko Mountains.
When he turned around, the tree had already disappeared.
Kane’s hand shook as he held the fruit.
“So this really is the rare item. The Resurrection Fruit.”
His voice quivered as he said it.
It was so hard to believe. This was the kind of good fortune that was the equivalent to winning the lottery ten times over.
If he sold it, his life would become much easier.
His old dream of having a house with a garden would become real.
And he would still have plenty of money left. He could drink cold beer every night instead of cheap ale.
Kane gulped as he imagined the rich taste of ice-cold lager beer.
And then…
“Gone, gone, gone!”
A girl with red hair and shining armor was swinging her sword through the grass as she descended the mountain.
It was such a surprising sight that Kane froze.
“Um, what is the matter?”
“Hey, old man. It should be growing somewhere here. Have you seen a fruit like this?”
She showed him a drawing. It was exactly like the Resurrection Fruit.
“Ah, I picked it just a moment ago.”
“Really! Please! It’s just what I was searching for! If you want money, I can pay whatever… Ah…huh?”
She shook her expensive-looking leather wallet, but only a few silver coins fell out.
“What happened?”
“Ah… I used the rest in order to gather the other ingredients for the resurrection potion. I really need it. You see, my friend died, and I am so close to being able to reverse it!”
“I see.”
This tear-eyed girl appeared to be an Adventurer like Kane.
Perhaps they had been on a reckless adventure that had cost her the life of a friend.
It was a common story.
However, resurrection potions were much too expensive for Adventurers to acquire.
Kane was called ‘Herb Hunter Kane’ these days, but there had also been a time when he was young.
Artena… He muttered quietly. It had been so long since he said that name.
Twenty years had passed since the girl had died in order to save him. And now, he could not help but compare her to this girl with red hair.
“Judging by your appearance, you must be an Adventurer in this town too? Then you must know all about me.”
She said with confidence. However, Kane did not know her at all.
Even so, there was something about seeing someone young and earnestly trying to help a friend that was touching.
“Alright, it’s yours then.”
“I swear by name, Sword Princess Anastrea, that I shall repay this debt. Huh?”
She looked at Kane, mouth agape.
“No, really. You can take it. I just happened to pick it here a moment ago.”
“Do you even understand how valuable this is? You could probably buy a castle with it.”
That was why she was searching for it here, instead of buying it.
Still, Kane felt her honesty in telling him such a thing.
It was clear that she would not accept it without payment.
“Alright, I’ll sell it to you for these. Goodbye.”
“Hey, wait!”
Kane put the fruit on the ground and picked up the three silver coins and walked away.
He had not been able to save Artena. But perhaps this girl could save her friend.
Besides, with three silvers, he could have some ice-cold beer with his dinner tonight.
Perhaps this was the right amount of luck for someone like him.
And so he picked up his heavy bag that was filled with medicinal herbs, and walked happily down the bath back towards the town.