The road to the village of Kolon was really a straight road.

　There were some side roads along the way, but we walked only where there were footprints and did not get lost. It seems that the village is used quite often.



　If it is used this much, it is no wonder that rumors of Anesa are spreading in the village of Koron.



Ivan is new to this road, isn't he?

"Yes, I'm not well-liked in that village, and no one has ever taken me out.

　For a moment, I didn't know what to say to him, and I couldn't speak.

　How difficult it must have been for him to live alone in that small, sealed-off world, with no one to trust him.



　Knowing the vastness of the world, we can think that if it doesn't work out, we can always look for another world, but it is very difficult to find something we don't know and to venture out on our own.



"......That must have been hard."

"But my grandma was always there to protect me, so I was okay being alone in the village."

"You love your grandmother, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. She is a respected wizard and the most important member of my family.



　It's hard to say what makes people happy, because it's hard to determine happiness in general, but there are people who are lonely even if there are many people around them.

　However, even if only one person feels loved and is able to love others, life will be completely different.

　Of course, it would be the best if we could be loved by all people, but I know from my own experience that this is not possible.



　As we continued on our way, chatting with each other, we reached a little higher ground from which we could see the village of Korong.

　It is in an exquisite position, not directly visible from the village of Colon below.



　This cave is also well disguised. From a distance, you would not be able to tell that there is a cave here. We descended the half-cliff, checking our footing.

　We struggled with the rough rock surface and carefully climbed down with Ivan and Shannon helping us.



　We saw Griz's big carriage lined up just inside the village, so it seemed that he was still waiting for us.



"You got here sooner than I expected. "Well then, let's look for Griz first."

Are you a friend of Mr. Locke's?



Yes, that's right. A good friend. Locke, that's pretty messed up. I can't believe he just disappeared.

　I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Grizz standing there, smiling.



"I'm sorry. I didn't think it would take this long either."

"Oh, man. So what have you been up to that's been so much fun?"

　He's got a big smile on his face.

　It's as if I'm in some kind of trouble, but I'm not.

　I'd like to think I'm never ...... in trouble.



"It's no fun at all. Oh, let me introduce you, this is Griz, the merchant, and this is Ivan, who I met in the village of Anesa. Ivan is such a little guy, but he's got some serious magic powers.



I'm Griz, Rock's best friend. I'm Griz, Rock's best friend. If there's anything you want, I can get it for you for as little or as much money as you want. I'll give you a discount for being friends with Locke."

"Thank you. My name is Ivan from Anesa Village. Pleased to meet you."

　Ivan seemed nervous, but unlike me, he was able to say hello.



　We had a lot to talk about, but first things first.

　I gave Grizz the original snow stone. I wanted to give him a processed one, but it would be better this way because he can change it as he likes.



　I am sure that Griz will be able to help you with the processing.

　As soon as I showed him the rough stone, he opened his eyes wide and tried to hug me with a big smile on his face, but I avoided him. I was happy for him, but a little scared.

　He was supposed to come back as soon as he got this, but it took him a long time.



"What? Don't you get my hot embrace?"

"I'm sorry, Grizz's big smile scared me for a moment, so I avoided him."



"I was so excited. But you really bought it for me. How much do you want me to pay?"

"Well, ...... it's pretty expensive."

　I pause for a breath, deliberately creating a moment.

　It was a gift to begin with. The price is .......



"Sure, I'll pay whatever you want."

"Well, ...... the price is to make sure you confess and don't waste it. Of course I wish you success, but to succeed you have to try."



"Huh?　Rock, do you know what the end price is for this?

"Terminal price" sounds like a dangerous drug. I don't know how much they're selling them for, but isn't it normal to support a friend's love?　Whatever the case may be, I'm sure you can get some of that size, and if you have any left over, you can process them and give them back to me. If you can get them, that is."



"Mr. Locke, will you give them to someone else after you process them?"

"Well, I don't know how many I can make, but ...... I have someone I want to give them too."



"I see. ......

"Shannon, you want some?"



"Oh, ...... I want one. But if you have someone else to give it to, that's fine.

"I don't even get a reward from the village head. I'm sure there's one for Shannon if you want it."



"Oh...thank you."

　Shannon looked somewhat dissatisfied. Well, now I have no choice.



"Griz, have you ever heard of selling snow tea seeds in this village?"

"Yes, of course they do. They say it's hard to grow though.



"I was given some, but I want to see if I can grow them myself, and if I can buy some to take home in case I don't make it.




"Well, I have some other delicious fruit seeds and unusual vegetable seeds that I can show you later."



"Thanks. And ...... there's something I need to talk to you about. Can you get me a private room or something?

"Sure. Let's go to where I'm staying.



Shannon, why don't you and Ivan go shopping in the village?

"Sure. Shanon, I'm sorry, but could you and Ivan go shopping in the village?

"No, I'll go shopping with Grizz later, and you can just go out for a bite to eat.



I'm not that picky.

"No, I'm not that much of a foodie."



　Shannon, who was a little joking and pretended to be angry at me, was just fine with me and I gave her the money.

　Since we're here, I think it would be more fun for Ivan to take a look around the village and find something tasty to eat than for me to go shopping.



　We agreed to meet at the inn where Grizz was staying.

　It is not a large village, so even if we finish our conversation first, we will be able to meet up with each other soon.



"Ivan, listen to what Shannon says."

"Yes, I will take care of him.

"I'll take care of him."



　Shannon's sulking expression was so cute that I couldn't help but tease her.



　We parted and I headed for Grizz's lodge.

　Griz's inn was a brand new, solidly built, and slightly upscale inn in the village.



　As might be expected of a village that has made a fortune from snow stone.

　I guess many merchants and adventurers come to the inn at certain times of the year.



　The rooms were as well-equipped as those in larger cities, though it might be rude to say that they were in the countryside.



　When I entered Griz's room, the innkeeper brought a cup of mint-scented tea to my room.

　The refreshing aroma filled the room. I would love to have a cup of this tea.



"So, what fun did you have this time?　Did you find a werewolf?"

"No, unfortunately there was no werewolf, but there was a dragon in the basement of the village of Anesa.



"Hahahaha!　That's the rock. ...... You've got some funny jokes ready. So what really happened?"



　I didn't answer his question and sipped the mint tea. The fresh minty aroma of the tea was wafted to my nose with just one sip.

　Above all, my mouth feels refreshed. I should grow mint. If it grows on the way home somewhere, I'll bring it back to the box garden.



"Rock ......, could it be true?"

　I slowly place my cup on the table and nod, looking Grizz in the eye.

　Grizz puts his hand to his forehead and looks up at the ceiling.



"What a tricky ...... thing to say, although I didn't want to believe he was serious. ......"

　Grizz remained speechless for a moment.

　I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.

　But this is not the only surprising information yet.