Chapter 13- In the Western Forest I
1064 Words
The older man and the young one gazed at Henry. After grabbing their attention. Henry smiled at the two men staring at him. Before he asks, “Is this the guild that gathers the herbs?”
“If here to buy herbs, sorry we have little supply currently. Come again next month; if that is, we will be able to gather herbs." The older man replied towards Henry with little interest.
Henry scratched his cheek lightly with a forced smile on his after receiving the reply and spoke once again, “I'm not here to buy herbs, good sir.”
The older man gave Henry a stern look, “then state your reason for coming here. And make it quick me, and my assistant is busy with other vital things, other than entertaining a tourist.”
However, as the older man and Henry, we're conversing. The young man, who was the same age as Henry, saw the bronze necklace wrapped around Henry's neck. He immediately yells, “Are you an adventurer!” Towards Henry.
The older man lost his stern look and said to Henry, “Why didn't you tell us! Are you here to take the job of guarding us!"
Henry was about to say something. However, the older man outpaced him as, the older man's wrinkly hands already held Henry's hand and spoke, “finally, we can gather herbs and not lose our jobs."
“Eh!?"
Thus, it became why we are accompanying these two people on the town's outskirts, in the western forest. But what had transpired proves even how stupid Henry is; he doesn't know how to say no to desperate people. The hero is genuinely naive. Something that should not be a trait of a savior.
“Henry, is your name right?" The young who is the older man's assistant, asks Henry.
“Yes, and you are?"
“I'm Cabel, the assistant of the researcher and herbalist Harmon.”
Cabel had golden blonde hair with blue-grayish eyes: Petite but a little taller than Henry. He's an excellent-looking boy that could get any girl he wanted through his looks.
“Sorry if Sir Harmon scared you in any way. He's just desperate to gather the herbs needed since we cannot get anything for quite a while, thanks to monsters' increased presence here.”
“By the way, who is this scaly companion of yours hanging lounging around your neck,” Caleb spoke, moving his face near Otis.
“Stay away from me, fool!” Otis Exclaimed.
“He spoke, the snake spoke," Caleb said unto himself as he started into Otis with amazement.
“Sorry about that Caleb, Otis doesn't like people getting close to him that much.”
“I see, but a talking corn snake is quite rare. Only circuses have them; they are even useless in combat."
‘Is this kid insulting me? How dare he? I am an emperor who nearly conquered the world. And he thinks I belong in a circus! He's not wrong; with this cursed body, I will be called a circus animal. So this is what it feels like to look down. I must find a way to return to my body. Whoever owns it now, I must get it back at any cause.’
“Otis is not useless in combat! His unique and powerful. He may be small and seems to belong to a circus. But he defeated a knight and was in a stalemate when fighting a genius beautiful Cleric.” Henry replied to Caleb.
“You guys are close friends, huh?” Caleb spoke after witnessing Henry and Otis.
“Of course!" Proudly replied Henry. “Otis and I have been together since we were young. We grew together in the same village and house. We also in the same bed." Added Henry.
“Hey, you're making weird, unnecessary remarks,” Otis exclaimed.
Henry and Caleb laughed at Otis, who was getting cranky. But Caleb spoke something unexpected, “I wish I also had a friend, like Otis.”
Caleb spoke it in a low voice, and I could tell his smile was fake. I could feel Caleb felt empty as he said those words like a hollow doll.
Henry put his arms on Caleb's shoulder and spoke with a smile, “don't worry, Caleb, we can be friends.”
When Henry did say those words, I saw Caleb's eyes widened, and his smile was more genuine. I never thought that Henry would make someone genuinely smile.
“Thank you, Henry. I made my first friend.” Caleb spoke.
But as the two were enjoying their moment, the older man yelled, “Hey, you two were here!”
Harmon walked towards Henry and said unto him, “You keep watch for monsters while my assistant and I gather some herbs here.”
After saying those to Henry, Harmon moves his attention to Caleb, where he said to him. “We need to gather as many as we can for today since we have to make up for our loss In past days. Also, we are unsure If Henry would continue his services.”
The two gathered the wild herbs growing in the forest. At the same time, Henry took guard, watching the surroundings for any monsters. Of course, I was also watching out for monsters to see if I recognize any of them. If I might remember them, then I would have a higher chance of meeting the commander.
However, If they are just the local monsters with a high population, I would not hesitate to eliminate them on sight since they'll be just a nuisance. Also, I can use their carcasses as well as the power I will gain from them.
I would be able to increase my strength once again. I am moving a step closer to my former self. It might be slow, but it's guaranteed that I would regain my former self.
However, as I was speaking to myself, Henry suddenly held his sword. As a powerful presence lurks nearby and he was not the only one. I also felt the power of the present too. However, the emphasis was too familiar for me not to notice it.
“Could it be him? Is this one of my generals.”
A loud, deep voice spoke to Henry's rear. “Human state your business here."
- Writer
