Volume 8 Chapter 1 Part 3 (1/2)
”Hmh”
The two women woke up roughly 2 hours later.
Karin woke up first, then Kanade a little later.
Perhaps because their bodies had rested, or because of the equipment's effects, their conditions had improved greatly.
”I offer you my most heartfelt thanks for saving my mistress' life.”
”I do too. If you weren't there, we would be sleeping among fish and seaweed.”
”It would have felt bad to just abandon you, that's all. Rather than that, it's almost time for dinner.”
Both had lowered their heads in thanks, but s.h.i.+n replied that such excessive politeness was not needed, and handed them a large bowl instead.
He had made some stew while they were sleeping. It was simple he just cut the ingredients and let them boil in the roux he materialized from a card.
”Allow me to thank you again..”
”And this is quite the delicacy too. I feel my whole body getting warmer.”
”It's a simple dish, I just cut the ingredients, boiled them, and put in some seasonings.”
While saying so, s.h.i.+n poured himself another bowlful. Yuzuha, of course, had her share too.
The two women were surprised at first by Yuzuha's presence, but understood when s.h.i.+n explained that he could call her because they were bound by a contract. Apparently, users of a similar technique were also in Hinomoto.
After the meal, they decided to talk a while before sleeping.
”First, tomorrow shall we see if we can find a dwelling or some sort around here?”
”That's right. Without knowing where we are, we can't decide where to go.”
”Ah, at the very least I know in which country we are.”
s.h.i.+n interrupted the women's conversation. He had seen a particular mountain when he had exited the cave.
”Is that so. Tell us then, where are we now?”
”Hinomoto, your homeland.”
”Sir s.h.i.+n. May I ask how you know?”
”When I went outside, I saw the sacred Mount Fuji. Is it not Hinimoto's symbol?”
s.h.i.+n, who had heard this piece of information in Balmel, had understood right away where they were.
Sacred Mount Fuji was a map added in the 5th update, ”Banquet of Blades”. It had been reproduced with such precision that it was almost identical to the real Mt. Fuji, so s.h.i.+n understood at a glance that what he saw was Mt. Fuji.
”Indeed it is. In such a case, we can have a rough idea of our current location?”
”Yes. If we are in Hinomoto, we can find a way back.”
s.h.i.+n thought of heading to a certain port town and meeting with Schnee and the others.
Kanade and Karin's equipment had not been lost, so they did not need to be accompanied.
”Now that we have a destination, there is something I need to ask, Lady Kanade.”
Also thinking of Yuzuha, s.h.i.+n decided to ask the question right away.
”What is it?”
”Why did you jump down from the s.h.i.+p? I am sure you knew it would put you in mortal danger.”
s.h.i.+n had a few theories about the reason, but nothing more.
Kanade appeared to hesitate, but maybe thought that she couldn't keep silent either, so she nervously started to speak.
”In truth, the medicine we had obtained for my elder sister had been blown away by the wind. I always kept it with me in order to not lose it, but that proved to be my undoingI owe you both an apology.”
Saying so, Kanade lowered her head towards s.h.i.+n and Karin. She knew it was dangerous, but moved without thinking.
”Even so, in the end only this much remained.”
What Kanade was holding were green colored leaves with a hint of red.
The name of the plant was ”Mimic Dead Snake Gra.s.s”. As the name suggests, it was a plant that looked very much like ”Dead Snake Gra.s.s”, but was a completely different species.