v2c38 - Preparing Monster Wine and Presenting Shelly with a Wine
“I guess that’s about it for now?”
“Well. I don’t know much about it other than the grape wine, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.”
“Yup. Nina’s dad used to soak it like that, too.”
After finishing breakfast, I soaked the monsters in the distilled alcohol while asking Monica and Nina.
The monsters soaked are the Green Scorpion and the Iron Scorpion. Then there was the rock python, a snake monster that Ellie and Monica had caught yesterday.
I don’t know how long I should soak them, but I decided to put the jars back in the box they were sent in and leave them there for a while.
“Hmm? Now that I look at it, there’s also grape wine in the box that Tabitha had sent us. I guess grape wine isn’t suitable for soaking monsters, so I’ll give this to Shelly.”
“Master. Shelly is a blue dragon, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. However, in human form, she looks like a child, so I don’t think she’s a divine beast.”
Thanks to Shelly making the forest, wood and firewood became available, and fire can be used for cooking without having to rely on Lydia.
We’ve lowered Lydia’s burden, and as a thank you, we’ll bring it to her as soon as possible.
“Well, since it’s the underground cave, why don’t the three of us, Me, Ellie, and Monica go?”
“Big brother! Nina will go with you!”
“All right. Then I don’t think it’s a good idea for Lydia to stay at home alone, so let’s all go together.”
We all prepare to go to the underground cave, just as we did before Monica’s arrival.
“Alex. What about the torch? Do you want to take it with you?”
“No, I’ll be there this time, so I guess it’s fine?”
“Okay. The torch is a little heavy, so it would be nice not to have to carry it.”
We went to Shelly’s place, thankful once again that the torch was one of the things I could use thanks to her.
Also, Monica and Ellie are quickly and easily defeating the monsters, so I only have to do the lighting and carry the luggage, and if it’s the two of them, I feel assured entrusting the search for monsters to them.
After walking for a while, we came to a small shrine.
“Shelly, are you there?”
“Nn …… Oh, it’s Alex. Have you come to see me?”
“Yeah. We’ve got a new member here and I wanted to introduce her and give you a little something …… And this lady here is our newest member, Monica.”
At my words, Monica moved in front of Shelly, who was dressed as a little girl.
“I’m Monica, a Magic Knight. I look forward to working with you.”
She bows deeply.
“I’m Shelly. I’m a blue dragon, though I’m in human form now. Pleased to meet you …… But, why does your armor have such a bulge on your chest?”
“Well, I have large breasts and can’t wear regular armor, so I had it custom made ……”
“Oh …… with breasts this big, it must be pretty heavy.”
“Well, yes. It makes my shoulders stiff.”
Uh, Shelly? What are you talking about?
But I know what you mean about Monica’s chest being heavy, because I experienced it firsthand last night.
After a heated rock-paper-scissors contest over who would sleep where in the cramped cabin for the five of us, it was decided that Ellie would be on my right and Monica on my left.
So, for some reason, they both fell asleep with my arms between their chests …… it was soft, but the weight on my arms was quite heavy.
On top of that, Nina slept on my chest as usual, so …… huh? I know it’s a little late for this, but was I being used as a body pillow by everyone last night?
“…… Um, Master. I thought you had something for Miss Shelly?”
“Oh, right. Shelly, we brought you that bottle you wanted before.”
“Oh! I’m sorry about that. But liquor is the best way to restore my strength. I’ll take it gratefully.”
I placed the small barrel Tabitha had sent him by the shrine…
“That’s right. Not to thank you for the drink, but I remembered the location of the village of the black-haired men I told you about. You should go there. Perhaps you will find a den of monsters …… However, since it’s in this condition, I don’t know if there are any left.”
Shelly told me that there was a village just west of the shrine …… and glances at the barrels of liquor.
Ah, you can’t wait to have a drink.
I’m sure Shelly didn’t tell us where the village was because she was trying to get us to go away, but because she really remembered it, so this should be her first drink in a while, so I guess we should let her have a drink now.
“Okay. Then, we’ll just keep going west. Thanks.”
“Be careful on the way. When you get back here, I’ll take you back to the cabin.”
Shelly smiled and saw us off …… Drool! There’s drooling out of the corners of your mouth, you know!
I just smiled to myself and decided to move westward.