Chapter 19: Journeys of Opportunity

“You made a good choice. You’ll be busy from now on, but drop by sometime when you’re passing through. I won’t charge you for food.”  

“I will, for sure.”  

Suddenly, the innkeeper dabbed her eyes with her apron.  

“Oh, how silly of me. I shouldn’t be like this on a happy day.”  

There was a hint of reluctance in her expression, but her smile didn’t waver.  

I felt guilty for all the trouble I’d caused her. 

Meeting her in this unfamiliar place had been a stroke of luck.  

“Thank you so much for everything.”  

With heartfelt gratitude, I turned away, reluctant but determined.  

I vowed to succeed to repay her kindness and faith in me.  

“Alright, let’s sell some vitality drinks in Alburton!”  

I stepped forward with purpose, my heart pounding with excitement for the new challenge.  

***  

A little later, someone visited the inn in Alian.  

A thin, haggard man was panting heavily, as if struggling to breathe.  

“E-Excuse me.”  

“What can I get you?”  

“I don’t need food. I have a question.”  

He spoke with desperate eyes.  

“I heard there’s someone in Alian selling vitality drinks. They said I could meet him here.”  

The innkeeper replied firmly.  

“That young man won’t be coming here anymore.”  

“What? What do you mean?”  

“Exactly what I said. You should go.”  

“Didn’t he say where he went? Please, if you know, tell me. I came all this way for the vitality drink.”  

“Sorry, but I don’t have anything to tell you.”  

With no choice, the man turned away, his steps heavy.  

An hour later—  

“When’s he coming…?”  

Baski was camped out in front of the Alburton inn. 

His altitude sickness made farm work tough, but he didn’t want to let go of the hand Fabir had extended.  

He wanted to maintain that precious connection with Fabir.  

Maybe not now, but someday, he could be of help.  

“When will he show up?”  

Exhausted from waiting, Baski slumped to the ground.  

“Hey there.”  

He turned to see the innkeeper.  

“You can’t just sit in front of the shop like this.”  

“Oh, sorry. I’m waiting for a friend. He said he delivers here. Do you know when he’s coming?”  

The innkeeper looked Baski up and down.  

“Ugh, another one today,” she muttered under her breath before continuing.  

“That young man’s already left for somewhere else.”  

“…What?”  

Baski felt like he’d been hit over the head.  

“Left? Where to?”  

“Don’t ask me. You’re his friend, aren’t you?”  

“Oh…”  

“I don’t mean to doubt you, but a lot of people have been looking for him lately. If he didn’t tell you, there’s probably a reason.”  

Many would covet such a remarkable ability. 

Baski understood why Fabir might have left without a word.  

“So, you should head back too. Sitting here won’t do any good.”  

With that, the innkeeper turned away.  

“Fabir, that guy…”  

Did he really leave without saying anything?  

Then again, I’m no help to him right now. 

Still, I vowed to be useful someday. 

If only he’d given me a hint about where he went.  

As Baski hung his head, a thought struck him.  

What if I stay at this inn? 

Maybe I’ll hear news of him eventually…  

Yes.  

Baski made up his mind to act.  

“Ma’am! Wait!”  

He hurriedly caught up to the innkeeper. 

When she turned, he spoke in a trembling voice.  

“C-Could I help out here? I need a job.”  

“Hmm…”  

The innkeeper studied Baski, pausing to think.  

I’ll probably get rejected again.  

Used to rejection, Baski had mustered great courage just to ask.  

“Please, give me any task—I’ll do it well.”  

“There’s plenty of work.”  

“Really, anything… Wait, what?”  

Stunned by her quick agreement, Baski blinked.  

The innkeeper smiled at him.  

“What are you waiting for? Come on.”  

“…Y-Yes!”  

Overjoyed, Baski hurried after her.  

A new connection was beginning for Baski too.  

***  

“Wild strawberry honey never gets old.”  

Elenia, as usual, started her day collecting honey from wild strawberry flowers.  

Meanwhile, I headed to the fields, pondering breakfast.  

I gathered carrots and onions in a basket and picked up a ripe pumpkin.  

At the well, I halved the pumpkin, scooped out the seeds, and chopped it into pieces to steam in a pot.  

“What are you making?”  

“Pumpkin salad.”  

A pumpkin salad with various vegetables is refreshing in summer and delicious spread on bread.  

“Sounds mouthwatering already.”  

“I’ll make it tasty, so look forward to it.”  

While the pumpkin steamed, I sliced carrots and onions thinly and scraped kernels off leftover boiled corn.  

Soon, the pumpkin steamed, releasing an appetizing aroma. I peeled it, mashed it in a bowl, added a pinch of salt, and mixed in the carrots, onions, and corn kernels.  

“Hey, everyone! Time to eat!”  

“Squawk!”  

“Coming!”  

We gathered in the shade.  

“New table?”  

“Thought a dining table would be nice.”  

On the low table sat pumpkin salad, bread, and ice-filled wild strawberry juice—a full spread.  

“Let’s dig in.”  

“Thank you!”  

“Squawk!”  

I took a slice of bread, spread fresh pumpkin salad on it, and took a big bite.  

The soft, sweet pumpkin melted like cream in my mouth.  

The crisp carrots, onions, and corn added texture and flavor with every chew.  

As expected, vegetables grown on the Floating Island are not only nutritious but also incredibly tasty!  

“Delicious!”  

“Amazing!”  

“Squawk!”  

I used to eat just to fill my stomach, but now I’m choosing what to eat.  

What a delightful, luxurious dilemma.  

“That was good.”  

After breakfast, I harvested watermelons. 

I diced them, wrapped them in a cloth, and squeezed. Juice dripped through the fabric.  

Watermelons, rich in juice, were perfect for making drinks—producing far more than wild strawberries.  

Squeeze.  

I twisted the cloth harder with a stick, determined to extract every drop.  

Rip.  

The cloth tore, and watermelon bits scattered across the ground in a tragic mess.  

“What a waste… A cloth won’t do anymore. I’ll buy a juicer in Alburton.”  

My grip had gotten stronger from all the squeezing.  

I needed a sturdy juicer to handle my strength.  

“Why go to Alburton? You could ask the blacksmith in Alian for a juicer.”  

“Well…”  

I shared my plan with Elenia.  

“That herbalist I helped by the stream suggested selling vitality drinks in Alburton. There’s an adventurers’ guild there, so there’ll be demand for health juices.”  

“That’s a great idea.”  

A chilled glass of watermelon juice in summer would soothe a tired body and soul.  

Adventurers, exhausted from training, would love it.  

“I’m off to Alburton. I might be late.”  

“Alright. Be careful.”  

“Let’s go, Dorori!”  

I climbed onto Dorori’s back.  

***  

“So many people.”  

Alburton was a small city with a population several times larger than Alian.  

Carriages bustled along paved roads, and two-story buildings lined the streets.  

The market was even more crowded with people.  

Even a glance at the passersby’s clothing showed more wealth than in the rural village. 

The purchasing power here was higher, so expensive items would likely sell better.  

To start a business, I needed a spot, so I headed to the merchants’ association.  

“Excuse me.”  

“What can I do for you?”  

An Alburton merchants’ association employee looked me over.  

“I’d like to set up a stall in the market. Any spots available?”  

“There are no open spots right now, and we don’t know when one will free up. You’d be better off looking for a shop, though that’ll cost a pretty penny.”  

As expected, securing a spot in a city was no easy task.  

The more populated the city, the fiercer the competition, but the rewards were greater if you succeeded.  

Leaving the association empty-handed, I wandered through the shopping district. 

Bakeries, clothing stores, restaurants, and workshops—more upscale and specialized than the market—caught my eye.  

Among them, a three-story alchemy shop stood out with its grand scale and ornate decor.  

Most shops couldn’t compare.  

By the way, Bernard said his herb shop was around here.  

Scanning the area, I spotted a faded sign next to the alchemy shop. 

The worn-out sign barely read “Herb Shop.”  

“Is this it?”  

Hesitantly, I opened the door.  

Jingle.  

The bell above the door chimed softly.  

“Excuse me.”  

Startle.  

“Welcome!”  

Bernard, who had been dozing at the counter, jumped up.  

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”  

“Fabir?!”  

Recognizing me, Bernard rushed over with a delighted expression.