543 - Sending Off Winter # 6

Hooook-.

A unique fragrance emanated from the woman. I wasn't sure if it was an oil made from crushed flower petals and extracted ingredients, but...

Amidst it, the faint scent of a turmeric-like herb created a peculiar aroma.

It was then that it finally came to mind.

"Dorothea, huh."

"Yeah."

The name of the female executive of the thieves' guild was Dorothea.

She was the younger sister of Dorgo, an illegal resident Sandman who ran the underground bar. Dorgo was a comrade-in-arms who had participated in the war with me.

I'd forgotten because I hadn't seen her in ages, but seeing her accessories that gave off a Princess Jasmine vibe and her heavy eye makeup, the memories started to surface.

MnZBMElkRjFKc3ZCR0RiWklQRlA5WlZINzRaZThhUzZ1cnMyS01IbEgxYkpKZTFQcHRyNE9PMHVlUmxKbndtSQ

Since the thieves' guild Hydra disbanded, contact with these guys was lost, so I'd buried them in my memory. Seeing them again after so long, life really is a small world.

Dorothea, the current executive of the thieves' guild, spoke.

"What brings your busy self all the way here? It doesn't seem like you're planning to crack down on the underground market again now, does it?"

The person's blue eyes, visible behind the mask, scanned me and Gloria.

"Is this one your sister? You look alike. You're even wearing matching animal hides. You seem close, huh?"

"She's not my sister, she's Gloria. Gloria, the warrior of Goddess Juno."

At my explanation, Dorothea, the thieves' guild executive, gasped 'Eng-'.

"This girl? I had no idea. I heard rumors that she'd be a burly, ogre-like woman. She's cuter than I expected?"

Perhaps because her previous rampaging madness had subsided. Most evaluations of the docile Gloria were favorable and positive.

Pretty women, naturally, tend to receive favor from everyone, young and old.

Of course, Gloria responded by baring her fangs as if wary, though.

"Even if it's underground, thieves wandering around in broad daylight. Sodomora's security is total crap. What item are you planning to steal next?"

Gloria didn't seem to like the position of being a thief. She probably thinks they're despicable guys who sneakily steal other people's belongings from the shadows.

"Despicable guys who sneakily steal other people's belongings from the shadows."

She really said that.

I can't believe I was reading Gloria's mind perfectly. Can I really control others' emotions? Is this the power of a god?

Anyway.

I worried slightly about how Dorothea would react to this aggressive remark.

Even though Gloria had become docile, she's still a beast. Even if tamed by humans, there's no guarantee a beast won't attack people.

Even if the thieves' guild executives were skilled, they'd be like eggs before a rock in front of Gloria. So, just as I thought I should intervene appropriately,

Dorothea said.

"We thieves only steal from those with dirty backs, you know. So there's no problem. Because we're stealing things taken from others. Understand, kid?"

"Kid-?"

Pajit, pajijit-.

Gloria's raccoon hide bristled, fluffing up her fur. It was obvious that if this continued, the angry Gloria would throw a punch.

Even if the thieves' guild executives were skilled, they'd be like eggs before a rock in front of Gloria. So, just as I thought I should intervene appropriately,

"How boring."

For some reason, Gloria calmed her anger.

I expected her to throw a punch or something, so it's a bit surprising.

Perhaps my brief warning to restrain herself before entering the market had an effect? If so, that's fortunate.

Whatever the reason, it's important that unnecessary commotion was prevented.

I quickly changed the subject before this commotion could ignite again for some unknown reason.

"Dorothea, the reason we're here is none other than to obtain an item, as you've heard. We're trying to get something called a whale's horn. Have you heard of it?"

Originally, Sodomora's thieves' guild was famously known throughout the kingdom for its vast amount of information.

It was possible that Dorothea, who had been an executive in such a guild for a long time, might know about this rare item.

Hearing my story, Dorothea glanced subtly at Gloria through her mask, then nodded with a small sigh.

"The whale's horn, I know it. I know where it is. And who has it."

"Really? For real?"

After wandering the market for about two days, the information I heard made the hair on my neck stand on end. Indeed, if you try, there's nothing you can't do.

Dorothea said.

"It won't be easy to obtain. It's in a place difficult to steal from. We tried to get it too, but we just couldn't steal it."

And then she shook her head, making me feel a bit bewildered.

"Steal it?"

I hadn't thought about stealing it at all. As expected, Dorothea, having worked as a thieves' guild executive for so long, seems to have a completely different way of thinking.

I said.

"Instead of stealing, why not just buy it with money?"

"That woman probably doesn't need money either. It's not like we didn't try to buy it with money. But what can you do when she won't sell, no matter how much you offer?"

An item not sold for money, huh.

At this point, I'm curious.

"Who has it?"

* * *

"Is this the place...?"

After leaving the underground market, we crossed the city walls as Dorothea had instructed.

Passing through the west gate and walking leisurely down a snow-covered path, a cabin appeared. A cabin with a large tree standing in the yard.

According to the map Dorothea drew, this was the home of the Madame who supposedly possessed the whale's horn.

A rather elderly witch lived here alone, earning a living by receiving payment in herbs or simple spells from nearby slash-and-burn farmers.

Dang, dang-.

Passing through the snow-covered yard, the bells hanging at the entrance made a sound.

Hearing a faint rustling sound from inside the cabin, it seemed the owner was likely home.

"Um, excuse me."

I stepped into the yard. As I knocked 'tok, tok-' on the rusty lion-shaped doorknob, a low, calm voice came from inside.

"Who is it?"

"I'm Hassan, from Sodomora."

"Oh my, a guest from the city. Please come inside."

It was a voice that sounded quite pleased, yet somehow tinged with disappointment.

Even without explaining why I came here, or exactly who I am, the cabin door swung open.

Is she someone with little caution? Or does it mean she's confident in her abilities?

Geeeek-.

Through the opened door, Gloria and I slowly stepped inside the cabin.

I was slightly tense, wondering if this was some kind of trap, with crossbow bolts aimed at me from inside, but...

The interior was just an ordinary cabin.

Truly, literally an ordinary cabin.

The household items that gave off a strong lived-in smell, and a kettle bubbling merrily on a small hearth.

And a woman with white hair, yet whose back was straight and looked quite sturdy, was seen fiddling with various things.

At the sight of her raising her palm and slowly scanning the table, I instantly realized this old lady couldn't see.

An old witch who couldn't see, how intriguing.

It feels like there's a story behind it.

The Madame said.

"I didn't see in my divination that guests would arrive today. So I don't really have anything special to serve. Since it snowed outside, please have some hot 'Tangcha' tea, like spicy herbal tea."

Despite being unable to see, the Madame moved the kettle and teacups with familiar gestures, quickly pouring the hot tea and offering it to us.

"Please sit on the sofa and drink comfortably."

Slurp-.

Taking a sip, it had a bracing 'Ssanghwatang'-like feel, and though it was rather bitter, the tea made my body feel healthier.

"Yuck, it's bitter. And spicy."

Gloria seemed displeased with this bitterness, placing her cup back on the table. Hearing the sound, the old lady chuckled 'hoo-hoo-'.

"You're still a young girl. This bitter taste becomes more delicious as your experience deepens."

"......"

Instead of answering or refuting, Gloria merely moved her dark eyes around.

She scanned everywhere with almost rude intensity, but perhaps because the blind old lady had no way of knowing, she simply closed her eyes and peacefully enjoyed the tea's flavor.

Just as this languid peace began to feel somewhat awkward.

For some reason, Gloria spoke first.

"Considering you didn't expect guests, the place is clean for someone living alone. You even have several sets of dishes."

Indeed, looking again, the inside of the house was quite neatly organized. So much so that you wouldn't think a blind woman lived there alone.

To that, the woman simply smiled faintly.

"So, why have the guests from the city come to find me, Esther?"

"I heard you have a whale's horn here? We've come to get it. Then we'll leave without causing any further trouble."

Gloria proceeded with the conversation bluntly, as if retrieving something she'd left behind. That kind of bold assertiveness is definitely something I lack.

However, just as I was subtly gauging the atmosphere, thinking it might be too rude, the Madame, who revealed herself as Esther, let out a long nasal sound, 'Heeung-'.

"I see. The whale's horn. You must have heard about it from someone who likes to spread rumors somewhere. What stories did you hear?"

To her question, I recalled the stories I'd heard from Dorothea, the thieves' guild executive.

"They said if we fulfill the Madame's requests, we can obtain the whale's horn. Even the part about not selling items for money..."

"I see. Then, are you young ones prepared to listen to this old witch's requests...?"

Goooo-.

Magic power that shook the cabin resonated through the air.

Of course, it wasn't threatening enough for Gloria and me, but...

It was enough to clearly feel that, as a woman living alone in this cabin, she possessed enough power to protect herself.

Gloria said.

"Cut the pointless threats. If you thought we'd get scared and run away from that, you're greatly mistaken."

At that, the old witch Esther's magic release stopped.

"My apologies. Indeed, I wanted to test if you were worthy. If you were the type to run away startled by my magic, you wouldn't be able to fulfill my request. You might even get seriously hurt while working."

I know Witch Esther didn't have malice. If she had malice, she would have poisoned this Tangcha and killed us.

Rather, this woman threatened us out of goodwill and kindness. Threatening out of kindness, it sounds absurd, but that's how it was.

I asked.

"So, what must we do?"

Then, the old witch looked up at the ceiling.

Of course, the expression 'saw' didn't suit a woman who couldn't see, but she raised her head and acted as if examining every nook and cranny of the cabin.

"Our cabin is quite old, isn't it? It wasn't like this originally, but it was built over fifty years ago, so now I worry the roof might collapse if it snows heavily."

As she explained, the cabin was old. Although it looked like it had been repaired and adjusted here and there, the feeling of it being worn and old couldn't be erased.

"This cabin was built by my brother with his own hands. It was made using special logs. To repair it, we need to obtain those logs as planks."

"Ah, so we just need to get those logs?"

"Yes. If you go further west from here, there's a forest. Please go there and cut down Minginew trees."

With the brief explanation, Gloria asked.

"How do we identify Minginew trees?"

"That's easy. You just need to cut down trees like the one in the yard. However, you should be careful. The tree Stomps there are ferocious. In modern terms, you'd need to be at least a Silver-tier adventurer to handle them."

* * *

"Grrrroooan-."

"Grrrroan-."

As Witch Esther said, going west led us to a forest. There were plenty of Minginew trees planted in front of her house.

When we tried to cut them down, tree monsters called Stomps, with axes embedded in their bodies, appeared and caused trouble.

Stomp ancient trees that Silver-tier adventurers could handle.

"Grrrroooan...."

"Grrrroan...."

Of course, in front of my Wood Release, these bastards were just firewood. Dealing with these guys was so swift and decisive that it no longer requires any special descriptions or portrayals.

Still, I heard their sap is quite a high-grade ingredient. I should give it to Luna. Hehe.

"Are you there?"

And so, I managed to cut down plenty of Minginew trees, carried them on my back, and returned to the cabin.

Since this process didn't even take half a day, the old witch seemed genuinely surprised.

"How already...? I thought you had unusual karma. You seem like truly strong individuals. And you don't seem injured..."

"So, what should we do now?"

"Then, could you repair the ceiling, the walls with holes, and the fence? Also, if possible, it would be nice if you could clear the snow in the yard too."

Even with good mana control, it must be difficult for a blind person to repair a house alone. Of course, for me with my golden dexterity, it was damn easy.

I quickly repaired various parts of the cabin using the nails, glue, and sap wax that were already available in the cabin.

However, the cabin was further damaged by Gloria's hands as she tried to help me.

"What, why is this breaking-! You useless planks-! You useless cabin-!"

"It's not something you can do with brute force. Relax your strength a bit."

"Even if I relax, it breaks-! It's not my strength, it's the planks' fault for being weak!"

CRACK-.

Gloria still seemed unable to perfectly control her strength. I remember having times like that too.

"Gloria, you don't have to help me right now. Rest. If you needlessly get involved, it'll just create more work, you know."

"......"

At my words, Gloria seemed slightly annoyed and kicked her leg hard, 'pak-'. Because of that, the snow piled on the floor scattered everywhere.

Swish-.

Look at that temper. If she were my sister, I'd have really given her a knuckle-sandwich.

Well, I guess I understand. For someone overflowing with energy, staying still must be harder than anything else.

Just then, the old witch Esther said.

"You seem close with your brother. Seeing you get scolded and then sulk."

"What? That guy isn't my brother. Don't say such horrible things."

"Oh my. Wasn't he your brother? Your karma is so similar. I thought you were definitely siblings."

"My brother is much kinder and cooler than that guy. And I'm not sulking, you know? Why are you suddenly holding my hand?"

"I see. The karma between you two... Now that I look at it. Your fate is a bit twisted, young lady. It hasn't been completed."

"What do you mean by that?"