“Sure. Oh, by the way, how about this? If you help spread the word, I’ll give it to you for free.”

You see, no matter how good something is, if no one knows about it, it won’t sell.

I could wait for word of mouth to spread, but who knows when I’ll get to eat that delicious meat.

I’m a newbie as an alchemist, so how about I get Zeke to promote it for me? He’s good-looking and seems strong, so he’ll be an amazing advertisement!

By the time it gains popularity, my alchemy skills will have improved, and I’ll be able to make top-tier potions.

Then I’ll sell those and be able to buy some delicious meat, right?

I’m so clever!

“Uh, well… I’d like to meet your parents first and talk to them. How about that?”

“Parents?”

Why are we suddenly talking about parents?

“With skills like yours, I’m sure your parents are renowned alchemists too. It wouldn’t be right to go ahead without discussing it with them first.”

“They’re not around.”

“Not around?”

“Yes. My family is… just Koko, Robo, and Ermine.”

“And who is Ermine?”

Zeke’s question leaves me unsure how to answer.

Well, Ermine is Ermine.

Not a person, but… an animal, I guess?

Do animals in this world talk?

“Um… a guardian?”

Since Ermine is my ‘guide,’ calling him a guardian should be fine, right?

Oh, but in that case—

“Koko might also be a guardian.”

After all, Koko’s my ‘protector.’ She’s strong enough to instantly take down a King Snake. Super reliable.

“This chicken!?”

As soon as Zeke said that, Koko glared at him with her sharp, intimidating eyes.

Yeah, she looks like a regular chicken at first glance.

I’m just glad Koko isn’t the standard for chickens in this world. There must be normal chickens, right?

So, one day, I’ll definitely get to eat some fried chicken!

“Oh, no, that was a slip of the tongue. My apologies. If she can walk through this forest so easily, she must be incredibly strong.”

Zeke bowed his head. To Koko.

Whoa. As expected of Koko. Even someone as accomplished as Zeke has to bow to her.

Robo also seems scared of Koko, his tail tucked between his legs.

He had started to get used to Koko lately, but I guess the memory of that disciplinary moment left a lasting fear.

His legs seem to have given out, and he’s sliding back in a seated position.

“I see. So you live with your guardians.”

Zeke, looking a bit pale, seemed to accept the idea of guardians.

Well, they’re all fluffy, but still.

“And I’m already sixteen, so I don’t need to ask my guardians for permission for everything.”

I’m pretty sure Ermine would say, “If Mei’s decided, then that’s fine,” and Koko doesn’t seem opposed to it either. So I think it’s okay to give Zeke the medicine and let him help promote it.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen another human, and I feel like I’m getting a little too excited, but it can’t be helped.

I love my fluffy companions, but I’ve been wanting to talk to other people too.

Is this what they mean by “a moth flying into a flame” or “a dog hitting a stick while walking”?

…Anyway.

Since I’m in another world, I don’t want to just stay cooped up in my little garden. I want to explore!

“You’re an adult!?”

Zeke’s startled voice made me tilt my head.

Huh? Is adulthood earlier in this world?

“I wonder?”

“If you’re sixteen, then you’re an adult. You come of age at fifteen here.”

“Then I guess I’m an adult.”

“…This is really throwing me off.”

Sorry about that.

But to be fair, I’m from another world, so I don’t know much about this one.

“Oh, by the way, what about the person who was poisoned? Are they okay?”

I completely forgot, but did the antidote I made work?

It’s my first time using it on someone, so I’m curious how it turned out.

“I think your antidote worked, but… want to go check?”

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Cloud would want to thank the person who saved their life.”

“Then I’ll go.”

Following behind Zeke, we pushed through the bushes and branches.

Whenever there were too many in the way, Zeke would slash through them with his sword to make it easier for us to walk.

Thanks to him, it was easy for me to move forward.

After a while, I saw a dark head. It was Alex from before.

And the one Alex was holding up must be Cloud, the gentle-looking person with light blue hair.

Their face was still pale, but it didn’t look like they were in any danger anymore.

I’m so glad the medicine worked.