“I already taught you that malicious attacks won’t hit Mei, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

If that’s the case, then fighting alongside her wouldn’t make her a burden. In fact, if we use that trait well, she’d be really useful.

“As for the Thorny Roots stock… yeah, this should be enough. And we have ten Slowling Potions, so we’re good.”

While checking the items in my bracelet, I noticed the rabbit-eared gentleman staring intently at me.

Don’t worry too much; I’ll make the medicine properly, so you can relax.

“Who are you people?”

Huh?

What’s with the sudden question?

“I’m Mei.”

“And I’m Ermine~.”

Come to think of it, we hadn’t introduced ourselves yet. I’d completely forgotten.

When I bowed, Ermine mimicked me, lowering their head as well.

Their definitely just copying me without knowing what it means.

“We’re alchemists living in a small house in the forest.”

“An… alchemist?”

“Maybe I should’ve said alchemist in the traditional sense.”

“Hmm, an alchemist.”

Oh. His rabbit ears perked up.

Just looking at the ears, they’re cute.

But underneath… his face is somewhat rugged, with blond hair and blue eyes.

He has a well-defined face, but being an older man with rabbit ears gives a weird contrast; I can’t see him as handsome.

“Yes, I make things like medicines.”

“Isn’t that just what an apothecary does?”

“Well, I make more than just medicines, so it’s a bit different.”

“Hmm. What kind of things do you make?”

“I can even make pancakes.”

I decided to mention my top recommendation. If he tries it, I’m sure he’ll be surprised. Once his petrification is cured, I’ll let him have some.

When I said that, the rabbit-eared man looked delighted.

Yes, yes, feel free to look forward to it. I’ll treat you to the best pancakes you’ve ever had.

“Alright, Zeke, let’s go defeat the basilisk!”

Since we have to cure him within 24 hours, I turned to Zeke and the others, but they all had their hands on their temples, looking downward.

And now I noticed that Guild Master Victor and his assistant Evelyn were also here, staring at me with dumbfounded expressions.

“I never thought I’d be so casually invited to hunt a basilisk,” murmured Cloud, and Zeke placed a hand on his shoulder.

“And why is the other thing you can make pancakes? There’s plenty of other unusual items you could’ve mentioned.”

“That’s true, but it’s urgent, so let’s get ready and go.”

“Agreed.”

Cloud and Zeke exchanged a nod. When Victor seemed about to say something, Zeke quickly said, “I’ll explain later,” and bowed to the rabbit-eared man.

“We’ll be off now.”

“Be careful, little brother.”

…What? Little brother!?

They both have blond hair and blue eyes, but they don’t look much alike.

And, well, Zeke doesn’t have rabbit ears.

As we left the room and headed toward the entrance, I stared at Zeke’s ears, and Cloud whispered to me.

“It’s rare for humans and beastkin to have children together, but when they do, the child usually takes after only one parent’s traits. Zeke takes after his human father. However, in rare cases, you’ll get someone like Lord Herbert, who inherits both traits.”

So, Zeke’s mother was a rabbit beastkin?

Wow, I’d love to see her!

This really is another world.

“Zeke, are you alright?”

Victor, who had followed us, asked Zeke worriedly.

“…There’s no time. We have to do this.”

“I’ll make sure everything’s prepared quickly.”

“Potions…”

“Of course, we’ll provide the potions you requested earlier.”

Are those potions the ones I made?

If they are, since I’m going along for the hunt, they’re free. Really, no charge.

But we need to find and defeat the basilisk quickly.

When I said that, Zeke nodded and lowered his head, saying, “Thank you.”

“It’s what friends do for each other. Plus, you and the others escorted me to Lints town, introduced me to the Merchant’s Guild, and became my sponsors, so this is my way of returning the favor. By the way, can basilisks be found easily?”

Since we’re on a time limit, it’d be a problem if they’re hard to find.

I wonder if we can lure it in with bait or something.

“Hey, Ermine, do you know what basilisks like?”

“Sure~. They like to petrify fresh hearts and eat them.”

“Ugh. So using bait to lure it is a no-go.”

Not to mention, we’d need to have fresh hearts prepared, which is… tough.

Oh, but I think we need a fresh basilisk heart for the medicine, too.

…A fresh heart, huh.

I hope it’s not too gruesome.