01x08 - Joukamachi no Seikatsu & Kuroneko to Bouken Ouji

[bunniefuu]

The forest cats tend to favor humans
who are gifted, warmhearted, and amusing.

Such humans are often
found at the royal castle.

Thus, more than a few forest cats
can be found there,

but as in any world,
there are always outliers.

Here is my usual resting perch:
the bell tower overlooking the city.

There are ordinary cats here in the city.

Unlike us, they cannot use magic.

They cannot use human words, either.

Hey, Haibuchi! You're up early, too.

This is the owner of a diner.

Okay then, let me give you a treat.

Here it comes!

Spry as ever, huh?

As you might have guessed already, I live
here in the city as an ordinary cat.

I find that humans tend to reveal
their true natures that way.

You've convinced me.
I'll get you another.

Dear!

Uh...

Don't forget to take out
the cabbages, too!

S-Sure, I'll do it right away!

Oops. That's the owner's wife.

She's an elf, which is
rare in these parts,

but that means she could
suspect that I'm a forest cat.

Time to make myself scarce.

Okay, Haibuchi, see you later!

Wow, I'm nervous!

- It's north, right?

- A group of four children.

- Yes, straight north.

- Don't lose the map!

- Weapons they're clearly not used to.

- I won't.

- We'll get lost without it!

- Mismatched outfits.

They must be novice adventurers.

If they're heading towards
the Forest for Beginners, that means...

There she is.

Her name is Mikemike.

She's a forest cat, and a friend of
the lady who's the guild's receptionist.

On chaperone duty again today?

Yes. My busybody worrywart
of a friend asked me to.

Let's be off!

Yeah!

She may complain,

but she never refuses
her friend's requests,

and when the adventurers need her help,

she is always there for them.

She and the guild receptionist lady
make perfect friends.

Now then, I wonder what amusing
humans I might find today...

Perhaps this one?

Ah, a newspaper reporter.

How do I know, you ask?
Well, see that keen gaze of his?

Not to mention a writer's bump
and noticeable ink stains.

His shoes have been re-soled so many
times that the colors no longer match.

His outfit is plain and inconspicuous.

He's a journalist who can blend in
anywhere to search for a scoop.

Hm, plain and blends in anywhere?

Wait, now I've only read
about them in human books,

but doesn't that make him a spy?

How interesting.

A spy, huh?

It's decided. I'll be
tailing this human today.

This is Craftsman Street.

It's lined with artisans like
blacksmiths and carpenters.

Perhaps he's here to smuggle
this country's latest weapons...

Sorry to interrupt your work,
but do you have a second?

I'm from a newspaper company.

Huh? A newspaper?

Yes.

Ah, pretending to be
a newspaper reporter now, I see...

I'd like to write an article on
the popular chair you make.

What? A chair?

Wait! Aren't you the third son of the
previous master from that corner house?

Huh?

Oh, yes, that's me!

We were just saying we hadn't
seen you since he passed away.

So, you're a newspaper reporter?

Yes.

My big brothers said
I should follow my dreams.

Wow, that's something else.

I'm nothing impressive.
This is only my first article.

- Not a spy after all, huh...

- Don't be silly. It's
a very admirable job!

- That's a bit disappointing.

- Still, he chose an article
deeply rooted in the life of this city.

- She's right!

- Thank you both so much.

- I should start by explaining
how to use a mallet.

- I look forward to reading his articles.

- For every chair...

Hm? Hello!

Well, I don't mean to be an inconvenience,
but I'm just a bit hungry.

Oh my! You are?

In that case...

This is the place.

It's been several months since I stepped
foot in here, so I'm sure some are around.

No matter how much we try to seal
our larders, they find their way in.

Thanks, I'll leave you to it.

Humans' storehouses are sealed
meticulously when they're built,

and yet, these vermin still find
a way in to devour the food...

That's what's so terrifying about mice.

Well, well! Quite a haul you've got there.

You look stuffed.

Yes, I did indulge a bit.

I feel a bit sick.
Phew, I'm far too full.

You sure you'll be okay to get home?

Y-Yes, of course.

Take care of yourself, okay?
And please, drop by anytime!

There's no end to
these mice, as you know.

Trash has its own place.

The storehouses mustn't have
mice blood and leftovers about.

That is always
a primary consideration for us

when we forest cats hunt in the city.

Most humans have
gone home for the day, now.

But now that I've eaten my fill, I can
spend the next few days human-watching.

Hm?

Oh, the adventurer
chaperone has returned.

Then, the adventurers are back, too?

I'm so glad it worked!

That really saved us.

Indeed.

My, what a nice sight.

They look just like kittens
back from their first successful hunt.

Although their chaperone
has very high standards,

it seems these adventurers nevertheless
received a passing grade from her.

A novice newspaper reporter
and novice adventurers.

How much will they grow?
I can't wait to see.

Now then...

time to go home to my resting perch.

Oh, isn't that Haibuchi?

Who's Haibuchi?

A cat I feed in the morning—
I mean, a cat who stops by!

Isn't he cute?

He might be feral, but he's clever.

Is that right?

If that cat is fond of you,
then that's a good thing.

Huh?

It's considered a blessing.

What a meal!

My student begins yet another day
with the same breakfast:

a crust of bread, some cheese wrapped in
wax, and some dried meat as hard as wood.

It cannot suit the palate of
a member of the royal family.

Excellent! Another enjoyable
breakfast fit for an adventurer!

If you say so.

Speaking of things fit for an adventurer,
I haven't done that one thing yet.

Hm?

Beginner adventurers usually begin
by collecting medicinal herbs!

I've decided, Master!
Next up: collecting medicinal herbs!

To what end do we even need those?

You want to collect medicinal herbs?

In that case,
you'll first have to take a class.

What? A class?

Who knew you'd have to take a class
to collect medicinal herbs?

Is that rather unusual?

Well, it's my first time hearing it.

It must be a special practice around here.

So, since the class is tomorrow,
let's go shopping today.

You wish to purchase more
of that tough bread, then?

No, I'm buying a cloak, of course!

Cloaks at the royal palace
were mostly for decoration,

but an adventurer must have
a good cloak!

In that case, I shall seek
a suitable place to nap.

Welcome.

Excellent! What
a rustic, practical cloak!

I'll take it.

Everything here is so
bare-bones and rustic!

What a great store!

- Why's an adventurer
like you shopping here?

- Hm?

I mean, I was once an adventurer, too.

So I can tell enough about
your skills just by looking at you.

Someone of your level can't possibly need
gear and items of such low quality, right?

The utter joy of being recognized by a
former adventurer! I'm so happy right now!

And how cool is it that he can gauge
my skills just by looking at me!

Yes, this is it! This is the world I've
wanted to be in for the longest time!

No, it's not like that, I am just a mere
novice, you see! With no money!

I see. Well, the things I have
are still well-priced,

so feel free to look around.

Thank you so much!

For so long, he has
sought to become an adventurer.

He has the skills, but
his experience is sorely lacking.

Kurobane! My master!

What is it?

I shall be sleeping here tonight.

I know that's what you want, but
the class is tomorrow, remember?

There are definitely going
to be many adventurers to meet!

For you.

For you too, Master!

Come on! Let us go to the inn
and get refreshed!

- Please, Kurobane! My master!

- I may have mentioned experience...

- Master!

It's been forever since
we've been in such a huge bath,

right, Kurobane?

...but I shall never become accustomed
to this foolish practice of taking a bath.

Actually, not only did I obtain a cloak,

but I also collected information
at the bar afterwards!

After I take the class tomorrow,
I can collect medicinal herbs, too!

Now I am totally a
full-fledged adventurer!

One step closer to becoming a hero!

I failed to mention that he still cannot
temper his raucous style of laughter.

They mostly seem to be beginners.

Indeed.

But those two over there seem different.

That they do.

Good morning!

I never expected to see
a forest cat and his friend here.

Are you taking the class, too?

Yes, I'll be in your care.

But this cat here is actually
my master, not my friend.

I'm still far too inexperienced
to be able to be called his friend.

What a surprise! I suppose
stranger things have happened.

So even with your skills,
you do not yet meet his standard.

I really don't have much skill yet.

I mean, I'm still wet behind the ears.

Well, in your master's eyes, I suppose
both of us are still inexperienced, too.

What are you doing?

Oh, I almost forgot.

Hm?

I was hoping you two could help me.

Pardon?

The two of us have to watch over about
a dozen of students as instructors.

We won't be going anywhere too dangerous,

but if there's an emergency,
I'd appreciate your help.

I see! Of course it'd be
reassuring to have Master's help.

Um...

It sounds interesting. Accept his request.

Oh?

Traversing terrain while protecting a pack
of a dozen shall prove quite difficult.

It is a rare opportunity.

You have these two as well as myself.
Consider this training, and accept—

I'm sorry, this person
has a weakness for small animals.

I'm surprised Mr. Black Cat
wasn't getting pet sooner, actually.

Talking caused you to
get caught off-guard!

Isn't this a rare
experience for you, Master?

Cease your laughter and have them desist!

We officially accept
your request for us to help.

Thank you. Much obliged.

You too, Mr. Black Cat.

Enough! How long must you
insist on continuing this travesty?!

Is everyone here?

There are many kinds of medicinal herbs,
but what they all have in common

is that they grow near
magical beasts' feces and carcasses.

This means they can only be
found near magical beasts.

That's why we adventurers
often get paid to collect them.

Now then, you there,
please come this way.

Yes.

Please stand there.

Why would you do that?!

Your reaction time's a bit slow.
You must be vigilant at all times.

However, setting that aside,
will you please try using this ointment?

It's a normal ointment
you can purchase in any city.

That stopped the bleeding, yes?

In about a day, a wound
like this will heal, correct?

Now then, please use
this ointment instead.

It's the same ointment,
but made in this city specifically.

No way that's the same ointment.

Do you see? An ointment's effectiveness
depends on the quality of its ingredients.

These use the same type of
medicinal herbs and the same recipe.

The differences are the herbs' quality
and the pharmacist's skill.

Even if it's more expensive,
wouldn't you want this one?

And the ability to make this one
depends on how you collect the herbs.

Right!

The more herbs that are
collected in the right way,

the better a job our pharmacists can do,

my wife included.

Huh?

Oh, this is my wife. She's a pharmacist.

What?!

You're thinking she doesn't look like
one, huh? Well, she is an adventurer.

She's also quite strong.

Wow, I thought she was a warrior.
What a shock that they're married!

Can't judge a book by
its cover, right, Master?

R-Right...

When you collect herbs, make sure
to include the root as well.

You must never leave roots behind.

- Leftover roots can transform
into monsters and roam around.

- Where are my leaves?

- What?!

That's terrifying!

So dig it up with all the soil on it,
and then gently wash it off with water.

Did everyone bring a water bottle?
You may obtain the water with magic.

Once you wash off the soil,
wrap the herb in cloth to prevent damage.

Then take it to the guild.

It's a lot to take in, but you'll be okay
as long as you handle the herbs with care.

Let's give it a try, shall we?

Until I give the signal—
let's say, at noon—

try to collect at least
one herb per person.

Now, begin!

All right!

Found one! Okay, this one's my first!

More than just collecting herbs, I should
pay attention to my surroundings, too.

This is a rather difficult
assignment, Master.

I like it!

The more difficult the adventure,
the closer I get to becoming a hero!

Yeah!

This should be uneventful.

Nothing as troublesome as bears
should be nearby—

or so I thought.

That's a Rock-Smashing Eagle.

What a troublesome magical beast.

They use their powerful legs to kick you.

They escape by air.

They catch you off-guard
and return to repeatedly attack.

It is not a beast
a mere beginner can defeat.

The prince and I must distract it,
call out to guide the students,

coordinate with
the two instructors, and—

Was that lightning or something?

Wh-What speed!

This was his first time
facing a flying magical beast.

Using an electric attack was
the correct decision.

Not to mention
he defeated it on his first try.

He not only has the brazenness to attempt
it, but he also has the skills to succeed.

Hey, Master.

Sorry to ask, but could you
stay here for a minute?

That is acceptable, but
where will you be going?

Isn't that obvious? I must
collect some medicinal herbs!

What...

If I fail because of a magical beast
or two, there's no way can I call myself a hero!

I absolutely must get the most
herbs today to prove myself!

Thank you, Mr. Black Cat!

Is anyone injured?

How impressive...

Seven plants! Our highest record ever!

Stop by if you're ever nearby again,

Mr. Medicinal-Herb-Collecting Hero.

I mean, a hero's a hero,
but that somehow seems off.

But we absolutely will stop by again!

Master!

Pet him gently as a greeting first...

Behind his ears is best.

I've met several humans
who were chosen by Cait Sith.

But that one's especially unique.

I'm sure it will be fun
to see how he grows.

Congratulations on fulfilling
your dream of becoming a hero.

Yes! One step towards
becoming a true hero!