We made fruit wine using the sake the Desert Scale Tribe brought.
We put Piyo and Pauline, who had completely passed out, to bed and returned to our work. The Desert Scale Tribe members who came with us understood immediately when we explained, and they skillfully hollowed out the melons. Thanks to Imon’s whole family pitching in to help, we quickly finished the melons with bottles stuck in them. Now, all we have to do is wait a day or two.
After finishing the work, the lizards quickly went back home. Imon, on the other hand, seemed to be feeling a bit off.
“Ah, it’s done, but I wonder if I should deliver it. I’m so nervous.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, I’ll go. Leave the cart pulling to me.”
Philiana’s suggestion was met with him shaking his head.
“No, I’ll go. They’ve helped us this far, so I have to protect my home myself. I’m the eldest son, so I’ll do my best.”
Perhaps it was because Nina told him to, or perhaps it was because they worked together, but he seemed to have come to terms with the problem.
“But I’d like you to come along, as a guard.”
“All right, I suppose. I’ve stayed here, so it’s fine.”
Nina replied with satisfaction to Imon, who looked a little embarrassed.
Then, we decided to wait until we were ready by helping out on the farm for a while. However, the water kept running out, making it difficult to do any real work. Even the fruit for Imon and the others to eat was finally gone.
Lauren sighed in the cramped hut.
“Seriously, I’m so thirsty. Hey, hey, can we get some of that fruit wine again?”
“What are you talking about? You only get thirstier when you drink alcohol.”
Nina told her, and Lauren mumbled in the corner of the room. Amidst the stale air, Karubene burst through the door.
“Hello everyone, it’s finally done. Come on out!”
The bottles stuck in the melons were empty. I tried breaking one open, but the color was normal, and it was strange to think if everything had really gone in. The taste was surprisingly sweet and refreshing.
“This is amazing!”
“Weh- this should make the bandits happy to eat, right?”
We immediately loaded the finished product onto the cart and set off for the water source. The members going with us were Philiana, Nina, and Sharin. We kept the group to a minimum to avoid the operation being discovered by going in too large a group.
Though nervous, we finally reached the large rock. Even from a distance, we could see the harpies flying about noisily.
“Alright, I’m going in. You all stay here.”
“Yes, good luck.”
Sent off by Philiana, Imon slowly approached the water source where the bandits were, alone. As he looked back worriedly on the way, Philiana smiled and waved.
“Ah, this is irritating. Hurry up.”
“Now, now, Nina, don’t be so impatient.”
Philiana soothed Nina, who was starting to get irritated next to her, by waving her hand.
“Excuse me! Hello, I’d like to talk to you…”
In response to Imon’s call as he approached the entrance, a Hunter Harpy descended before him.
