Setting Off

"Right, the cookbook."

Lan Qingyou nodded.

Although the reward the nobles had offered sounded pretty good,

knowledge was the most important, precious, and enduring reward to the two of them.

But Adams heard those words differently.

He had already thought the two of them had come from a sheltered home.

Hearing that they only wanted books confirmed his guess all the more.

Think about it.

How could two people who knew nothing of the world and had no idea what lay beyond their doorstep learn about it as quickly as possible?

Why, through books, of course!

Though one of them seemed to want even a cookbook,

you shouldn't underestimate cookbooks.

Many cultures were deeply intertwined with their local cuisines.

You could even say that a place without good food had no cultural heritage to speak of.

Brilliant!

Adams couldn't help applauding Lan Qingyou's decision.

There was a reason she had gone from an alchemy apprentice to a capable alchemist at such a young age.

Her mind alone was more than up to the task.

"Now that we've settled everything, let's get going. At this pace, we'll reach the town by evening."

There was no time to waste.

After lunch, Adams stood and addressed the two of them.

"Sure. Let's go."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Chief."

They hadn't exactly eaten anything fancy, but the Old Village Chief had gone to a lot of trouble—and had even found them a Guide.

That deserved thanks.

So before leaving, Lan Qingyou and Alisa bade him farewell.

"Heh, there's no need to thank me. It was nothing."

The Old Village Chief beamed when they thanked him.

Of course,

as he smiled, he also glanced at the Viscount, who had stood up and was about to leave as well.

Adams knew what he meant and