Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Volume 3 Chapter 15   Third material, collection complete

“But there’s so much of it on the ground, right? There must be some chunks somewhere on the ground, right?”

If there are small stones, then there must be a source that produces them. It’s correct to think that way.

However, it’s not true to assume that others haven’t considered such a thing.

“Then why hasn’t anyone found it?”

Everyone has been searching for it. But even so, the original source of chocolate hasn’t been found.

“Is it in the lava?”

“As a third class, I can’t go and collect it.”

Abe suggested it might be in the lava, but please consider the fact that, as a third class, I wouldn’t be able to go and collect it.

If we were to mention being in the lava, our bodies would melt along with our equipment.

Therefore, it’s not inside the lava.

“Maybe it’s not on the ground, but on the walls or something?”

“Walls… What about the ceiling?”

If that’s the case, the reason why it wasn’t found in such an easily visible place is not because the source of chocolate doesn’t exist, but simply because it was out of reach for people.

“Correct, Kitahara. Well, even if we say ‘ceiling,’ it’s those hanging formations like stalactites.”

Looking up, the area near the ceiling appeared darker, indicating that it was much higher, and faintly visible were several pointed rocks hanging down from it.

“Are those the chocolate chunks?”

Yes, probably. I think the chocolate on the ground is likely what fell from those and shattered.

If it were such a simple matter, one would expect the people conducting extraction work here for an extended period of time to have noticed. However, it could be designed to fall when there are no people around.

In reality, they might actually know but choose not to disclose it. If it becomes known to others, the price of chocolate might decrease.

Well, that doesn’t matter. I have no intention of telling anyone besides these guys.

However, let’s make sure to advise them not to reveal it later… Otherwise, we might face the resentment of other adventurers if the value of chocolate decreases.

“How are we going to collect it?”

“Should we try jumping?”

“Kana, can you jump that far?”

“Well… I’m not sure.”

“…What about attacking it?”

“Wouldn’t it shatter?”

While contemplating such matters, Miyano and the others seemed to be discussing how to retrieve the chocolate from the ceiling. They were engaged in a group conversation, brainstorming ideas.

“So, what’s the plan then?”

As the discussion didn’t yield a conclusion, Asada turned to me for guidance. I had already given them a hint, though.

“Here. I told you we would use these stones, right? Asada, hold onto this Froststone for a moment.”

“What am I supposed to do with it?”

“Never mind, just hold on to it.”

Handing the froststone to Asada, I retrieved another tool.

“So, we apply adhesive to this… ”

“Hey, whoa! It got on my hands!”

“Then throw it towards the ceiling! Aim for the vicinity of those stalactite-like ones.”

“Wait a minute, what do I do with this stuff on my hands?”

“Never mind that, just throw it already. Once we’re done, I’ll give you some cleaning solution.”

“Ugh, seriously! You should have explained it from the beginning!”

Grumbling, Asada hurled the ice stone toward the ceiling with all her might.

But…

“…Hey, I said to throw it towards the ceiling, but I never said to smash the stone to pieces. There’s such a thing as controlling your strength, you know.”

As the froststone was thrown towards the ceiling, it made a loud impact, shattering and causing a shower of powder to fall.

“Well, it can’t be helped! I didn’t know how much force was necessary! Besides, it was a split-second decision—”

“Here’s the second one. Just don’t smash it this time, okay?”

Saying that, I took out another froststone and threw it towards Asada. Asada caught it, and as I applied adhesive once again, she hurled the froststone towards the ceiling just like before.

“How was that?”

“We’re not done yet. The real challenge begins now.”

This time, the froststone landed near the chocolate stalactite without shattering, sticking to the ceiling and activating its effect.

“If we wait a few more minutes, the chocolate around that ice stone will soften and fall. Catch it.”

When cooled, the chocolate becomes soft and unable to withstand its own weight, causing chocolate chunks to fall from the ceiling.

That’s how we discovered our method of extraction. Well, it was more of a fortunate coincidence.

While dodging attacks from monsters emerging from the magma, one of their attacks reached the ceiling, causing chocolate to rain down.

That incident led us to notice the chocolate on the ceiling.

From there, we experimented and established a method to throw ice stones to the ceiling for collection.

“If we’re talking about catching the falling chocolate, does Kana take on that role?”

“Me? Well, I guess so. Leave it to me! I’m ready!”

Considering her strength, it does make sense for her to take on that task.

However, there’s one important thing that Asada, who seems enthusiastic, needs to be aware of.

“Oh, one thing to note. If your catching force is too strong, it will break, but if it’s too weak, you won’t be able to catch it properly and it will break.”

Upon hearing my words, not only Asada but the other three also nodded in agreement. However, the person in charge of catching seemed strangely carefree about it.

Perhaps she thinks it will be a piece of cake… Well, mistakes are a part of the learning process.

Since we can attempt it as many times as we want, it’s fine to fail a few times… or even several times.

With that in mind, a few minutes later, the chilled chocolate had become so soft that it couldn’t bear its own weight. Without any warning, it suddenly started falling.

“Eek!”

Asada reacted quickly, ready to catch it, and then, in a perfect display… she squished it.

“…Hehehe…”

By embracing and crushing the softened chocolate, Asada ended up covered in chocolate from head to toe.

Seeing Asada transformed into a life-sized chocolate figure, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. However, without saying a word, Asada threw the remaining chunk of chocolate she had in her hand at me.

“What the hell?! What are you doing?”

I managed to dodge the chocolate that was thrown at me in the heat of the moment, but this time it’s not my fault. I gave proper warnings too.

Well, I did expect something like this to happen, so I stayed quiet.

“It’s because you’re laughing!”

Well, um…

No, but… wouldn’t anyone laugh?

“…Fine, whatever. If you were to buy that amount of warm chocolate, it would easily cost over a hundred thousand.”

“Then I’ll share that happiness with you too.”

“I’ll pass!”

Even though I shouted that, Asada continued to prepare to throw the chocolate at me, so I reached out and stopped her.

“Wait, calm down. Stay, stay.”

“Am I a wild beast or something?”

“Pretty similar, I’d say.”

“…Then how about I bite you?”

“No, wait. Look, I’ll wash it off for you, so behave.”

I decided to stop there, as it seemed like I might genuinely anger her, I used magic to remove the chocolate from Asada’s body.

“I’ll let it slide this time. Be prepared for the next one.”

“What’s with that cliché line…”

“Um, Igami-san…”

As I chuckled at the villainous remark, Miyano called out to me.

When I turned around, there stood Miyano and the others, covered in chocolate splatters, though not as much as Asada.

Well, if the chocolate splattered from that distance, it couldn’t be helped.

“Hm? Oh, you guys should wash up too.”

“Could we ask for your help?”

“Sure.”

And so, I helped Miyano and the others clean off the stains from their bodies, but to be honest, I feel like it’s a bit futile.

After all, I expect that we’ll get dirty again a few times, or rather, most likely get dirty again.

Well, as long as it’s at this level, it doesn’t require much magical power, so it’s fine.

“Now, let’s give it another try… Igami-san, you and your group also collected the fallen chocolates, right? How did you retrieve them?”

“We did manage to collect them, but… it’s not just about asking questions. Figuring things out on your own is part of the experience. Do your best.”

As I encouraged them, Miyano and the others began discussing among themselves, deciding on a method and starting their preparations.

And then…

“What is this?”

Asada threw the Frost stone towards the ceiling, just like before.

At first glance, it seemed no different from the previous attempt. However, this time, Abe released flames onto the softened chocolate mass, solidifying only a portion of the tip, and then Asada adjusted the force and caught it.

If the chocolate had the right level of hardness, Asada could easily catch it, but it’s quite clever to think of re-solidifying something that had been softened.

When it was my turn, I enveloped the falling chocolate with water, manipulating it to control its descent speed. But these guys came up with their own ideas, and that’s commendable.

Nevertheless, they managed to clear it with just one retry. I thought there would be more failures…

Both in the previous attempt and this one, these guys are showing considerable growth.

Afterward, we decided to collect several more in the same manner before heading back. However, if we carried the chocolate mass as it is, we would be questioned about where and how we obtained it. So, we crushed it and packed it into a storage container.

It feels a bit wasteful to crush such a large mass, but there’s no need to worry since we can always melt and reshape it into larger pieces.

“Alright, let’s go back.”

With our container filled to the brim with chocolate, we left the volcano, passed through the snowy area, and arrived at the gate to return home.