Spice and Wolf, Vol. 21: Spring Log IV by Isuna Hasekura

Author:Isuna Hasekura [Hasekura, Isuna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
Publisher: Yen On
Published: 2020-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Holo thankfully tread carefully down the path that descended the slight hill. She informed him about holes that were hidden by fallen leaves that made the ground look stable, gauged the direction of the wind, then found them an easy detour.

The forest grew denser and denser, and the air grew heavier and more damp.

There were plenty of evergreens here, and they blocked out the sun.

The occasional outburst of noise and the sound of snapping twigs were likely birds he could not see or squirrels and mice that just barely hid from view.

Plenty of acorns and other seeds were scattered around their feet, and a pig would surely grow fat in an instant if they let one roam around here.

“The farther in we walk, the better this forest becomes,” Holo said with a sigh of admiration, and Lawrence agreed with a nod. “This explains why those in the village do not attend to their fieldwork too diligently,” she added.

“Hmm…It didn’t really seem like the fields in the village were in that sorry a state, though. Is that really the case?”

“They do not think much of it. After all, the villagers can find all the food they want simply by wandering in the forest, so of course ’tis inevitable. Well, because of that, I am even more confounded as to why they quibble over how to deal with the forest. Losing this would put so many in dire straits.”

Holo spoke as she followed a squirrel running atop a tree branch, and Lawrence responded.

“That’s because the blessings of the forest aren’t equal to everyone.”

“Hmm?”

Holo, who had switched from straw to a stick, smacked at a tree root, perhaps because she was bored, as she turned back to Lawrence.

When he crouched down, he found some herbs that were useful in relieving fever, and since Beavery had told them they could take what they wanted from the woods, he readily gathered some.

“Herbs like this, mushrooms, and nuts are useful to everyone. But human activity is complicated.”

Holo said nothing, but her eyes told him to continue.

As Lawrence walked beside her, he spoke.

“The blessings of the forest might be bountiful, but there are only so many things that can be changed into coins.”

“Honey and such?”

“Yeah. I think that’s the best example of food. You can sell ale and cider depending on what’s available, but if the water in the area isn’t any good, then they won’t even consider it. And when you’re so far away from civilization like this, shipping will cost time and money. Liquids are heavy, so transporting the freight will be the costliest part of the process. If the taste isn’t truly excellent, then it’ll barely stand a chance at the market.”

Holo wore a pensive expression, perhaps because she was recalling her mercantile journey with Lawrence.

“Also, they could bring sheep and pigs from town to let them graze here, but distance is still the main problem at the end of the day.”

Something happened right as he was speaking about that.

Holo suddenly stretched out her neck and looked deeper into the forest.

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