Century Herb Blues
"......"
"Century Herb? They sell that at any herb shop."
"It's used a lot in potion-making, from what I hear. Apparently, it used to be super rare back in the day..."
"Now it's just a common herb you can get anywhere. It's a bit pricey due to shortages, but still. I don't get why this is harder than slaying 300 orcs... Lea?"
"...It wasn't like that."
The Century Herb I knew was incredibly rare—even nobles were lucky to snag one or two in a lifetime...
I lay sprawled out in the back of my nest, staring blankly at the ceiling. Beside me, Haring chattered away, a bundle of Century Herbs clutched in her hand. And they weren't even fakes. Their effects were nearly identical to the real deal—or even better.
"It wasn't like that in the past. It was truly precious back then."
"When was 'the past'?"
"...The last time I saw one was 70 years ago..."
Back then, it was worth whatever you named. But apparently, someone had improved the strain, and now you could just plant the seeds in any field, and they'd sprout right up. Took half a year to a year at most to mature?
Then why call it Century Herb?
They should've just renamed it to some common weed. In that moment, I resented this herb that clung to its "century" name without growing for a hundred years anymore.
Haring set down the Century Herbs, her face turning serious.
"70 years... So how old are you, Lea?"
"Tsk."
"I'm kidding."
"Aren't you going?"
"I can't beat the Legion Commander."
"Put in nooort effort."
"Even with effort, I can't beat her right now."
Outside, heroes swarmed. Inside, my disciples stubbornly refused to leave. I considered throwing up a barrier like yesterday and roasting them all, but I stayed flopped in my comfy nest.
I didn't want to move a single step. Didn't want to get up, expand my Domain Expansion, fly up, and spew fire ptoo ptoo ptoo. I just wanted to stay cozy like this and sleep.
"Not doing it today?"
"Too annoyiiing..."
"If the heroes don't get quests, they won't leave. Or how about handing out some really tough ones this time?"
"......"
"Like that 300-orc subjugation you gave us last time. Or I know a few genuinely rare herbs."
"......"
"If you ask them to fetch those..."
"Lea?"
Kuuaaa...
＊
"She's asleep."
Haring approached Lea, who lay sprawled in deep slumber. She looked just like an innocent girl—harmless, nothing like the dragon who scorched heroes and even made the Legion Commander wary.
Poke.
Haring's finger gently prodded Lea's cheek. It yielded softly under the pressure.
"So squishy~"
Excited, Haring crept closer and snapped a few photos. She desperately wanted to hug Lea tight, but she didn't want to rile up her already grumpy mentor. Waking her might spark real wrath.
As she giggled and took pics, NyaNya entered from the inner nest.
"Is Lea oka—"
"Shh."
"!"
Haring pressed a finger to her lips. NyaNya got the picture and nodded, then knelt carefully beside the sleeping Lea.
Kuuaaa...
"She's so cuuute..."
"Don't touch. She'd get super mad."
"Ugh... This is torture."
NyaNya trembled with longing but settled for a few photos. At least she got a bit closer than usual—that was something.
"Is she out cold?"
"Dunno. Might just be a quick nap."
"Then let's head out. She's probably tired from yesterday. I've told the others, so the noise should die down."
"Okay."
Haring nodded and slipped out of the nest cautiously. Outside, the disciples were persuading the gathered users. Quests were fine, but no rowdiness. Yelling didn't just mean death—it could mean getting husked entirely.
Not everyone listened, but the shouting and pounding on the nest entrance had quieted.
Post what I need to first.
"Likes are exploding."
Haring grinned at her post, satisfied, then checked others. Lea's fame had boosted views and likes across the forum massively. Management was getting tougher, but that wasn't her problem as a regular user. The admins would handle it if needed.
"It's real though."
Haring muttered matter-of-factly. Lea wasn't easy enough to monopolize even if they wanted to. Adorable, sweet-toothed, whimsical at times—but a dragon was a dragon. The Legion Commander, who could wipe heroes with one spell, treated her warily. No hero could control her.
And the Legion Commander quest is still up.
Haring sighed softly. They couldn't go after Adella Measis yet, but the situation hadn't changed. Users kept pouring in; it was just a temporary lull. Eventually, Lea's disciples would have to hunt the commander.
"Guess I'll do my thing..."
Pushing worries aside, Haring focused on forum browsing and mana cultivation. Not much else to do till Lea woke.
＊
I had a dream.
In the dream, I sat at the head of a banquet hall piled with gifts. After chasing off demons bold enough to raid a village with my favorite shop, I was invited to the feast—lavish food and treatment.
Gimme booze too.
No booze for kids.
Wanna bet?
Hehe, just kidding.
The tasty cocktail (non-alcoholic, I later learned) lifted my mood. Nobles and folks curried favor with gifts. A mustachioed man pulled a fancy wooden box from his robes.
Mighty, supreme, beautiful, strong...
Enough flattery.
Flame Dragon Lea.
Yeah.
I've procured Century Herb! A most rare and precious herb.
Century Herb? How'd you get it?
Hehe... Scoured every mountain. All for you, Flame Dragon.
Ooh.
Century Herb—even for me, who'd lived 150 years, it took ages to grow. Rare even for a treasure-hoarding dragon like me, who didn't chase edibles much. Still, hard to find.
I lifted it from the box. Half my hand in size and length, pristine white.
Crunch.
Sweet.
To your liking?
Yeah. What'd you add?
Nothing. It grows absorbing mountain mana, so it's naturally sweet. Usually decocted as an elixir, but...
No more?
Y-yes.
Too bad~
I chewed the root end, a pang of regret. Not chocolate-sweet, but an herb that's sweet? Healthy sweets intrigued, plus its unique aroma and flavor—like something from my 'past life,' vaguely.
After, I spent decades of gold and treasures buying a few. Bury them in soil, and they'd last a millennium easy. Aged longer, better effects. Seven slumbered deep in my hoard—for personal treats or promising disciples later...
"...Not a dream."
Waking after three days, Century Herbs were mere weeds. I glanced outside. Heroes still buzzed, clutching the same—or better—herbs I'd hoarded so diligently.
I got depressed.