When we got back to town, we visited the sicks. Marné-san examined the patients carefully and prescribed medicine. I think it's amazing, unlike me who could heal with magic. Thinking about it again, my powers were way too much.
If it were known, wouldn't I be a saint? A saint dressed as a bear.
Just thinking about it was terrifying.
"Marné-sensei, aren't you going back to the royal capital?" (Kabo)
The male pharmacist asked timidly. His name was Kabo-san. He was currently at the pharmacist's shop who made Est's medicine.
"I was planning to go home. But I was attacked by Corbeau's men, so I guess I have no choice." (Marne)
Marné-san answered as she mixed the herbs. It was Marné-san who arranged for the attack to happen, though.
"Well then, why are you at my shop?" (Kabo)
"There are all kinds of equipment and medicinal herbs here, so it's very convenient. Or maybe, is it just a nuisance when I come here?" (Marne)
I took a quick look at Kabo-san behind me.
"That's not true..." (Kabo)
He denied it, but his face said he's annoyed. But Marné-san didn't seem to mind.
"Well, if I ever come to this town, I'll borrow it from now on, okay?" (Marne)
"Ugh." (Kabo)
Kabo-san hanged his head.
"Hey, is anyone there?"
I heard someone calling from the store.
"A customer?" (Kabo)
Kabo-san headed to the sales floor in the next room. The door was open and I could hear people talking.
"Bolland-san, why are you here today?" (Kabo)
"Has a child named Marné come from the Ministry recently?" (Bolland)
Marné-san's hands stopped.
"Is it a Marné from the Ministry?" (Kabo)
"Yes. Apparently, the woman dressed as a bear was with her too." (Bolland)
It was about me.
"I know about Marné-sensei from the Ministry, but she's not in the shop. What's the matter with Marné-sensei?" (Kabo)
Even though we were here, Kabo-san lied.
"Corbeau-sama instructed me to check with the pharmacist in town. If a child named Marné shows up, let me know right away." (Bolland)
"Okay" (Kabo)
I heard the door opening. It looked like he left. Kabo-san was coming back.
"Who?" (Marne)
"He's a man who works for Corbeau-sama." (Kabo)
"He seemed bossy, right?" (Marne)
"I think he's important because he works for Corbeau-sama, who is a noble. But in reality, if I go against him and Corbeau-sama finds out, my store will be shut down, so I can't even complain openly." (Kabo)
Ah, there are a lot of them. A person who acts arrogantly because he works under someone important, even though he is not.
"But you didn't talk about me, do you?" (Marne)
"The fact is, I don't like Corbeau-sama. If you can do something about it, I think the pharmacists in this town will help you, Marné-sensei." (Kabo)
"Oh, that's a nice thing you say. In that case, I'll ask for your help." (Marne)
Marné-san made a bad face. Please don't make that face, with your childish face.
"Still, I never thought that simple herb gathering would turn out like this." (Marne)
"Now that I think of it, why did you have to collect them yourself, Marné-sensei? If you're a working for the Ministry of Magic, you could probably get some medicinal herbs if you asked, right?" (Kabo)
"There are some herbs that won't work unless you collect them yourself." (Marne)
"Is there a medicine that uses such special herbs?" (Kabo)
"That's right. It's an important medicinal herb." (Marne)
Herbs for body enlargement.
"Well, that's enough for now. Let's get this town's problems over with. I hope you're okay with what you said earlier." (Marne)
That's why, stop making that nasty face.
"...Yes. If there's anything I can do." (Kabo)
"It's simple. We will hunt down Corbeau. You pharmacists, all you have to do is honestly testify about what has been done to you and what you have been forced to do." (Marne)
"That's all?" (Kabo)
"That's important. If all of you pharmacists deny it, even if we are able to punish him, the punishment will be lighter. Your testimony will carry a different weight. And if there is physical evidence, that would be even better." (Marne)
"Physical evidence..." (Kabo)
Kabo-san thought deeply.
"Instructions are passed on through word of mouth." (Kabo)
The only physical evidence we had so far was Est's medicine and the medicine of the families of the men who attacked us for money for medicine. Then there was the medicine we bought at a store run by a guy named Corbeau. I didn't return all the medicine. I kept some that Marné-san thought were suspicious.
"Well, the rest, if you can, please don't give Corbeau any herbs, okay? Or any medicines." (Marne)
"Medicines and herbs?" (Kabo)
"There's a chance they'll ask you to send them over." (Marne)
Kabo-san tilted his head slightly at Marné-san's words.
"Even so, the lord of this city is outrageous. Protecting his son even though he is doing such bad things." (Kabo)
"Hmm, I wonder. I don't know much about the nobles myself. I've never heard any bad rumors about the lord of this town, but I've also never heard anything about him being a great lord. I'm sure the people who live there know more about it." (Marne)
Marné-san looked at Kabo-san, a resident of this town.
"We commoners never meet our lord, so we don't know what kind of lord he is." (Kabo)
"Really?" (Marne)
"Nobles either stay in their mansions or travel in carriages. I've never heard of anyone walking around town with a guard, and if they were walking alone, no one would notice them." (Kabo)
Cliff sometimes came to my store. Whenever Noa had time, she came to the store or to my house. I wondered which one was normal. Thinking about it logically, the latter wasn't normal.
"But as Marné-sensei says, I have heard neither good nor bad things." (Kabo)
"If there aren't any major complaints from the townspeople, then I'd say it's excellent." (Marne)
"But I wonder if such a lord doesn't realize what his son is doing." (Marne)
"No one would notice. They don't live together, so there's no one to tell him about the lord's son's foolish behavior. If they make a silly move, they might incur Corbeau's wrath. Only those close to him know whether the lord is strict or lenient with his son." (Kabo)
Other people can't tell whether their friend's parents are kind to their children. Moreover, the lord was a stranger. It's like being asked whether the mayor of the city you live in or the prefectural governor is kind or strict with your children. All I could say was that I didn't know anything about it and I was not interested. Well, that's what information was.
"But he will protect his son who has done something bad, right?" (Kabo)
"What nobles protect is honor. If a family member does something bad, they will cover it up so that it doesn't get out to the public. It may seem like they are protecting their children, but if it comes to light, they will be cut off." (Marne)
"That's scary." (Kabo)
"The job of a feudal lord is not easy. You can't rule with pretty words. You have to make the town prosperous. Maintain public order. Negotiating with other towns and interacting with the Commercial Guild and the Adventurer's Guild are also important. If you lose the trust of the residents, they'll criticize any good policy you implement." (Marne)
"That must be tough." (Kabo)
"Being a lord is a troublesome job. If your tax revenue decreases, you'll be treated as incompetent by the royal family and other nobles, and you'll have a hard time finding a spouse for your children." (Marne)
Certainly, if asked whether I would rather marry into a wealthy family or a poor family, the general answer would be the former.
"Is that so? I thought his job was just to look over the paper and stamp it." (Kabo)
Kabo-san looked impressed as he listened to Marné-san's story.
"His job is to check the documents compiled by his subordinates and give permission. But he has to check it carefully. Is it really necessary? How much will it cost? He has to check it carefully before he put his seal on it. Stamping means that the lord has given permission, so if there is a mistake, the lord who gave the permission is responsible. That's why, there is no easy job for a lord." (Marne)
So Cliff made a mistake regarding the orphanage. In manga and novels, there were often stories about people aiming to become lords or kings, but it was not easy. This was not possible for me as I just wanted to lie around in bed. I was glad I wasn't reborn as a noble or royalty.
"So, in return, nobles can live a wealthy life."
Well, nobles probably study from childhood after all. When I went to Noa's house, she was often studying. When I went to other cities, she studied the city's streetscape, local specialties, prices, and other things.
"Now the medicine is complete." (Marne)
Marné-san kept moving her hands as she spoke.
Should I say, "As expected from Marné-san"?
After preparing the medicine, Marné-san went to the sick people's homes and gave it to them. Marné-san did not accept any payment.
"Just this once. As a fellow pharmacist, I was just cleaning up what that man did." (Marne)
Marné-san said this and told Kabo-san that she would go to his store if she ever needed medicine in the future.
After touring the sick people's homes, we returned to the Adventurer's Guild. Of course, we entered through the back door.
When I entered the room, the men who had gone to Corbeau and returned had obediently returned to the Adventurer's Guild.
"For now, I've done as you said."
The man returned the magic tool to Marné-san. Marné-san gave the man a magic tool capable of recording audio and instructed them to record their conversation with Corbeau. Marné-san checked the recording. It contained a recording of the conversation between Corbeau and the men making the deal.
"Now there's more evidence." (Marne)
"Really, are we gonna be okay?"
"Yes, if we have a recording of this conversation, it will serve as evidence that you were instructed by Corbeau. But you guys didn't attack us, and instead helped us out. So, you'll be fine." (Marne)
At the end, she said in a small voice, "This time...", which I didn't miss as I was sitting next to her.
Scary.
Author's Note
*The 21st volume of the original novel is scheduled to be released on Friday, February 7th. The distribution destinations for the store purchase bonuses have been decided. The cover has also been released, so please check the activity report.
*For the time being, I will be limiting posts to one week. (Due to the manuscript for volume 22, the original novel for volume 13 of the comic, and preparation for tax returns.)
*If I take a break, I will post a comment, and if I am suddenly unable to post, I will notify you via activity reports or X (the old Twitter). (I'm sorry if I can't do this.)
*"Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear" comic chapter 130 (12/27) is currently available on PASH UP (125th chapter of NicoNico Manga is currently available)
*Episode 22 of the "Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear" spin-off (12/27) is currently available on PASH UP (Episode 20 is currently available on NicoNico Manga)
If you have time, please check out the comic version.
[Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear to be released]
Book 21 is scheduled for release on February 7, 2025. (The next book, volume 22, is currently in the works.)
The 12th volume of the comic was released on August 3, 2024. (The release date for the next volume, 13, has not yet been decided.)
Comicalized spin-off volume 2 was released on March 5, 2024. (The next volume, volume 3, is scheduled for release on December 20th.)
The 11th volume of the paperback edition was released on October 4, 2024. (The deadline for the campaign to win a big acrylic stand featuring Yuna and Shuri on the cover is January 20, 2025. 20 lucky winners will receive a prize.) (The release date for the next volume, 12th volume, has not yet been decided.)
*Thank you to everyone who reports typos.
Some of the kanji have been corrected to match the book, so please understand that there are some parts that have not been corrected.