How to Train Your Grail

Incense? What are you talking about?

Exactly that. It's stuffy inside the Grail.

If you gather the right herbs and dissolve them in water, you can make perfume.

You've been exhausting me night after night lately... and now you want me to fetch that too?

You don't want to? Say so. Then I'll just bite down on you harder.

...Fine. I'll just buy some at the market. Elizabeth, how much money do we have left?

W-We don't have any left...

What? But yesterday we had enough to last another day...

Morgana! This is your fault, isn't it?!

Don't look at me! I ate my fill yesterday and went to bed early. Maybe stop blaming me for everything!

You're not going...? Don't tell me you're too lazy. As expected of Ethan...

O-Of course not...!

Alright, alright! Let's get moving. A request from the Grail's spirit isn't something I can drag my feet on.

Ethan... just how much has she been putting you through...

Looks like Eva's really got a tight grip on him...

Easy for you to say. Try carrying the Grail around for a day.

Do you know what it's like to constantly appease a spirit that endlessly craves mana? It's even worse than babysitting Morgana.

Excuse me! Why am I getting dragged into this?!

Because if you thought about your usual behavior, you wouldn't be asking.

So you're not going? Fine. Then tonight... look forward to it.

I-I'm going! I was just about to!

Morgana. Stop whining and get up.

But where are we supposed to find these herbs Eva mentioned?

Huh? Wouldn't they be in the forest?

Incense herbs usually grow near waterfalls. To reach one, we'll need to cross a ravine, and that means...

N-No way...! Please tell me it's not slimes! Not again!

...Slimes do appear there.

So they DO show up...!

Isn't this getting a bit repetitive? Anyone watching might think this world is filled only with pervert slimes.

P-Princess... I just remembered something important I left at home...

What are you talking about, Bedi? We don't have a home.

Th-Then... bad dreams? A-Anyway, maybe I shouldn't come along this time...

We have to go. That's how our adventures always are. And Ethan will be right in front, holding the line.

Why do I feel sad hearing that...?

Sigh... Well, it's no wonder Bedivere's traumatized. Slimes only ever left her with awful memories.

And why are you freaking out, Ethan? Weren't Bedivere and I the ones actually slimed?

Hmph! So that's it. You WANT to get eaten by a slime, don't you?

What kind of nonsense is that?!

If that's your wish, I can make it happen. I bet there are people who'd love to see it.

Sniff... I hate slimes... they're horrible...

Get a grip, Bedi. I can't stand that shameless Fairy Queen, but maybe learn from her bold ability to talk nonsense without shame.

Live long enough and you grow a thicker skin. Call it wisdom.

I call it shameless.

Still... there is one bit of good news.

Oh? What is it?

The slimes here all have elemental affinities. The usual natural ones, the kind that used to swallow us whole, don't appear.

Ooh... so no more nightmares, then.

Y-Yes! Those ones I can take down in a flash!

But there are rumors of undead monsters instead.

I-I'll just stay here and...

Changing your stance that fast? What if Elizabeth ends up in danger?

T-That would never do...! I'll protect the Princess!

Elizabeth. What are you looking at? Where are you getting this information? Is it trustworthy?

O-Oh! It's from a bestiary that's all the rage among adventurers. It even lists monster habitats!

That actually sounds... useful. Where'd you get it?

From Percival!

Percival...?

The book says there are plenty of monsters, but nothing too dangerous.

If they're all weak, then I won't even need to go.

You all can go. Just don't forget to bring back fruit.

...Bedivere.

Yes, Ethan?

Grab Morgana.

Yes...!

W-Wait, stop! Let me go! This isn't fair!

Give it up, Lady Morgana. Ethan would never leave you behind.

She's right. Whether for better or worse, it's easier with you close by.

Let's go.

Good work! Just like the rumors said, they smell wonderful.

Great... glad you're happy...

...? What are you looking at?

...Forget it. Not worth saying.

I faithfully fulfilled my role covering the rear. And you're still dissatisfied?

You were dragged along kicking and screaming. You have any idea how hard that was? "Faithful," my foot.

You've been sniping at me more often lately. I'd be careful if I were you.

Oh yeah? Or what?

I'll shove a boot in your mouth while you're asleep.

Wow. Pure evil. Even demons would call you "lord" and bow out.

Everyone, eat before it gets cold.

Ooh...! What's this? Didn't know you had it in you, Bedivere.

It smells wonderful...! Thank you, Bedi.

Hehe. Watching over the Princess's condition and supporting her is my duty as her knight.

Food! Food! Food!

Living the easy life, huh...

Don't untie your weapons while you eat.

Huh? Why? We didn't even use the Grail today...

That waterfall you went to? There's a cave behind it. You'll need to go there.

Oh, right... there was a cave. Could be the source of the monsters.

And why do we need to go into that cave?

According to this, there's a plant inside called Millennium Grass.

Millennium Grass? What's that supposed to be?

Hm... a medicinal herb formed over centuries, absorbing the mountain's lifeblood. Said to make even the dead open their eyes.

Th-That's incredible!

And you're interested in that miracle herb?

Uh-huh. Bring me some. For a spirit like me, herbs full of natural energy are the perfect tonic.

Sigh...

What, is this too much trouble? Then I'll just top myself off with your mana instead...

Eh? She drinks your mana, Ethan?

It's part of the bond with the Grail. Ethan's mana is so delicious I often help myself.

How...?

T-That's not something outsiders need to know...

Spoiling her will just make her worse. It's just a contract, power flowing back and forth. Nothing more.

Hm? What was that?

...I said let's hurry up and eat so we can go.

Be careful. If I get too hungry for mana, who knows what I might do.

Why do all ancient beings come with a built-in "gets feral when hungry" trait...?

If you bring back what I asked for, I'll give you a special service tonight... chu...!

Hiiieek...!

Ethan, you really do have it rough... Since most undead monsters lurk inside caves, we should prepare thoroughly.

Yeah...

P-Princess...

Hm?

We... really have to go into a cave full of undead...?

Eva is the spirit of the Grail. If she asks, we can't refuse. Don't be afraid, Bedi. I'll protect you.

S-Sniff... y-yes, Princess...

It's... disgusting!!!

Hiiieeek?!

Ethan! Up ahead...!

I see it. A golem? What's something like that doing among the undead?

Playing king?

An inanimate construct like that? Hardly.

Undead monsters always need a magical anchor. That slumbering golem must've been serving as one.

A golem... then this cave wasn't ordinary after all.

If it's just a golem, we'll be fine! I'll handle it!

Look at you, Bedivere, all fired up.

A-As long as it's not undead, I can fight!

Screams, slime, grotesque corpses... those make me sick just looking at them.

No more talking. Let's go!

Right!

Ethan! Princess! Look, there's Millennium Grass everywhere!

You're right! That was faster than I expected...

Hidden behind that hulking frame, huh. The golem couldn't have been guarding these, right...?

Whatever the reason, it worked out for us.

We found the Millennium Grass, and we cleared out a nest that could've been overrun by undead.

Yeah. Maybe now Eva won't complain anymore.

Not that I have the strength to listen if she did...

Me neither... I'm starving and can barely stand.

I-I'm so sorry...!

Funny... Morgana barely touched her food. That never happens.

Sob...

...So there is something that could raise the dead besides Millennium Grass.

Sniff...! It was supposed to be food...

Don't be so down, Bedi. The fact that you even tried means a lot.

Uwaaaah! Princess, you're the only one who understands me!

You found it. Well done.

We sure did. Which is why we're stopping here for today. I'm dead tired.

Don't worry. I won't push you further tonight.

Mmh... Mmh... But... don't I seem different somehow?

Different...? Can't say.

Eva, you smell... really nice.

Right? I knew you had an eye for these things, Princess.

My new perfume's a success. Even the Grail feels less stuffy. Want some?

Wow... thank you!

M-Me too, please!

...?

Did you hear that?

It wasn't me! I swear! No way that sound came from me...

N-No, it's me...

Ugh... my stomach... what's happening...?

Maybe it's just the tension wearing off?

Or maybe you just want to hand over more mana to me?

N-No... this signal... I know it too well...!

Hmph. You always mock me, and now it's your turn.

Morgana... that reaction, don't tell me...

Exactly. He's got food poisoning. I knew it the way he was scarfing down dinner.

I-I'm sorry, Ethan!

Don't be... It's just... getting worse...

I-I can't hold it! Toilet! I need a toilet!!

How are you feeling?

Like death warmed over...

If not for the Grail's power, I wouldn't have made it to the bathroom in time. Never thought I'd waste it on this, but... thanks, Eva.

It's fine. For the Grail's power to last, your health is essential.

But since I used my strength... I'll need compensation.

C-Compensation...?

D-Don't tell me...!

I thought I could let it slide, but... looks like we're doing this again.

Sometimes I wonder if maybe you actually enjoy it...

O-Of course not...! If not for Bedi's cooking...!

Lick...

...!

Mmm... slurp... nnnh...

Ugh...

Once again, I was nothing more than her battery.

Hm? What did you say?

N-Nothing... ngh!