It wasn't until noon the next day that Rimuru slowly regained consciousness. Upon learning of Takeru's help, he came to Takeru's side and expressed endless gratitude.
"Don't mention it. We're practically from the same homeland, after all. Helping each other is only natural." Hearing his words, Takeru said casually.
"Even so, I heard from Rigurd and the others that you also helped us remodel the terrain, built houses and clothes too, which has greatly improved the living conditions in the village all at once!" Hearing Takeru's words, Rimuru seemed extremely embarrassed.
"Ha, these are just small matters. Besides, from now on, they'll still have to rely on themselves. I can't stay here forever, nor can I keep helping you." Hearing his words, Takeru waved his hand, indicating it was no trouble at all.
"That may be so, but the fact remains that I've received your kindness. Is there anything I can do to help you? If possible, I'll do my best." Seeing Takeru's demeanor, Rimuru spoke seriously.
Hearing Rimuru's words, Takeru smiled inwardly. Having done so much, even having Tsumugi constantly help build the territory, aside from Takeru thinking there might be hidden quests, he was also waiting for Rimuru to say exactly this.
"As a matter of fact, there really is something you can help me with." Hearing Rimuru's words, Takeru hesitated for a moment, then spoke seriously.
"Eh, what is it?" Hearing Takeru's words, Rimuru showed no suspicion at all, simply curious about what it might be.
"I heard from Kaijin and the others that you have an incredibly potent recovery potion, and that you can replicate the weapons he forges, right?" Takeru cut straight to the point.
"Eh, yes. I see, so you need recovery potions. If that's the case, nothing could be simpler. Do you have any containers for the potion?" Subsequently, Rimuru asked Takeru.
"Of course." Hearing his words, Takeru casually manifested an alloy box of about one cubic meter.
"This!" Looking at the huge alloy box before him, Rimuru broke out in a slight cold sweat. However, he could still easily produce a cubic meter's worth.
Then, under Takeru's watchful gaze, blue liquid rapidly filled the entire alloy box.
"Is this enough?" After filling the alloy box, Rimuru let out a light sigh.
"Yes, that should do." Looking at him, Takeru nodded, then touched the alloy box. A sealed lid automatically formed on top, as if it had been part of the box all along.
After doing this, Takeru directly stored the alloy box in his item slot. Seeing Takeru's action, although it wasn't the first time, Rimuru still expressed some envy.
However, having his own massive stomach to store objects was some consolation.
"So, what do you need me to replicate next?" Subsequently, Rimuru looked at Takeru and asked seriously.
"Next, it's this." Hearing his words, Takeru took out a low-grade enhancement potion.
Seeing Takeru's earnest demeanor, Rimuru looked curious and directly devoured it into his body.
[Great Sage, analyze it.] After devouring it, Rimuru quickly addressed Great Sage.
[Analysis of target [Enhancement Potion] successful. Explanation: Using this potion can simply enhance a creature's base strength. The medicinal herbs used in this potion do not exist in this world. Proceed with analysis of herb properties to seek substitutes?]
'It's not from this world, huh? Analyze!' Hearing Great Sage's words, Rimuru was momentarily stunned. Although puzzled, upon discovering that Great Sage seemed able to find other ingredients as substitutes, Rimuru quickly responded.
[Analysis successful. Substitutable herbs include Hipokute Herb, Bloodgrass, Phantom Zero Flower...] After listing approximately seven herb names, Great Sage stopped its explanation.
"Takeru, this potion requires many substitute herbs in this world, and many seem to be quite rare medicinal ingredients, so I don't have them here either." Hearing Great Sage's words, Rimuru honestly conveyed this to Takeru.
"Is that so? Please tell me what herbs are needed. I'll go collect them, and then I'll trouble you to help me craft them." Hearing that Rimuru could actually produce them, Takeru was startled, then spoke seriously to him.
"Hipokute Herb, Bloodgrass, Phantom Zero Flower... are needed. I still have a considerable stock of Hipokute Herb here, but I don't have the other six." Hearing Takeru's words, Rimuru said seriously.
"I see. Thank you for your trouble. As for the herbs, I'll take care of obtaining them." Hearing this, Takeru firmly memorized the herb names.
"Oh, and also this." After receiving the Beginner Enhancement Potion that Rimuru spat out, Takeru directly took out the Gene Serum.
[Great Sage! Analyze!] After devouring the Gene Elixir, Rimuru directly commanded Great Sage.
[Analyzing. Analysis of target [??? Elixir]... Unable to analyze!]
To Rimuru's surprise, the Gene Elixir was completely unanalyzable… not even its name or effects could be identified.
Seeing this, Rimuru spat out the Gene Serum, returned it to Takeru, and sighed. "I'm so sorry, I can't analyze this potion either. What exactly is this thing?"
"I see. I understand. Thank you anyway." Hearing his words, Takeru nodded knowingly.
'Ultimately, it wasn't a product of this world, and the Gene Serum was clearly several tiers above the Beginner Enhancement Potion. So even Great Sage couldn't analyze it. Perhaps if it evolved into Raphael, it might be able to.'
"So, Takeru, when are you planning to leave here?" Seeing Takeru deep in thought, Rimuru asked curiously.
"Well, I'll probably leave in about two or three days. However, I'll have Tsumugi stay here for the time being. I hope you can look after her then." Hearing Rimuru's words, Takeru said after some thought.
"Eh, you're not taking her with you?" At this, Rimuru showed a curious expression.
"Yes. What I need to do next involves some special matters, and bringing her along would be rather inconvenient." Takeru stated directly.
Next, Takeru planned to go directly to the Falmuth Kingdom to begin executing his plan. Taking Tsumugi along would naturally be very inconvenient.
"Well, I understand. Please rest assured, I will definitely protect her!" Seeing Takeru say this, Rimuru readily agreed.
"Then I'll leave her in your care." Seeing Rimuru agree so readily, Takeru nodded.
Over the following three days, Takeru took Tsumugi to hunt monsters in the Jura Forest. The kills were mostly done by Tsumugi and Salamence, while Takeru collected all the monster materials.
Simultaneously, through continuous searching, Takeru also found two types of herbs usable for crafting Beginner Enhancement Potions… an unexpected bonus.
As for Rimuru, things remained remarkably calm. Takeru then prepared to depart. Leaving Mega Houndoom behind to protect Tsumugi, Takeru mounted Salamence and flew toward the Falmuth Kingdom.
Although he wasn't sure of the exact location, Kaijin had some knowledge of the Falmuth Kingdom and directly pointed Takeru in the general direction: northwest of the Jura Forest. He also cautioned Takeru.
The king of the Falmuth Kingdom was ambitious and greedy by nature, and his subordinate ministers and soldiers were also extremely avaricious. Kaijin advised Takeru to act cautiously.
Hearing his warning, Takeru nodded with a light laugh, unconcerned. After all, while many ants might kill an elephant, no one had ever heard of ants killing a dragon...
After two days of flight, Takeru encountered a second town. After resupplying below and gathering some information, he adjusted his course slightly and flew toward the Falmuth Kingdom.
Thus, after another day of high-speed flight, Takeru finally reached the border of the Falmuth Kingdom. Just as he arrived, he noticed near the forest a band of several dozen brigands attacking a merchant caravan.