The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと)

The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries

Also, regarding today's schedule,

This story is a work of fiction. The names of all of the characters, organizations, and so on are imaginary. It also bears no connection to any specific real-life events.

there will be a medium ceremony in the afternoon.

Yeah...

I think I know what's on your mind.

But please, don't forget about work.

I know.

Episode 19: Chance or Something More

Master Lihaku, what's wrong?

We have a problem.

Trouble, is it?

Remember that fire at the warehouse?

Ah.

Apparently, a thief broke in to a different warehouse on the same day.

I'm sure they were taking advantage of all the chaos at the time.

A looting. What got stolen?

Not something to discuss openly, it seems.

Sneak.

Ceremonial tools. And not just one.

Were they being managed that haphazardly?

Well, I don't really know.

There's no knowledgeable managers right now.

The last one passed away last year.

What about the current manager? He must know the basics, right?

Well, he got food poisoning awhile back.

Food poisoning?

His favorite seaweed made him sick and he hasn't woken up.

He can't come back to work. Trouble, right?

Where have I heard that before?

Was it that official who likes rare foods?

How did you know?

A lot happened.

Theft at the time of a fire.

The warehouse manager is missing due to food poisoning.

It's a bit too suspicious to be a coincidence.

Who was the manager who passed away last year?

Hmm. I remember that he was famous for being really by-the-book.

I forgot his name. I remember he had a sweet tooth and things like that, but...

Was it Master Kounen, by chance?

Oh, that's it! Hey, how'd you know?

A lot happened.

Master Jinshi told me about the tough official with a sweet tooth.

The man who died of salt overdose.

These are all coincidental?

Each incident looks like an accident,

but if they were all done in pursuit of some goal...

So, what can I do for you?

Right! The main point.

Remember this? You gave it to me back then.

Ah, from the fire.

I tried to give it back, but the owner declined.

He doesn't want it anymore.

It seems very expensive. I assumed it was important.

Apparently, he got it from some court lady.

From a court lady?

Sounds weird, right?

Why give this to a random warehouse guard?

Apparently, the guard escorted the court lady outside the castle,

because she was walking alone in the dark.

She gave him this pipe as a token of gratitude.

Receiving such an expensive item might compel him to use it right away.

Start a fire to divert the guards' attention,

and break into another warehouse.

If the court lady gave the guard the pipe for that purpose...

Master Lihaku, about that court lady...

Yeah, I tried to get the details about her.

But she was wearing a scarf that hid her face, apparently.

Maybe she was hiding her face intentionally.

Yeah.

But she was "quite tall for a woman, and smelled like medicine."

I know it's not you, given the height.

Can you think of anyone else?

A tall court lady smelling of medicine...

Don't speak based purely on conjecture.

Were there any more strange incidents other than the events we mentioned?

Hmm. I can't say...

Do you think there's something to find out here?

There could be.

Or there might not.

Which is it?

Two coincidences can often occur simultaneously.

Three at once isn't that rare, either.

But when several of them pile up

and become clearly intentional...

What if a person who fits the description of a tall court lady appeared here?

This way, even if Suirei's name comes up, it has nothing to do with me.

Wow, you're a lot smarter than you look!

Conversely, Master Lihaku, you're as big a brute as you look, so please go easy on me.

Looks like fun.

Looks like fun.

There's nothing fun here.

I'll take my leave!

You seem very close to that officer.

Do I?

He just came to talk to me about some concerns he had.

I can't say for certain that this has nothing to do with Master Jinshi.

May I explain the details to you?

What a strange way they connect.

Yes.

So, what do you think is behind them?

I don't know.

None of those incidents are certainties.

It's more like setting several traps in the hopes that some of them work out.

In that case, do you think there are other traps?

I can't say for certain.

It's hard to determine which are accidents and which were plotted.

It's still possible that these are all just coincidences.

You're not excited?

Excited?

I'm just a servant. I only do what I am told.

Hmm.

In that case, how about this?

The other day, I visited the trader.

He told me there's an interesting item in stock.

Ox bezoar

This is what it was called.

Ox bezoar, a medicinal gallstone from a cow!

The most exquisite medicine only found in one in a thousand cows!

Are you going to give me that?!

Ox Bezoar

Really?!

Ox Bezoar

You'd better not be lying!

Do you want it?

I do!

Xiaomao.

Excuse me.

Looks like you're excited now.

Will you really give me this?