Chapter 6-11

6-11. People of Baron Muno Territory (2)

 

Satou's here. There were some TV programs about survival in uninhabited island or deep in a forest, but I would refuse if I was asked to participate.
I'd eat through all the the nuts and edible plants in a matter of weeks.


◇


"Master, there's someone ahead nodesu."
"There~."

Pochi who's occupying my lap finds traces of someone ahead. I've confirmed it on the map, but I can't see it yet.

"Ah, it went inside the forest."

It seems scout-kun had gone to call its friends.
They're thieves, but this time it's a bit different. They're children ranging from 9 to 14 years old. There are three boys and six girls. Their Reward and Punishments are just [Contract Breach]. Since their titles are [Runaway Slave], they're probably children who have ran away from villages. Their stamina are all less than half.

Indeed, it'd be pitiful to beat them up right?

"What's on there?"
"Group of boys thieves."
"What's that, I'm burning up!"

I consult to Arisa and Liza about their reward and punishment.

"Runaway slaves is it? Then, our reward and punishment won't change even if we kill them, so I think there's no need to worry."

No, Liza-san, I don't have such worry.

"How about ignoring and going through them?　Or do you want to get more little girls?"

This is enough, I'll pass on getting more.

"Right huh, runaway slaves probably don't have projectile weapons, let's shake them off."

...It was no good.


◇


Three girls are laying on the road, blocking it. We can't exactly run them over right?
The wagon barely stopped in time just before hitting them, but the girls didn't move even after that.  Since they were not tied, their body might had been frozen in fear. They're too reckless even if they want to stop the wagon no matter what.

"Don't move! We have ten archers aiming at you in the forest."

Strange voice with raised pitch threatened us.
Since it's troublesome to play along with the bluff, I'll put aside the girls and quickly advance the wagon.
I leave the wagon's back entrance to Pochi and Tama to guard, and the driver's seat to Liza.

"If you value your life, leave your food here."

He's making demand with utmost effort, but the back chorus isn't helping.

"I'd like some potatoes."
"Stupid, we have to demand dried meat here! Right?"
"I want to eat bread."
"Anything's good as long as it's not weeds."
"Stupid, you guys keep silent."
"You're the stupid one calling other stupid you know?"
"Just shut your mouth."

The demands became chattering of young children, ruining everything.
I seize one of the small girl who's blocking the road, and gently toss her to the other children in the forest. She's abnormally light. The children who are thrown at are panicking while catching her.

"Uwah, what are you doing!"
"We'd shoot you with arrow."

No one is coming out of the forest.
Do they not have weapons or are they afraid of Liza?

"Do you want to walk to the forest yourself, or get thrown there?"
"J, just run me over. If we don't have food, we'll die starving anyway."

She insists with trembling voice, I'm not sure if she's bluffing or being serious.
She's the same age as Lulu, but she looks as old as Arisa. She's a girl with semi-long red hair and red brown pupils. The arm which I grab to make her stand is thin like a dead branch.

"L, let go of Totona!"

The boy who has been negotiating with us since now comes out of the forest after seeing me grabbing the girl's arm. The red-haired boy looks similar with the girl. He's holding a club on his hand.
I force the girl to stand, and push her toward the boy. The girl stumbles and is caught by the boy.

"Liza, go."

I jump to the driver seat of the wagon which has started running.

"Okay, here."

Arisa holds out a big bag while saying so, and throws that to the forest. The content of that bag is vegetables and food that Tama has gathered like fruits. Since it wasn't prepared in advance, she probably did it when she heard the boys' conversation.

"You're probably thinking that even if I give them food, it won't solve the root of the problem right? When you're starving, you don't think of tomorrow. The most important thing is to quell the starving right now. Just that."


◇


"Is it still bothering you?"
"No, it's not that."

It didn't bother me at all. After taking two deep breaths, the queasy feeling on my stomach completely disappears.
What I have in mind is the things ahead. There's a narrow river ahead of this road, and five old people are there.
They're neither thieves or runaway slaves. Are they fishing?

"Don't think unnecessary things when you're hungry!　Let's eat a lot of delicious steaks and cheer up!"
"Cheer~?"
"Eat until full nodesu."

I'm thankful for your worry, but you girls are absolutely thinking about the steak more right?

We've arrived at the creek after a while.
The elderly are just sitting on the bank and staring at the river. I'm thinking of camping near the river, but what do I do about this.

"Good afternoon, the weather is nice today huh."
"Oh, are you a merchant, do you have some businesses with this old man?"
"I'm sorry for disturbing you. When I was stopping by the river to get some water, I saw your figures, so I thought of greeting everyone here."
"That is, quite polite of you. Just think of me like a pebble on the roadside."
"That's right, we don't have anything to do beside staring at the river in sorrow until we're called by the god."
<TLN: He/she means dying>
"It's preferable to be called by the god here rather than have our grandchildren be sold."
"We're not welcomed in the village even if we go back."
"If you want to give us foods, I'll accept it anytime you know?"
"Hey, if you eat now, you'll get called by the god late."
"That's right huh."

It seems that they're abandoned here on this river.
You should treasure the elders!

"Don't make such face, it's fine."
"That's right, for the sake of decreasing the mouths needed to be feed, we got out of the village by our own volition."
"Right, if the old people are decreased, girls who sell themselves would probably decrease too."
"Nowadays, merchants weren't buying slaves and the village headman was grumbling."

Since there's no one who would buy their daughters, they sacrifice the elderly now huh.


◇


Since the old people seem to be harmless, I decide to camp slightly away from them. We're located downwind from where they are.
Usually, Pochi and Tama hunt and gather food, Arisa and Mia collect firewoods, Lulu and Liza cook, and Nana helps them cook, but since the old people would likely die faster if we scrouge the plants and animals on this area, I decide to refrain.

"We're not going to look for firewoods or preys today. Liza, I'm sorry, but since I want to treat the old people with foods, I want you to cook more today, I leave you with the food choice."
"I understand, since heavy stuff is impossible for people who're fasting, let's make cereal porridge."
"Need help?"
"We have enough hands, but let's teach you on this occasion! It's not only Mia, Arisa, you too."

Lulu readily accepts Mia's offer, and takes Arisa by hand to the place where the cookwares lay. Arisa resists by saying, "Cooking is my bane~.", but today Lulu is forceful and she keeps pulling her.
Pochi and Tama look around restlessly, so I tell them, "You girls can go ahead and play", but somehow it has became a battle training. Moreover, it's me versus Pochi and Tama.

After the signal, Pochi rushes forward like an arrow.

I smoothly avoid the wooden sword's thrust.

Using that chance, Tama sweeps my feet with her wooden sword, I avoid it by jumping.

I counter by lightly kick Tama's wooden sword.

Tama who loses her wooden sword jumps at me while making small growl.

I change her trajectory by scooping her stomach with my palm, and gently throw her away.

While eluding Pochi's attack twice, I confirm Tama has landed after spinning on the air from the edge of my vision.

"Can't hit~?"
"Strong nodesu."

The training continues while being like that, and when I purposely get myself caught at the end, it somehow looks like we're flirting.

"I caught you, hamumunyanoresu."
<TLN: She's biting him.>
"Nihehe~ caught~?"

And then, the last punchline has to come from Arisa after all.

"I'll join in too~."

While saying so, Arisa jumps at me, but--

"Arisa~ Joining~."
"The next prey is Arisa nano desu!"

--Pochi and Tama brilliantly intercept her.

Chapter 6-10

6-10. Magic Circuit and Rose Engraving

 

Satou's here. I've made various electronic circuit boards when I was a college student, although I neglected it when I became a working adult.
I didn't think that I would make them in fantasy world...


◇


I don't know if the fake hero really exist, but when I regularly check the baron castle's map, I've narrowed down the most suspicious candidate.
The fake hero's name is Hauto--one character difference with the hero, Hayato Masaki--he's a level 7 young man with one-handed sword and shield skills.
There are also other people who seem to be his companions which are a level 10 swordsman, a level 8 magician, and a level 9 priest. It's a party with good balance, they would've been successful if they earn their shares from labyrinths.

The demon is most likely involved. It's often near the fake hero, Hauto.
However, this demon slips out of the castle at night, and goes to the neighboring forest where the thieves are.

"Master, the replenishment is complete."

Damn, I've wasted this blissful morning time thinking unnecessary things.
Nana who has refilled her magic fix her clothes.

Satou, you'll get another chance on the next break.

...I convinced myself so.


◇


Today I'm making wooden swords on the shaking wagon.
I feel like Pochi's and Tama's battle forms have become sloppy lately, probably because the thieves' level were low, so I'm preparing these for their exercise. I don't want to see them suffer from letting their guard down.

I roll several layers of leather on the wooden swords for safety so they wouldn't get hurt.

"Is it okay to have this~?"
"Pochi also wants to have that nodesu."

Pochi and Tama said so while holding Nana's rapier. The sword is engraved with cute patterns from the guard to the grip. It seem they want to have the wooden swords to have the same kind of patterns as the rose engraving there. These two unexpectedly like cute things.

Do I have to make this?
The two's eyes are full of expectations.

"Is it alright if the design is a bit simpler?"
"This one no good~?"
"No good nano desu?"

Uuh, now it's upturned eyes huh.

"I understand, I'll try it for once."
"Yay~."
"It's going to be okay since it's master, nano desu."
"Work hard~ master."

Arisa cheered on me who had irresponsibly promised them. Dang Arisa, don't look so amused.
Since it's impossible to engrave the design on the completed swords, I decide to shave new ones.

Afterwards, the two are finally satisfied with the engraving after nine tries. Since I've only shaved the guard to the grip part, the blade part is still rod shaped. I should be able to shave the blade parts before the next rest if it's only for two.

>[Engraving Skill Acquired]


◇


"There's no prey nodesu."
"I picked nuts~."

After we've entered this territory, Pochi and the girls only net few hunts. Birds or beasts that could be hunted are scarce along the road. Even with this condition, Tama still shrewdly gather fruits and acorns. In some survival manga, they would cook acorns or insects, but since we're not in food shortage, I keep Tama's harvest for now.

Now then, it's about time to prepare for lunch. Lulu is beside me while wearing different clothes than the usual. She ties her hair with the blue braid like yesterday, but her apron now has frills making her cuteness goes up by 50%.

"I've prepared it."
"Alright, then, put the oil on the frying pan and raise the flame."
"Yes!"

I'm teaching Lulu the secret of steak today. I wonder if she's nervous, she makes a lot of excessive movements. Her face has turned bright red.

"The garlic is enough with that much. Put it on this plate."

Going according to the instruction, Lulu awkwardly use the spatula to move it to the plate. The spatula is made from wood. Since it was inconvenient when I'm making steak without one, I made it myself.

"Listen closely to the sound. Don't close your eyes though."

Lulu performs my instruction, but it seems that she's nervous because our faces are close. It looks like she's not used around men, so I give instructions from behind her shoulders.

"When you hear this sound, it means that the heat is enough, so put the steak in."

Even though she's tense, she's doing it properly, excellent.

"Wait until the the side becomes brown. Turn the steak when you smell this. It's easy to understand when to turn if you utilize the sound and the smell."

I said so with air of superiority, but it was thanks to the skill.

When Lulu has finished grilling the steak, I cut and sample it. Yep, it's a bit inferior compared to the one I make, but it's at the level where she could charge money for it. Lulu also tries it, she's surprised with the meat she has grilled herself.
Since Pochi and Tama are drolling beside us, I cut the meat and feed it to their mouths. And since even Liza and Arisa wait for their turns, the trial steak quickly disappears. You girls have too much appetite.


◇


At a slightly remote place, Pochi and Tama are training using the wooden swords.

Without their usual goofy attitudes, they look very serious.
Pochi attacks in straight line, Tama avoids it while moving relatively more erratic. Using the chance when Pochi stops moving, Tama successfully hits her with small attack.
Sometimes Tama fails to avoid Pochi's heavy blow, so the damage is comparable.

Still, even though this is a training, aren't they way too serious?
Liza who was washing the dishes volunteered to be the umpire since she was worried with the two.

Even though I've taught them to stop before they hit before the training began, looks like they completely forget about it. Let's tell them again later.


◇


After the meal, I'm taking a break from chanting practice.

Today, I'm experimenting in magic tools creation. What I'm doing now is making preliminary preparations.

Roughly speaking, Magic tools are tools for recreating effects of specific magic without chanting. Magic circuits are embedded on magic tools as a substitute for the chants. For simple circuits, you could make them without special facility, but you'd need exclusive workshop if you want to make magic tools with complex circuits. It might be easier to understand if I say that it's like the differences between [Miniature bulb and copper-wired battery], and [Electronic circuit with semiconductor].

In order to compose the magic circuit, you need to use circuit liquid to draw specific patterns. Depending on the purpose, you could possibly need circuit liquids with different magic resistance power, but let's go with the orthodox for the first time.

I draw a circle on a wood plank with ink.

Next, I use a pick to lightly carve out the circle.

Then I just need to pour the circuit liquid here and it'd be complete.

I want to make the circuit liquid, but it was written in difficult elf language, it's probably by Trazayuya. It can't be helped, I maximize the elf language skill. I'd have liked if it was written in simpler elf language.

For the making of this circuit liquid this time, you just need to simply mix melted copper with powdered magic core and stabilizer.

First, I melt some coppers. For this I use the magic tool that I've bought from the metal carving workshop. It's a burner where you can raise flame by pouring magic. Burning without fuel, truly a magic tool.

>[Metal Carving Skill Acquired]

Since it looks like I would need this from now on, I put points and activate it.

I mix some powdered magic cores and stabilizers inside the pot where the melted copper is.
With light plopping sound, red smoke lightly rises from the pot. It has no smell.

Next, let's pour the circuit liquid into the wood carving. I smell burning woods when I pour the circuit liquid.
Maybe I should have waited until it's a bit cooler.

>[Magic Tools Creation Skill Acquired]

So imbuing was from different category.
Of course I activate it.

"What are you making~."

Arisa who has finished washing the dishes calls me from behind my shoulders.

"A magic tool."
"Eh? Is that something that you could make yourself?"
"Seems so, do you want to try it?"
"Is it fine?"

Arisa pours her magic power, the brown circuit liquid begins to glow vermilion gold.

"Okay, it's good already."
"And, what will happen next?"
"When you put magic power into the circuit liquid, the magic power will flow on it."
"Yep, yep, then?"
"That's it, the magic power goes around, the end."
"Ehh~~~."
"Don't expect grandiose thing from a first timer in magic tools making."

Arisa looks very dissatisfied.
In the first place, I can't make anything else beside circle poured with circuit liquid without special facility, you're expecting too much.

Chapter 6-9

6-9. People of Baron Muno Territory (1)

 

Satous's here. It's hard to work under an incompetent superior. Though, the superior might be thinking the opposite...
If it was just a job then you could just change your workplace, but the territory people could not do that.


◇


We've just entered the territory of baron Muno, so I perform [All Map Exploration] like usual.

It seems that there's a soldier garrison on the pass slightly ahead. There are 20 soldiers around with level ranging on 3-7. Coming out of that place is a flat terrain with sporadically situated small mountains and forests. The area  is wider than Kuhanou's earldom. However, the whole population is only around 40000, about 1/3th of Seryuu city.

There is only one big city in the baron's territory, while the rest are just small villages with less than 1000 people each. The town where the baron lives is populated with 20000 people and seems to be called Muno city.

In that Muno city, there's a demon. Level 30. Hiding in the city means it's probably doing something fishy. Since it looks troublesome, I would stay as far away as possible from it.
But, didn't Arisa say that demons which had crossed worlds are executive class? I don't think that it's an executive with this level. I wonder if demons could be born in this world?

Next, I examine monsters in this territory. There is no low level monsters, on the other hand, there are several monsters past level 10 in various place. Even nearby, there's a level 24 monster called War Mantis lurking.

Furthermore, there are also something peculiar, although they're not monsters, in a forest near Munoo city--a 30 kilometers diameter wide, with 20 kilometers at the shortest, huge forest--there are wood giants in the interior. Although there are only 10 wood giants, the strongest one is at level 39. Their levels averaged at 30.

Another notable thing is that there are a lot of thieves. Although I've expected this, most of them are grouped in 10-30 people. The biggest group has around 200 people. It seems that they build their base on the outer edge of the forest where the wood giants live.

Since there are a lot of outlaws, this probably means the public order of this territory is quite bad.

I'd like to take a detour out of this baron's territory, but that means we'd need to circle around to the royal capital, and if we take longer detour, then we'd have to get to duke Oyugock's territory. It'd take roughly two months. Furthermore, according to the traveler's journal, if we get caught in the winter, we wouldn't be able to move until spring.


◇


"Good afternoon, soldier-san, are you not feeling well?"
"Faa, it's nothing, I don't feel like moving today."
"Is that so, thanks for your hard work."
"Umu, you can go through."

The soldier said so while lazily sitting down in front of the military post, and let the wagon through without inspecting it.
His clothes is slovenly worn too, an uninformed person would likely mistakes him with bandit, but he properly belongs to the baron Muno army.

"Hehehe~ Ennui Field is quite usable right~."
"Yeah, we're saved."

Arisa proudly said so while leaning on the driver seat of the wagon which had started running. How long are you going to put the stamina recovery potion bottle on your mouth, that's bad manner you know?

The soldier before was that languid because Arisa casted magic to make the entire garrison's soldiers became tired. Although, since it was morning, there was a high possibility he would be like that anyway even if we didn't use magic.

There's a reason why we deliberately used magic.

From the result of my prior investigation, the soldiers in that garrison had things like [Murder], or [Rape] in their Reward and Punishment, just like thieves. I understand that they're people who do as they like.

I neutralized them in advance rather than getting tangled in counterattack. If possible I wanted them to not realize that they were attacked with magic. That was my plan, so Arisa used Over Boost, coupled with Ennui Field from afar to make the soldiers became languid.


If they had magic detection item then it could be a problem, but it looked more troublesome if we got entangled with those guys, so I picked the relatively low risk method.

It might be problematic if we leave bad guys like them alone, but since the War Mantis is closing in the garrison, their fate is probably already sealed.

I confirm Arisa's status just in case, but her Reward and Punishment hasn't changed.


◇


Afternoon on the same day, when we're passing through a road near a village populated with 300 people, we're called by a man on the side of the road. There are three thin teenage girls beside him. Their faces are quite alright, but since they look fatigued and disheartened, they don't look their ages.

"Sir, won't you buy these girls?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't need slaves."
"Each of them is just 1 silver coin, if you bring them to a big city they would sell well."

The man is promoting with listless voice.
He probably knew that ones would need to pay tax if they want to bring slaves outside the territory.

"Only if there's no tax, furthermore, I don't deal in slave trading."
"Is that so, then, how about becoming your attendants, for 2 big copper coins."

That's cheap.
I won't buy them though.

"I'm sorry, but they're not comparable."

I point at Arisa and Nana who've showed their face after hearing word, 'attendants'. Although they wear hoods, their good looks should be evident.
After the man saw them, he gave up.

"That so, I'm sorry for taking your time."
"I'd like to talk for a bit."
"What is it?"
"Did your village fall into poverty because of bad harvest?"
"It's not that, it was certainly smaller than usual, but we didn't have bad harvest."

Then, was the tax too high?
If the situation continue and they keep selling humans like this, won't the workers gradually run out and the village disappear?

"Even if the tax is high, we could still barely last through winter with the little crops we have."

Is there some kind of unplanned expenditure.

"Was it because of thieves?"
"They're former farmers, we won't be careless enough to let our winter saving get stolen."

The farmers would fight back to death huh.

"Then, did some monsters appear?"
"If that happen then we'd give up. It was congratulatory gift for the baron's daughter wedding, we had to give 30% of our winter saving."

The man exhales heavily while saying so.
This baron is terrible. Although it might be an arbitrary act of the tax collector official.

"Did you not send petition?"
"If we do that, the whole village would end up as serfs."
"That can't be."
"It's true, do you know Tonza village?　Everyone in that village was forced to become a serf, there's no one who lives in that village anymore."

For a moment, I thought that he was talking about Oyu village but when I checked the map, there was a place called Oyu village around 20 kilometers from here.
Certainly, there is no village called Tonza, but there's place called [Ruin of Tonza Village]. Is the baron here a tyrant on top of being a fool?

Since I feel a bit curious, I passingly ask.

"Do you know the partner for the baron's daughter wedding?"
"According to the story of the tax collector, it's the hero-sama."

Hero?
I've searched through the territory, but there is no one who have hero title.

The man who seemingly accept my silence talks as if making an excuse.

"It might be an impostor, but the tax collector really said that. You could ask the village head if you want."
"If she's really marrying the real hero, why would they torment the people?"
"Hah, a lower class man who's nothing but a tax tool like me wouldn't know how the big-shots think."

I can't deny that.

However, if he's really the same hero, [A straightforward altruistic fool], like Arisa has said, then we could just ask about the daughter to resolve this question. If I'm not mistaken, that hero has weird preference right.

"I have one more question, how old is the daughter?"
"I'm sure they're 19 and 24 years old women."
"I see, thank you. It's trifling, but here's a compensation for the talk."

I said so while pushing several silver coins to the man and went away with the wagon.


◇


Arisa comes out to the coachman's seat.

"Hey, you seem to have noticed it."
"Yeah, it's an impostor."

Yes, the hero that Arisa has told me, Hayato Masaki, has awkward fetish. He's a lolicon.
I don't think a man like that would take a 19 or 24 years old woman into his wife.
He might have a change of heart, but then he would be swayed with his beautiful women attendants instead.

"The pervert might has been cured, but that Saga Empire won't make a blunder like letting him marry with a small-time noble from some foreign land."

A shotacon like you probably doesn't have the right to call lolicon a pervert.

Just in case, I try narrowing the search term on the map to check if there's any other hero besides Hayato Masaki.

A person with [Hero] title--Does not exist.
A person with [Unknown] skill--Does not exist.
A person with [Self Status] skill--Does not exist.
A person higher than level 50--Does not exist.

There's no applicable person besides us.
There's no one who could possibly be a reincarnated or transported person either.

There's a fake hero, or there's a hero from another country inside this territory, I wonder which one is it.
I'm guessing that it's a fake hero. I can't help but feel that the demon in Muno city is the one behind this.

However, I don't intend to get involved.
It may be heartless, but I don't want to expose our girls with danger if I try to eliminate the demon and the fake hero.

I decide to circulate anonymous documents if I get a guilty conscience.

Chapter 6-8

6-8. Fashion Show

Satou's here. If I find one G, there would be 30 more, so I always spray insecticide around and round up the whole herds.
<TLN: G=Gokiburi=Cockroach. He wrote the 'G' in alphabet>
It would be good if you could do the same with thieves...


◇


After we left the town, it was peaceful for three days, but for two days after that, we were attacked by thieves three times.

Since they were just small scale thieves with 7-8 people, we had Arisa did preemptive attack with Shock Wave, and the beastkin girls to defeat the thieves.

At the first battle, Mia attacked with Acid Mist, but it was too gruesome so I made her use Blind Mist and Mustard Mist on the next time instead.
If I fight right away, I could make short work of them, but since it looked sufficient with just the beastkin girls fighting, I was just standing by while watching them and being ready to cover them anytime if needed. And since the beastkin girls had the advantage of level and fighting experience compared to the thieves, my turn never come up.

We didn't bring the thieves to where people lives after we learned the lesson from the last time. We made them sleep with Arisa's magic, stripped them from all their equipments besides their clothes and leave them tied with ivy rope. If their equipments are taken away, they probably won't be able to continue their thief business. If they tried to force their way, they would get killed instead at best.
I teared off their outer clothes and bandaged them so they wouldn't bleed to death. The earl territorial cavalry who are going on patrol would come across them in several hours, I'm keeping them alive for that sake.
Just in case, I put a paper written with "Thieves" on them.

"We're not getting into the template situation eh~."
"Templa~?"
"Is that delicious nodesu?"

After the second encounter with thieves today, Arisa's mood turns bad.
While grumbling, "I'd like to eat Tempura~", after hearing Pochi's word, she's lazing around on the wagon's floor.

"What kind of template?"
"Usually, shouldn't the theory be the thieves attack carriage with beautiful women or rich man and we come to save them while looking cool?"

I don't know that kind of theory.

"Arisa."
"What is it? Mia."
"Rich man."

Mia points at me while saying so.

"Beautiful women."

Mia points at the girls.

"A blind spot! We are the people who should be saved according to the template!"

Arisa groans while holding her head. Mia looks satisfied after looking at that reaction. She looks expressionless like always, but when I look closer, her mouth is slightly smiling.
Pochi, Tama and even Nana mimic Arisa by holding their head while looking troubled. Nana looks awkward, but let's leave her alone.


◇


"Master, it's the blue men."

Responding to Lulu who's calling me, I go outside to the driver seat. What Lulu means with, "Blue men", are the earl's territorial soldiers. Seems she calls them that since their clothes are all blue.

"We're the knights of Kuhanou-dono, bring me your representative."
"I'm the representative, my name is Satou."
"Hoo, you're young. This highways is often frequented by thieves. It's dangerous to travel without escorts. Go back to the town, and hire some guards."
"Thank you for your concern. We have excellent bodyguards, so it's fine."

I open the wagon's curtain and Liza shows her face.
Liza, please stop that carnivorous smile, it's scary.

"Fumu, quite strong looking escort you have. But, you should keep your escorts outside the wagon so they could see if any thief comes."

After giving that advice, the knights asks for my ID and returns to their patrol after looking satisfied.


◇


"Jaa~an, am I cute?"

Arisa spins around in front of me while saying so. She's looking cute while wearing one piece arranged with frills on its sleeves. When she's wearing that and coupled with her violet hair, she really looks like a character from a fantasy movie.

"Yup, you're cute."
"Ehehehehe~."

She probably has not thought that she would be honestly get praised, she looks surprised and then becomes bashful while looking happy. That feels slightly fresh.

"Cute~?""Look~ nano desu."

Pochi and Tama appears with the similar clothes as Arisa while asking. They spin around like Arisa.

"Pochi and Tama are cute too."
"Wa~i.""Yay~ desu."

It looks like they find the floating skirt fun, they spin around until they become dizzy

"Since you've bought some fabric in the town, I tried adding frills on the clothes we have."
"You're quite skillful."
"I'm experienced with making clothes myself for some events back then~"

It's better not to ask what kind of events are those. She's decided on her pose.
Arisa who's looking proud, suddenly freezes. Nana is posing when I look behind.

"Master, am I cute?"

Cute, or rather, a sight for sore eyes.

"Nana! Wear some clothes, clothes!"

Lulu picks clothes that Nana has left on the ground and cover her with it.
She wears drawers like everyone on her lower-half part, but upper-half has brassiere. They're sewed half-cups. I didn't see anyone selling them in the city, so it was probably something Arisa made.

"Arisa, you're really skillful."
"W, well yeah."

It seems Arisa is weak with getting praised.

"Master, am I cute?"
"You're cute, or rather, sexy. Nana, don't thoughtlessly take off your clothes in front of an opposite sex."
"Yes, master."

I tried as hard as possible to say that calmly. Thanks to Poker Face skill which I've leveled up to expert level, I've succeed on not leaking excitement in my voice.
Nana seems to be satisfied with, "Sexy", comment and obediently wear the clothes that Lulu gives her.
If Lulu didn't react, I would probably fixedly stare at her without moving. If the two of us were alone, it could be dangerous. That's why, I should not hold grudge with Lulu's fast reaction. Though, it would have been nice if she were slightly slower...

"Did you only make clothes for three people?"

To keep up my appearance, I talk to Arisa getting back to the topic.

"Yup, it's impossible to make ones for everyone at once. Since Tama and Pochi were looking at my prototype with gleaming eyes, I made for them first."
"Next, for me."
"Yes, yes, the next one is for Mia. Lulu and Liza will be after that, it's fine right?"
"Yes, it's fine."
"I wouldn't look good with such fancy clothes."
"It'll look good I say. Right, should I add frills on your apron? You'll look like a young wife~."

It's rare to see girl's talk happen. It relaxes me.
While listening to the voices as background, I go back preparing lunch. My repertoire has increased after Liza teaches me. You'd get bored of the wolf meat steak no matter how delicious it is if you eat it everyday.

"Carefully scoop it after the lye comes out. Since it'd be wasteful to throw away the soup, please use this cloth to filter it into the the container and put it into the pot."

I thought that you would just cut the ingredients properly, but it's unexpectedly labor-intensive.

Thanks to Liza's teaching, the result tastes quite good.
I've asked Lulu to make steak in place of me, but losing to the appealing looks of Pochi and Tama during the meal, I decide to make the steak later.

Okay, let's check the effectiveness of education skill by teaching Lulu the secret of grilling steak on the next lunch.


◇


"Satisfied~?"
"It was delicious nodesu~."
"Haa, blissful."

The three are lazing around, while I'm compounding beside them. Recently, Nana and Mia have been helping with the clean-up, so they're not around.

I crush a magic core with my fingers, and put it inside the mortar.  Normally, you need nutcracker-like tool to crush it, but this tool is really not user-friendly, so I don't like to use it. Nowadays, I crush cores with fingers in secret.
I thoroughly grind it with the pestle and put it inside a bottle. I sort them inside bottles of various shapes and colors reflecting the effective ranks of the magic cores. I didn't forget to put labels on them too.

Since the magic shop girl has said that even in powder form the magic cores are unstable, I'll try to test how unstable they are.

I put an ear pick worth of powder on top of a wood plank and load it with magic power. Just when I load 1 point of magic power to it, "Pon", it explodes. The three centimeters thick of plank is perforated until the bottom.
Pochi and Tama who were dozing off jumped up and looked over here blankly. Arisa reproaches me with her sight. "I'm sorry for surprising you.", I said and went back to the experiment.

Still, I think it's more powerful than gun powder even with the same amount. Though, the only gun powder I know is from fireworks or firecrackers, so my comparison might be flawed.

Certainly, a normal person would die if one of this explodes.

I put a red powder made from magic core on a plate and mix it with stabilizer. Since the stabilizer is white, it becomes sakura-colored.

I put a small cut of paper on top of a magic bestowing stand, and then put about 1 gram of the mixture powder on top of it.  I operate regulator at the edge of the magic bestowing stand, and set it according to the textbook. After this, I just need to put magic power to the magic bestowing stand.
The reagent is complete in about ten seconds for each. Seen from AR, it's Reagent 1(+5). I wrap the completed reagent with paper like origami as instructed in the textbook, and then put it inside a small bag. I'll put them in the Storage after I've gathered enough.

Since I've gotten the knack, I put 10 grams on my second try and continue on.
I stop after making 100 reagents in 10 minutes.
Next I use those reagents to make recovery potions of magic power, health, stamina, 10 of them each. Since I could make five at once, and I've made other materials besides the reagents beforehand, it doesn't take long to finish.

"Arisa, put these away. Use it whenever you need."
"Ho~i"

I put half of them inside Arisa's item box.

Pochi and Tama who see me tidying the imbuing tools begin to prepare the wagon.
It's Liza's turn to be the coachman this afternoon.

Since there doesn't seem to be any thieves or beasts that are going to attack the wagon, I guess I'll re-investigate the method to make scrolls.

At the time when I got [Shield] magic in my magic column, I immediately searched for the scroll creation method inside the magic books, but I couldn't find it.
I had not only searched in the magic books from Seryuu city, but also the books from Arisa, Zen and Trazayuya, but I still couldn't find it.
When I changed the search words, I did find ways to create magic tools and golem but, there's nothing about magic scrolls.

The next day after that, I always read through magic books looking for hints of magic scrolls creation. There is absolutely no clue so far, but I've became knowledgeable in type of chanting and magic theory.

Of course, I also have interest with magic tools and golem, but since they need large-scale facilities, it's unreachable for now. There are recipes for magic tools with simple structures, so I'll challenge myself by trying making that on the next break.

I'd like to quickly increase my repertoires, not only for cooking but also magic.

Chapter 6-7

6-7. I want to Practice Magic [Cheat Arc]

 

Satou's here. The impulse to use the thing you've obtained is probably no different regardless of ages or places.
Even in parallel world, it still is.


◇


"■▼▲▲　▲■▲▲　▲▲ Shield"

A transparent shape that looks like a Shield appear in front of me who's holding a short cane. The size is large enough to cover my whole body.

"Here I go~ Psycho Ball."

The invisible magic ball fired by Arisa got repelled by the Shield and disappeared.
Oh, a new indicator has appeared below my HP bar, [Shield HP], it says. The HP is 100, and it has decreased by one from Arisa's attack earlier. I wait for a while, but it's not restoring back.

"Is it alright for the next one?"
"Come at me."
"Here I go Tsubaki-kun! This is, my Overdrive shoot!"

Arisa fires Shock Wave while parodying something. The Shield shooks from that attack, but it's repelled just like with the psycho ball earlier.
This time the Shield's HP decreases by 3 points. So it doesn't decrease by fixed value, but depends on the spell huh?

"Then, next, please use Magic Arrow, Nana."
"Yes, master."

A magic circle appears before Nana's forehead and the magic arrow is shot from there.
The magic arrow disappears accompanied with sounds like metal clashing. The Shield's HP only decreases by 1.

"Next, Mia, please."
"Nn.　■■■　■■　■■■■ Water Shoot"

Mia creates Water Shoot from the water inside the jug beside her, and then fires it to me. At the moment of impact, the Shield shooks a bit. The magic is dissolved and the water splashes under. The Shield's HP only decreases by 1 point.

"Mia, do you have any area attack?"
"I do."
"Then, please do that from the front."
"It's dangerous."
"Do you have attack that would be safe for everyone but me?"
"I do."
"Then please do that one."
"...Satou?"
"I'll avoid it before it hit me."
"Nn.　■■■　■■■　■■■■■■ Acid Mist"

White mist hits the Shield. The mist is prevented by the Shield, but the grasses around me are dying. The Shield's HP decreases by 3 points.

So direct attack magic is 1 point, while area attack magic is 3 points huh. Isn't this Shield too strong?

"Tama, please throw some stones. Aim at the area around my stomach."
"Aye!"

Swoosh, the stone tears through the air, and just like all the magic before, it's prevented. The stone bounces back unlike the magic. Tama is getting better at stone throwing, Her throw has gotten quite faster. The Shield's HP only decreases by 1 point.

"Alright, next, Pochi. Shoot with a crossbow, since it's dangerous, shoot from around there okay."
"Understood, nodesu~."

The short arrow that Pochi shoots has different aim, she accurately shoots at my left foot that my finger has pointed out. Of course, the arrow bounces back before it hit me. The Shield's HP decreases by 1 point, just like with Tama's stone-throwing.

Now then, next is Liza, but honestly, I'm afraid with the serious Liza who will be using [That Spear]. I cancel the Shield, and put it up once again. I understand that it's actually not necessary, but it's a problem with feeling.

"Liza, after you fill the spear full with magic power, please do heavy blow and thrusting with all your might."
"I understand, master. Please be prepared!"

No no, that line is scary.
Bang, the sound of Liza's rushing, she thrusts out the magic spear.
The magic spear pushes the Shield, but just as it's about to hit me, it gets knocked back. At the same time, something invisible is pushing my body. I see, it seems the Shield is suitable to hold back mass attacks huh.

The red ripple that appears between the spear and the Shield disappears.
As soon as the ripple disappear, Liza pulls her spear. Let me make this clear, even if Liza spear pierced through the Shield, it would slip through my armpit.

The Shield HP decreases only by 3 points. Even though it was flashy, it's the same as area attack huh.

"Liza, next, try to attack me thrice."
"Yes."

Each attack decreases the Shield's HP by 1.
The next experiment will be the last.

"Lulu, please throw a pebble."
"Y, yes, I'll do my best."

However, contrary to Lulu's spirit, the stone flies toward the day after tomorrow. Right, she isn't used to hitting people, unexpectedly it won't fly straight.

"Lulu."
"I, I'm sorry master. Eii. Eii."

Probably thinking that she'd get scolded, Lulu desperately tries to throw stones many times over with upset face. Aah, that's a waste for her beautiful face.

"Lulu, calm down."
"Y, yes."

Maybe thinking that she's disapproved, Lulu falls dejected. Her troubled face is cute too.

"Lulu, take a pebble under your feet."
"Yes, I got it."
"Then, walk three step forward from there."
"Yes.... Umm, isn't this too close?"

Lulu is approximately 1 meter away from the Shield.

"It's fine, throw the stone like you're discarding it using both your hands."
"Yes--Ah, I hit it."
"Yep, you did well. You're great."

Make things easier by removing the impossible condition. 4 more stones hit the Shield, but its HP isn't decreasing. So it really invalidates damage up to certain extent.


◇


Unfortunately, it's not like I've became able to chant.
As for the chant earlier, even though I read the words properly, the rhythm was all over the place.

I activated Musical Performance skill and tried to chant in high spirit, but it was no good. "Uu~n, it's better than before, but it's wrong. Be like Nadami-chan, a good musician who doesn't need to read the sheet.", so said Arisa. It's really frustating.

The trick for solving the puzzle is the [Shield] scroll that I got from the magic shop.
After we left the town, when I used it during our first rest, [Shield] was added on the Magic column in the Menu. At that time, I also got unlabeled [Magic Art] skill, but I wonder if [Magic Art: Foreign World] is a special case?
The magic that I used earlier was selected from the Menu. The chanting was a camouflage, that said, I also slightly wanted to pretend myself being able to chant magic.

Of course, Arisa found out that I wasn't able to chant properly, but since she knew about Menu, it probably was no problem.

Mia seemed unconcerned about it, so there was no problem.

However, the inspection continues.
Next is Nana's turn. Her MP has only decreased by 20% so she should be fine. I'll refill it when this is over.

"Nana, please put up Shield."
"Yes, master."

In front of Nana, a magic-made Shield appears. It looks just like the one I've created.

"Then Arisa, shoot a Psycho Ball at an angle where it wouldn't hit Nana at the Shield."
"Okay."

The Psycho Ball is repelled by the Shield and disappears, just like it was with me.
However, the Shield's HP has decreased by half. Although I don't know the exact value, the Shield's HP amount and hardness are probably different. It probably because of differences in level or skill level.


◇


"Alright, the experiment is over~ let's eat!"

Since the experiment took quite a bit of time, I also participated in the cooking along with Liza and Lulu to help. Moreover, I'm in charge of the main dish, steaks made of wolf meat.
I prepare the wolf meat in turns for the shares of several people excluding Mia and Nana. With Liza's advice, I cut a line on the tendon with a knife and mix salt and pepper in it.
Then, I put oil in the frying pan, stir it, and put sliced garlic inside the oil to let it fry as small dishes. While listening to the sound of oil, I quickly roast the meat. Besides Arisa and Lulu's shares, the meat are to be rare. It seems Arisa and Lulu prefer medium.

For mia's plate, I cut three different kind of fruits and dress it with honey and green sugar.
For Nana's water, I put several drops of fruits juice from Mia's fruits. I want to have a meal together with Nana quickly.

We begin eating with, "Itadakimasu", like always, but it feels more intense than usual. How do I say it, Single-minded, perfectly illustrates their eating.

"Another please!"

Arisa sticks out her steak plate while saying so. Pochi who has finished eating licks the plate, and looks dumbfounded for a while, then she presents her plate, "A, a, another please! nano desu!", she urgently says so.

"Another please!"
"Another please desu!"
"Umm, I also want another serving please."

Slightly late after Pochi, Tama and Liza also present their plates, and ask for another serving. Seemingly following them, Lulu also reservedly ask for another serving.

Well, the meat is still plentiful, but if you eat too much it'll be hard to move you know?

But, it's not over yet.

"Another please."
"Master, another please."

Over there are the figures of Mia and Nana who hold out the empty fruit plate and glass.
I don't have the courage to refuse anymore, and give another serving for everyone.
When I handed it over, I didn't forget to warn that this is the last one.

When they've finished eating, they look supremely blissful, but please stop looking at the plate so eagerly.
It'll be okay if it was Pochi and Tama, but everyone has the same manner, I almost want to ask if they're making jokes.

Afterwards, I was demanded to cook in every meal, but I asked them to only let me do it for lunch.
Since you'll get fat if you eat too much at night.

>Title [Magician of Dining Table] Acquired.

Chapter 6-6

6-6. Tavern and Rumors

 

Satou's here. On the old computer game, tavern was only useful for changing party members, but on TRPG, it was the place to gather information for the scenario.
Since drunkards are talkative.


◇


"Thanks for waiting, Nana."
"Yes, master."

Uh, did I make her wait too long.
Maybe thanks to the hood she's wearing, there is no weird guy trying to pick her up, but she looks quite bored. Nana picks my arm and begins to walk.

"Let's go, master."

We're walking while linking arms. Umm, Nana-san?　My arm is in heaven.
Since the long cane I've bought for Mia at the beginning is being a hindrance, I switch it to my other hand.

"What's wrong?"
"I've learned it when master was in the shop."

What's this, I feel a bad premonition.

"When man and woman walk together, they unite their arms."

She's saying so while having, "How's that" face, I can even hear the sound effect.
<TLN: Google キリッ for more accurate expression ;)>
I understand what she has learned, but there's no particular reason to part our arms, so let's go shopping while being like this.
Since Nana is looking like she really want to get praised, I read the mood and praise her. It's subtle, but She looks satisfied. And I'm also satisfied with the amazing feeling.

First, let's buy clothes for Nana and Mia.

However, there's no shop which sells ready-made clothes except the second-hand ones in this town. It seems you have to tailor them if you want new clothes. I think Arisa has said she could make clothes, so I decide to buy cloth and materials for sewing.
They're selling underwear normally, so I buy shares for the two. These underwear are called drawers right? Feels like I've entered Alice's Wonderland.

Next are tools for manufacturing things.

By asking a pedestrian for the location, I've bought various tools for woodworking, metal carving, leather crafting, and blacksmithing.

I've also bought glue, nails and other materials, but beside nails, they're expensive. I've also wanted to buy some hinges, but they were out of stock.

Necessary things for blacksmithing like furnace or anvil were not available, so I couldn't buy them. Though even if I could, there was no way to carry them anyway.

Since we would be standing out if we bring lumbers to the inn, I pay for it to be sent to the hotel.

"Nana, shouldn't we go to next shop soon?"
"Master, please wait a bit longer."
"Is it fun?"
"Yes, very. It's so fluffy and soft... yes, cute."

Since Nana is fascinated with the wood shaving waste from the wood planing, and doesn't seem to want to move, we spend a bit of time in the wood workshop.
If the workshop old man didn't get her the thinnest and long wood shaving, she might be looking till dusk.

I purchase bottles and containers for putting medicine since I incidentally catch sight of them on the next workshop we've gone. The price around here is cheaper than on Seryuu city. It might be because the woods that act as fuel are cheap.

We go to the general store at the end.

I was taught in magic shop that there might be cooking books there.

Nana who have been restlessly looking around inside the general store, wanders to a particular display case.

"What's the matter?"
"Master, what is this?"

While saying so, Nana pick up something to her hand, it's a wooden barrette.
It's carved with simple design and three pale small stones are fitted in. The stones are not gemstones, but river stones with stripped patterns. It looks like jade so I appraise it, and the result is actinolite. The name sounds as if it could be used as catalyst for light magic, but it's just a pretty stone.
The market price of the barrette is two copper coins. There are 5 other wooden barrettes, but they're all priced the same.

It's a bit plain for decorating Nana's honey-colored hair. I think she'll look better with a silver barrette.

Nana is looking at that barrette without getting tired.
The store's old woman who see that begins promoting.

"Fe, fe ,fe, I also have ones made from silver, or adorned with gemstones, do you want to see it?"
"Right then, since you're offering, let's take a look at it."

She puts out three expensive barrette made from silver, I try putting one on Nana's hair. Yup, the silver one does match her well.

"Oh my, you have truly beautiful wife."
"That's right, I'm still charmed sometimes."

I've certainly got used with the beautiful faces of Lulu and Arisa, but Nana and Mia are quite pretty too. She's not my wife, but I don't need to retort to every lip service.

Nana strokes the first barrette with her fingers in rapture even while we're having that conversation.
You like it that much huh.
I'm sorry for the old woman for bringing out the other things, but I purchase the wooden barrette instead.
I also buy several blue braids as souvenirs since it was placed nearby. It's just right since Lulu usually tie hemp cord on her hair when she's making breakfast. There are also ribbons, but I stop. I've given some to Lulu as present before, but I've never see her wearing it. It probably wasn't to her liking.

Now then, the main thing is the cooking books, but it's different from what I've imagined. Rather than recipe books for what delicious foods from what towns, or what kind of materials are there, it's a gourmet guide book instead. Of course, I buy it, but it doesn't seem usable for improving my cooking.

"Are you looking for curious foods? Then how about some herbs or pickled vegetables?"

The old woman brings out some bottles and jars sealed with string from inside a shelf.

Around 20 kinds of things like, garlic and leeks pickled with oil, pickled cabbage and Chinese cabbage, and yellow powder that looks like dried mustard and others.

Even though so many come out, there's no pickled plum. Too bad.

There are also sweet things like honey, or
green-tea powder-like sugar called Ugi, I'm buying them.

Furthermore, somehow I'm coaxed to buy a tool for extracting fat from meat. Old woman, you're good at business.

Since I've bought so many things, I thought that I'd carry them many times over to the inn but the old woman calls manly man from the shop's back and has him to transport the groceries to the inn.

Right, I almost forgot.

"Do you have a lute?"
"I do."

The old woman points at Nana. It's put together on the same desk as the barrette. Not seeing it even though it's right in front of your eyes, it happens often eh.
I purchase the lute and string for Mia. I try playing the string and, [Tiin], sounds comes out.

>[Musical Performance Skill Acquired]


◇


"Ehehe~ Look, look at these bounties!"

The wagon is loaded with a lot of ingredients and woods and tools I've bought.
The thing that Arisa present are eggs inside a basket. There around 20 of them.

"They're a bit expensive, but I've gotten some duck eggs~ with this we can eat egg dishes!"
"Eggs are fast to go bad, so let's think what to make before. How long can we keep it?"
"It's already winter, so about 2-3 days?"
"We could make something like karaage or croquette."
"C, can you make it?"
"If I know the recipe I could, but I can only vaguely remember the ingredients and the process."

I tried to bring up the subject to Arisa, but it seems she doesn't know.

"Uh, I should've kept trying to cook for myself without giving up."

I barely remember that I should use eggs and flour. No, or was it potato starch?
Since the storage can preserve things, I should just get five eggs inside and do trial and error during the journey.

Later, I'm taught by Liza that eggs can be stored for several months. Don't modern eggs have short expiration dates?　I don't know if it's because parallel world, but I won't complain the long-lastingness.

We decide to eat dinner at the tavern on the first floor of the inn that evening. Since there's an empty space on the back, we join two tables and sit there. Mia sits on the chair furthest back. Since it'll be full of people later, she's not good with crowd.

The meal consists of moderate amount of tenderloins with boiled vegetables, fish and radish soup, stir-fried vegetables, dried berry, flat bread made from Gabo fruit, and pickled Gabo leaves. The aren't a lot of meat, but the stomach-filling tenderloins are popular with the beastkin girls.
At the opposite side of me, Mia continues playing the lute that has just been bought even though it's dinner, she probably likes it.

"Mia, it's dinner, so eat your meal."
"Nn."

She nods at my words, but doesn't let go of the lute. Her performance is over, but seems she's wondering whether to continue or eat.

"Aan."

She opens her small mouth while starting to play the lute. Since she looks like a cute young bird, I put a bite-sized vegetable on her mouth.
She chews it hard while playing a song. I wonder if it's an elf tune, it's a tune with wanting to hurry home feeling.
My sleeves is pulled from the side, and when I look there, Arisa is opening her mouth while point her finger there.

"Aa~an"
"Eat it yourself."
"Doing that only to Mia, isn't it unfai~r?"

Can't be helped when you say it like that. I give her a mouthful of pickled Gabo leaves. It's sour and bitter, the taste is unique. She probably won't ask for another with this.

She's saying, "Mugu", and, "I want something sweet please.", but she doesn't say she want another, so it's a success.

"Satou, Aan."
"Aa~n?"
"Aan, nano desu."

What comes into my view is Mia, with Pochi and Tama who are sitting on each sides of her opening their mouth. When the three are lined up like this, they really look like young birdlings. I put a mouthful for each one in turn.
Following them, Lulu also doing, "Aan", while looking shy. I want you to stop opening your small mouth while pining your hair and closing your eyes, I would imagine something different. Liza is also doing, "Aan" since it looks interesting, but I have no comment. Since she doesn't look uncomfortable, there's probably no problem.

My sleeve is pulled again.
I thought that it was Arisa again, but it was from the opposite side. Over there, Nana is doing, "Aan", while presenting a dish.

I see, since Nana couldn't eat, she's serving it instead.

Umu, I'm fine with feeding little girls, but if they look like adult beautiful girls, the destructive power is high. I eat the dish while feeling bashful.

Violet-san on the opposite side seemingly can't stand my attitude, and she's saying things like, "Flirting is forbidden", or, "Riajuu should just explode.". Since those kinds of slightly peevish protest came out, another, "Aan", is prohibited.
The one who took advantage of this in the first place is you, Arisa, you know?

Mia is concentrating on eating her foods with Liza's warning. I'm a bit shocked that she's paying heed to Liza's word than mine--I might be spoiling her too much--the dinner continues while I'm feeling like a father.

Mia who finishes her dinner first starts playing some musics. The beastkin girls and Arisa are eating their second round of meal.
At first the music was calm but then it turns cheerful after a request from the drunkards. Even though Mia is playing with expressionless and uninterested face, she still receives the drunkard's impulsive request.

Once Mia musical begins, the visitors begin to increase until it's full house, even though it was empty when we just got here. Arisa is judging the drunkard request properly. She's doing it while having meals, skillful.

And then, when they've finished eating, Arisa leads Pochi and Tama to match the song and sing together cheerfully while joining shoulders. The three are wearing hoods, so they look subtly suspicious. I thought that I remember this song, it's the anisong Arisa sung during our trip.

"What a fun song huh."
"It's a song from the hometown of those girls."

The merchant-like man on the seat behind starts talking to me, so we're chatting while putting sake to our cups. I'm drinking normal juice, not sake. The sake here (ale), is too sour, or rather, it's acid it's undrinkable.
The stories in our chat are mostly harmless, but there are also some interesting ones. In summary, the chats are like these.

"I've just been through baron Muno's territory and I was offered to buy slaves from several villages there, it was terrible."
"The harvest this year isn't bad, I wonder why."
"Speaking of slaves, if you bring out slaves from baron Muno's territory, you need to pay tax. Farmers who want to go to other territory also need to pay tax. Was it emmigrant tax. The border soldiers even specially inspect for it."

The merchants exaggeratively shiver for almost buying slaves themselves.
I thought it was supposed to be marquis according to that travel journal, so I asked.

"Don't you know young man? They were certainly marquis up until about 20 years ago but the whole family of marquis Muno were attacked by large flocks of the dead, and the castle and the soldiers, everyone were massacred."
"I forgot the title, but it was even made into books and drama."
"At that time, it became an uproar and was thought to be an attack from the demon lord, the groceries and medicines prices went up and I made a big profit."

It's an imprudence story, he seems to be an unscrupulous merchant.

"I also remember to feel relieved that the king had ordered the holy knights to dispatch, limiting the dead army from overflowing to other territories."
"All related families of marquis Muuno, including the collateral family who married into another families, died of mysterious cause. The current baron supposedly has absolutely no relation to the old one. He's either a nephew or younger brother of the neighboring duke, he has succeeded the family name to manage the territory."

That story sounds familiar. What comes to my mind is his (Zen's) bleached bone face.
I've become a listener, while properly chiming in sometimes and pouring sake, I press them to continue.

"There's a strange rumor about that dukedom. There's a man who will buy corpses of anything."
"Isn't that just a simple rumor?　There's a forest which became a place for burial custom due to some faith, and the rumor started from someone who saw the proceeding they said."
"Is that what it is, so they're traveling on the highway where monsters and wolves appear for several days while carrying corpses, faith is an amazing thing."
"Something that can't be said to merchants like us."

However, "Corpse Buying Man", that looks like something that would become a novel's title.
Speaking of the duke, I've heard a rumor in the morning.

"It seems that there's a fighting tournament on the dukedom, is everyone familiar with that?"
"People surely gather there, but merchants do too."
"Thus, merchants' number are reduced in other place. I intend to fill that gap for my business."

I've thought that this is a world where the money circulation takes time, but it seems there are many ways to gain money.

Mia's performance has stopped before I notice. The surrounding are urging her, but looks it's too much, she says one word, "Tired.", and sleep on my lap. I think you don't need to go as far under the table though.

We take that chance and go back to the room. Arisa says, "We got a lot of offering~.", while showing a bowl with a lot of coins. They're mostly pennies, but there are some copper coins mixed in. Quite generous, those drunk old men are.

I let Mia sleep in the room. There's no 8 person room as expected, so I rent two 4 person room. The three beastkin girls and my room, and Arisa and the others' room. We had various disputes during the room's distribution. I'm afraid that I'd think something impolite if I see Nana innocently sleeps on the bed.

I've thought of doing something on the night town stealthily, but I'm prevented by Pochi and Tama. "Let's sleep together nodesu." with gleaming eyes, they bind both my hands. The wire-puller is Arisa without a doubt, but I can't shake off the two who approach with innocent faces.

I pass on the adult's night once in a while~.

Chapter 6-5

6-5. Clean-up and Rumor

 

Satou's here. The only contact I've had with refugees was with the news or fund-raising commercials, but in this world, I unexpectedly come across ones in close proximity.


◇


It was already late in the noon when we arrived on the street of Nouki town. The disposal of the thieves took more time than I had thought.

This town is the second biggest town within earl Kuhanou's territory, it's situated in a typical fashion of a trading town. Nevertheless, the population is not more than 20000. The land size is also only about a fourth of Seryuu city. 30% of the population are slaves, but most are general or lower slaves, while criminal slaves are quite few.

The thieves--they were confirmed as thieves with the usual Yamato stone--were sold to slave traders that the gatekeeper had called. The men were worth 2 silver coins a person. The ones with bow or weapon skills and higher-leveled were were even more expensive, but the women were cheaper. A middle-aged woman was worth for only 1 silver coin.
As a reward for suppressing the thieves, I was given 10 copper coins per head. Was the price right?

The total amount to 48 silver coins and 140 copper coins. With these much, a lot of bounty hunters would have come instead of me.

The taxes for entering the city are, 1 big copper coin for a commoner, 2 copper coins for a slave, and the wagon cost 2 big copper coins, I let it be taken from the reward.

I chat with the gatekeeper while he's looking for a small bag for containing the 5 silver and 10 copper coins change. He's wearing a shirt dyed blue, I wonder if it's the gatekeeper color here.

"You've really saved us. Nowadays, a lot of refugees coming from other territories are becoming thieves."
"Was there a disaster somewhere?"

Speaking of refugees, it mean that there's probably a war or disaster.
According to him, seems that there are a lot of refugees who run away from the next earldom to become either serfs in rural farm village or slaves in general slaves in the city of this Kuhanou earldom.
People who don't want to become slaves hide in the mountain and live by hunting animals. Seems that they also work in the field, but, as winter comes, a lot increasingly become thieves.

I almost feel sorry to the thieves, but they have [Murder] in their Reward and Punishment, so sympathy is probably unnecessary.

>Title [Bounty Hunter] Acquired.


◇


Now then, we were able to finish our errands on the entrance, but since I wanted to buy various things on shortage, I decided to stay for a night.
The inside of the town is similar with Seryuu city but there aren't a lot of two-story buildings, yet low-rises are many.

The town feel a bit listless unrelated with the population density.
Confirming from the gatekeeper, this town also has strong prejudice against demi-humans, but they're allowed to stay in the inn if one pay extra and they can buy things normally on the shops if they're paying good. Unfortunately, since they're not allowed to get inside where the riches and nobles lives, we are warned not to get close.

After entrusting the wagon in the inn, we're going to buy equipments for all members. In a place not far from the inn, weapons and armors are lined up on display.

First, let's buy armor for five people in the armor shop. They're for me, Nana and the three beastkin girls. Since a whole body armor looks to require too much time to wear, I buy iron helmets without face protector, breastplates with belt fixture, light greaves of the same type, and gauntlets that protect only the back of hand.
The remaining three says that they don't need armor so they don't buy ones, in exchange, I buy some extra shields. Bucklers and Round Shield made from metal, three pieces each.

The armor shop old-man tried to touch Nana's butt when he was measuring her for the armor, but my impregnable guard didn't let him to. I didn't think that crisis perception would be helpful for this. It goes without saying that I used it as the final ammunition for bargaining.

The total price were 30 gold coins, but I negotiate until it was slightly cheaper than the market price, and finally got it down to 14 gold coins.

Next in the weapon shop, I bought bows and arrows for Mia. Since there were only 3 short bows that Mia was able to pull, it didn't take long. I was able to negotiate it down to 1 gold coins with 30 arrows added.

Afterwards, we decided to divide into three groups and move separately after putting the luggage in the inn.

The beastkin girls, Arisa and Lulu are entrusted to buy ingredients, daily necessities and cookwares.
I give them 20 silver coins for the shopping list, and 1 big copper coin each for their allowance. The reason for that much silver coins is because I ask them to buy a lot of groceries.

Like the gatekeeper earlier said, the situation is a bit rough with all the refugees, so I'm buying enough for anticipating the worst situation for self-sustaining if we can't get into the town or village. We have a lot of meat, but we don't have enough vegetables, cereals, salt and seasoning.

Pochi and Tama reply back with, "Meat~", when I give them their allowances. Even though they eat so much meat every day, they still want to eat more huh, that's amazing even for favorite food.

"I'm tired."
"Maybe you get tired from the crowds, do you want to rest at the inn?"
"Nn."
"Nana, I'm sorry, but could stay with her?"
"Yes, master. I will stay beside mother."
"No."

Since Mia is tired with the crowd, she's going to rest at the inn. I feel sorry if I leave her alone, so I suggest Nana to be with her, but maybe she doesn't want to be alone with someone with her face, she refuses with, "Don't need."

Even though Nana herself has become emotionally attached to her, this is sad.
The meaning of calling Mia mother for Nana, seems because Mia is the blood provider. Although it seems that homonculus is different with clone, I wonder if she's still her genetic mother?
Since Mia looks like she really dislike the calling, I have Nana compromise to call her, "Mia", not, "Mother".

"Nana, let's go together. Mia, what do you want as souvenirs?"
"I want a lute."
"I understand, I'll buy it if someone is selling them."
"I've left money and fruits on the table, so eat something if you're hungry okay."
"Nn."

I've put 1 big copper coin and several fruits on the table.


◇


First, we're going to magic tools shop.

This shop isn't just a magic books and magic tools shop, but also an alchemy shop and a bookstore. The shopkeeper is wearing a hood and a thin veil that hide her face, save for her eyes, so I can't see it well. Since the AR indicates that she's 16 years old, she's probably the daughter of the real shopkeeper.

When we go inside the shop, I see the girl is wearing glasses with green lenses, so I ask Nana to wait outside. The explanation from the AR is confusing like always, but since it looks like an inferior version of Yamato stone, I can't risk Nana's race from getting known.

"Hello, I'd like to buy reagents for potion, do you have any in stock?"
"I could sell you three packages. 1 silver coin each. We're a bit short in magic cores, so I won't give you discount. If you don't want to, you can stop."

Oh, it's an old woman's voice. Is she using some sort of weird voice-changing magic tools?
I'm given a small paper, like some sort of prescription from doctors, when I receive the packages. I think her profit is a bit too high, but since the price is in line with the market price according to estimation skill, it's not like she's overcharging.

By the way, the potion reagent is powder that glitter when it's used. It has other various uses too, it's an indispensable material for training.

Come to think of it, monsters in this territory were awfully scarce.

I don't feel like buying with these prices indeed. Since I have books with the instruction, should I just make one myself? Let's just buy the needed materials.

"Then, do you have stabilizers?"
"Yes, if it's stabilizers, I have a lot. If you have magic cores, won't you share it?"

What an abrupt girl. Asking me to sell the magic cores.
Then I remember the main material for potion's reagent and stabilizer.

I take out a magic core from my pocket and estimate its market price on my palm. It's about three times pricier than in Seryuu city. Yet, it's still only 3 big copper coins. I put five on the table.

"You, stop putting magic cores inside your pocket even if you keep them together with stabilizer powder. What would you do if they absorb magic power when you use magic and explode?"

What the, they explode huh.

That reminds me, the ants legs were exploding as well.
I thank the girl for the advice and ask her the right method to keep them. It seems that you have to smear them in stabilizer and then cover them together in cloths.

The girl speaks ill of the magic cores, like, "They're small", or, "The color is light", but she still buy them for 4 big copper coins each. Since it's just right, I buy stabilizer worth of that price.
The girl comes back from the back with about 10 kilograms bag of stabilizer. That bag is somehow lightly floating while following beside the girl.

Ooh, that looks magic-like, or rather, like a magic trick.

"Is that magic?"
"This is self-propelling board <<Floating Board>>. It's not really a rare magic, isn't it?"

Although she's saying that, I could see her looking slightly proud. If I recall right, that magic name does appear in the introductory magic book.

I confirm the stabilizer that she have brought. The AR says, [Stabilizer/Fine Powder of Ugi Leaves]. The market price is 5 gold coins. 1 gold coin is equal to 20 big copper coins, so they're too much for reimbursing the magic cores.

"They're fine powder of Ugi leaves, are they."
"That's right, you know well. These are rare around here, but just before, a merchant brought them in mass as a payment for medicines. Before they're spoiled."
"I think this quantity is too much for 20 big copper coins though?"
"You, you know value of things huh."
"And I don't think I need that much though?"
"Please don't say that, I'll trade it for half the market price, so won't you take it?"
"Are you looking for gold coins?"

I could buy it, but do I need this much?

"No no, I need magic cores rather than gold, won't you share a bit more?"

Well, they're ingredients for making potion reagent so she probably guess that I still have more, but what does she want to use it for?

"You know that there will be a fighting tournament in the Ougock Dukedom next month, right? The participating knights are buying large amounts of potion from the alchemists. So they can't make potion for the sick people."

I see, there's such tournament huh. I don't know if this girl would use it the way she's saying, but it's evident that she's desperate. I have a lot anyway, so it's fine to give 10 more, I guess.

"I would like these and another 10 magic cores of the same level."
"I'm not sure if I have that many, but I'll thoroughly check my stock."
"Please do so, you can bring these stabilizer ahead."

I bring the stabilizer to the wagon and put it away in the storage, then I'm choosing magic cores. Since it'd look suspicious if they're all exactly the same, I mix the 10 magic cores suitably. I blend 1 high level one among them. It's a core that worths 3 silver coins.
I believe this is from a bone golem. I can know the price with estimation skill, but I want to find out the reaction of a professional when they see one.

"How about these?"
"You're fast, the qualities are the same like before, are they. Huh? This one is the only awfully nice core."

It's the strongish core I've blended

"Is it to your liking?"
"Yes, I'm saved. I could make stronger medicine with this."

I see, according to this reaction, I could take out magic cores from monsters with level up to 20 without problem.
It's not written in up to intermediate book, but it seems that depending on magic cores level used, the resulting reagent rank would be different.

"As a gratitude, you can take one from among these."

While saying so, the girl searches the shelves with rustling sounds and bring out three scrolls.
AR indication says, [Scroll, Magic Art:Shield], [Scroll, Magic Art:Sonar], [Scroll, Magic Art:Short Stun]. Each is priced at 5-6 silver coins.
How do I say this, the shop will go bankrupt if this girl keep working here.

Every one of them seems to be an elementary magic art scroll. Shield is the most difficult among these.

"I'm sorry, even though you're especially offering this for me, I already have beginner level magic books..."
"You, do you not know how scrolls are used?　These are disposable magic tools. Put magic power into it while uttering the command word to use it, it's convenient when you're attacked by monsters."

Hoo?　That's great.

"That means, you can use them even without magic art skills?"
"You can use them. You'll use 20-30% more magic power, but there is no weird repercussion like if a person without skill chants the magic."

I see, that's convenient.
But, they looks easy to abuse-- I guess that's why, it was limited in Seryuu city.
That's right, are there scrolls for life magic?

"Do you have scrolls for life magic?"
"None, if you have money to buy such things, isn't it cheaper to just hire charm users?"

Unfortunately, there's none. It seems since the production cost for making the scroll is no different to other magic, there's no one who make them.
But, Nana can use those magics besides short stun. By the way, in addition with the two, Nana can also use, [Magic Arrow], [Body Reinforcement (Light Boost)], and [Signal].

"If possible, could you let me have the three of them? Of course, I will pay the other two with cash."
"I'm sorry, but if I sell more than one, the officials would get noisy."

I decide to buy [Shield] scroll after being at loss for a while.
Let's try to use it when we get out of the town.

Chapter 6-4

6-4. The First Thieves [Revised]

 

Satou's here. I thought that the three precepts are, "Don't kill", "Don't steal", "Don't violate", but in truth, it wasn't, "Don't steal", but, "Don't burn".
However, even if it's not one of the three, bad things are bad, right.


◇


""Good morning, master.""
"Good morning."

Lulu and Liza who have immediately woken up with the first sign of morning sun give me morning greetings.
I let Tama down from my laps, and take Liza to the spear in order to apologize to her.

"T, this is."

Even Liza is speechless.
Since externally, her important spear looks like it has been scribbled.  Let's apologize first before I say, "The performance has been improved.".
After I make up my mind, I step forward toward Liza-- but, she's not looking at me.

Seemingly to check on the spear's condition, she tries stabbing with it many times. The red light that appears when she does heavy blow is stronger than before.

"Master!"

After she finishes swinging the spear, she comes closer to me. I decide to listen to her complaints before I make an excuse. Her voice's tone is a bit high, would be good if she's not angry.

"This is, it must be a reward right!"

Since I don't understand the flow of the conversation, I ask her.

"Arisa was saying to Lulu, 'If you properly service master, you'll get a reward someday.', she said."

Those, "service", and, "reward" probably have different meaning. That Arisa, don't indoctrinate weird things to Lulu.
For the time being, since she looks really happy, let's ride on this flow.

"It's because Liza has always worked hard. How is the spear?"
"Yes, the weight is the same as usual, but it is now possible for my arm to become one with the spear up until the tip."

She looks so happy, she's rubbing her cheeks on the spear, I apologize to her for arbitrarily doing something to her spear after the breakfast before we depart. Liza says, "My spear and I, everything is master's.", but I remind myself not to take advantage of that.


◇


Since Lulu will call me when Liza finishes breakfast preparation, I pick a towel and go to river beside the camping ground. There's a river nearby, so I want to take a bath there. By the way, the water temperature is below 10 degree (celcius), so normally I'd get a cold. Although, I don't feel that cold, maybe thanks to ice resistance.
Rather, I'm more interested with Lulu's gaze which I feel from over the bushes. During the cooking, she occasionally takes a glance over here. I thought the bushes should be tall enough to cover me, but...
She's at an age where she would be interested with the opposite sex, I guess it can't be helped.

Sine it would be troublesome in various ways when Arisa wakes up, I wash my body with a soap quickly.
I see several fish outlines before I wear my clothes, so I throw skewers at them catching around 10 fish and put them into the Storage.
I've thought that grilled fish are a staple of breakfast, but Lulu and Liza have already started cooking, cutting in between them now would be boorish.

I wipe my body roughly and wear clothes.
My hair is still wet, but it should be dried soon when it gets close to fire.

"Good morning, master."
"Good morning Nana. Try saying some more words after morning greeting."
"Good morning, master."
"Yep, that's good."

I pat Nana's head while praising her.
Ye~p. Her outward appearance is that of an adult woman, so patting her head looks really out place.

"Morning."
"Ning~?"
"Good morning nano desu!"
"Good Morniii!"

The other members are waking up. I also greet them back.
Still, what's wrong Arisa?

"Why?"

What is she saying?
Arisa points my wet hair.

"Say something if you want to take a bath!"
"No way. You'll go peep if I tell you right?"
"Of course! It's my natural job as a slave to wash my master's back!"
"Your real motive?"
"A boy bathing at the center of mother nature! Missing that is a regrettable situation!"

When you said that so frankly, I could not punish you.
Usually, before we go to sleep or after breakfast, I go away alone to wipe my body with wet towel and Arisa usually try to peep me which she did once when she managed to escape from Liza's watch. I don't necessarily scold her when she peeps but since it'd be a bad influence to other girls, I'd give her spanking if I catch her peeping.

...How do I say this, feels like our role as man and woman is reversed.


◇


That day, my magic practice ends in failure again, to have a change of pace, I sit at the end of the wagon and make small shields using some wood.
Since I get Armor Creation skill after making one, I put it point to the maximum and activate it. Even though the shields are made of woods, they're made with the highest level technique of armor creation.
Since it's messy, I put a sheet for the fallen wood chips. I present two shields made after I've acquired the skill to Pochi and Tama. There are some shields in my storage but there is none which could fits Pochi and Tama so I have to make them myself.
I've only just made three of it but since the time is almost up, I clear away the tools.

Arisa who has noticed it, faces toward me.

"The guys you mentioned earlier?"
"Yeah, very soon. There are two people on the highway, five people in each forest on the sides of highway, and two people on a tree a bit further.  Arisa will deal with the two on the highway, while the five in the right forest will be taken care by Liza, Pochi and Tama. I'll defeat the two on the tree and the five in the left forest. I will leave Lulu's guard to Mia and Nana."

Everyone nods at my instruction. Since I've explained it beforehand, they don't have any particular question.
Everyone is tense, but the enemies are no big deals. On the left side, beside a level 7, the others are small fries at level 2-3. The beast girls could annihilate them alone if they want.

When we enter the forest after a slight curve, there are a man and a woman sitting on the road.
They look like normal villagers. "Oo~i", they call out over here.
When the wagon loosen its speed, the man approach while trying to say something.

"I'm sorry, my wife is,s,s,s,s."
"Fuhn, I have no interest with thieves' acting."

Arisa hit the man and woman with mind magic without asking. She had a hard time choosing a location so our horses wouldn't get swept with her attack. Even though she loves to act a bit dramatic herself.

Yes, these 14 men and women are thieves.

Without checking the result of that battle, I use 2 crossbows alternately to shoot down the bowmen on the tree. They shouldn't be dead.
The beast girls jump out from the back of the wagon and begin their assault in the forest. I also jump from the coachman-stand and charge toward the opposite forest.

In just a few minutes, [Oyu Village Thieves Gang] is annihilated. Half of them are injured but none dies. We hang them on trees while disarming their weapons. I feel wasteful to use ropes on them, so I roll them up with tree vines, per Liza's suggestion.
I've noticed this with the accident faker in the city back then, there is no punishment for, [Injuring] and, [Assaulting] in this world. Just to be sure, I check on everyone's status and their Reward and Punishment hasn't changed.

The thieves have been subjected to Arisa's magic, Sleeping Field to make them sleep.
Just in case, checking on the map, there is no village called, "Oyu Village", in this region.

"By the way, what do you want to do by capturing them? Isn't the earl-san's city still relatively far away? Isn't it faster if we just kill them?"
"Since I was ordered not to kill if possible, I did not kill anyone, but thieves should be killed as soon as one comes across them. If master wants the prize money then their heads are enough. Furthermore, even if ones kill a thief, their Reward & Punishment won't change into [Murderer]."

Arisa and Liza's  suggestions are quite brutal, but I wonder if that's just how it is in this world. If I overlook these guys here, they would probably kill or sell merchants or travelers who use this road as slaves.

Even so, I don't want to see the beast girls kill people, and I, myself, don't want to kill. I want to avoid murder as much as possible.
But then, I feel like I would retract that if my companions' lives are in danger. Even if I'm a hypocrite, I am not a saint, if that time really happens I'll give in.
I did kill Zen anyway, even if it was his own intention.

"Let's bring them to the earl's city and sell them as crime slaves. Is it not more profitable than killing them here?"

Even though I don't want to kill them, I have no intention of letting them go. I will have them pay for their crime adequately. Their [Reward and Punishment] stats are filled with [Murder], [Rape], [Theft] and more. There is no innocent one.
Liza has a face that looks like she has more to say, but it seems that she doesn't have any intention to object my words more.

"It can't be helped~ let's do it like that."

While saying so, Arisa shakes her head like some kind of gaijin. I understand that she's worried, but that gesture is slightly petulant.
Then, she points her finger at me, and continues with these words.

"If your life is in danger, don't hesitate to kill the opponent, understand. That is the rule of this world. I won't forgive you if you drag your peacefulness like that country and get yourself killed pitifully!"


◇


Still, 14 people are too many indeed. Even though the wagon hardly has any luggage, more than half of the wagon's back is buried with the thieves. Morever, they stink.
Since it'd be annoying if they wake up, in addition to Arisa's magic, I make them drink sleeping potions that I've made on the first camping night and take them along to the earl's city while they're sleeping.

Although it's just for two days, the thieves' smell and snores are huge nuisances.
If we find another thieves, I'll leave them half-dead. I did not think that bringing criminals away from a remote place would be this troublesome.

Chapter 6-3

6-3. Strengthening

 

Satou's here. There are a lot of RPG where you can create things nowadays.
If you fail, the materials disappear.


◇


On evening of that day, the "Guest" has came relatively close by as expected, so I get up off the bed and go to the place where Mia and Tama are doing night watch.

"Change?"
"Too early~?"
"The change is still a bit later."

I ask Tama to teach me the way to do [Enemy Search].

"Nyu~?"

She folds her short arms while looking troubled looking cute. I want to poke at the wrinkle on her forehead.

"Lots of sound, different sound."
"Same view, different color."
"Nice smell, normal smell, bad smell."
"Lots of sameness, lots of differences."
"So, you understand~?"

I listen attentively to her who's trying hard to convey.
The point is to detect the finer differences from numerous information. "Don't think, feel.", like that?

"I'll go inside the forest for a bit to try it. I'll raise my voice if anything happen, if you hear it then wake Liza up for help."

I tell the two so and make my way through the forest.
I've thought they would follow but it seems they're too sleepy for it.
I'm borrowing Liza's spear since I intend to acquire heavy blow skill when I come into the contact with the enemy. I've properly ask for permission before she went to sleep.

I've said to Tama that I would only go for a bit but the place is actually 3 kilometers away. It's around several hundred meters away from the enemy's location.

Basing from experience, I turn off all sort of indications OFF from the menu.
Next, I relax my body and sharpen my sense while musing over Tama's word.

While half-closing my eyes, I extend my focus.

Moonlight shines through the sparse shades. Ivies and bushes. Silhouette of sleeping birds at branches. Glowing eyes of small animals. Catching glimpse of a black shadow from the gaps between trees far away.

I listen carefully.

Lots of sounds. The sound of trees swaying from the winds. The sound of grasses stepped by small animals. Insects' sounds. The sound of claws of something hitting the hard ground.

I imagine every inch of my body uniting with nature.

The smell of grasses. The smell of soil. The faint smell of water. A different kind of creature's smell like paint dropped on a river.

My sense becomes quietly serene--

Kasa.

Ton.

Hyun.

I move my body matching the change on the flow of atmosphere. I had avoided something that attacked from a blind spot.

After avoiding it, I turn my consciousness toward the culprit, there's a black panther that has just landed slightly further away. That guy doesn't seem to think much of the failed surprise attack and gracefully turns toward me.

I make only the log be displayed.

>[Enemy Search Skill Acquired]
>[Danger Sensing Skill Acquired]
>[Space Grasp Skill Acquired]
>[Mind's Eye Skill Acquired]

I activate the abundance of new skills.
During that time, the black panther is attacking many times but since I can see it, avoiding isn't a problem.

I know that there's another one up on the tree, maybe it's thanks to enemy search skill.
Is it aiming for when I've became tired?

It's hard to use spear for close combat inside the woods but I could figure out the right angles thanks to space grasp skill and freely move as I imagine.
I prepare the heavy blow stance I've practiced this evening, and simultaneously drive heavy blow and thrusting to one of the animal. The quiet blow goes through the black panther's head without resistance.

>[Thrusting Skill Acquired]
>[Heavy Blow Skill Acquired]
>[Penetration Skill Acquired]

Matching the timing with my attack, the panther on the tree assaults me, I evade the danger as if I could see it.
I quickly activate the three new skills, and prepare to hit the panther that has just landed.
Since Liza seems to use magic when she demonstrates heavy blow, I try to put magic power into the spear.

The spear lets out red trace of light when it's feed with magic power.
Quite beautiful.

The spear pierces through the panther while drawing red track of light.
Immediately after the red light appears, I rotate my wrist in reverse rotation converging the spear tip on the panther, the panther's upper half and the tree behind it burst into small pieces.
It was good to do this away from the camp. I had almost disturbed everyone's sleep.

>[Magic Edge Skill Acquired]
>[Spiral Spear Attack Skill Acquired]

I didn't think there would be other techniques that could make red light appear like with Liza's technique. But I've acquired useful-looking skills so it's for the best. Of course, I also activate these two skills. The names are kinda chuunibyou-ish, but let's turn a blind eye on that.


◇


Since I've accidentally come into a wide open space suitable for practice, I decide to practice magic edge. The light seems to be different depending on the amount of magic power you put into.

I try putting 1 MP. Subtle light lines appear on the spear.
I try putting 10 MP. Clear red light lines appear on the spear.
I try putting 50 MP. Strong red light line repeatedly appear on the spear. This is usable for illumination.
I try putting 200 MP. Intense red light-- this is bad, the spear is vibrating strangely.

I have a feeling that the spear will explode if this is left alone.
Liza's sorrowful face flashes in my mind.

This is bad.

That's right.
If there's too much, then I can just absorb it.

The moment after I thought that, I extract the magic power on the spear by imagining absorption-- good, the vibration has stopped.

Fuh, I was flustered.
Let's experiment with black steel spear or something next time.

Even though I've absorbed the magic, Liza's spear retain its red light or rather, it has become a pattern. Can't be helped, when the morning comes, I'll apologize to Liza by doing dogeza.

I hope that at least it doesn't get weaker...

Confirming with the AR, the spear's name has became, [Magic Spear Douma]. If I'm not mistaken it was [Black Spear of Cricket] back then. I don't remember its exact offensive power before, but it's certain that it has been strengthened. It was already a bit stronger than the black steel spear before but now it's near three times that. It still doesn't match the dragon spear in my storage, but it has become about as strong as the other magic spears.

This is what they call weapon reinforcement I guess.
Although, it was probably one step away from failure judging from that feel. If it fail, it's easy to imagine that Liza's spear would have broke.

When I look at the log, I've gained several skills.

>[Magic Manipulation Skill Acquired]

But I've been putting magic power into magic tool and Nana up to now....
I guess I have to not only insert but also absorb to meet the requirement.

>[Magic Bestowal Skill Acquired]
>[Weapon Reinforcement Skill Acquired]

In addition, I also acquired this title.

>Title [Magic Spear Blacksmith] Acquired.

Since they look useful, I activate the skills.


◇


I try putting magic into an ordinary dagger.

It's different.

In case of Liza's spear, it feels like pouring water on a shallow plate, while with this dagger, it's like pouring water into a coarse draining casket. Magic power that has been inserted immediately escapes feel.
Of course, it also isn't shining with red light.

This time I take out leg of a flying ant and try putting magic power into it.
It's better than with the dagger earlier, but it feels like a clogged up pipe with water draining out. The poured magic power feel stuck and drained, it's annoying.

Should I try to forcibly insert the magic power?
I try what I've just thought, and it burst scattering away. I guess Liza's spear was one step away from becoming this.

I test again with a new ant's leg. So it really explodes by pouring 10 MP.
Is Liza's spear special or is it because the difference in material?

I decide to try with material that looks more rugged.
I take out a dragon tooth and try it. Although I said tooth, it's 30 cm big.
When I put magic power into it, it feels like with the ant's leg. The difference is the magic endurance, it's fine even with 500 MP, but I stop there since the tooth becomes cracked.

Since I'd feel bad for Tama and Mia if I go back too late, I decide to finish for this evening. Without forgetting to set the menu, I go back.

The angelic figures of sleeping Tama and Mia greet me when I get back.
Tama wakes up when she hears the sound of me leaning Liza's spear on the wagon. Afterward, when she realizes the one who make the sound is me, she slovenly sprawls with "Gude~", but it seems that she isn't sleeping.

She sits beside me, attempts to climb up on my laps, and sleeps there while curling up.
I remember neko nabe seeing her figure, it's soothing. I decide to do the watch in place of the two until morning.