Chapter 21

The next day, people started making fields all over the village.

"Hey! Is tilling the soil this much really okay!?"

"It's so hard and there are stones mixed in! This won't do, I guess!"

"Is it okay to plant the seedlings this deep?"

"It's not 'burying' but 'planting'! Hey, the leaves are covered with soil! This is no different from being buried alive!"

Since everyone was inexperienced, they proceeded with the ridge-making, feeling their way along while taking advice from Uga, the only experienced person. Even Uga, who originally learned by himself, couldn't give good advice...

But, it will probably work out somehow.

"But, it's amazing, isn't it? That the vegetables grown in this village are so well-received."

Inside the house, Mau, Meala, and I were sitting at the table, having this conversation. On the floor, Entia was curled up, yawning.

"The tomatoes in yesterday's sandwich were delicious, Mau."

"Hehe, it's probably thanks to Mako's magic liquid fertilizer."

When I praised her, Mau blushed and smiled. The animal ears on her head also wiggled happily.

"No, I don't think it's just that."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I think the influence of the Orkidea and the others who recently came to this village might also be a factor."

I looked out the window at the hardworking Beowulfs.

"Everyone, keep it up!"

"Keep it up!"

I could see Orkidea and Fressa cheering on the Beowulfs who were working in the fields. At first glance, they seemed to be living in the village and doing nothing, but as a plant-related race and a high-ranking existence like a princess of their race, they should have the power to influence plants and fruits. Indeed, they were giving their power to plants all over the village, which is why the delicious vegetables grew so well, I think.

"That's what I think..."

While saying this, I felt a bit cramped and pulled my chair back.

"Ouch!"

I ended up stepping on Entia's tail, which was right behind me.

"It hurts, lady."

"Ah, sorry, Entia. I was just trying to adjust my posture."

"...Mako, I think..."

At that moment, Meala, who usually speaks little, suddenly spoke up.

"Is this house too small?"

"...Hmm."

Now that we live with three people and one creature, this house, which is about 1.5 tatami mats (about 5 square meters), feels quite small. Even though it has been reinforced with "metal angles" and is sturdy, the small size is still a problem.

"Yeah, that's true."

"Mako, can we build a house?"

When Meala suddenly made this suggestion, I opened my eyes wide.

"A, a house?"

"Right! It would be great if we could build a bigger house!"

Mau stood up and said this with high spirits.

"Mako can do it easily, right!?"

"No, Mau, I'm not a superhuman."

I smiled wryly, and Mau said, "You're right, sorry," blushing at her own excitement.

"Besides, if we do, we'll have to tear down this house... Is that okay? It's an important house built by your father, right?"

"That's true, but... if we're going to live together from now on..."

For Meala to say this much, she must really be accepting us, Entia and me, as family.

(...And...)

To be honest, I also have a desire to try it. Though I told Mau that, I have a feeling in my heart that "I might be able to do it." There is a basis for this. In the current home center, there are actually DIY kits for log cabins that general users can build (priced at about 300,000 yen). Of course, it's a small cabin of about two tatami mats, but I have tried building one before (as a display item for the store). If I can apply that experience, I might be able to build a house of a decent size. ...However, if it's a larger house, I would need to draw up plans and build it properly.

(...Assuming I can create the head of a "hammer," the blade of a "saw," and "nails" with my "Alchemy"...)

The problem is manpower... Yes, manpower.

If I build it alone, I don't know how much time and effort it will take. Mau and Meala are out of the question. I need someone who can cut down trees, shape the wood to the specified dimensions, and construct it—someone with the power, strength, and especially the dexterity and meticulousness to do so. The Beowulfs are currently focused on growing vegetables, which is essential for the village's development. It would be unfair to ask them for help. ...Besides, to be honest, when I see everyone plowing the fields with brute force, I feel they are not suited for such detailed work. The houses in this village, including this one, were wobbly before I reinforced them with "angle brackets." They probably lack the knowledge for such tasks.

"If only my father were here..."

Meala suddenly said this.

"My father was one of the more dexterous Beowulfs."

"Yeah, he always said he proposed to my mother with a handmade ring."

Saying this, Meala and Mau faced each other and smiled sadly.

...This is bad, the atmosphere is getting dark!

"Anyway, let's think about whether we can do it ourselves or get help when everyone is free."

I decided to end this conversation for now.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

That afternoon, Mau, Meala, and I went into the mountains to collect wild vegetables and mushrooms for the first time in a while. We kept our nerves sharp to be ready to create a "beast fence" at any time to avoid being attacked by wild beasts like the boar last time.

"This mountain is quite rugged, isn't it?"

"There are also many aggressive beasts like the boar we encountered last time. We have to be careful not to pick the poisonous plants mixed in with the mushrooms and wild vegetables."

Mau pointed in a direction while putting the collected mushrooms into a basket.

"Over there, there's the grassland we went to yesterday, right? Beyond that grassland, the mountains are volcanic. That's why earthquakes sometimes occur."

"...Really, living in this area is quite challenging."

The place where the beastmen live, having been driven away by humans.

To put it bluntly, it feels like they were forced to live here.

"...Hey? By the way, Mau, Meala—"

"Mako! Mau!"

Suddenly, Meala's voice, which sounded anxious, came from a little distance away.

"Meala?"

"Let's go."

Taking Mau with me, we headed in the direction of Meala's voice. We went down the slope and saw Meala.

"Meala, what—"

As we approached, we saw what was happening a few meters ahead. In front of Meala, at the base of a large tree, a man was sitting with his back against the trunk. He wasn't moving. His head was bowed, and his eyes were closed. Was he alive? Was he dead? Either way, the fact that a person was lying alone in this forest didn't change. I hurried over.

"Meala, this person—"

At that moment, the grass next to Meala rustled.

"!"

Before I could react, a wild gray wolf with sharp claws and fangs, its eyes bloodshot, leaped out. Compared to Entia, it was smaller, but it was a ferocious wolf. Meala couldn't react in such close proximity. I tried to rush over, but the distance was greater than with the boar last time, and the wolf was faster. The wolf was about to attack Meala. I couldn't make it in time—

—The man, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up and punched the wolf's side.

"Yaaah!"

The wolf's body rolled on the ground and then lay still, its eyes rolled back.

"Eh, ah..."

Meala, who had been stunned, turned around. There, the man was on his knees, his fist still extended.

"Amazing..."

I couldn't help but say. It was that fast.

It was like the Burning Rider Punch from Kamen Rider Agito.

(...But, that's not the point.)

I could now clearly see the man's appearance. He had a handsome face. He looked young, but his sharp eyes suggested he was a seasoned expert. His black hair was slightly wavy. He wasn't overly muscular, but his tall, lean body was clearly well-trained. His clothes were torn and dirty, but he had various tools, like a knife, visible on him. He gave the impression of a soldier or a military person.

"Um..."

I approached the man and spoke to him.

"..."

Then the man fell to the side and fainted again.

"Eh, eh?"

I was confused... Yes, I would be confused. Who is this person?

From his appearance, he seems to be human...

"Mako, this person..."

At that moment, Meala noticed a metal badge that had fallen from the man's pocket when he fainted.

"Do you know what this is?"

"This... It might be the emblem of the guild he belongs to."

Guild?

I might have heard of it before.

Right, it's something that often appears in RPG games...

As if answering my question, Meala said:

"This person might be an adventurer."