Chapter 42

It's been quite a while since I moved to this settlement.

Houses have been built, and the variety of available ingredients has increased.

This means that life has become more comfortable.

However, human desires are boundless; once satisfied, one soon desires something new.

Clothes.

The clothing we wear.

It is a symbol of civilization, perhaps the most clear-cut difference between humans and apes.

I have been neglecting this aspect of clothing for a long time.

The nylon shirts and pants that were summoned with me from my original world have long since worn out to rags.

I did a lot of outdoor work, after all.

Anticipating this, I bought a lot of clothes in the capital, but they are also starting to wear out and are reaching their limit.

Most importantly, there is a severe shortage of clothing for my wife, Plati, to wear on her lower body.

Or rather, there is none at all.

This is because she is originally a mermaid.

Her lower body is a fish's tail, which allows her to swim freely in the water.

In that state, clothing is unnecessary, and might even be a hindrance.

So, for mermaids, concepts like pants, skirts, and underwear do not exist.

However, it's not that simple when she's on land.

On land, a mermaid's lower body changes to resemble a human's to adapt to the environment.

If she doesn't wear anything in the water, she won't wear anything on land either.

The result is that she ends up completely naked.

To prevent this, the only thing I could do was to give her my own pants to wear.

At first, Plati complained that they were uncomfortable and uncool, but now she has gotten used to wearing pants.

However, I feel a sense of guilt inside, as I am forcing my wife to endure this.

She says she's gotten used to it, but she's still a young girl.

She would probably want to dress up in more cheerful pants and skirts.

Instead, she has to wear my rough, shared men's clothing.

I want Plati to wear beautiful skirts and pants that are just for her, to dress up elegantly!

So, I've decided on my next goal.

After building a house and stockpiling food, the next thing to obtain is clothing!!

* * *

That's why I decided to make clothes.

With the gift of the 'Supreme Bearer' from the god Hephaestus, I should be able to create clothes as easily as I have created meals, metalwork, and houses.

I have all the necessary tools, such as scissors and needles, made from the Mana Metal I received from my teacher.

And the crucial fabric is abundant, as I felt the need to prepare bedding during the house construction process, and the goblins have woven cotton fabric from the cotton I grew and harvested.

I decided to try making as many clothes as possible using these materials.

* * *

"Done!!"

A few sets.

Simple pants and shirts.

Not just for Plati, but for myself and the Orcbos as well.

"Wow! They fit perfectly!!"

"Thank you, my lord! With these, field work will be much easier!!"

The Orcbos only had rough loincloths when they moved here from the dungeon.

The origin of those loincloths is a mystery, but now they have neat sets of clothes and look like ordinary villagers.

I feel refreshed myself, having new clothes.

If only Plati would be happy with them...

"The design is a bit plain."

Huh!?

Plati has a somewhat微妙 (subtle) expression as she holds the cotton skirt I gave her.

"Ah!? Don't misunderstand!! I'm really happy! I'm so happy to have handmade clothes from my lord! ...But, if I have to say, are these clothes stylish...?"

A significant fact has been revealed.

The supposedly perfect gift of the 'Supreme Bearer' does not cover the artistic aspect of the creations.

I lack a sense of fashion...!

With this, I can't prepare clothes that will make the trendy young Plati happy...!

"By the way, how does Viel get her clothes?"

Plati asked Viel, who was standing next to her.

Indeed, she usually wears clothes when she changes from dragon form to human form.

"Obviously, she makes them with magic. Don't underestimate a dragon's power."

"Ah, dragons are really in a different league...!"

Even with the 'Supreme Bearer,' I now realize that I can't create stylish clothes without a sense of fashion.

What should I do?

I guess I'll have to outsource this to someone?