Chapter 93

Anyway, in this situation, there's no way I can focus on pottery.

I need to wash off the mud I've been covered in.

If I walk around still dirty, Plati will get mad at me.

I take off my mud-covered clothes, and after stripping down to nothing, I try to pour water over myself...

"Sir Saint, please don't look this way! Absolutely don't look this way!!"

It's the same for Berena, who, like me, is covered in scattered mud.

I turn my back as a matter of etiquette, but behind me, she's taking off her mud-covered clothes, leaving her in a rather indecent state...

Why are we washing our bodies in the same place?

"Sir Saint... I'm completely naked now, so please don't look this way!"

When you emphasize it this much, I start to wonder if you're trying to make some kind of move.

But still, Berena seems different today, doesn't she?

Is she overthinking and overreacting...?

"Um, by the way, I have a question."

"Yes?"

I splash water over myself, confirming that the mud has washed off before drying my body.

"Sir Saint, are you not going to command us to engage in carnal activities?"

"O-Oh...!?"

To ask such a question at this moment!?

"By 'carnal activities'...! What do you mean...! That you want to be my partner at night...?"

"Don't confirm that!"

She blushes and gets angry, even though she brought it up herself.

"Both Bati and I, from the moment we started living here, have been prepared for this. As houseguests, we must absolutely obey the house owner's commands."

Is this the value system of this world?

"Also... if I could receive your favor, it would give my existence more meaning..."

"Huh?"

What does she mean by that?

"Anyway, I already have Plati and Veil, so you don't need to worry. Just live here freely and comfortably."

"Yes... I see..."

Berena said this with a somewhat disappointed tone.

Why?

"By the way, while we're on the subject, in this world, is it normal for one man to have more than two wives?"

"If a man has a certain status and power, it's quite natural. I think someone like Sir Saint could have a hundred wives without any problem!"

"Storage room!?"

This joke didn't seem to translate well for the people of this world.

Anyway, I feel that this issue will become more apparent as more women move into this area.

That's what my instincts are telling me.

It seems I'll have to face this issue head-on someday.

* * *

After washing and changing, I regain my composure and resume making pottery.

This time, with Berena's properly adjusted potter's wheel, I gradually get better at kneading the clay.

This is where I fully utilize my role as the 'Bearer of the Supreme.'

Finally, the shape of the vessel is complete.

"Wow...! It really turned out so beautifully...!"

Berena was amazed at the almost perfectly round bowl.

But the real challenge starts now.

I place the finished bowl in the kiln and fire it.

It cracked.

It seems that rapid heating is not good due to the evaporation of water and the expansion and contraction of materials.

After several failures, I finally managed to produce a flawless finished product.

"Wow! Amazing! A plate really did come out of the soil!!"

Berena is trembling with a sense of achievement, but my thoughts on this prototype are as follows:

"...Jomon pottery?"

It was just the color of the soil.

There was no glass-like gloss typical of pottery, and it didn't make a metallic 'ting' sound when tapped.

If I had to say, it really looked like a primitive piece of pottery excavated from an ancient site.

"As a prototype, it's decent, but we're still far from our goal."

"Really!? Is that so!?"

"To make it the piece I'm looking for, we need to do a lot more research."

Let's proceed with this over time.

"Then, Sir Saint!"

Berena approached me again.

"Can you entrust this research to me!?"

Huh?

Why all of a sudden?

"I've been feeling anxious since I came here! While my partner Bati found a respectable job as a clothing manager, I haven't secured a clear position yet! My place here is becoming less and less as more people are added! Please, let me take on this project!!"

So that's what you were thinking, huh?

That's why you were so anxious?

"Alright, I understand. The pottery completion project will be Berena's main task..."

Just as I was about to say that, and Berena's face started to brighten up...

"My Lord! I have a report!"

One of the goblins burst in.

You really cut the flow at the worst time, didn't you?

"I'm sorry to interrupt your fun, but it's a matter of great importance!!"

I wasn't having fun!!

...Huh?

You mean I looked like I was enjoying the craftwork?

Ah, I see.

So, what's the big deal?

"Intruders! Elven thieves have invaded our farm!!"

Elven thieves?

What's that?

And there are elves in this world!?

"So, what happened to the elven thieves?"

"We've captured every single one of them!"

That was quick.