Chapter 36

"Alright, let's add a bit more space."

"Yes, please."

The day after harvesting the Gravelingos.

To prevent something like the incident with the women's clothing measurements from happening again, I decided to add a large room with a lockable door.

Since the hearth room and kitchen have a lot of people coming and going, I decided to build the large room further back in the house.

I restructured the inside of the house, imagining adding a large room, and the trees and roof on the walls dissolved, and a new room was instantly added.

Right in front of me, a magnificent room with a proper lock was completed, of course made of wood.

"I didn't think it could be done so quickly..."

"Wow, it was all wobbly and amazing! Let's go inside!"

Carmilla looked at the newly created door and went inside.

The room was made spacious enough to accommodate small gatherings or work.

It was large enough to hold a meeting of several dozen people.

My family didn't have such a room, but I was relieved that I could somehow manage to add it forcefully.

When I tried the lock on the door, it locked properly.

With this, the women can feel safe when taking measurements or changing clothes. It's important to have such a place when living in the same house.

Carmilla was also scolded quite a bit by Claire and Leidia, so she probably won't open the door in her underwear anymore.

"This seems to be fine."

"Yes, thank you. It's a great help."

"Do you really not need individual rooms with locks?"

"Yes, the current setup is fine."

"Actually, I prefer this! It's more fun this way!"

"I also prefer this because I can stay by the young lady's side, and I know that Lord Hashira won't do anything strange."

"Understood."

It seems they really don't need individual rooms with locks, so I decided not to build them.

However, I told them that if they ever need them, I can easily add them.

After adding the large room, everyone got to work.

Carmilla and Claire were checking the crops and watering them.

Leidia was making new jam with the harvested Gravelingos and Pink Cherries, filling the hearth room with a sweet aroma.

I checked the new crops, applied growth promotion, and gave them magic stone fertilizer.

Then, the Itotsumugari brought me something.

What they brought was not a pure white cloth but a brown-stained one.

"Wow, did you manage to dye it!? Show me!"

When I spread out the cloth the Itotsumugari brought, it looked like a slightly larger towel.

They were dyed brown, but there were noticeable variations in color, some areas being lighter and others darker.

"Amazing, the color is really on! But the variations are quite large. Can you try to make it more uniform?"

When I asked them, the Itotsumugari scratched their heads with their legs and nodded.

"I know it's not your specialty, but can you try your best?"

The development of our clothing depends on the Itotsumugari.

I'm very sorry, but while I have knowledge of plants that can be used for dyeing, I don't have the skill to dye them. We have no choice but to rely on the Itotsumugari.

When I earnestly asked them, the Itotsumugari nodded and returned to their nest.

However, the towel was definitely dyed.

It won't be long before our clothes have color.

I have high hopes for the Itotsumugari's next achievement.

◆

With the collection of magic stones, the increase in crop varieties, and the availability of clothing, the Itotsumugari are now refining their dyeing techniques.

We have enough food and are not struggling in our daily lives. While there are still many things we lack, such as iron products and simple manpower, our life can be considered quite smooth.

Reflecting on our lives, it feels like we've been working every day.

Agriculture generally has no days off, and there's always something that needs tending, but how is it now?

Everyone is taking care of the fields every day and finding their own tasks to work on.

The concept of a day off is almost non-existent.

In my previous life, even in a black company, there was at least some concept of a day off.

Is this a bit problematic?

"Everyone, can I have a moment?"

"What's up?"

When I called out after everyone finished breakfast, Leidia and the others turned to me, slightly surprised.

"I think we should take a day off today."

"A day off? What about the field work? The crops will get upset if we don't take care of them!"

I was surprised that Carmilla, who I thought would be the first to be happy, gave a very calm opinion.

I expected her to be overjoyed without thinking, but her comment was unexpected, like that of an experienced old farmer.

"Simple tasks can be left to Rent and the others. The fields are important, but we need to rest our bodies from time to time, or we'll get tired."

"I'm not tired at all."

"Neither am I. It's only natural to work every day."

"…What?"

I couldn't help but shudder at the words that came out of Leidia and Claire so naturally.

I was surprised and even a bit frightened that they didn't have the concept of taking a break.

We need to rest a little to avoid breaking down.

"Even if you work every day, fatigue accumulates. You might end up with mental health issues without realizing it."

"Well, that's true, but..."

"That's why today is a rest day. There's no urgent work, so let's leave the tasks to Rent and the others and rest our bodies and minds. Do what you want and enjoy your free time."

My strong assertion seemed to surprise the three of them, but they didn't seem to mind taking a break.

"What should we do on a day off?"

"Hmm, maybe we can plow the fields? Or fight some monsters?"

"That's the same work we do every day, so it's not what Lord Hashira means by a day off."

If we do the same things on a day off, it's no different from work.

"What are you going to do, Hashira?"

"I think I'll go fishing."

Actually, I've wanted to do this for a while, but I couldn't find the time.

The last time I went to the river, Leidia collapsed, and I couldn't do it then.

"Isn't that a job for gathering food?"

"This is a hobby, so it's fine. It doesn't matter if I catch anything or not. The point is to relax."

Carmilla nitpicks, but this is definitely not work.

Fishing in a place rich in nature is a proper way to spend a day off.

Without being bound by unnecessary things, just leisurely dropping a line. It's very nice.

"I want to enjoy the forest, so I'll go fishing with Hashira."

"Hey, that's not fair! I want to go fishing too!"

"It's my duty to take care of the young lady, so I'll go with you."

It seems Leidia, Carmilla, and Claire will also come along.

I intended to do it alone, but fishing with everyone might not be bad.

"Alright, let's all go fishing then."

And so, today's rest day became a day of fishing together.