Chapter 17

After a while, I managed to sell quite a few knives and long swords, with the exception of the "premium models," which were all sold out, resulting in a very good outcome. I also bought some food, so with this, I could live comfortably for another week.

Back at home, I opened some of the wheat I had bought, ground it into flour, and mixed it with water and salt in a wooden bowl. I let it sit for a while, during which I organized the food I had bought. Sermia, who was going hunting from tomorrow, apparently planned to check the condition of her bow while the sun was still up.

After everything was done, I rolled out the dough thinly and cooked it on a frying pan. It was something like an unleavened bread, similar to chapati from the previous world. For dinner, I had this with dried meat and a root vegetable soup.

"How's the bow?"

"Hmm? Oh, it's fine. I used a couple of arrows, and they worked perfectly."

"That's good to hear. What are you planning to catch tomorrow?"

"Um, maybe a tree deer or a boar... If there are any, I'd like to catch some birds too."

"That would broaden our diet."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."

Sermia was clearly excited. As a tiger beast person, this was probably in her blood. I was tired from going to town, and we both had to get up early the next day, so we went to bed early.

The next morning, I saw Sermia off as she put on her leather armor and slung her bow over her shoulder. I had packed her a lunch of the unleavened bread I baked yesterday and some dried meat.

"Be careful. If you encounter a giant black bear, come back immediately."

"I know. I'm off."

Sermia quickly left. Well, it's time for me to get to work.

Today, I basically needed to replenish the inventory that had decreased. Four knives. I probably won't be able to make long swords today, so I'll do them tomorrow. I still have a decent amount of iron, but it will eventually run out, so I need to find a supplier. If I can keep selling at this rate, it would be better to find a place that can supply me continuously.

However, I can't keep relying on Sermia to bring everything back. I've learned from a few trips to town that being able to travel through this forest with almost no danger is largely due to Sermia's ability to sense danger in advance.

For example, if I had accidentally stumbled upon a wolf's feeding ground yesterday, who knows what would have happened. Even if I could drive them off, I might not have been unharmed, and it would have taken a lot of time. That would have left me returning through the dark forest, which is extremely dangerous.

Thinking about this, I might need a cart soon. It seems fine to carry inventory for a while, but there will be a limit, so it might be good to have one on hand. I should consider getting one.

If I decide to get one, should I make it myself or buy it? If I make it, I'll need to cut more trees and secure the wood. But I think I can manage for about two weeks, during which I'll only need to go to town two or three times. I might as well try making it myself and buy one if it doesn't work out.

I spent the afternoon making knives, but the quality remained the same as the "standard models" I've been making. If someone says it's because of my cheat, that's that, but the fact that I can make better things than most blacksmiths without much effort is a bit of a dilemma.

Still, I think this is what it means to make a living by making things. Since this is my second life, I should gratefully use the abilities I've been given.

As I was putting away the finished knives, Sermia returned.

"I'm back."

"Hey, welcome back."

Seeing me, Sermia fidgeted.

"What's wrong? What is it?"

"Well, it's just... I was a bit... happy..."

"Oh... It's nice to come home to someone, isn't it?"

"Y-Yeah."

In my previous world, this was a happiness I never got to experience. I wonder about Sermia. She said it was good that I saved her, but if she hadn't been attacked by the giant black bear, would she have lived a normal life as a forest hunter, married another beast person, and had children?

No, according to "Watchdog," she would have been saved by someone else even if it wasn't me. Whether it was good that it was me, I need to make sure she thinks it was good that I saved her.

"So, what did you catch?"

"I caught a tree deer. I gutted it and left it in the lake. Let's go get it first thing tomorrow morning."

"Alright, I'll help you carry it. Go wash your hands first."

"Okay."

And so, we had our usual dinner.

"How was it? The arrows and knives?"

"They were amazing! The arrows went in deep, and when I used the knives to clean the deer, they worked perfectly and really helped."

"That's good to hear."

After that, Sermia gave a detailed explanation of how she caught the deer, complete with gestures, and I listened with a smile.

The next morning, Sermia and I went to the lake, bringing rope and an axe.

"Um..."

Sermia was trying to find where she had submerged the deer.

"Oh, there it is. You can see the arrow."

"Ah, you're right."

"It's a bit further in."

"Shall we go get it?"

As we approached, we saw the large body of the deer submerged in the water.

"First, let's pull it to the shore. Can you help, Sermia?"

"Sure."

We grabbed the deer's legs and dragged it. It was easier than expected, probably due to the buoyancy.

Once we got it to the shore, we cut down two trees of a suitable size with the axe, cut them to the right length, and tied them together with rope to make a makeshift platform. We tied another rope to one end to make it easier to pull. We placed the deer on top, and the transport was ready. Sermia and I pulled it together.

Either we were strong, or the deer was lighter than expected, as it moved smoothly. We arrived home in about 40 minutes. Now, it's time to butcher it.