Chapter 21

Rike is coming to my house today right away. I suggested that he could come tomorrow since I would pick him up, but he was eager to come today, so I agreed. If we dawdled, it would get dark and dangerous, so I made sure Rike packed his things quickly.

Fortunately (or so it seemed), Rike was always ready to leave at a moment's notice, and he came down from the second floor almost immediately. However...

"Are you okay with that? Your luggage..."

"Yes, I've come this far with it."

"That's true."

Rike was carrying a backpack that was about half his size. It looked like he had repaired it in various places during his journey. But indeed, as Rike said, if he had come this far with it, he should be fine walking.

"Let's get going then. Even though Sermya is there, it will be tough once the sun sets."

"Understood, Master!"

Rike answered enthusiastically. I'll have to get him to stop calling me 'Master' eventually...

The three of us hurried down the road. Sermya and I were fine, but Rike had drunk a fair amount of alcohol and was carrying a large amount of luggage, yet his steps were steady. This must be what it means to be a dwarf... We arrived at the entrance to the forest about twenty minutes earlier than usual.

"From here, we'll be walking through the forest, so don't get lost."

"Yes, Master."

"If you do get lost, I'll find you, but don't shout. You might attract something dangerous."

Sermya warned him.

"Y-Yes, I understand."

"We'll take a break in about an hour, so try to make it until then."

"Yes!"

And so, we started walking through the forest. Rike wasn't as worried as I thought, but he was clearly not used to walking through the forest for long periods. He stumbled over tree roots and grass from time to time, but he didn't fall behind us. We managed to reach the first break without any issues.

"Rike, how are your feet? If they hurt, let me know."

"No, I'm fine. They're not hurting at all."

"In situations like this, pushing yourself is the most dangerous. If you feel any discomfort, tell me immediately."

"Yes, I understand, Master."

After we set off again and walked for about an hour, we arrived at my house just before the sun set. My home, which also serves as a workshop, stood in the dim light. Rike didn't fall or complain about his feet hurting during the journey.

"This is our house and workshop."

"Wow, it's quite big!"

"Yeah, it is."

It's big enough to make someone jump if they see it suddenly.

"Are your feet okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine! It was easier to walk than I thought!"

"Good. Come inside for now."

I unlocked the door and opened it.

"Okay!"

Rike pattered inside, followed by Sermya.

"Sermya."

I called out to her.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Thanks."

I noticed that Sermya had chosen a route that was easier to walk and had a lower chance of encountering other creatures.

"Oh... You're welcome..."

Sermya blushed and hurriedly went inside. Part of it was payback for when Rike called me 'Master' and made her laugh, but this guy is kind of cute when he does that.

I let Rike and Sermya clean up in the bedroom, while I cleaned up in the study and quickly prepared a meal. The three of us sat down to eat.

"Alright, it's good that you're here, but we don't have an extra room for you to sleep in. So, for now, Rike and Sermya will share the bedroom."

"Wait, no, that's too much. I don't want to intrude on you two. I have camping gear, so I can sleep on the floor somewhere."

"Hmm? Sermya and I already sleep in separate rooms, so it won't be any different."

In fact, Sermya slept in the bedroom, and I slept in the study. She had offered to let me use the bedroom several times, but I always declined. By the way, I sleep wrapped in a blanket, which is surprisingly comfortable.

"Really? Even though you're married?"

"Wha!?"

Sermya, who was ahead of me, spat out the tree deer soup she was drinking.

"Idiot! What are you saying! Me and Eizou aren't like that!"

Sermya, probably with a red face, protested vehemently. It's hard to tell with beastfolk, but her face must have been red.

"Really? When I met you, Sermya seemed to protect Master instinctively, and you two kept exchanging glances. Master also seemed to care about Sermya in your words, so I just assumed..."

Rike looked puzzled. Sermya and I have only known each other for about a month, but we've been together almost all the time, so we've developed a certain level of telepathy. We tend to communicate without words, and Sermya usually understands me. But he must have been paying close attention... It's a bit embarrassing.

"Well, that's not the case. Sermya and I are just like family."

"We live in the same workshop, after all."

For dwarves, living in the same workshop is equivalent to being family.

"Something like that."

I glanced at Sermya, who seemed to have recovered and was hunched over, sipping her soup. I need to be more careful with these things.

"Anyway, for now, the two women will share the bedroom, and the man will sleep in the study. This is a decision made by me, the owner of this house and the master of the workshop, and it's non-negotiable."

"Understood."

"Got it."

Rike and Sermya responded. They probably don't agree, but I have to push through this.

"Well, it's just until we can build separate rooms."

"By the way, do we have enough wood?"

"Yeah, we should have enough... It should be dry by now, so we can start tomorrow."

"Understood!" "Alright."

And so, a new resident joined our household.