Chapter 29

After all the commotion, I took a break from blacksmithing for this day and the next, and the following day I went to retrieve the bear from the lake. I pulled up the heavy bear, removed its intestines, buried its heart in the ground, and discarded the rest in the bushes. I heard that the bear's gallbladder can be used as medicine, but since I couldn't identify it, I gave up and threw it away with the rest.

After that, I prepared a transport platform as usual and transported it home. When I carried the bear's arms, I couldn't get Rike to help, but with the transport platform, we could carry it together, so I asked for his help.

It took a bit longer to get home than usual with the deer, but the process of butchering the bear was not much different from that of a deer. Of course, there were differences in the skin's hardness, skeleton, and internal organs, but the tasks were almost the same. Normally, it would be much more difficult, but with three custom-made knives, it wasn't a problem.

I've heard that the bear's paws are a delicacy, but they are very troublesome to process, so I decided not to prepare them this time. I don't know if there will be a next time, and I don't plan to engage in another life-or-death struggle, so basically, I won't eat it.

Since I ended up with a lot more meat than usual, I made a lavish lunch. The bear meat wasn't as good as it could have been, probably due to poor handling, but it was still quite delicious. I will dry or salt the remaining meat for preservation, but we have enough to last for a while without Sermia hunting tree deer. It would be a waste to let it rot.

After finishing lunch, I took a break, Rike went back to blacksmithing, and Sermia finished the remaining wall installation for the room expansion. That was it for the day.

The next day, after finishing today's work, I plan to go to the town tomorrow to sell the goods. Since I took a break yesterday, I will have Rike and Sermia do the water fetching and room expansion, and I will focus on blacksmithing from early morning. My goal is to make three high-end models each of knives, short swords, and long swords.

I made the molds for the short swords and long swords, poured the iron, and removed the burrs. I concentrated a bit more than usual and hammered them into shape. While the molds were drying and the iron was cooling, I also worked on the knives.

Finally, I quenched them all, polished them, and completed them. It took almost the whole day. I think this is only possible because of my efficiency; normally, fewer items would be made.

"I was hesitant to call you for lunch because you were so focused," Sermia said.

After finishing all the work, I put out the fire in the workshop and started cleaning up when Sermia came over.

"Are you done for today?"

"Yeah, I managed to make the number I was thinking of."

"Good. Can you come with me for a moment?"

"Sure."

Sermia led the way, looking excited, and I followed her slowly.

When we returned to the living room, I felt a sense of something being off. It wasn't that there was something that shouldn't be there, but rather something that should be there was missing.

"Oh."

In one corner of the living room, an opening had been made in front of the bedroom. That was the source of the odd feeling.

"Did you finish the room?"

"Yeah, two rooms. The hallway is connected too."

"Wow, that's impressive."

"I worked on it all day except during meals."

Following Sermia, I peeked into the hallway, where Rike was.

"Hey, Rike, good job."

"No, no, it's thanks to Sermia."

I didn't think it would be finished today, even though it was almost complete from recent work.

The hallway had room entrances, and a sloping roof was properly installed.

However, the doors weren't finished, and there were no bedding or furniture, so it was really just "the rooms are done." On the other hand, if we prepare those, it will be complete.

If we work efficiently, it should take about 2-3 weeks.

"I need to make the doors, bedding, and furniture first."

"Huh, you're going to put doors on the rooms?"

"Huh?"

I felt like Rike asked me something significant.

"Of course, they're girls' rooms."

"No, usually, doors are only put on guest rooms or the master bedroom."

Ah, I see. That makes sense.

"Well, it might be, but having a proper study and bedroom in a blacksmith's house is already unusual. Let's consider this my request and put doors on the apprentices' and family's rooms too."

"If you want, I don't mind. What about Sermia?"

"I don't mind either. I've never lived in a house before, after all."

"Oh, right..."

"Then, let's do it. Even if it's simple, I need to make some hinges."

I think I can make them relatively easily with my cheat, but it will definitely be a detailed task, unlike weapons or farming tools. It seems like a good opportunity to test how much I can handle with my cheat. For that reason, I really want to put the doors on.

After finishing the bear meat for dinner, it was time to sleep. From today, I will use the study, and the two girls will use the bedroom. The new rooms aren't ready yet.

The girls seemed to want me to use the bedroom again today, but the pain has mostly subsided, and I need to get back to normal, so I asked for one more favor and decided to use the study.

Well, tomorrow is another day to go to town. Unlike before, I will only be selling to Camiro, but if the money from the sales and the iron ore and charcoal Camiro can procure are successful, it will be a good day.

I fell asleep, excited like a schoolboy before a field trip.