Chapter 107: End of the story.

After Mel burst into tears, Yunis barged in, causing chaos. After explaining that Mel’s tears were tears of joy, things finally settled down, but it was exhausting.

“We still have things to discuss, so please go over there,” I said.

“Don’t treat me like a dog!”

Yunis didn’t seem to like the dismissive gesture I made and angrily stomped back to the other end of the hallway.

I should have asked Bell to create a barrier that not only blocked sound but also prevented people from entering. But that would only complicate matters.

“I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Well, I can understand your feelings to some extent, but please calm down as there are many things going on.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Mel looking down, I felt guilty… Mel is an adult after all. There shouldn’t be anything strange about the current situation.

“Using the method I explained earlier, try to communicate with Melal as much as possible. As for leveling up to form a contract, do you have any plans?”

“…If I ask Yunis-chan, she might help, but since we need to form a party, it might take some time.”

“Yuta, please help her out.”

Melal asked me with a pleading pose. I realized that Melal is quite overprotective. It feels like how I feel towards the children. Since I promised to help with the level up, I nodded in agreement.

“Mel-san, I’m currently training an apprentice. Would you like to level up together? It will also help with communication with Melal.”

“Um… I don’t want to inconvenience you…”

“Melal wants you to learn as a spirit magician, so I don’t mind. But it’s not mandatory; it’s up to you, Mel-san.”

After thinking for a while, Mel came to a decision and said, “Please take care of me.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll let you know when we enter the labyrinth. We will start exploring from tomorrow, but what will you do? It might take around three days. If it’s too sudden, we can do it another time.”

“Tomorrow is fine. Not many customers come to the workshop anyway.”

Please don’t say something sad. With a somewhat melancholic feeling, we decided on the schedule for leveling up. I suggested practicing by forming a contract with a floating spirit or a low-level spirit, but Mel declined.

Mel apologized multiple times with a look of deep remorse. When I asked for the reason, Mel explained that their family had been contracting with Melal for generations as blacksmiths, and contracting with another spirit would be a betrayal of their loyalty.

While Melal seemed deeply moved, I set aside my emotions and reassured them that it was not a problem from the spirit’s perspective. However, no matter how many times I apologized and insisted, Mel remained firm. Melal said they were stubborn, and I suppose this is one aspect of it.

In the end, Mel made a selfish request, saying she couldn’t accept help with leveling up. She wanted to try their best on her own.

Melal was the one who panicked. I thought it would be fine if Mel wanted to try her best on her own, but Melal pleaded with me, and it was decided that I would help with Mel’s level up.

“Then, I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow morning, so please prepare. You have your Adventurer Guild card and equipment, right?”

“Yes. I prepared them for leveling up to form a contract with Melal-sama.”

“Alright then, let’s conclude our discussion here since Yunis seems impatient. Please remember, everything we discussed today and the training plans are to be kept secret. That’s the promise between Melal and me, and if you reveal the secret, Melal will truly disappear.”

“I-I understand. I will absolutely keep it a secret. Um, I’m not sure if it’s okay to ask, but can you communicate with spirits, Yuta-san? Ah, no, forget I asked. I’m sorry for asking something unnecessary.”

She asked without permission and immediately apologized. As Melal said, she’s really timid.

“It’s okay. As long as you keep it a secret, there won’t be any problems. And yes, I can communicate with spirits. You’ll understand more about it later, so let’s end it here for today.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Oh, by the way. It’s fine to let Yunis know that you’ll be entering the labyrinth, but make sure she doesn’t come along.”

If Mel doesn’t return for three days starting from the day we meet, Yunis seems like she’ll make a big fuss. But if I say something, she’ll definitely follow us with all her might. I need Mel to do their best.

“Y-Yes. I’ll do my best.”

Since Yunis seems incredibly anxious, I wrap up the conversation and join her. Yunis immediately embraces Mel and starts questioning her about whether anything strange happened or if I made any suspicious promises. I wish she would at least wait until I leave.

After somehow digesting most of Melal’s request, I leave the workshop. It was unexpectedly challenging, even though it was just teaching some basic concepts.

“Yuta, thank you. I will definitely repay this favor. I’ll rely on you from tomorrow as well.”

“Understood. And Melal, please make sure to communicate well with Mel.”

“Yeah!”

Melal’s smile is dazzling. He must be happy that Mel’s worries have been somewhat resolved and that they can communicate now. It’s a lively smile befitting a young boy’s appearance.

I’m feeling a bit satisfied. It was me who made this young spirit smile! Well, no one else can see it except for spirits and me.

“So, Yuta-chan, what are we going to do now?”

“Hmm, it’s still morning, so we have plenty of time. Since I received a referral letter for a carpenter, let’s go meet them first. And if we have extra time, we can visit the furniture shop we couldn’t go to last time. How does that sound?”

“That sounds good! I’m looking forward to the furniture shop. And Yuta-chan, what are you going to ask the carpenter?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but I want to improve our life in the Land of Death, so I’m thinking of discussing household matters. I’m also considering having them build a reference house to make our lives more comfortable since we have some money now.”

We already have quite a bit of furniture, and it feels lonely to keep living in a house carved out of rocks. Since we’re pioneering in this land, I want to create my ideal place.

“We’re going to buy a house? Then, please make a room for your Oneechan too.”

“Bell wants a room too.” “Kyukyu!” “A room? I want to be together with everyone.” “Kukuu.”

Huh? Everyone wants their own rooms? It seems like Turu wants to be with everyone, but what about the rest? Don’t we need to build a mansion because there won’t be enough rooms? Besides, we’re assuming it will become a sanctuary. Is it confirmed that it will become one?

(Didn’t Dyne want her own house?)

“I’m Yuta’s Oneechan, so it’s only natural for me to have a room in Yuta’s house.”

What natural is she talking about? Is “natural” even the right word to use in this situation?

(Is Dolly also happy to have a room?)

“Yes, it would be nice to have a room where I can experience a normal person’s life. But the house that Yuta mentioned before, the one on top of the spirit tree, is also lovely, isn’t it?”

…So Dolly would also be happy to have a room. And it seems like she’s drawn to the treehouse. It’s a bit strange to imagine the elegant Dolly in a treehouse. There’s a slight sense of incongruity.

But if that’s the case, we’ll need to prepare rooms for Sylphy and Nomos too, or it wouldn’t be fair. And there might be new spirits or disciples in the future. How many rooms do we need?

(I see. In that case, we’ll need to build a large house. Let’s start with a small one for now, and if it’s confirmed to become a sanctuary, we can order or build a bigger one. Everyone, think about the kind of house or room you want.)

If we order a mansion and it turns out only a few people will live in it, that would be too sad.

“That sounds good. It’s fun to think about houses, rooms, and furniture.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve lived a long time, but this is the first time I’ve seriously thought about housing. It’s a little exciting for me too.”

Dyne’s personality doesn’t make it seem strange, but it seems like Dolly is also looking forward to it. Houses may be more enjoyable for the spirits than I originally thought. I should get excited too. A home is an important thing, after all.

While thinking about various things, I arrived at the carpenter’s place that Marie-san recommended. However, despite asking for a carpenter, it feels more like a construction company. Let’s go inside for now.

“Welcome.”

When I entered, a smiling woman greeted me. It feels even more like a company now.

“Good morning. I have an introduction letter, should I show it here?”

“Yes, please leave it with me.”

I handed the introduction letter I received from Marie-san to the receptionist.

“This is an introduction from the Porius Trading Company, right? I will call the person in charge, please have a seat and wait.”

As I sat on one of the chairs arranged there, a bearded little man approached. It was immediately apparent that he was a dwarf. It seems like today is a day connected to dwarves in some way. And he resembles Nomos.

“Hey there. You must be the one who brought the introduction letter from Miss Marie. I’m Jill. Nice to meet ya.”

The atmosphere suddenly shifted from a corporate setting to a construction site.

“I’m Yuta. Nice to meet you.”

“So, what can I do for ya? Miss Marie’s letter only asked me to hear your request.”

“Is that so? Um, I’m looking for a house with storage capabilities. Is that possible?”

“Huh? You mean a house that can fit inside a magic bag? Occasionally, wealthy folks with highly advanced magic bags make such houses, so it’s possible. But do you also have a high-performance magic bag?”

So everyone’s thinking the same thing. Well, anyone would consider having a house that can be carried around if they had a bag like that. But if it’s already made, it’s easier to place an order, so that’s helpful.

“Well, I have a highly advanced magic bag, so I’d be happy if I could have a portable house. Is that possible?”

“That thing won’t be just for fun. Even if you have a good house, you won’t have the opportunity to use it if you don’t go out, and if you neglect defense in its construction, it’ll be dangerous outside. Besides, the storage capacity for the house will decrease. On top of that, if the capacity is tight, it will be more troublesome to take the house out of the bag and put the items inside. It’s much better to have a tent, if you ask me!”

Listening to him, it’s true that it’s just a luxury. It’s understandable that a tent is more practical overall. But wait, is he trying to reject the order? Jill seems unhappy.

“Don’t worry. I’ve secured a safe place in a dangerous location. I want a proper house for living there.”

It’s a dangerous land, that’s for sure. I won’t waste it, so please build it. The capacity is unlimited, so there’s no problem. I can’t say that, though.

“I see. If that’s the case, it won’t be a waste. Alright, I’ll make it for you. Come this way, what kind of house do you want?”

I followed Jill as he walked with heavy steps. I thought he was going to reject the order based on his mood, but I’m relieved that it worked out somehow.