Chapter 22

However, how am I supposed to get back with two unconscious adults?

Moreover, my feet hurt.

I’ve surpassed the point of not wanting to take another step; I never want to walk again in my life.

I could wait until the adults wake up, but it doesn’t seem wise to linger for a long time in a place where a Greater Bear appeared.

I’ve almost depleted my magic power from the spell I used to cut down the Greater Bear.

I’m not sure if I can handle another one if it comes.

Besides, I’m exhausted from all the events in the forest.

To be honest, I want to get back as soon as possible.

I want to see Giselle.

I never thought that this trip would drag on so long and end up with a rare magical beast attack.

Giselle must be worried that I haven’t returned.

I’m sorry, Giselle. I didn’t expect this trip to take so long.

However, I can’t possibly have Sibyl carry me.

Although she seems obedient now, after being attacked by the Greater Bear, I feel it might lead to some strange consequences later.

Moreover, I need to get my father and Galia back somehow... Ah, that’s right.

If I carve an Othum and ride on it, I won’t have to walk, and I can bring my father and Galia back.

I had considered using an Othum to travel when I came, but I gave up because my father was angry.

He said I was foolish for trying to build up my strength and then using an Othum.

Now, that’s not the case, and there are plenty of freshly cut trees.

I’ve heard that trees deep in the forest have high magic power, making them perfect for Othum materials.

However, when I try to start carving, my hands feel weak, and my vision is blurry.

My body is more worn out than I thought.

Not only from the magic, but also from walking too much.

I need to cast a spell on the Othum to make it move, so I decided to have Sibyl carve it while I take a short break.

“Sorry, Sibyl.”

“No, no, I can do this much for you!”

It feels like we’ve become good friends.

Before entering the forest, I had planned to use a flock of chickens to attack Sibyl, but life is unpredictable.

“But I’m not very good with my hands, so I don’t think I can carve it well…”

“Without paint, it will probably get worn out in the forest anyway. Since it’s disposable, the appearance doesn’t matter. I just need it to be completed quickly.”

“Understood!”

This time, it just needs to move.

There’s no time or need to add extra features.

Sibyl didn’t seem to have a wood carving knife, so I lent her mine.

“This knife is easy to use. It cuts better than the one I have at home.

I thought making four Othums from this size of wood would take a whole day… but if it’s just about carving the surface and drawing the face, it should be done quickly.”

“Ah, I engraved a spell on this knife. I tried to make it so that no matter how much you carve, you won’t get tired. With magic, it should cut through these trees like tofu.”

“Tofu?”

Hehe, but you noticed.

Next time, I’ll make one for Sibyl too.

I can’t help but feel proud when someone compliments me.

“But if I keep using this, my arm muscles might get weak.”

“Ah, yeah, that might be true. I had the same feeling, yeah.”

I lay down and looked up at the sky, waiting for the Othum to be completed.

I checked on my father and Galia every ten minutes or so and used magic to lightly check for any dangerous magical beasts nearby.

I started to feel drowsy while lying down, so I shook my head to stay alert.

My body is really exhausted.

I should have brought an Abel potion.

When I looked up, Sibyl was already carving the second Othum.

She was drawing the eyes with the blade.

“Sibyl, when you carve the face, hold the blade like a pen, not the handle…”

“Ah, there’s a way to do it? But you said the appearance doesn’t matter.”

“No, I know, but at least a minimum… Ah, and the completed side, could you shave off the remaining bark a bit more…?”

“Eh, no, Abel, you said the appearance doesn’t matter… If you do it so carefully, my father and Galia will wake up first.”

“Ah, yeah, that’s true. Sorry, I’ll try not to interfere.”

I said that, but I still can’t help but notice.

“Sibyl… when you use the knife, it’s better to hook your thumb on the back of the blade… No, no, this way, the work will be faster! Once you get used to it!”

“A, ah, yes!”

“Ah, that part… no, the mouth part. I’d like you to shave it and redo it. No, I’d like you to, but if you don’t want to, it’s fine, yeah.”

“...Yes.”

“Sibyl, I had an idea. How about adding arms to this Othum? Not redoing the carving, but making separate arms and drilling holes on the sides…”

“...”

“Hey, Sibyl? Can you hear me, Sibyl? Why are you ignoring me, hey!”

“Sibyl… it’s hard to say, but that part… Ah! Why did you stab the knife in! We’ll have to redo it again! It will damage the knife too!”

Although a rift seemed to form between Sibyl and me again, we somehow managed to complete the four large Othums.

However, looking at the Othums without color or decoration, I feel the urge to add more.

The bark isn’t fully shaved off, and they look like logs with faces.

Since the focus was on completing them quickly, it can’t be helped.

These are large Othums, and there should be many ways to use them.

“...Abel, we’re not adding arms, right?”

“N-no, I understand.”

I tried to help Sibyl carry my father, but I couldn’t lift my side.

Sibyl helped by placing my father on the Othum.

...Maybe I’ll start with some light exercise.