Chapter 51

As I stood there, Sequoia and the penguin were chatting by the riverbank, and I was just spacing out when I was grabbed by the collar by Tohre and Garam...

"What's going on? All of a sudden?" I was about to ask, but their eyes were bloodshot, and I swallowed my words.

I thought it might be about the bridge, but it wasn't.

"It's about the bridge structure, is this okay?"

"Following the model Tohre made."

Garam asked in a low, almost aggressive voice, and I was taken aback. It was just about the bridge, right? We had already discussed most of the details.

"So, Joshua, the key is how to 'connect' this bridge."

"Yeah, well, I guess so..."

"Then, how do you connect it? How do you extend it? Can you teach us about that? Come on, come on!"

"Uh, ah, sure. Yeah."

Oh no, this isn't good.

It looks like they won't let me go until this is done.

Tohre's usually calm eyes started to sparkle.

Garam was giving off a strange aura from his back.

"I want to prepare a map, a drawing... and if possible, a model."

"Of the whole town...?"

"Not that much. At the very least, we need it up to the central square. We can't just lay it out without a plan."

"Right, just the bridge... Yeah, that makes sense. Haha."

Oh no.

I was just planning to space out while Sequoia and the penguin played.

If I don't push this through as quickly as possible, I'll end up staying at the blacksmith's.

I won't let that happen, no way.

"Let's just do it. Starting with the blueprints!"

"Hehehe"

"Ha ha ha ha ha"

In a fit of desperation, I grabbed a piece of charcoal, raised both hands, and let out a strange cry.

◇◇◇

"Munch munch"

"They eat fish too, huh?"

Somehow, just after sunset, I and the penguin slipped back home.

I parted ways with Sequoia at the gate of the mansion.

Since I had promised to provide food, shelter, and clothing, I offered to treat the penguin to dinner... and it turned out he wanted fish.

Since we didn't have any fish, I asked Rumburg and Elly to ride to the Rubicon River to get some.

While waiting for them, I finished my meal, and now the penguin is eating in the study.

Still, his eating is so messy... for a former human.

When he talks while eating, crumbs fall from his beak.

"Munch munch... Of course. Even though they are river fish, they are quite fatty."

"I thought snails were your main food..."

"Snails are an easy source of protein. They taste better than you might think. This body can eat snails, and it's not afraid of parasites."

"But if your body is adapted to snails, is it okay to eat fish?"

"No problem. Penguins eat fish. This streamlined body and slow movement on land suggest they hunt in the water."

"Is it okay to cook them?"

"Sure. Think of a cat. Cats don't use fire, but they eat cooked fish and even lick soy sauce. Cooking kills bacteria and parasites. It's just a matter of taste. They don't eat it because they're not used to it."

I was about to point out that he probably just wanted grilled fish, but he looked so happy eating it that I decided not to.

After finishing five grilled fish, the penguin patted his white belly with his flippers and said, "Phew."

"Well, as promised, I've had my meal. You've provided me with a place to stay. Now it's my turn to contribute. I'll work to cover the cost of food, shelter, and clothing."

"Right, but I think we should start with learning. You know more about science than I do. I don't even understand how batteries work, let alone electrolysis."

"Hmm. But this world has a different kind of science. It uses energy that doesn't exist on Earth. It's called magic or mana."

"Have you heard some of this from Sequoia?"

"Just a little. But I know to prioritize work over personal interests."

"I have a lot of tasks I want you to handle. But the first one I want you to take on is the research to convert electrical energy into mana and create magic stones."

"Hmm. Can you give me an overview? It's a thrill to be able to work on something so exciting."

"Sure. I'll give you a rough idea. And of course, I'll help and participate in this research."

"Hmm, hmm. You're a model contractor. Can you handle it? Don't you have other work to do?"

"That's true. I have a lot of other things to do. So, I can't focus solely on this research."

"Understood. I'll do my best within my limits."

I grabbed the flipper he extended firmly.

I was fortunate to hire a former Japanese person with scientific knowledge, but I had a feeling he shared a similar trait with the craftsmen here.

That's why I said "roughly."

But the conversation kept veering off, and I was made to write incomprehensible chemical symbols on the blackboard... Before I knew it, it was late at night, and I fell asleep in the study again.

◇◇◇

Chirp chirp.

Snort.

The sound of birds chirping and a relaxed, different kind of chirping woke me up. I opened my eyes.

Oh, someone must have carried me to the bedroom. I felt bad because I had already used Alru's lap as a pillow twice.

If they had carried me to the bed, I wouldn't have kept them up all night. I felt a bit relieved.

But then, I saw Elly sitting in a chair with the penguin on her lap, snoring softly.

I'll quickly change without waking her up.

But just as I started to sit up, Elly reacted.

"Good morning, Master Joshua."

"Sorry. I kept you up all night."

"No, it's my duty as a maid to stay with you until the end once I've carried you."

"Thank you for carrying me, but Elly, you should have slept in a bed."

"No! I had a peaceful and happy sleep, so there's no need to worry!"

Elly held the penguin tightly and answered firmly.

But, Elly, you're squeezing too hard. The penguin's skin is squishing.

Fortunately, the penguin doesn't seem to feel pain and is still asleep...