Chapter 76

"Here you are. Hurry up."

While people were shaking hands in a touching moment... This voice belongs to Sequoia.

Indeed, I had planned to go out with her after this.

Pata pata—.

Feeling a coldness on my shoulder where I was touched, I instinctively let go of the hand I was shaking.

The source of the pata pata sound turned out to be a penguin's flippers.

A penguin, with its short stature and flippers, shouldn't be able to reach my shoulder even if it stretched.

Turning around, I saw Sequoia holding the penguin up with both hands.

Since the penguin was slightly taller than Sequoia, the sight of her holding up a giant stuffed animal made her look like a little girl begging her father for a toy.

I'm not her father, though!

"Time is money, Joshua."

The penguin raised its right flipper and delivered a cool line, but with water dripping from its feet and still being held by Sequoia, the look and the line didn't match at all.

"Soaked to the bone, huh? What happened?"

"That's it. Look, I had prepared a faucet for washing vegetables, right?"

"Oh, you were playing in the sink?"

"Aye. That faucet is a magical artifact, isn't it? We don't have any magic stones on hand, though."

"Indeed, our stock of magic stones is running low. Should we switch to well water?"

If we install a manual pump, we can get water by moving the lever up and down.

There are still some places in Japan where you can find such things.

"Penguin, do you understand the structure of a well pump?"

"It's not particularly complicated. With Torre's skills, it can be made quickly."

"Great. Can I ask Torre for the plans later?"

"Understood. A well pump is essential. It allows for easy bathing."

Sure enough, the penguin. If I leave it to him, it should be fine.

Since he has a desire to bathe, he'll probably get to work right away.

"A well pump, huh? Interesting. But hurry up, Joshua."

"Alright, alright."

Don't rush me, really.

But, maybe others are waiting.

In that case, I shouldn't take my time and should get going.

"Ellie, can you take the penguin to the blacksmith? If possible, please catch some fish for him."

"Understood. Should I leave the guard to Sequoia?"

"Yep. She'll be fine."

Ellie bowed deeply and took the penguin from Sequoia.

She could have let him walk, but she carried him.

Sequoia was holding the penguin away from her body, but Ellie was holding him close to her chest—.

"Ellie, you'll get wet."

"It's fine. It will dry quickly."

"It's better to keep walking until it dries."

"Understood."

The penguin started flapping his feet, as if to say, "Put me down," but Ellie followed my instructions and carried him as she walked.

I was worried about her blouse getting wet and see-through.

When we stepped out from the central wholesale market (planned site), a carriage was waiting.

Balthro was on the driver's seat.

The large shadow visible from the window was probably Gauruga.

Noticing me, Balthro winked and nimbly jumped down from the driver's seat.

He looked so cool... I want to exude that kind of wildness too.

"Hey, Master Joshua."

"But, you prepared everything so quickly."

"That's the magic, you know."

"Can Balthro use magic too?"

"Nope. That's the magic."

Following Balthro's gaze, there was a child holding hands with me, looking very pleased.

Noticing the attention, the child perked up his fox ears and put his free hand on his hip.

"With my magic, nothing is impossible."

"Sure, sure. We'll hear the rest in the carriage."

When I coldly dismissed him, Sequoia jumped to the carriage.

What an incredible jumping ability.

I, a mere human, slowly entered the carriage.

"Master Joshua, I've loaded the cargo, but—"

"Gauruga, you haven't heard the plan, have you?"

Gauruga, huddled in a corner of the cramped carriage, was supporting the stacked barrels with his right hand.

The barrels filled the carriage, even on the seats.

It must be difficult for the large Gauruga to move around in here. Good job on gathering them all.

"Gauruga, go to the driver's seat with Balthro. I'll stay inside."

Pushing Gauruga, who was reluctant to do such a trivial task, to the driver's seat, I could sit in the empty space between the seats. If the barrels fall, I'll...

"Here, Sequoia. There's space here."

"I know."

Patt-patt, I patted my knee, and Sequoia happily sat down, wagging her tail.

With the Sequoia Guard, I won't be harmed, and if the barrels fall, she'll instinctively support them.

It's a bit warm, though...

"Hey, sit still."

It's fine that she's flapping her legs like a child.

But, those fox ears. You're no good.

The tips of the fox ears are tickling my nose.

"Achoo"

I don't know if my sneeze was the signal, but the carriage started moving.

Gara gara gara—.

While the regular sound of the carriage wheels made me drowsy, I asked Sequoia, who was sitting on my lap.

"We're not going deep into the forest, right?"

"Of course not. It would be a waste of time to carry all this cargo."

"Did you tell Balthro the location?"

"Aye. There's an open area upstream from the blacksmith. There are no tall trees around, so it's perfect."

"Got it. I'm counting on you, wild child."

"If you're counting on me, here."

Well, there's no choice.

Just do your job properly. I don't want you to burn everything to a crisp because you're in a bad mood.

When I put my hand on Sequoia's head, I quickly pulled it back.

Her fox ears flattened in response.

So obvious, fox ears!

"Let's wait until it goes well. If we just sit here, we might fail."

"No way. Even if something happens, Balthro and I are here."

"Don't forget that I'm dead weight."

"No problem. That's why I left Sojiro behind, right?"

"Yep. I thought it would be better to have two guards. Balthro and Gauruga have combat experience, so they can protect themselves."

"...Balthro said he has combat experience?"

"No, that's my imagination... I asked him to explore because of that, but maybe he can only use scissors?"

"...It's fine. Don't worry about Balthro."

That's a relief.

It's not just my imagination.

If something happens, I'll ask Balthro and Gauruga to hide, and I'll rely on the Sequoia Guard.

I have these concerns, but I don't really think something will happen.