Chapter 77

"Master Joshua, Garuga and I will carry it, so please stay there."

"Huh, no. But at least one—"

"If it's one, I'll carry it."

With a "hmm," I tried to lift the barrel, but my back groaned, and Bartholomew stopped me. In the end, Sequoia snatched the barrel away from the side.

"Wait, Sequoia. At least one—"

"Then show me you can lift it."

When Sequoia let go, the barrel thumped back to the floor with a loud noise.

Alright, watch this.

I firmly grabbed the barrel with both arms and bent my knees.

Here we go.

"Ughhhhhhh."

Grr, ah, it's up.

It's up, right, the barrel.

But, my arms.

"At least, I thought you could lift it to your waist."

"Not yet, it's not over."

Phew.

Huh? What about the barrel?

Well, I immediately let go. Sequoia caught it with one hand just as it was about to tip over.

Don't misunderstand.

I'm not saying I can't carry it. It's just that time is precious, so Sequoia did it. Yeah.

Man, she looks like a little girl but can lift that weight so easily. Yeah.

"Do you feel some unpleasant gaze?"

"It's just your imagination. Just get off the wagon, Sequoia."

"Stop talking in such a creepy tone."

While watching Sequoia carry the barrel, I got off the wagon behind her.

Well, I can understand Garuga, with his log-like arms, lifting it easily.

But Bartholomew, who is slender but well-built, carrying the barrels outside so effortlessly is something you wouldn't see in Japan.

People in this world have mana, so they don't have the muscle strength you'd expect from their appearance compared to people on Earth.

So, I should have some muscle strength too, right?

But reality is cruel. How can I at least have half the strength of Bartholomew?

I want to say, "Strength is power" too.

By the way, I was easily picked up and tossed by Ellie.

When the busy work calms down, I might start running and strength training, but first, I need to indulge in some lazy sleep. Mmm, mmm.

"I don't understand what you're smiling about, but the preparations are ready."

"Oh, right, right."

"If someone had been more enthusiastic about lifting, it would have been done much faster."

"That was the deal, okay?"

I thought Sequoia's exasperated sigh with her arms crossed and one ear flattened was a bit cute. It's a secret.

She looks so cute when she acts playful because of her childlike appearance. Of course, as a child.

"Looking at me with such a lecherous gaze. Are you aroused?"

"No, not at all."

Poke poke.

She patted my back.

Sometimes I can't tell if Sequoia is perceptive or insensitive.

I don't really want to know her true intentions, though.

◇◇◇

"Master Joshua, please stay there."

"Garuga and I will protect you."

Sequoia stood in front of the stacked barrels, probably about to close her eyes and start the ritual.

The rest of us, the three of us, were about seven meters away.

But I can't see the front.

Bartholomew and Garuga are standing in front of me, ready to defend.

They're in a stance where they can draw their weapons at any moment, but Garuga's massive body blocks my view.

Mmm, mmm.

Is that light the magic circle drawn at Sequoia's feet?

Her skirt must be flipped up, showing her black panties.

I'm not particularly interested in her panties, but I want to see the barrels.

--- Roar.

A roar from a wild beast could be heard from the forest to the east.

It must have been a very loud roar to be heard from here.

Well, I'm counting on you, wild child.

I hope the negotiation goes well...

"Mmm, mmm."

The sound of Sequoia, the wild child, nodding reached my ears.

What's happening?

While I was anxiously listening to her "mmm, mmm," the roar of the wild beast stopped.

"It's done."

"How was it?"

"It was too easy, I was disappointed. It will come here soon."

"Great. It was worth gathering all this."

"I told it that this is the sweetest honey. It knew about the honey from this tree, but with its body, it could only lick what dripped."

"Maybe it was a favorite from the start."

"Of course. It has a sweet tooth, so your plan to lure it with food worked."

"Haha, animals are all about food, after all."

"Not all of them are that simple, though."

Yes, the contents of these barrels are all Cumberland syrup.

Identifying maple trees is easy, but collecting sap takes time.

We cut into the tree and wait for the sap to collect, but Sequoia's magic solved that.

I was worried the tree might wither, but she said it would be fine, so it should be.

"Master Joshua, it's here."

As soon as Bartholomew spoke, the bushes on the other side rustled.

To add, the location is indicated by Garuga, so even I noticed the rustling bushes.

The sweet-toothed wild beast appeared.

The beast, which emits a beautiful blue-white electric discharge, resembling a feline, approached us with a leisurely gait.

This is the magic beast "Thunder Beast" that I love so much.

I'm sure even a penguin would change its expression if it saw a Thunder Beast up close.

But I can't be mesmerized. This is undoubtedly a highly dangerous magic beast.

The hair on Garuga's arms stood on end from the overwhelming presence of the wild beast. Bartholomew, who was blocking my view, turned his head and smiled, "Nii."

No, just focus on the front. A direct hit from a lightning bolt while you're distracted could turn you into a charred mess.

Ignoring my concerns, Sequoia picked up a barrel and tipped it over.

Rumble—

Sequoia pushed the barrel with both hands, and it started rolling with a loud noise.

Straight towards the Thunder Beast!

Hey, hey, can't we do this more calmly?

Just as I was getting nervous, the Thunder Beast raised its right front paw and smacked the rolling barrel away.

Whoa.

The barrel was crushed in one hit, and sweet Cumberland syrup started dripping out.

The Thunder Beast licked the Cumberland syrup and then raised its head.

It stared straight at Sequoia, who nodded in response with her arms crossed.

"The deal is done here."

Sequoia said it so casually that I couldn't help but doubt if it was really true.