Chapter 94

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

While dismantling the orc, we also dismantled and burned the makeshift nest.

We had a barbecue for lunch while waiting for the debris to burn completely.

After confirming that we would take it easy for a while following the destruction of the nest, we left the forest.

Upon returning to town, we immediately went to make a reservation at Aera's restaurant, but fortunately, the restaurant was doing well, and we could only get a reservation three days later.

Aera apologized, looking regretful, but it's good that the business is thriving. If it had failed despite our advice, it would have been truly distressing.

The budget was negotiable, but we requested a 20 gold coin course for five people. Aera was quite surprised, but we told her it was a celebration and paid in advance.

For us now, 20 gold coins isn't a big deal... no, it's a good amount to spend for a special occasion. We can't afford luxuries anymore since the orcs are gone.

We mustn't forget our初心. We should always keep in mind the time when we only had 1,000 rares and couldn't even buy a change of clothes.

◇ ◇ ◇

The next morning, after finishing our usual training, I found myself at a loss.

To be honest, I had no plans.

"Hey, what are you guys doing today, Natsuki?"

"We're thinking of going to buy some fabric today."

When I asked Natsuki, who was about to leave after cleaning up, she gave me that answer.

It seems they had decided to buy fabric and make clothes, given the time they had.

We still make simple items ourselves, but we don't have many, and winter is coming. They plan to make seasonal items as well.

"Would you like to come, Naoto?"

"Ah, no, I'll pass. Thanks."

In Japan, I often accompanied people to avoid trouble, but to be honest, it's not very enjoyable to accompany women while they choose clothes. It's nice when they show off cute outfits, but it gets tiring after a few hours.

Even if it doesn't take that long just to look at fabric, I can't be too careful. It will probably take much longer than I expect.

There's not much to worry about in terms of trouble in this town. The security is good, and it's unlikely that anyone would harass women dressed as adventurers.

"Would you wear clothes I make for you, Naoto?"

"Of course. As long as they're not too outlandish, I'd be happy with anything."

"Thank you. I'll do my best!"

If she makes them, I should be the one thanking her, but it's fine since Natsuki seems happy.

Thanks to her sewing skills, the clothes Natsuki and the others make are of good quality and more comfortable than ready-made items bought here. There's no reason to refuse.

However, I'm a bit puzzled by the yukatas and jinbeis they give me as loungewear. They are practical, but whose taste is this?

◇ ◇ ◇

I thought about going shopping somewhere, but I don't need anything.

There are food stalls, which would normally be enjoyable, but knowing they are almost 100% terrible, there's no point.

Looking at ingredients at the morning market might be somewhat useful...

"Hey, Toya, what are your plans?"

"I don't have any specific plans. Any ideas?"

"If I had any, I would have asked, right?"

We could do magic training, but that would go against the idea of taking it easy.

Not that we need to stick to it, but it feels right.

"Maybe we should start a garden?"

"A garden...?"

I remember talking about making a vegetable garden.

We already have the land. The house isn't built yet, but it's not a bad idea to start now.

"A vegetable garden sounds like a hobby."

"Right? Fortunately, we have the land and shovels!"

"The shovel... the one we bought first. We haven't used it much since getting the spade."

"True. It's necessary for plowing, though."

A spade is handy for digging holes, but a shovel is essential for garden work.

"Let's just pick a spot in the corner of the yard... do we just need to plow?"

"No, for a vegetable garden, it would be better to have blocks to section it off, like a flower bed."

"That's true."

My idea of a vegetable garden is a square plot surrounded by blocks, with soil and plants inside. Without sections, it doesn't feel like a vegetable garden.

"Blocks... they won't be available for sale, right?"

"Right. We can use stones."

"True."

No one will complain if we pick up stones from outside the town.

It would be different if we went to a quarry.

Transporting them would be difficult, but we have magic bags, so it's not a problem.

"Let's go pick them up!"

"Sure!"

We grinned and set out of town with high spirits.

◇ ◇ ◇

"...Hey, Naoto. We rushed out, but where do you think we can find stones?"

"...That's a tough question."

East of the town is a grassland. If we follow the road, we'll see a forest, but I don't remember any rocky areas.

There are stones on the grassland, but not many of the size we need, and it would be hard to gather enough.

"In the forest, we sometimes see big rocks..."

"We can't go in there, can we?"

Even if we return safely, we'll definitely get scolded.

"First, how do we break the rocks? Can Toya use 'Something Slash' to cut them?"

"Of course not. The sword would bend. If we could do something like a magic sword through body enhancement, it might be possible, but..."

"Maybe if the laws of physics were bent. In reality, we need chisels, wedges, and hammers."

"Let's buy them from Ganz next time."

"Right. For now, let's pick up what we can find."

"Sure."

Toya and I split up and walked around the grassland, picking up stones.

There are very few, so we had to cover a large area. After about an hour, we had gathered less than a handful.

Many of them would break easily, so only about half would be suitable for our purpose.

I was getting tired, and in the distance, I could see the mountains. The forest spreads at the base, but there are no large trees above a certain point, which might be the tree line.

"There must be plenty of stones up there..."

But it's dangerous to go there. Unfortunately.

While I was resting, Toya, who had been searching for stones a bit away, ran over.

"Taking a break?"

"Yeah. But honestly, this isn't going to work. Should we change our approach?"

"Change... do you mean the mountain? That's too dangerous."

Toya shook his head, looking at where I was looking.

"I know. If we go, it will be somewhere else. By the way, the trees stop growing halfway up that mountain. Is that the tree line?"

"Hmm? They do stop, but... isn't it different? It's not that cold here, right? If my sense is correct, the altitude difference between here and there isn't that great."

"You're right. Then it must be something else?"

I remember hearing that the tree line is determined by temperature and wind. In warmer areas, the tree line is higher, and in colder areas, it's lower.

Since it's not that cold here, if the trees don't change much, it's strange for the tree line to be at that height.

"Maybe... volcanic activity... hot springs!?"

It's possible that trees don't grow due to gas or geological factors.

"That's possible, but shouldn't there be more signs?"

"No steam or anything visible."

My bias might be that volcanic activity equals steam, but I'd like to hope for hot springs.

There's little entertainment in this world, so a private hot spring would be a dream. Of course, getting strong enough to soak in the hot springs without worry would be a challenge.

"What do you think? Should we continue picking up stones?"

"How many have you gathered, Naoto?"

"Eight. How about you, Toya?"

"I have ten. ...It's not enough."

"Right. Let's change our approach."

Running around the grassland like this is too inefficient.

We might find stones by digging, but that would also be inefficient.

"Should we go to the forest and break rocks?"

"If we do, we should call Haruka and the others. Can we disturb them while they're choosing fabric and making clothes?"

"No way."

Toya answered immediately. I don't want to disturb them either.

A little consideration can prevent conflicts.

Men and women naturally have different perspectives and interests, so it's important to meet each other halfway to maintain a good relationship. If one person always gives in, the relationship won't last.

"Let's get the tools from Ganz and see how it goes."

"Right. It's not urgent, and it's just a way to pass the time."

"Since that's the case, Ganz, can you give us the tools we need to cut stones?"

"What's the reason? I'll sell them to you if you pay. Chisels, wedges, hammers, and a shaping hammer. You'll need several wedges depending on the size of the stone you want to split."

"Shaping hammer?"

"It's a hammer shaped like this."

Ganz showed us a hammer with one side pointed like a screwdriver. It's used to shape roughly split stones into the desired shape.

"Then, I'll take a set."

"If you insist, but I think it's better to hire a stonemason. You won't get good results as amateurs."

"Hehe, it's fine. It's just for fun. I understand that hiring a professional would be cheaper in the long run."

Considering the time we would spend gathering and shaping stones to make the garden frame, it would be more efficient to hire a professional with the money we earn from slaying monsters.

But that wouldn't be fun. It's a hobby, so we should do it ourselves, even if we're not good at it.

"Alright, if you understand. Here's the set. Come back if you need more."

"Thank you."

We paid for the tools Ganz gathered and returned to the inn.

We could hear Haruka and the others having fun in the next room, so we nodded to each other and spent the day quietly in our room.