Chapter 123: Preparing for the Camp
While receiving educational guidance from Uma, I made my way northeast along the edge of the Forest.
After all, there are so many fish back home, and I can’t shake off the image of Japanese supermarkets. It’s particularly difficult to rid myself of Japanese values. Sure, Kanum might be a bit too cool for oranges to thrive, but how about mandarins at least?
Putting that aside, the nearest Fortress City is located at the eastern edge of the Forest. The abandoned mine we’re aiming for is buried even further east within the woods. I don’t plan on getting close to the Fortress, but since horses can’t navigate too deep into the Forest, considering the time, this route along the edge is the fastest.
We’re not heading straight there due to the availability of water, and there are no well-maintained roads, so I’m relying on my memory and the terrain. I’m quite impressed with how well I remember the locations of the ponds scattered throughout the Forest.
Normally, one would take a longer route along the roads, but if you’re somewhat strong and skilled at hunting, staying close to the Forest means you won’t have to worry about food or water. The inns along the roads are a rip-off, and they cram you into rooms like sardines.
Still, having a roof and walls is a blessing, especially when I think back to my life on that first Island.
Once, I encountered a rather large group of monkeys, but after taking down the first few, they stopped coming out.
“Be careful! If you take down one of the black monkeys, the whole group will relentlessly pursue you!” Dinoss was seriously teaching the children.
I’ll do my best to avoid those black monkeys.
“The pink monkeys further south go into a panic if you take down the lightest-colored one!” Chris struck a pose, and the kids cheered with delight.
Chris is popular with the children, not just because he’s overly dramatic but also because he treats them the same way he does adults.
Once Retze and the Butler noticed the three of them were watching, they explained the steps more slowly than usual, making sure everyone understood.
Dean was acting like a friendly older brother, while Ash was trying hard not to look scary, but ended up looking even scarier. Still, the kids seemed to be getting used to it, and their interactions were gradually increasing.
I was learning by riding on their coattails.
“Listen up, if you’re going to use Gene as a model, be prepared for the fact that you might not be able to go back!” Dinoss said seriously to the three children.
“That sounds terrible.”
“I agree with that sentiment.”
The Butler smiled. Was that directed at Dinoss? Or was it for me?
I had just set up a hammock. The weather looked a bit iffy, and being close to the ground made me a little uneasy, but there were plenty of branches to tie the ropes to in the Forest.
“However, I feel like this might not be so bad after all,” I said, threading the rope through the eyelets at the ends of the giant lizard’s sheet, tightening both ends, and hanging the rope on a tree.
The Butler quickly imitated me, setting up his own hammock. He stretched a rope above it and draped a sheet over it to create a tarp.
Each of us had one large and one small sheet. They were all well-loved along with our backpacks. The giant lizard skin is durable and hardly tears, making it incredibly convenient.
“I’m back!”
“I caught a lot of fish!”
“I feel like something’s gone wrong again…” Ash, Shiva, and Retze returned.
Today’s food procurement team consisted of these three along with Dean and Chris. Even if they didn’t catch anything, they each brought enough supplies to get by, but it’s always better to have a full belly.
“I’ve prepared the sleeping area while you were gone.”
“Well, even if you say sleeping area, I’ve never seen a landscape like this before.”
I agreed that a corner of the Forest had turned into a playground for the kids.
“I’m back! A black deer!”
“It’s a big one!”
Dean and Chris returned, carrying meat. Since they had already skinned it, I couldn’t tell what it originally was.
“Oh, splendid!”
“Welcome back, good job!”
The Butler and I received the meat, while Shiva and Retze took care of the fish.
“So, what’s this place?”
“It’s quite unique!”
Dean squinted slightly while Chris looked around with a smile.
“It’s fun to swing!”
“Bed!”
“Sleeping area!”
The children squealed with delight.
“Hey! We’re camping in a dangerous area right now! It’s fine to have fun, but we have work to do!” I scolded the kids like a father.
No matter how many of us there are, and even if no Demon Beasts are approaching, a little carelessness could lead to terrible consequences.
“Okay!”
The three of them responded and scampered off to help with other tasks.
“Oh dear, the culprit behind this is Gene, isn’t it?”
Ugh!
“I didn’t mean any harm.”
I averted my gaze, but I was just watching the three kids having fun with a smile.
“It’s fine; this looks comfortable, and it’s actually scarier if you can do everything perfectly from the start. It’s a parent’s privilege to scold and teach. Just be careful, Gene, since you seem to lack the caution of my children—”
Shiva warned me with a smile.
“You seem like you wouldn’t notice if a Demon Beast showed up while you’re focused on your work.”
Dinoss added his two cents.
Dean and Chris were noisy and seemed to be having fun, but they were sensitive to the presence of Demon Beasts and could respond quickly. In fact, everyone except me and the kids could handle things to varying degrees.
The lack of caution I developed over eighteen years in Japan doesn’t seem like it’ll change anytime soon. I can rely on the Spirit to alert me to dangers, and in a pinch, I could keep my Exploration spell active, but I should learn while there are people around.