Chapter 179: Rising Up
Three days have passed since I saw Ash off without incident.
At Kanum’s House, I’ve been lounging around while making recovery potions and processing magic stones, enjoying the soothing days with Daifuku’s chewy presence.
Thinking about it, Daifuku is probably a higher-tier spirit than Dinoss’s dragon, considering its size. They seem to be about the same when curled up. It’s not an attack type, so I can’t really say if it’s strong or not.
I’d be happy if it would form a contract with someone close to me, but who knows? It seems to show itself from time to time, and it turned its back to Retze—an apparent sign of trust—so I think it’s not entirely indifferent.
According to Retze, the butler has already made arrangements, so Ash is apparently not in any danger. He casually mentioned something frightening about the royal family being unable to oppose the duke’s household. He didn’t tell me or Ash on purpose, though. Damn it!
Even so, the thought of someone I’ve grown close to drifting away due to external circumstances triggers my trauma and brings my mood down. This time, my sister isn’t involved. Back then, my friends were the ones who suffered while being ignored, and it was only natural for their parents to choose to move. —I feel sorry for them; they probably have their own trauma.
I need to snap out of it; I should at least work outside. No more hiding away.
With that in mind, I returned home briefly and took Rishu with me to the Forest House. The outer walls are coming along nicely. The stonework is up to waist height, and above that, there will be dark brown pillars and white plaster walls. The plaster will be the last step before the roof goes on.
The roof will be made of slate tiles. There are thin stones that break easily when struck in a certain direction, and we’re using those as tiles. This method is quite common in many regions here.
However, some natural stones can absorb water, which is typical for areas with little rain. Even if it does rain, the steep angle of the roof ensures that it flows off quickly.
To prevent water from soaking in, the design allows for quick drying, so it’s normal to see tiles through the gaps in the wood when you go up to the attic. But since it’s a bit cold here and it snows, I plan to insulate the attic.
Using regular tiles or copper sheeting would be the easiest option, but the appearance matters! I deliberately chose pillars and beams that aren’t perfect, opting for ones that are slightly warped. Of course, I considered the load and durability, and I even switched to thicker materials.
I’m a resident from a country that used to experience earthquakes, so I’ve added some braces between the stones. I dug until I hit bedrock and built the walls from there, but it’s a bit nerve-wracking! I also made sure to widen the foundation just in case I didn’t hit bedrock!
While working and thinking about the house, my mood lifted significantly. I now have the strength to help if needed, and if it comes down to it, I could escape with everyone. I even feel like I could take down an entire country if I really tried.
Alright, alright, let’s stay positive!
“Rishu, let’s have lunch.”
I called out to Rishu, who was gnawing on the Ex-Staff after getting bored chasing butterflies around the barrier.
I prepared water and meat for Rishu, while I made a baguette sandwich with coffee. I prefer fluffy egg sandwiches made with sliced bread or butter rolls, but today I went for roast beef and Camembert cheese, with tomatoes, arugula, and onions as the veggies.
Adding roast beef makes it feel luxurious, and the slightly bitter taste of the arugula combined with the texture of the onions is just right. Shrimp and avocado baguette sandwiches are great too, and so are mackerel sandwiches. I baked plenty of baguettes, so I can make a variety.
After lunch, I planned to head deeper into the forest for some combat. By this point, the animals I know are few and far between. There are even some that attack with non-physical methods.
Beasts that breathe blue fire, and those that roar while spreading poisonous mist.
I step in, slash, dodge, and call upon spirits for assistance when necessary. —I’ve gotten quite used to hunting. Maybe it’s time for Rishu to join me? That is, if he wants to come along.
I think defeating demon beasts will make me stronger, but I’ve heard that if you kill too many, you get drawn into the hearts of the beasts and go mad. It’s probably about absorbing too much of the Black Spirit.
I can’t believe Rishu doesn’t have Mental Resistance like I do, but I wonder how that works.
I should start seriously considering battles against enemies that aren’t affected much by physical attacks. Even so, I hesitate because there are many humanoid enemies in both the west and north. I have Mental Resistance, but I wonder if I’ll be okay against humanoids.
Having resistance doesn’t mean I’ll be fine. I won’t be eroded by spirits or magic, and I won’t break, but it still hurts. Well, I’ve gotten quicker at surfacing from past memories.
After taking down five or six beasts, I calm my mind. There’s no sign of any demon beasts lurking nearby.
“Ex-Staff!”
I pulled it out from [Storage] with a swift motion.
“Aye aye, sir!”
There’s not much meaning in calling its name, but the lively Ex-Staff responds cheerfully.
“Let’s explore this area.”
“Sure thing!”
With the Ex-Staff, I rustled the grass at the base of the trees and measured the depth of the burrows. The further I go into the forest, the more I encounter places where the climate and environment have gone awry. Right now, I’m in a summer forest with blueberries growing, which feels like the season is a month or two ahead.
Picking wild blueberries is quite a challenge, as they only grow to about ankle to calf height. I crouched down, searching for the areas with the most berries while picking them with the Ex-Staff.
My back is starting to stiffen… This is tougher than fighting demon beasts, what should I do? The Ex-Staff is just laughing.
As I was about to take a break in a sunny spot, I discovered raspberries. Raspberries grow in open areas like this, where fallen trees create space in the forest. But I’ll wait to pick them until after I rest.
I poked at the fallen tree with the Ex-Staff to ensure it wouldn’t collapse and sat down. First, I took out a tray and placed tea and Florentine on it. Florentine is a pastry made by coating nuts in caramel on a cookie base and baking it. This time, I mixed almonds with pumpkin seeds.
I’ve exercised and worked hard. Enjoying afternoon tea in the sunlit forest—this is happiness.