Chapter 261: Night Conversation with Karn
“Hmm… even the skin of the lizard feels a bit chilly.”
Though it’s waterproof, the areas where my shoulders and backside press against the ground feel slightly cold.
“It’s a world apart from normal, though…”
“Indeed. I think it’s quite comfortable.”
Retze and Ash.
“If I pack too much inside, it’ll be cumbersome to carry. It’s tricky.”
If we were camping, I’d lay down a urethane mat with an aluminum sheet, or if we were in the forest, I’d use fallen leaves, moss, or cedar leaves, but I have none of that here.
“What’s wrong? If you’re cold, I can cuddle with you.”
Dean says with a laugh.
“No thanks. If it comes down to it, I have heating.”
“You do?”
I answered immediately, and Retze chimed in with a quip.
With a robe coat and heating system, I plan to proceed under the same conditions, so I’m not using it right now. And Ash, please stop looking so sullen with the blanket pulled back. Remember your gender…!
The butler gently adjusts the blanket over Ash.
Tonight’s watch is a rotation between Dinoss, Karn, me, the butler, and Ash. If a Black Spirit appears, Chris and Dean won’t be able to see it.
Karn seems to be able to catch up on sleep, as he usually doesn’t need much rest, but I won’t rely on him too much.
After my watch, I’ll head home and take Rishu for a walk, so I’ll sleep quickly. Compared to the days I spent terrified of beastly presences, this is comfortable enough for a deep sleep.
I wonder if there’s a material with heat insulation? If there is, it must be from a cold region. Wait, isn’t there some demon beast material around Ex-Staff’s home? Alright, I’ll check when I get back.
As I pondered this, sleepiness overtook me. Good night.
I was roused by Karn and sluggishly switched places—but it seems Karn is already awake.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“It’s cold.”
…
“Say it sooner!”
Come to think of it, this guy lived in the desert! And why is he dressed in a half-naked manner when it’s cold? Could it be that he was drinking to keep warm?
To be precise, he’s half-naked with a cloak draped over him.
“Do you have a Magic Stone?”
“I do.”
I snatch the cloak and open my envelope-shaped sleeping bag to drape it over him. Ah, I’m trying not to use [Storage], but I don’t have ink and a pen! Well, I have a regular one, but…
Ah, I just need it to last about a week. I dip my fingers into the fire stand to gather some charcoal for fuel conservation.
I’m drawing a Heating Magic Circle. Well, it’s not officially called that, but… Maybe because I don’t have a pen, the magic power I’m flowing isn’t as stable as usual, but it can’t be helped.
I carefully draw it, then proceed to sketch the array to channel magic power from the Magic Stone. After that, I’ll sew a small pocket for the Magic Stone onto the array with regular needle and thread to complete it.
“Here, put the Magic Stone in here and wear it. I’ll make something more proper when we get back.”
I extend the cloak towards Karn, who raises an eyebrow and silently accepts it.
He skillfully handles the Magic Stone with his thick fingers, sets it in place, and puts it on.
“—You can whip this up on the fly. You’re supposed to be my master, but why not just order me to keep watch and go to sleep?”
“Pass.”
“I don’t get it. You have power, you have the qualifications—don’t you want to be a king?”
“It’s a hassle.”
If I could completely ignore things like the Spirits and Black Spirits, I might consider it, but honestly, being a king among people feels meaningless. Even on the island, I mostly delegate social interactions and relationships.
“I think it’s a man’s ambition.”
Karn strokes his chin, has his beard grown?
“I don’t get why you’re half-naked in a cold place when I’m also sensitive to the cold.”
“It’s not like I can’t move. I don’t like clothes that cling to me or restrict my movement.”
A difference in values. Come to think of it, there was a guy in Japan who wore thick clothes on top but stubbornly wore shorts below.
As long as I don’t see people dying absurdly or in unpleasant environments, I don’t care about much else. I’m preparing to escape while interacting with others.
When I’m alone, I do as I please. And I think everyone here knows that and is telling me to just live normally. Sometimes, when I’m away from Kanum for too long, I start to question if I’m even human… But I think that’s okay too.
While I ponder, I knead the dough. For breakfast, I’m thinking of making focaccia with olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Focaccia is a flat bread that doesn’t use eggs or milk.
Let it rise for about an hour at 30 degrees until it doubles in size. After releasing the gas, I’ll let it rise again. For now, I’ll let it rise once, and plan to let it rise again while I take Rishu for a walk.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
I lift Karn’s cloak to position it for the first rise. I wonder if this temperature is just right.
“You’re using your servant wrong.”
Karn says something, but I’ll use whatever I can, even if he’s not a servant.