Chapter 43: Departure
I crafted a sheet and a cloak. The needles for sewing were made from the horn of a Three-Horn using the Zanzenken. I had a few failures, but it was relatively quick to thin them out. However, making the holes for threading the string took a long time since I had to twist and grind them with the same thin piece, and if I applied too much pressure, they would break easily.
Regular needles couldn’t handle the hide of the Giant Lizard at all, and the tools for processing leather were useless, so this was a desperate measure, but it turned out to be quite handy.
I thought it would be customary to look for thread made from the Demon Beasts of spiders or silkworms, but I found that thread spun from the fur of Two-Horn Rabbits was readily available for trade. Thread made from regular Rabbit fur is weak compared to sheep’s wool, often coming apart and breaking, but this was surprisingly durable. The thread from the Three-Horn was fluffy and felt more like yarn than regular thread.
For now, I made a simple sheet by sewing together square pieces. I thought a protective color would be better, so I chose a deep moss green. The thread remained white.
Yeah, it looks good.
Next was the cloak, a standard robe with a hood. Normally, if it’s cold, you overlap the front and secure it with a belt, and if it’s hot, you leave it open and use a brooch around the chest area to keep it from slipping down during combat.
But the brooch wouldn’t stick. I realized I needed to attach a fastener from the start.
I decided to experiment with a piece of leather that had turned almost black from dyeing. The design featured pleats at the hem to allow it to open, with a belt around the waist and chest. Even though it was soft, it was still leather, giving it a coat-like appearance.
A coat should be fine. I don’t have any design sense, but this is a world with magic, so I might as well steal some designs from fantasy anime. But practicality…
In the end, I settled on a hooded coat. The pleats at the hem formed large box pleats with the folds meeting, and I added a fastener to keep it from opening too much around the waist.
The fasteners and other metal fittings were made of tarnished silver, with a few decorative pieces to give it a slightly fantasy feel. I used two belts at the waist and added a small bag for tools. The coat was finished in black indigo leather.
Oh, I should add a belt at the cuffs too. I want to roll them up when they get in the way while working, and it would be troublesome if bugs got in while I’m sleeping. Ah, I should also make it so the hem can be lifted a bit.
I want to hide my rear, at least. The coat with the pleats feels just right, but I don’t want it dragging or rubbing when I sit. Well, I’m fully prepared to teleport home under the pretense of needing to use the restroom.
I’ve made it a condition to get some solo time in the early morning, so that works too.
In this world, there are, of course, no proper toilets, and I’ve heard that in rural areas, it’s basically done outside. In cities or noble mansions without sewers, the toilets are just chairs that serve as makeshift pots, and I recently learned that the skirts of noblewomen puff up for that very reason, which was disheartening.
I can’t believe those stylish jars made in the workshop are actually used for that, right? You wouldn’t think they’d hide a pot under their skirts, would you? Please, stop making the pots cleaner than the soup jars. I’d be laughed at if I misunderstood!
…
…
Should I ask Ash if he needs a coat?
Thanks to the chase with the fallen Spirit, I have a large supply of Giant Lizard leather. Processing it is a hassle, so there’s not much ready to use. I also noticed I have a lot of materials from Two-Horn and Three-Horn foxes, spiders, swans, owls, jays, and wolves.
As I was thinking about making a leather coat lined with fox fur for the forest, spring arrived.
And so, the day of departure came.
“Hey, what’s with the matching outfits?” Dean asked when I met him at the Adventurer’s Guild. In one corner of the tavern, Dean, Retze, and Chris were already gathered.
“Probably?”
“Why the question mark there?”
Since Ash, the Butler, and I lived close to each other, we came together as a trio. When I asked Ash about the coat, he said he wanted one, so I hurriedly processed the leather and made him a coat in Asahanada color.
Indigo dyeing involves repeatedly dyeing to achieve a deep blue, but the initial light dye color is Asahanada, a pale blue with a hint of gray. I used gold for the fittings, and while the shape is slightly different, it’s similar enough to the clothes circulating in this city to be considered matching, right?
I also gave the Butler a version of the black robe I initially made, adding the same fittings I used for Ash. He responded with, “I’ll borrow this,” so it seems he’ll return it after finishing his investigation.
“Hey, long time no see,” I said, shaking hands with Retze. We occasionally meet at the Guild, but it’s been a while since we talked like this. I had been holed up producing things.
“Lord of the Twilight, I can’t believe you’ll be camping out and carrying luggage. If it gets tough, just let me know; at least let me carry your bags,” Chris said, shaking my hand while lightly patting my back with his left hand.
“Ah, thanks?”
I’ve learned to just let it slide! Camping out is one thing, but I’m fine with the luggage, so it’s a bit awkward to have him take it.
Also, I’m trying to keep an eye out for Spirits this time, but the Light Spirit near Chris has been gently stroking his chin. It looks so happy tracing the line with its finger, but I don’t know how to react.
No, it’s probably best not to react since I want to keep it hidden. Ash and the Butler knew about this, right? They could see it, right? How can they keep a straight face with that expression?