Chapter 44: The Bag
“Oh, you who are like the moon! It’s a shame you’re hidden behind the clouds today,” Chris said, shaking hands with Ash.
The moon…? Ah, I get it. Ash, with his smooth forehead and sharp gaze, has that cool beauty vibe. — Though he still doesn’t look like a woman.
Looks like Chris noticed Ash’s lack of frown lines too. According to Dean, Chris has this tendency to admire beautiful things, regardless of gender or species.
Putting that aside, I can’t help but be drawn to the Spirit that’s petting Ash’s chin. What if I look like a fan of chins?
“Thank you all for your cooperation this time,” Kaina said, making her presence known after a long while.
She seemed to have confirmed that everyone was gathered before speaking up.
“Lord Jean, I appreciate your help despite the trouble I caused you before,” she added, addressing everyone individually.
I can use Teleportation, so I don’t think it’s that serious, but the investigation in the Deep Forest comes with its dangers. It’s nice to be recognized as an individual rather than just part of the “investigation team,” especially since she’s beautiful.
While I listened to Chris praise Kaina, I started thinking about what lay ahead. I packed a bunch of things I thought I might need, so my bag looks like I’m ready to camp in the mountains!
I made a backpack-style bag myself, and on top of it is a rolled-up sleeping bag wrapped in a folded sheet. I hope I brought enough food.
“Lord Jean, when we return, please share the specifications of that bag with me,” Kaina added as an afterthought.
“This is from the Guild. Stay safe,” she said, handing out a potion to each of us before we set off.
“Jean’s bag looks impressive; is that leather?” Dean remarked.
“What’s that wrapped around the top?” Retze asked, walking alongside him with curiosity.
“Oh, I made the bag from leather. The top is a futon.”
“A futon…?”
The outer layer is made from the skin of a Three-Horn, which is heavier but stretchy and slightly elastic, while the inner layer is made from tightly woven fabric used for down comforters. I plan to use it as a simple square folded in half; it’s better to be able to get up quickly if a Demon Beast shows up.
Everyone else has shoulder bags and sacks. Sacks…? Sure, they carry the Demon Beasts they hunt in them, but is that really a bag? Is a regular travel setup also considered a sack? Isn’t that super inconvenient? Retze and the Butler have something like backpacks, but I found the Demon Beast bags inconvenient, so I attached belts and cords to make mine wearable.
“Isn’t it inconvenient when a Demon Beast appears? Doesn’t it get in the way?” Ash asked, his face showing keen interest — though the slight frown made him look a bit scary.
“Well, even if I move, the stuff inside doesn’t shake around and throw off my balance, right?”
“It’s just heavy, isn’t it? You can’t just toss it aside,” Chris and Dean were discussing the situation during combat.
If I press the buckle that connects the belts, it comes off easily. It’s like those buckles in Japan where you press the buttons on the top and bottom to release them. I made it from metal instead of plastic, so it requires a bit of strength, but with my grip strength, it works just fine.
I attached belt adjusters on the sides and bottom to keep it from expanding, but it can still be made large enough to fit a Bear inside. On the way there, it’s filled with food, so I can’t fit anything else in, but after I’ve eaten, I could fit a Bear in there.
“Even just looking at it, it doesn’t seem to hinder our progress; in fact, it seems like our bags are more of a nuisance,” Chris said, glancing at my bag, but I was more captivated by the Spirit that seemed entranced by Ash’s changing jawline.
“Since Dean and Chris are supposed to handle the fighting, it should be fine, right? As a pack mule, I find this feature quite useful,” Retze mentioned, indicating he had some experience with both Dean and Chris, having accompanied them on Demon Beast hunts before.
“Of course, I won’t let the Lord of Dusk engage in any dangerous battles,” Chris declared loudly.
I do have a sword hanging from my waist, but can they see it?
“Honestly, I was worried when Dean said he would take you along, given your lack of experience, but it seems you have some knowledge I’m not aware of. Still, even with Dean and Chris handling the Demon Beasts, be careful not to let any slip by,” Retze advised.
“Retze, this guy’s going to hunt Bears, you know?”
“Indeed.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“…”
Why is Ash the only one affirming Dean’s statement? The Butler is wearing a mask of smiles, so I can’t read his reaction.
“Speaking of which, I haven’t sold anything to the Guild recently,” Retze mentioned. He had accompanied Chris on his first investigation, so it seems he wasn’t around when I was the talk of the town. Chris had also been away in town on a noble’s request afterward.
“Isn’t Ash the one famous for coming back carrying a Bear?”
“That might be true recently, but initially, it was Lord Jean.”
“They wouldn’t allow you to join the Guild if they didn’t think you could handle it to some extent,” Chris said, sounding unconvinced, as Ash and Dean responded.
“…”
“…”
Stop looking at me with those unconvinced faces! Especially you, Chris! You’re making me laugh at the Spirit that’s petting your chin!