Chapter 13: A Room Has Been Created
“That said, there aren’t any spare rooms, you know.”
Mr. Welter scratched his cheek as he surveyed the cramped dining area. Indeed, the table was only meant for two, and there were only two chairs.
“Alright, let’s make a room. We’re heading outside.”
With that decision made, Mr. Welter charged out of the house with determination. As I followed him outside, the sunlight pierced my eyes. It felt like an eternity since I had last seen the sun. Ever since I was summoned, I hadn’t stepped outside. The Forest of Enchantment had always been shrouded in darkness.
“It’s spacious, isn’t it?”
The forest was completely cleared, surrounded by walls that spanned about fifty meters on each side. In the center stood a solitary house.
“Yeah, when you clear the forest like this, monsters tend to stay away.”
“Really? That’s interesting.”
“There are also plants outside the walls that monsters dislike. At least within the walls, it’s safe.”
As I looked around the expansive garden, I noticed what appeared to be a vegetable patch. I couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Welter had cleared this vast space all by himself.
“Then let’s get to it. Wait for me a little distance away.”
“Okay.”
Mr. Welter pulled his staff from his waist and began muttering to himself as he examined the area around the house. With a flourish of his staff, the earth beneath him began to rise and flatten out. After briefly disappearing inside, he returned, and a hole was carved into the wall in the shape of a door.
Before I knew it, a dirt wall had formed, a roof had been constructed, and a room was completed.
“That should do it.”
Wiping the nonexistent sweat from his forehead, he took a long drink from the water he had conjured in midair. It felt like watching a magic show, and I was struck by the realization that I could feel the magic power converging and moving around him. It was indeed magic.
“That’s amazing…”
Yuzuki-san had been left speechless, unable to express anything beyond her awe. I felt similarly, though.
Now, Mr. Welter’s house had a dining area, a bedroom, a storage room, and now one more room. As the three of us approached the newly created room, we looked around inside. It was empty, as expected for a freshly made room.
“There are some unused furs in the storage room, so feel free to use them when you sleep.”
“Thank you very much.”
“And from today, this will be your room.”
At Mr. Welter’s words, Yuzuki-san and I exchanged glances, a wave of realization washing over us. This was our room… together? The meaning of his words sank in, and I could feel my cheeks warming. Yuzuki-san’s face was also flushed.
“You can use the things in the storage room as you like, so make yourselves comfortable. I’m heading out for a bit of hunting, so I’ll be away from the house.”
“Understood.”
“…Take care.”
“…”
After Mr. Welter left, a long silence enveloped us. It felt somewhat awkward. Just last night, I had the feeling that Yuzuki-san and I had fallen asleep in each other’s embrace, but that had to be an exception. In the Forest of Enchantment, where hunger loomed and danger from beasts was ever-present, I had only felt anxiety. If I had been alone, I surely wouldn’t be here now. It was thanks to Yuzuki-san’s presence that I had made it through.
Now, in this safe place, facing each other…
“…Shall we check out the storage room?”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
It was just next door, after all. Mr. Welter’s storage room, being a single man’s domain, had no door. Naturally, our newly created room also lacked one.
Arranging the room didn’t take long. Honestly, there was little to do other than lay down a few furs. Now, I was sitting on the furs spread across the ground, facing Yuzuki-san.
“Um, I hope we can get along from now on?”
“Ah, likewise. …But, um, is it really okay for you to share a room with me, Yuzuki-san?”
This was not a matter to be brushed aside lightly. I needed to confirm her intentions clearly; otherwise, I might end up complicating things for myself in the future. Misunderstandings were not something to be taken lightly.
“…Actually, could you ask Mr. Welter to make another room for us?”
Yuzuki-san asked shyly, and I found myself at a loss for words. That was a rather bold request. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it sounded like a compromise, and that made me a little sad.
“That might be a bit difficult…”
So, I decided to go along with Yuzuki-san’s suggestion of “it can’t be helped.”
“Yeah, so it’s fine.”
What was fine? I chose not to pry further. That would only lead to trouble.
“Got it.”
“And, could you call me Rio from now on?”
“Eh?”
Why the sudden request to use her first name?
“Well, you see, Mr. Welter said that only nobles have family names, right? So I thought it would be better to get used to calling each other by our names now to avoid confusion later.”
Yuzuki-san spoke quickly, her face flushed. I understood her point.
“That makes sense. Since we’re going to be living together, let’s drop the formalities… R-Rio.”
I awkwardly added the honorific, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“No need for the ‘san’… Just call me Shuu.”
She seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
“Ah, okay, got it. …Rio.”
Haha, was this what it felt like when two people on the brink of despair were drawn to each other by some primal instinct? Was there a name for that? No, that didn’t matter right now. Calm down, me. Yes, I’m just misunderstanding things. The future was uncertain…