Chapter 69
We completed the irrigation canal project we had undertaken for the viscount's territory and returned to Astrantia.
When we went straight to the viscount's mansion, we were told we would receive the grimoire of High Protection.
"Please wait a moment."
Following the viscountess's instructions, we were shown into a reception room and told to wait.
As befitted a noble's mansion, it was splendidly built—the walls were made of white stone, but the lower portion was covered with boards resembling black mahogany.
The furniture arranged around the room was first-rate too. Even an amateur like me could tell it was impressive, so there was no doubt about it.
In fact, when I had put the furniture from the warehouse through Shangri-La's purchase appraisal, it had produced an enormous sum, so these pieces were sure to receive high valuations too.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
The viscountess had changed into a white dress and was holding out the grimoire. It was an impressive book with a black leather cover, gold decorations, and a large stone set in the center.
Even its appearance suggested that it was valuable. In any case, I had finally gotten my hands on it.
"We are friends, are we not? So... may I come visit your place?"
"Well, yes—but I refuse!"
"Why?!"
"Kenichi, I feel sorry for Kanan-sama..."
"I never thought you were the type to help an enemy."
"Salt? I do not quite understand, but having no friends is a lonely thing."
Ah, that was a Japanese proverb... Well, the general meaning should get through.
Primula had also accompanied her father on business trips to various places since she was a child, so apparently she had no friends her own age.
I had also heard that she had never engaged in the sorts of childish games children played. Perhaps that was why she showed no interest in young men her own age.
"Well, since Primula says it is all right, I suppose we can allow it."
"Really?!"
A bright flower seemed to bloom on the viscountess's face.
"I object! I object!"
"Since Anemone objects, I suppose it really is out of the question."
"Am I worth less than a child?"
"But Anemone is such a useful, good girl, after all."
I patted Anemone's head as she held the grimoire of High Protection.
Well, Primula would be visiting here to examine the viscount's finances, so she would at least keep the viscountess company. That would have to be enough for her.
As we were leaving, the viscountess gave me a sheet of parchment. She said it was a letter of introduction for the guild.
From what she told me, it seemed that an animal license was required to walk around the city with an animal.
The animal in question was Bell, the Forest Cat.
"Then shall we go to the Adventurers' Guild first?"
"My prey is in Boss's Item Box too."
"Right."
We drove up to the Adventurers' Guild and put the car into my Item Box. We did not need a parking space, making it incredibly convenient.
If I had possessed this in my original world, it would have made all sorts of things easier. No, it would have changed the entire world.
Transportation and moving house would both have been effortless.
When I entered the Adventurers' Guild with Bell, the people inside cried out in surprise, and the beastfolk came over to bow to the Black God's messenger.
I went over to the receptionist I usually dealt with.
"Um, I would like an animal license for this Forest Cat... I also have a letter here from the Viscountess Eupatorium."
"Please wait a moment!"
After checking the letter, the receptionist disappeared into the back.
After a while, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a red vest emerged.
"Um, could you come to this room with the Forest Cat?"
"Sure—everyone, wait here for a moment."
"Oh, Boss! Bring out the Black Wolves. I'll take them to the counter."
"All right, I understand."
I took the four Black Wolves out of my Item Box. Myaree and Nyamena would apparently carry them to the counter.
Bell and I headed toward the back together and were shown into a room that resembled a reception room.
It was a fairly splendid room, with a red carpet, a low table, and leather sofas, though it could not compare with a noble's mansion.
Bell and I sat on a sofa while I signed the documents the guild employee brought out. The employee also took what was essentially an imprint of her paw.
"Normally, we would test whether the animal or monster is truly under its Master's control, but since you have a letter from the Viscountess Eupatorium, we will make an exception this time."
"Good for you."
When I stroked Bell beneath the chin, she purred.
"But how did you manage to acquire such a magnificent Forest Cat...?"
"In a forest near Dalia."
They gave me a silver license tag on a necklace, which I put around her neck.
The tag was attached to nothing more than a piece of string, though. I would replace it with a braided cord later.
Besides, this was only necessary inside the city. There was no need for it around my house or in the forest.
It would get caught on something and be lost in the forest, or interfere with her during a hunt.
"What happens if it is lost?"
"If you report it promptly, we can issue a replacement."
Guild information was shared among the various cities, so apparently I could apply for one anywhere.
However, updating the information took a little time, so I would have to be careful about that.
For example, if I drove along the highway, I could arrive at the royal capital as soon as tomorrow, but naturally, the information would not yet have been updated there.
Well, that was unavoidable in a world like this.
When I returned to the guild hall, Nyamena and the others were waiting.
"Did you sell the Black Wolves?"
"Yeah. Since they were in your Item Box, they were freshly killed and fetched a good price."
Apparently, she had sold the Black Wolves whole. Well, we had meat in the Item Box.
"Ah, Bell has a collar now!"
"Yeah. Apparently, she has to wear it while she is in the city."
"Ohh."
Bell wrapped herself around Anemone and rubbed against her.
We left the Adventurers' Guild for the main street. The old woman's tool shop was not far from there, so we decided to walk together.
Even on the main street, Bell's glossy black body attracted plenty of attention.
Naturally. A creature that usually lived deep in the forest was now walking proudly through the city.
Some beastfolk even came running over just to greet her.
"Hey there, is the old woman around?"
"Coming!"
An old woman wearing a robe emerged from the back of the shop, where all sorts of incomprehensible objects were piled in a disorderly fashion.
"Oh, it is you, young man."
"Hello!"
"Oh, and the young lady too... What a large group you have today. Are all these your 'little fingers'?"
The old woman raised her pinky—so even in this world, the pinky meant that?
"They're family. My family."
"You certainly know how to surround yourself with women. Heh-heh-heh... How about you support this old woman too?"
"Don't joke around."
"Heh-heh, how heartless."
"Meow."
"Good heavens! You have a Forest Cat too? Are you some kind of Tamer?"
"Something like that. Old woman, I would like you to change the grimoire's registered owner."
Anemone held out the grimoire she had been carefully clutching.
"Hmm... Good heavens! This is High Protection! Where did you get something like this?!"
"I did a job and received it from the lord of this territory. Right, Anemone? We all worked hard for it."
"Yeah!"
"My, my. This is the first time I have seen one of these."
"Even someone as knowledgeable about magic as you has never seen one?"
"Of course not. This was made in the Empire, and very few have made their way into this country."
"So I hear."
The old man in Dalia might be delighted if I showed it to him.
For now, I asked the old woman to change the registered owner.
"The household magic book you gave me has been very useful. This girl mastered it right away too."
"She really has talent. Why not go to the royal capital?"
"No! I want to stay with Kenichi!"
"Well, if you are a girl, I suppose that is the right choice... There, there."
The old woman patted Anemone's head.
However, since we had all come into the city together, perhaps we should do something... Oh, right. There was still spider silk sitting in my Item Box.
"Old woman, do you know a good shop that makes clothes?"
"There is one a short distance down this street. What do you want done?"
I took the spider silk out of my Item Box and showed it to the old woman.
"I was thinking of having them make Anemone a robe with it."
"That is fine insect silk. Would you sell me some too?"
"After I have made clothes for everyone, if there is any left over."
"Young man, are you sure you do not want to support me after all?"
"Ha-ha-ha, I have already been told not to add anyone else to the family, so I cannot."
We left the old woman's tool shop and went to the clothing shop she had told us about.
Ready-made clothes were not sold in this world. Everything was either a new item made to order or secondhand.
Some shops displayed samples to show their designs, but none sold clothes that could simply be worn off the rack.
That was because this world had no standard sizes such as S, M, or L like my original world. As a result, people usually bought secondhand clothes that fit them.
Most clothes were plain and simple, so one could hardly expect much in the way of design.
"Welcome—eek!"
A woman who appeared to be the shopkeeper came to greet us, but she seemed startled when she saw Bell.
"It is all right. I am her Master. Look, she has a guild license too."
However, bringing Bell inside the shop might be a little problematic—her fur would get all over the clothes.
I asked Bell to wait at the entrance, and she settled into a cat loaf on the floor outside the shop.
The sunlight was shining in through the doorway, and she sat in its shadow.
At a glance, she blended into the shadow so completely that people would probably think she was a statue or something. Some might be startled when she suddenly moved.
The shopkeeper, still startled by the Forest Cat, wore a brightly colored dress with a somewhat revealing neckline and jangling stone accessories.
She was probably using her flashy clothes to advertise herself as a merchant. She reminded me of Amana in Dalia.
"I would like you to make robes and clothes from this thread."
I took the spider silk out of my Item Box and showed it to the shopkeeper.
"Insect silk? This is magnificent... However, if you want us to spin the thread before taking your order, the price will rise considerably."
"I do not mind. I can pay in advance."
"Understood. In that case..."
"These two."
I brought Anemone and Primula over after they had been looking at the clothes in the shop, and had them measured.
"What about Myaree and Nyamena?"
"We do not need anything so fancy for running around in the forest."
"Yeah, me neither."
They seemed better suited to armor made from spider carapaces.
"What color would you like?"
"Blue!"
Anemone immediately chose a shade of blue to match the blue dress she was wearing.
"Then I will choose blue as well..."
Primula also chose blue and ordered a blazer-like jacket. It should work for weddings, funerals, or anything in between.
"We have some excellent blue dye in stock."
"Then it is settled."
According to the shopkeeper, the clothes would take about a month to complete. The deposit was one gold coin (200,000 yen), and the remaining payment would be two gold coins (400,000 yen) when they were finished.
According to Primula, that seemed to be the normal price. There was no upper limit, and we could pay as much more as we wanted.
"But don't you want to add some embroidery?"
"Simple clothes do not grow tiresome."
That was what Primula said, but I decided to have embroidery added anyway. We chose a design and placed the order.
It cost an additional gold coin, and the completion date was pushed back another month.
Well, it could not be helped. Since I was paying so much, I wanted something good.
"Oh, do you sell braided cords here?"
"Yes, we do."
"I would like one made with gold thread."
I had the shopkeeper show me some samples. A cord combining black and gold thread looked good, so I decided to buy it.
Apparently, braided cord was sold by length. Since I was buying this one for Bell, I had the shopkeeper measure it.
"Um..."
However, the shopkeeper was afraid to approach the Forest Cat.
Well, even if someone who owned a cheetah or leopard told you, "It is used to people, so it is fine," you would probably still have trouble approaching it.
"Anemone, take over for her."
"Okay!"
Anemone took what appeared to be a measuring tape from the shopkeeper and measured around Bell's neck.
"We also have clasps, if you need one..."
"No, I already have one at home."
"Understood."
Metal fittings were cheaper and better quality on Shangri-La, so I planned to make Bell a collar when we got home.
Well, we had bought everything we needed, so it was time to go home! Though the house itself was inside my Item Box.
We all got into the car and left the city of Astrantia behind.
Around sunset, we drove along the road, crossed the river, and returned to the place where our house had been.
The water's surface, like a mirror tinted by the setting sun—it really was a beautiful view here.
"We're finally home!"
As Anemone spoke, Bell leaped out the window. She was probably going straight out on patrol.
I stored the car in my Item Box and summoned the house back to its original location.
However, aligning it with the old position was rather difficult. It did not have to be exactly the same, but I still wanted to get it right.
After repeating the process several times, I found a satisfactory position.
"Kenichi! Put that woman's bed away!"
The woman she meant was the viscountess. Apparently, Anemone disliked her.
"You don't have to hate her so much. She is a poor woman who has no friends, after all."
"I didn't have any friends either!"
"You had younger siblings. Apparently, she was an only child."
Come to think of it, were only children unusual among nobles? I had the impression that they usually had many children...
"Yes, normally there would probably be quite a few children."
According to Primula, it was normal to have five or six children.
Still, Anemone was right: we had no need for the bed the viscountess had slept in. I decided to put it away.
The treehouse and the scaffolding for climbing the cliff could wait until tomorrow.
It was about to get dark, so we decided to eat.
"What are we having?"
"Curry!" "Meow!"
"Again? Fine, whatever."
We were short on time, so I used retort-pack curry.
However, with a little extra effort, even retort-pack curry could be made fairly delicious.
I took the bird meat from my Item Box and stir-fried it in a large pot with vegetables. The beastfolk had caught the bird for us.
As I stir-fried it, I used Anemone's magic at the same time.
"Mmm—Warm!"
That cooked everything quickly. Then I added a little soup stock powder.
Finally, I emptied the retort curry into the pot and heated it again with magic, and it was ready.
Strictly speaking, it was curry poured over stir-fried meat and vegetables. Even so, it was several steps better than retort curry by itself.
"We should make a huge amount of curry and store it in the Item Box, but even then, it would disappear in no time."
"But it's delicious!"
"Meow!"
"Let's eat!"
"Yes."
I took Bell's license tag off, then gave her some roasted bird meat and opened a can of cat food. She did not need the tag here.
Anemone, Primula, and I ate rice. Myaree and Nyamena had bread from Shangri-La.
Anemone had not had time to bake bread.
"Myaa!"
"It's great every time! I can't get enough!"
"There are so many different kinds too."
"And it goes with anything."
"This grain called rice is delicious too."
Primula seemed to have become a complete rice convert, but even someone who disliked it without trying it could understand how delicious Japanese rice was after eating it once.
The smell of freshly cooked rice was still a little hard for her to take, though.
"Kenichi, may I rely on my father regarding the viscount's territory?"
"Sure. Dalia will probably be a better place to find capable people too."
Dalia was larger and had a bigger population, after all.
We probably did not have many connections in Astrantia either. The local merchants would probably resist somewhat, but they could hardly defy a direct request from the viscount.
They had gotten away with doing whatever they pleased by taking advantage of the viscount and his officials being under the merchants' thumb.
It was time to ask them to bow out.
After finishing our meal, I set up the bath.
I bought a slatted platform from Shangri-La and placed the two white FRP bathtubs we had used in the forest at the construction site on top of it.
We did not have to struggle to climb into them like an oil-drum bath, and we could bathe together.
Filling them with water was easy. I simply submerged them in the river flowing beside the house and put them into my Item Box.
Then I placed the tubs on the slatted platform, and the preparations were complete. Having a river and a lake nearby was convenient.
Having water near one's home really was essential.
"Anemone, please."
"Mmm—Warm!"
The water quickly reached a comfortable temperature, and the baths were ready. We did not need to heat the water all the way to boiling as we did when cooking.
"Kenichi, don't we have one more of these baths?"
"True—with three, everyone could bathe together... All right!"
I bought another identical bathtub. We had plenty of money, so it was no problem. I bought another slatted platform as well and lined up three white tubs.
"But is it really all right to heat three tubs of water at once?"
"It'll be fine. No problem!"
We all stripped naked and got into the baths. The beastfolk shared one tub because their fur would shed.
As usual, they jostled and shoved each other while soaking, insulting one another in a way that made it hard to tell whether they got along or not.
Anemone was supposed to bathe with Primula, but instead she put her legs into my tub.
"Go bathe with Primula."
"No!"
"Anemone, why do you act as though it is only natural for you to bathe with Kenichi? I have the right to bathe with him too, you know."
After Primula protested, wrapped in a bath towel, Anemone puffed out her cheeks.
"Mmm."
Still completely naked, Anemone climbed out of the bath and faced Primula. Then, with a determined look, she thrust out the back of her hand and began making hand signs.
Primula responded in kind. Apparently, this was how rock-paper-scissors was played in this world.
"Chi, chi, chi!"
Apparently, the match had been decided.
"It seems I have won tonight."
Anemone lost and immediately leaped into her tub alone with a heavy splash. Her rough way of getting in made it clear that she was in a bad mood.
Primula, the winner, removed her bath towel, entered my tub, and sat facing me.
"You're being childish."
"What are you saying? I have had my first period, so I am a proper adult now. As such, you must treat me like an adult."
"I suppose so."
"You think so too, which is why you have started entrusting her with bread-making and cooking, do you not?"
"Well, yeah..."
Saying that, she turned around and pressed her back against me.
I wrapped my arms around her as if embracing her.
"Ah! Primula, you're too close!"
"I won tonight, so I will do as I please."
"Mmm!"
Anemone climbed out of her tub and tried to force her way into the space behind me.
"Hold on, Anemone. Three people won't fit, so stop. You'll make the water overflow."
After I chided her, Anemone silently returned to her own tub.
"If you want to touch breasts that badly, you could touch mine..."
Anemone was muttering something, but I deliberately ignored her.
"Still, this sense of freedom is wonderful. There were so many laborers around us in the forest that we could not bathe like this."
"That doesn't bother us, nya."
"But a lot of the beastfolk men came to peek, didn't they?"
"They stopped coming after the Forest Cat got angry at them, nya."
Even the lecherous men had no choice but to retreat after being scolded by the messenger of a god.
After getting out of the baths, we all went into the house. Nyamena's house was not set up, so she was staying with us again tonight.
Then I brought out a table and did a little work.
Before bed, I worked on the braided cord that would be used for Bell's collar. I had found a suitable clasp on Shangri-La.
It was a clasp that locked when pushed together with a quick snap, like an earphone jack.
I applied epoxy adhesive to both ends of the braided cord and fixed them into the clasp.
"Anemone, dry this part with magic for me."
"Mmm—Dry!"
Even after the magic was finished, the cord did not come loose when I pulled on it hard.
It was finished.
Magic sure was convenient.