Two Hectic Days And A Lonely Farwell.

“Kee-hee-hee-hee!”

“Gu-hee-gu-hee-gu-hee!”

“Ke-he-he-ke-he-he!”

The Wicked Fairies’ settlement was once again echoing with their usual eerie laughter today. There’s still a massive hole in the fence and the watchtower is only half-built, but at the very least, the Goblins haven’t changed a bit.

Apparently, they’ve discovered today that roasted garlic is delicious, and they’re causing an uproar near the bone-hearth in the center of the plaza. They were holding garlic skewered on branches over the glowing red fire, carefully judging the roast. It looked like a competition to see who could cook it best, as they took small bites and exchanged satisfied, wicked grins.

“They’ve really mastered the use of fire, haven’t they…?”

“Everyone’s so smart! See, see? Aren’t they amazing, Auntie Carina?”

“To think such a place exists beneath the ground… It is both terrifying and delightful. Yes, I can see why he’s so obsessed with it.”

Noticing us, the Goblins rushed over all at once with charred garlic in hand. At the sudden filling of the air with that savory aroma, Yoru and Kuu leaped up and dove into my chest. They buried their noses and shook their heads cutely from side to side in protest.

“Disgusting—!”

“Koo!”

I guess they really hate this smell. On the other hand, it would be cruel to heartlessly shoo away the Goblins who were approaching so innocently. I felt like a mother whose child has just brought home a dead cicada they found on the road with a beaming smile.

“Kee-hee-kee-hee!”

“My Lord, I shall look after Yoru and Kuu for you.”

While I was worrying, Gob-tchi stepped gallantly forward, acting as a wall to hold back the Gobs. Paula reached out, took the two little ones, and began to soothe them. Then, with Gob-tchi acting as a guard, they led Yoru and Kuu outside the gate.

“Alright, let’s make progress while we can.”

I waved my hand to clear a space and pulled a large desk out of my item list. It was a piece I’d borrowed from the tavern. On top of it, I piled up a mountain of tanned terror-bird leather.

“I’m counting on you, Carina-san.”

“Are you truly sure about me?”

“Yes. Please drill the basics into these guys.”

I’d explained it on the way here, but I gave a firm nod to the Oni woman who still looked a bit anxious. In truth, Carina-san worked as a seamstress in her youth and is the best tailor in the village. I’d asked her to use those skills to teach the Goblins. She had a worried look since she hadn’t handled leather much, but she eventually accepted.

“Very well. I suppose it’s easier to understand if we make something together.”

Carina-san quickly pulled a cord measuring tape, a curved ruler, and a large pair of shears from her bag. After crossing her arms and thinking for a moment, she pointed to one Goblin who had approached with interest.

“Yes, we’ll start with you.”

She measured the Goblin’s shoulders and back with the cord and used chalk to mark lines on the spread-out leather. Before the crowd that had rapidly gathered at the desk, Carina-san boldly took the shears and cut the leather. The Wicked Fairies erupted in appreciative laughter. It looked like she was planning to make a sleeveless leather vest.

However, perhaps due to the lack of experience, she struggled at the stage of passing a needle through the tough leather. Just as I was wondering if I should help, a Goblin stepped forward and pointed at the spots where the needle needed to go. He snatched the leather away and, using a hard, pointed object in his hand, accurately punched holes along the chalk lines.

When Carina-san took the leather back and pushed the needle through, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, the needle goes in so easily! You’re quite talented.”

The praised Goblin gave a bashful grin, his mouth stretching to his ears. Then, with a hint of pride, he held up the claw of a terror-bird foot he was holding. That gesture reminded me of what Hans-san had mentioned in awe. Since there is no iron on this floor, the tools the Goblins use are primarily terror-bird beaks and claws. They polish and sharpen them to skillfully carve and process wood. In fact, not a single nail was used in the construction of this settlement. I’m truly looking forward to seeing what they can do once I give them proper tools.

I gave the Goblins about half of the terror-bird claws I didn’t have a use for and headed over to Hans-san, who was talking with Red-Feather. He seemed to have made another discovery, nodding excitedly.

“Look, Sir Nino! They thought of this all on their own. It’s astounding!”

Hans-san pointed to pieces of meat laid out on a wooden board. Looking closer, it was raw Assault Bird meat with salt rubbed into it.

“Is this… beef jerky?”

“Yes, exactly! Jerky!”

“Kee-hee-hee-hee!”

To my instinctive question, Hans-san and Red-Feather nodded with total pride. I’d assumed they only ate it roasted, but apparently terror-bird meat was too tough even for Goblins. So, they’d hit on the idea of salting it while raw. Goblins really aren’t to be underestimated if they’re inventing culinary methods.

While I was admiring them, there was more.

“Sensei, the Gob-gobs want you to turn this into thread—”

“What is this?”

“They said ‘Imo-tchi’ gave it to them.”

Mia held out a white, fluffy lump. When I collected it into my special storage, the item name appeared as Cocoon Ball.

“Eh? I saw this in Imo-tchi’s specialties.”

Imo-tchi the Great Caterpillar had reached Level 20 during the fight with the “Gluttonous Dreadbeak,” and he’d learned a new specialty called Cocoon . Since I hadn’t seen it before, I’d intended to check it later and completely forgot.

Mia pulled me along to a wooden pedestal where the Great Caterpillar was perched. The monster, being fanned by Goblins with large red feathers, suddenly spat out a large white mass. A Goblin immediately caught it and held it up proudly. It seems Imo-tchi is mass-producing these cocoons at the cost of his stamina. When I performed on one, it turned into two bundles of silk thread.

…So he has a specialty like that.

After completing our tour, we left Carina-san and Imo-tchi at the settlement and finally set out to explore the remaining areas of the fifth floor. We headed east along the back wall for two hours. We finally reached a dead end. Since we were riding To-chan, it was clear that the east-west distance is much greater than the north-south one. However, the eastern side started becoming noticeably sandy, making it seem a bit unsuitable for farming. We didn’t encounter any new gatherable items or monsters, only the occasional Horn Rabbit peeking from a hole. Given the direction the “Gluttonous Dreadbeak” came from, this eastern sandy region might be the spawning ground for the terror-birds.

By the time we returned to the Goblin settlement, it was near evening. The leather vest was finished, and the first Goblin to wear it was bouncing around in high spirits.

“Whoa, looks good on you! Nice job!”

“Ho, this is fine leather armor. Splendid work.”

“Splendid—!”

“Koo!”

Everyone was praising him, but the Goblins’ lower halves remained completely exposed. Noticing my gaze, Carina-san gave a troubled smile.

After hunting crabs and turtles on the sixth floor for thirty minutes as souvenirs, we picked up the farmers and ended the fifth day without incident.

The next day was spent leveling up a new group of villagers. Since training the Archers looked like it would take more time, I took Warriors, Mages, and Carina-san as a mentor. Since we’d finished planting the garlic, I asked them to spread bone meal (made by dog bones) on the next planned field. In the game, fertilizer didn’t show effects immediately, so I’ll have them take their time preparing the soil for new crops.

In the settlement, several new sets of leather armor had been finished using the tools Carina-san left behind. Today they were going to attempt sleeves and trousers. The jerky making seemed to be going well, too. Red-Feather asked me for more salt. However, repairs on the fence and watchtower hadn’t progressed much. It seems Goblins, with their love for new things, have a tendency to prioritize only the things they find interesting.

We headed west, the opposite direction from yesterday.

“My Lord, what is that?”

“Oh, what is it? A pond…?”

At the western dead end was a large pond—or perhaps a lake—filled with fresh water. I can’t really tell the difference. I threw a stone in; it seemed quite deep. The area around the pond was lush with flowers and greenery, and there was a meadow with small insects fluttering about and lovely flowers in bloom.

“Ho, looks like something might be here.”

“…I don’t sense any presence of monsters,” Paula noted.

We waited for thirty minutes, and it was just as Paula said. However, it was good to find some flowers and herbs that looked like they could be used for medicines. It looks like it would be a chore to come all the way out here to harvest them, though.

Having almost conquered the fifth floor, we returned to the settlement and spent time earning experience points while filling out the map on the sixth floor. Prey was scarce, but I managed to get Hans-san’s Swordsman level to 20 right before we left.

And the next day:

“Uncle Hans, if you forget my souvenirs, I’ll be mad! And if you don’t come back safe without any injuries, I’ll be even madder!”

“Safe travels—!”

“Koo!”

“We pray for your safe journey. Please be careful, Hans-sama.”

“Hans-san, make sure you sell everything well. And don’t hesitate to use the potions if things get dicey.”

To our parting words, the man sitting on the driver’s seat waved back with a smile.

“Well then, everyone, I’m off!”

And so, Hans-san set off for the Royal Capital, his carriage loaded with heavy cargo and all of our hopes and orders.