Kays Translations

Chapter 302: Building a Base

The Cassius Mountains investigation team from the Heine Margraviate set out the next day. We travelled on horseback. We would be taking narrow paths, and depending on the circumstances, we might have to continue on foot. That was why we hadn’t brought any carriages.

Before departing, I had a hot cookie and put the magic-stone hand warmer in my pocket. Thanks to that, I wasn’t cold at all.

“Lionel, how long will it take to reach the foot of the Cassius Mountains?”

“We should arrive by early afternoon tomorrow. We’ll set up our investigation base there, so the full-scale investigation will start the day after.”

“Got it. I’ll try to ask the Snow Spirit to hold off on snow for a while.”

“Thank you.”

Lionel bowed his head. I was seated in front of one of the knights on his horse. Normally, I could ride a horse by myself, but they had insisted on this arrangement so that nothing could happen to me. I couldn’t tell whether they were being overprotective or not. Still, like this, one knight was effectively tied up looking after me. The more people we had who could fight, the better.

Whether or not my prayer would reach the Snow Spirit, I covered the snowflake-shaped mark on the back of my hand and asked for the snow to hold off for a while.

My prayer seemed to reach the Snow Spirit, because no snow fell while the investigation was under way.

On the first day, we set up the tent and prepared for camping before dusk. Since both Nero and I were still considered children, it seemed they decided to rest early.

I felt like I was completely holding them back. I felt quite apologetic.

The tent was, of course, for cold protection. With the magic-stone hand warmer in my pocket, it wasn’t cold at night. Although the magic-stone hand warmer was a spur-of-the-moment creation, it proved to be more useful than expected. The knights also managed to get through the night without freezing, and they moved energetically the next morning.

We continued to move, taking breaks. Along the way, Snow Wolves attacked several times, but the knights took care of all of them. Of course, I didn’t have to take part. Well, that’s how it usually is.

As I watched the knights work with relief, we eventually reached our destination.

“We’ll set up the base from now on, so please rest for a while.”

“That’s fine, but are you only going to set up the tent? The altitude is a bit higher, so won’t it be cold at night?”

“Don’t worry. A mage will create a barrier around the area to protect us from the wind and monster attacks. We’ll also keep a fire burning throughout the night.”

The knight clenched his fist as he said this. I see. As expected of the knights. They seem to make full use of whatever they can. In that case…

“I’ll help too. I don’t want to be told, ‘What was the point of coming along?’”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

The knight looked puzzled. However, perhaps he appreciated my sincerity, as he led me to where Lionel was working.

“Lionel, I’ve come to help.”

“Lord Julius, you don’t need to go out of your way…”

“It’s fine. I just want to do it myself. Well, first, let’s start by cutting down those obstructive trees.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ignoring Lionel’s confusion, I headed to the work site. There, the knights were discussing which trees to cut down, each holding an axe. There didn’t seem to be many axes. Well, that makes sense. It’s easier to move with fewer supplies on an expedition.

“Are we cutting down the trees marked with that symbol?”

“Lord Julius? Yes, those are the marked trees. It’s dangerous, so please stand back.”

“No, I can’t do that. I’m good at cutting trees. Leave it to me. Wind Blade!”

With a gust of wind, the trees fell one after another. The knights stared in astonishment. Lionel hurried over, and Nero began writing something in his notebook. It was all quite busy. But we need to hurry; the sun is going down.

“Lord Julius! Oh, every time I turn my back, it’s like this.”

“Wow, Lionel is actually complaining for once.”

“Please, not now. Someone, move those fallen trees. And call the mages over here.”

“Ha ha ha, there’s no need for that, Lionel. Wind Sword!”

“Stop it already.”

Using a combination of the ‘Craft’ skill and magic, I cut the fallen trees into planks, then used joinery techniques to turn them into wooden doors and windows. It was my first time combining magic and a skill this way, but it worked more smoothly than expected. It might be impractical indoors, but it was perfect for an outdoor work site.

“Julius, what is this?”

“Brother Cain! I felled the trees with magic, sliced them into planks, then finished the pieces with ‘Craft’.”

“O-oh, is that so?”

“Yes! It was easier than I thought. With this, we can… Earth Wall!”

An earthen wall rose around the clearing created by Wind Blade. There was no roof, but even so, it should protect us sufficiently from the wind and monsters. And with no roof, we wouldn’t have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning even if we cooked inside.

I had left openings for the doors and windows, so all that remained was to fit the pieces into place. It was perfect for an improvised base. My own talent was beginning to frighten me.

“Come on, stop standing around. Install those doors and windows in the holes I’ve made.”

“Y-yes, right away!”

The knights moved swiftly to begin their work. Watching them, I realized something was missing.

“Lionel, we need a stove, right?”

“Lord Julius…”

“It’s okay. Leave it to me. I’ve seen stoves in the kitchen!”

“Lord Julius! Lord Cain, please stop Lord Julius. He might be possessed by something strange!”

“Even if you tell me that…”

“Gaia Control!”

“What’s going on… Wait, the wall’s already finished?!”

Ignoring the astonished mages, I began making the stoves. Three sets should be more than enough, right? After that, all we needed was to level the uneven ground and have the tents set up there. With that, we had secured ourselves a safe, secure place to sleep.

Lady Fabienne, I’m doing my best!

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