Chapter 15: Old Man (and Slave Girl), and Mad Frog ③

The next day.

I arrived at the place where the mad frog was with Hina.

It’s already the third day coming here, isn’t it?

I’ve been coming quite frequently.

As usual, I took out a container and put cement in it.

“Hina, could you put gravel in here?”

“What will happen if I put something like this in? Is it okay to put gravel in?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

With that, Hina put in the gravel with an “Okay.”

I added water there and mixed it.

Then, the concrete was finished.

First, let’s explain.

Until I can understand the job properly here, I need to explain the job to Hina thoroughly; otherwise, I’ll be at the same level as Ridas, and I don’t want that.

(I don’t want to be at that level.)

I showed Hina the process of attacking the location of the mad frog with a sword and then immediately reinforcing it with concrete.

And the concrete will dry thanks to Nyago.

After it hardens, I lightly kick it with my foot.

Thunk, thunk.

It’s hard.

It seems to be okay.

And so far, there’s no sign of the mad frog coming up from underground.

It seems that once it’s solidified with concrete, they can’t come out.

“Wow! It’s hardened! Why, why?!”

I decided to give a simple answer to Hina, who was asking like a child.

“It’s because the cement and gravel react together and harden.”

“You’re so knowledgeable, Tatsuya-san. I admire you!”

“You’re praising me too much.”

Saying that, I decided to hand the bucket to Hina.

“The proportions are written down here, so could you please make the concrete? If you don’t understand, feel free to ask as many times as you need.”

“Y-Yes! Leave it to me!”

Like this, I asked Hina to create the concrete and then pour it.

Nyago emits hot air rapidly after Hina pours the concrete, drying it.

The habitat of the mud frog collapses at super speed.

“Hmm. It’s looking pretty good.”

I lightly kick one of the concrete blocks.

Yeah. There’s no sign of the mud frog jumping out.

Rip.

I take out the map and mark the spot where I laid the concrete.

That makes it 3 out of 5.

It’s going quite smoothly, I think.

Efficiency is also increasing because Hina is here.

And thanks to Nyago as well.

While I’m at it, evening comes.

“The sun is setting, isn’t it?”

“Shall we head back soon?”

“No, if you’re okay with it, I think I’ll camp out here.”

I take out the tent.

“It’s a hassle to go back to the city every time, and at this rate, we’ll finish the work by tomorrow. How about we have a big celebration after everything’s done?”

“Ca-Can I join too?”

“If you don’t mind. I’m not going to force you to come. It’s a hassle, right? Having a meal with an old guy like me.”

Saying that, I shake my head.

“It’s not like that at all! I want to have a meal with you, Tatsuya-san!”

“You say such nice things, wanting to have a meal with an old guy like me.”

While saying that, I decide to start preparing the tent.

“Sigh…”

Even so, my back hurts. I can feel my body complaining more and more with each passing year.

“Are you okay?”

Hina approaches me with concern.

“I’m fine.”

“I’ll help, okay?”

With that, Hina helps me set up the tent.

(She’s a good kid.)

After finishing the tent together, I move on to preparing the campfire.

“Come to think of it, does this campfire have any particular significance?”

“Many beasts are averse to fire. So, by having a campfire, they’re less likely to approach.”

“I see. That’s interesting.”

Hina looked surprised.

It seems like common knowledge in Japan isn’t necessarily common knowledge in this world.

I then started preparing dinner.

I put rice in the pot and started cooking it.

Then, let’s use this too.

I took out some mad frog meat from the item pouch.

“What’s that?”

“It’s mad frog meat.”

“Can you eat it?”

“Yeah, you can eat it. I heard about it before.”

I’ve heard that frogs can be used as food even when I was in Japan.

So, I decided to grill it over the fire.

Sizzle.

I hear the sound of fat cooking.

It looks delicious.

While waiting for the rice to cook, I decided to chat with Hina.

“Thanks for helping. Is there anything you want or need?”

“Um…”

I pondered for a moment.

Then, I decided to make a suggestion.

“I’m supposed to get 800,000 yen for this job. You’ve helped me, so I could give you around 200,000 yen. What do you think? Would that be enough for you to quit being a slave?”

It’s painful to see this kid being a slave, even though she’s such a good kid.

When I asked, Hina shook her head.

“I don’t need money. But if it’s okay with you, could you buy me out? I feel safe by your side, Tatsuya-san.”

So, she wants me to buy her.

“Do you understand what that means? It means you’ll become my property.”

“Yes, I understand.”

She was looking into my eyes.

I thought for a moment.

(She’s still just a child. It’s pitiful to let her continue as a slave like this. There’s no guarantee she’ll be picked up by decent people in the future.)

“I understand. I’ll buy you, after this is over.”

When I said that, it seemed like the rice had just finished cooking.

Then, since the meat was thoroughly cooked, I retrieved it, and Hina and I ate together.

Perhaps because we were eating outside, the situation made it taste incredibly delicious.

Moreover, the sky was adorned with a beautiful starry night!

It was the first time I had seen something like this since I went camping in elementary school.

After finishing our meal and with complete darkness now, we headed towards the tent when I suddenly realized something.

“Oh, sorry. I just remembered, there’s only one tent. Is that okay?”

Originally, I had only planned for myself since it was a job I was supposed to do alone.

Since it was going to be just the two of us under one roof, I asked Hina.

“It’s okay if it’s you, Tatsuya-san. I’m always prepared. I like you, Tatsuya-san” 

She said, blushing.

Huh?

Could it be… she’s confessing to me?

(Don’t get ahead of yourself, old man.)

Shaking my head, I entered the tent and lay down.

Then, Hina snuggled up against my back.

“Tatsuya-san, I love you.”

(Oh no! She really was confessing!)

◇

The next day.

I worked tirelessly from morning till night.

And as a result…

“It’s done…”

I looked at the concrete road I had completed.

A concrete road that seemed to stretch to the horizon.

Looking at it, tears welled up.

A mix of achievement and exhaustion.

It was a complex feeling.

(A significant job has been completed!!!)

I crushed all the mud frog habitats along the shortest route.

And now, the concrete road is finished!

“We did it! Tatsuya-san!”

Hina took my hand and nodded with joy.

“Thank you, it’s all thanks to you being here, Hina.”

“Nyago.”

Nyago chimed in, seemingly agreeing.

Then, I looked towards the city.

“Alright, shall we go report to Rikka?”

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