NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Construction of the Watchtower Begins
Chapter 121: Construction of the Watchtower Begins
Three weeks had passed since Laura and the others visited the hideout.
The fence around Vaintz Village was now fully completed, encircling the village in an orderly manner. The wood surfaces had been charred to prevent rotting, but they would eventually deteriorate since the posts were merely dug into the ground. Even so, it was far sturdier than what they had when the black wolves attacked. It should last for several years with regular maintenance.
Thanks to the fence, dealing with monster attacks had become much easier, even though they still occasionally appeared. The villagers could now handle them on their own. This marked a significant step forward in managing the monster threat. Of course, monsters naturally appear. With the Tamir Mountains having always been abundant with them, there was only so much they could do.
“Does this mean it’s gotten easier to deal with the monsters now?”
“Yeah. But… something still feels off.”
“Hmm? You mean the monsters, Hajiramu?”
“Normally, with this level of monster activity, fewer would actually reach the village… but…”
Compared to before, the number of monsters coming to the village had drastically decreased. However, Hajiramu seemed uneasy about it. According to Azir’s reports, the outskirts of the village were returning to their former calm state. Despite this, the number of monsters attacking the village still seemed a bit high. It was what made Hajiramu uneasy. Given his extensive experience as a mercenary, his concern was worth noting.
With the village’s reconstruction going so smoothly, both the villagers and mercenaries, myself included, had become more optimistic. But perhaps we shouldn’t let our guard down too much.
“That said, increasing the number of lookouts won’t do much good… For now, the rebuilding is going well, so nothing too bad should happen. Once Menas and the others return, we can start building the watchtower. That might give us more insight.”
“True. And it’s reassuring that Shiro and the others are regularly patrolling the outskirts. We should be able to handle any minor issues. Still, Menas and the others have been a huge help.”
Menas, the Vaintz Mercenary Corps, and the Piri Mercenary Corps had already made several trips back and forth. The construction was progressing so well that materials were running out quickly. Since the black wolves attack, the collaboration between the Bonus Trading Company and the residents of Vaintz Village had grown quite strong. Particularly, Oscar and Gisella had been extremely reliable with their technical skills, making the work progress surprisingly smoothly. As a result, materials were being consumed as soon as they were supplied.
Thanks to Menas and the others, the necessary materials were replenished before we even had to ask for them. This was incredibly reassuring. Quickly sourcing the necessary materials is no easy task. It requires keen observation of the site, good communication skills, and the ability to understand what’s needed.
I was surprised at how well Edda handled this role. I hadn’t seen her as someone who worked much, but she turned out to be observant and straightforward. It seemed to work in her favor. She was also surprisingly good with numbers, keeping accurate records and managing the inventory meticulously. Watching her sitting cross-legged on a log, laughing at Laura being wheeled around in a cart, you wouldn’t guess how competent she is. It made me realize that Edda was indeed part of the trading company and Menas’ daughter.
Moreover, the Menas Trading Company was quite efficient in procuring materials. Naturally, you need a wide network of contacts to find suppliers, not to mention the ability to judge quality. Without a keen eye, even with the lord’s endorsement, people might take advantage of you. They might even try to overcharge you, anticipating a big budget. Without negotiation skills, it’s hard to make a fair deal. In this regard, Menas’ experience, connections, and sharp eye were invaluable.
“Still, it’s about time we made a trip to Savoia ourselves.”
“Ah… we’ve had you here for quite a while. You’ve long since completed the original tasks, so there’s no rush. We’d like the watchtower built as soon as possible, but it’s not an emergency.”
By the way, a significant number of houses have been restored. Now, both the villagers and mercenaries are staying in buildings with proper roofs. Once the remaining residences are repaired and rebuilt and the watchtower is finished, we can consider this project more or less complete.
“Well, we’ve already received more than enough reward, so we’ll wait until the watchtower is finished. But Hajiramu and Azir haven’t been back to Savoia even once—are they okay?”
“It’s nothing serious. In fact, this expedition is quite easy compared to typical mercenary jobs. We have baths, plenty of food, and stable supplies. Plus, thanks to your trading company’s incredible combat power, we’ve had almost no worries about monsters. I was expecting a lot, but it exceeded my expectations. Honestly, I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m glad to hear that. But speaking of exceeding expectations, Laura has been performing really well too.”
Her ability to manage the ground conditions in a place without heavy machinery has been a huge help. Digging soil manually is physically and mentally exhausting, so reducing that effort is significant. Additionally, her precise control over heat has made repairs on metal tools like carts and wooden cranes much faster. Although she initially struggled with temperature control, living in the hideout has helped her bond with Gisella. With that, both of them have become quite skilled.
“Indeed, Laura seems to have gained a lot of confidence since coming here. And she seems much brighter. But… there’s something…”
“Ah…”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“Bonus, I think we’ve got the level right now.”
At the moment, Hajiramu, Gisella, Zamza, Oscar, and I are deciding the location for the watchtower’s construction. We’re driving in stakes, stretching ropes, and drawing plans on the ground. Determining the flat position isn’t too hard with ropes and triangle ratios, but dealing with height is tricky. The chosen construction site is on a slope, making it quite difficult to measure level accurately. Since the building will be tall, we can’t be as casual about it as with a single-story house.
Without a laser level, we’re making a long wooden box and filling it with water to ensure the same height. We then mark the reference height on the stakes at regular intervals. Although I find this process quite tedious compared to easier methods, everyone seems to enjoy it. Oscar, not being a carpenter, is unfamiliar with this method but is very impressed with everything. Gisella, who loves this kind of knowledge, sparkles with enthusiasm. She and Zamza behave like siblings in their excitement. Surprisingly, Hajiramu also seems interested and is actively helping.
“Yeah, the level is almost perfect. Oh, Gisella, I was just talking about Laura lately…”
“Oh, Laura! She’s been gaining weight recently!”
“Hey, Oscar… well, that’s true…”
“Yeah, her face has become rounder and cuter.”
“Ah… yes, she’s a bit chubby now…”
By the way, our Bonus Trading Company returns to the hideout every night. It’s like commuting to Savoia. It’s more refreshing, and it seems to have improved our productivity during the day. Naturally, Laura comes along every day. There’s no problem, and everyone in the Bonus Trading Company welcomes her, including me. However, as a result, Laura has clearly gained weight. She eats a lot of the hideout’s delicious food every day. After each meal, she has a generous amount of dessert. Although she doesn’t eat as much as the onis, she eats so heartily that it’s quite noticeable. Her manners are so refined that it’s hard to tell, but she might even eat more than I do.
Moreover, recently it seems Laura has been learning to cook from Mil. She’s been snacking constantly under the guise of taste-testing. What’s even more troublesome is that she has become so accustomed to being transported in Kuro’s cart that it feels like she’s almost integrated with it. It seems like she’s always in the cart while in Vaintz Village, almost as if she and the cart have become one. Recently, she’s even learned to shift her weight according to Kuro’s clever handling. They seem to work together quite well, joyfully racing around the village.
The cart itself is decorated with ribbons for some reason. There are even cushions made from Elizabeth’s fur, making it oddly comfortable. She sometimes even stays in the cart during meals. It’s clear that she’s not getting enough exercise. While she’s still somewhat plump and cute for now, if this lifestyle continues, I fear she might reach a point of no return.
I wouldn’t mind her changing shape a bit if she were aware of it, as it’s ultimately her choice. However, it’s obvious that Laura hasn’t noticed the changes in her body yet. She occasionally tilts her head in curiosity when getting into the cart, but that’s about it. As a middle-aged person, I find it concerning to see her like this. Losing fat once it starts accumulating can be quite difficult at her age, and it’s clearly unhealthy. I wish someone would mention it to her, but no one is bringing it up.
It’s clear that several people are thinking the same thing. There are a few who make indescribable expressions when Laura is eating delicious desserts in the cart or taking a nap. They must have noticed that Laura is slowly getting bigger. Yet, they all seem to be waiting for someone else to say something while keeping silent themselves. Since it seems like it requires some tact, I’d prefer to ask Hajiramu to address it. But he just makes a grimacing face and never directly points anything out to Laura.
The onis and Mil seem to think that getting bigger is a good thing, and Kuro seems to be enjoying Laura’s growth. It would be helpful if someone like Oscar would mention it without reading the room. But despite his loud nature, he’s surprisingly sensitive about such matters. He seems to avoid bringing it up in front of Laura, perhaps sensing some kind of danger.
“Well, being inactive is bad for your health… Bonus, you should say something!”
“No way! I probably… wouldn’t phrase it correctly. So, no thanks! Hajiramu, you—”
“I’m not quite sure what you’re all talking about.”
“Hajiramu, you’re so dirty! This guy is a dirty adult!”
“Oh, Mil-chan is here. Is it time for lunch already?”
It seems Mil has come from the village to call us, though it does seem a bit early for lunch.
“Hey! Menas and the others have returned!”
“Oh! That was quick this time. Well, the work is at a good stopping point, so let’s head back to the village for now.”