Chapter 34 - 34: Journey on the Carriage (1/2)
Hrmm…
”Uuu… Did we make it?”
As we've arrived at our destination, I take a look at Raphtalia who looks like she's just about to collapse and I let out a bit of a woeful groan.
It didn't look like she was having trouble earlier, but it looks like having Firo run amok may have been too much.
”We've made it to the hut?”
Looks like Firo didn't have enough as even after she stopped pulling the wagon she was letting her legs loose and frolicking about.
Raphtalia looked dreadful as she staggered on her feet.
”Well, let's load up the lumber now.”
I aided the lumberjack who came out of the hut in loading the lumber onto the wagon.
I also helped out a bit in cutting down some trees. Thanks to my [shield] skill, the quality of the lumber was raised.
While I did that, I had Raphtalia continue her riding training. On a side note I got a reaction from the lumber so I let [the shield] absorb it.
The requirements for the Kino Tree shield have been unlocked.
The requirements for the Les Tree shield have been unlocked.
Kino Tree Shield
Equipment Bonus: Woodworking Skill I <Unmastered>
Les Tree Shield
Equipment Bonus: Low Level Wood Working Recipe <Unmastered>
It's the Wood Shield branch. These two trees seem to be the most common types used for woodworking. The Kino trees are like the Hinoki (Japanese cypress) from my world but with a bit of an aromatic fragrance. The Les trees sort of resemble the Sugi (Japanese cedar), but the grain of the cut tree seems to differ depending on the location. It's a bit of an odd tree.
Well, not like that matters too much.
A few days later.
Pound, pound, pound.
With a wooden mallet in hand, I work vigorously in modifying our wagon into a full horse-drawn carriage.
It seems my skill has improved considerably which I suspect is due to the Woodworking Skill I I unlocked the other day.
I begin to affix a frame on top of our wagon. After that I'll need to cover the top with some thick cloth.
The Ryuuto village reconstruction is proceeding swimmingly, and it looks like they'll be fine without our help now.
The villagers noticed I was working on upgrading my wagon into a carriage and even lent a hand.
”Alright, this seems to be pretty ok.”
”Looks like it's done.”
I, along with the few villagers that helped me out, let out a bit of a cheer upon finishing the carriage.
It's a horse-drawn carriage, but the one pulling it will be a Philo Rial… Well, whatever.
”Thanks for helping me everyone.”
”It's no problem at all. Hero-sama has helped us out so much, this is the least we can do.”
The villagers all helped me out with kind smiles.
[They're treating me kindly as] I've saved their lives, but I can't spoil myself by staying here. Still, I'm honestly grateful to the people here.
”I'm glad you feel that way.”
”You'll be peddling goods you said?”
”I'll mostly be a guy that does odd jobs. Traveling from village to village, town to town carrying transporting goods, selling whatever commodities I come across, escorting people.”
”I see…”
Yeah, the villagers don't seem to really get what I mean.
Well it's true that it's not typical hero behavior like what Motoyasu would do.
It's not like I've envisioned a clear cut path to success here, but I've got Firo now, and it only makes sense to make the most out of her.
”Hm? Woah… The wagon turned into a carriage-.”
Firo, who was in her human form and playing about, had a look of surprise as she notices how large the wagon has grown.
”Is Firo going to be pulling this?”
”Yeah, that's right. From now on you'll be pulling this carriage as we travel all over the country.”
”Really!?”
Firo cheers, brimming with happiness.
Man if it were me I'd absolutely object to doing so much manual labor…
”Are we really going to.”
Raphtalia mutters dejectedly.
It seems Raphtalia doesn't sound very enthusiastic about our journey on the carriage as she has yet to completely get over her motion sickness.
”You'll get over it eventually. Just bear it until then.”
”Fine.”
”Firo, what is your job?”
”Uhmm, Firo's job is to pull the carriage to wherever master wants to go.”
”Right.”
”And to kick that spear guy if I ever see him.”
”Correct.”
”One of those is wrong! Just what are you making her do?”
Raphtalia objects to my words in bewilderment.