Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Visit to the Family Home - 1
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I tucked Tom, who had dozed off again, into bed, grabbed the black bow he had made for me, and was about to head home when Petra approached me with a slightly dissatisfied expression.
"Hey."
"What's up, Petra?"
"Why'd you help?"
"Hm?"
"It had nothing to do with you. So why'd you convince the old man?"
"Well... it didn't, really."
Her sudden question caught me off guard, and I scratched my cheek. I hadn't expected her to ask.
I came up with some half-baked excuse.
"More hands make the work go faster, right?"
"I'm a girl, you know?"
"What does that matter? As long as you do good work."
"Hmmm... I see. Thanks."
"If you're thankful, pay me back."
"Sure. What do you want?"
Right then, there was nothing I particularly wanted from Petra. Learning metallurgy from Tom wouldn't make her a master overnight, and she didn't have any assets to give anyway.
After some thought, I decided to invest in her future potential.
"Not now. Later, make me one thing for free when I ask."
"Deal."
Petra answered confidently, and seeing her smug smile, I made a mental note to ask her for something outrageous down the line.
"This bow is seriously amazing."
Leon, who had received the black bow from Tom, was thrilled, her face lighting up with excitement.
"That good?"
"Yeah! The arrows go whoosh like crazy."
"Arrows always fly like that."
"But farther!"
"Of course, with good materials."
"And the accuracy's way better!"
"That's because your old bow was crap... Ah, okay, I'll stop teasing."
I got playfully swatted for messing with Leon. Damn, she hits harder than she looks.
"Right. Let me see your hand, Leon."
"My hand?"
"Yeah. Your drawing hand."
"Here."
Leon held out her right hand, and I slipped a thimble onto her finger.
"What's this?"
"My gift. A bow finger guard."
"You already gave me the bow? Am I getting two now?"
"Don't worry about it. Think of it as a set."
"Mmm... Okay, if you say so, Sian. Thanks."
"If you're thankful, come somewhere with me."
"Suddenly?"
"Winter's getting harsher, so I want to grab some stuff we left at the old house before moving here."
"Your house?"
"Yeah, smack in the middle of the Dark Forest. Wanna go? Might have to stay overnight."
"If it's for you, Sian, sure."
"Thanks."
Leon agreed without hesitation.
Before leaving, since it'd be an overnight trip, I explained to Chloe.
"What are you picking up, if I may ask?"
"Secret. It'll be a surprise later."
"Got it. Be careful out there. Bro, take care of Sian for me."
"I will, Chloe. I'll make sure not to get in Sian's way."
"Hee hee, I trust you."
Chloe gave a meaningful smile.
Next, I gave instructions to Sylvia and Elsia.
"While I'm gone, keep the front gate closed and stay inside."
"Yes, Sian."
"Don't worry, go on."
I trusted the villagers, but you never know.
With everyone's farewells, Leon and I made it to the house in the Dark Forest that Ian and I had shared.
"Huff... huff... This place is far."
"It's mid-Dark Forest."
"Huh? Mid? Then everywhere I've been so far..."
"The outskirts. No dangerous monsters, right?"
"That's the outskirts?"
Leon shuddered, shocked.
It made sense.
The war bears the village worried about were actually in the central Dark Forest, rarely appearing on the edges—and even then, mostly losers from territory fights.
But the true face of the Dark Forest started here, where Ian and I lived.
"Lightning birds, walking rock piles, the occasional ogre... Don't do anything stupid."
"Why live in a place like this?"
"Plenty of game."
Leon stuck out her tongue in disbelief at my answer.
Was it that weird?
"Anyway, let's grab what we need and go."
"No. We're staying tonight."
"Why? You said it's dangerous."
"Nowhere safer at night."
Ian hadn't chosen this spot randomly.
At night in the Dark Forest, this was the safest place.
"Plus, the black tiger hunts at night, so better wait till dawn."
"Black tiger—the one you mentioned before?"
"Yeah. If it attacks, even I'd struggle to survive."
"I see..."
"Oh, and no floor heating here."
"Ugh... It's gonna be cold tonight."
"What can you do? We'll huddle together."
I'd tried making floor heating a few times in the past.
Even with full memories from my previous life, all I'd seen were documentaries. Technically deficient, I failed—of course.
Conceived at 10, first attempt at 12: nearly suffocated from chimney smoke. Fire at 14. After trial and error, success at 18—then that damn cat swatted it down with a paw. Damn cat. I'll hunt it someday.
"Ugh, haven't cleaned in ages. It's filthy."
Dust clouds greeted me upon arrival.
"So, what's this thing you wanted to grab?"
"Ah, this."
"What is it?"
When I showed her the small clothes, Leon's eyes widened.
"Baby clothes?"
"Stuff I wore as a kid."
"Don't people usually sell or toss them if no kids planned?"
"Yeah. But Ian said these were on me when he found me in the forest. Couldn't bear to throw them out. Might help find my birth parents or something."
"Ah... Sorry."
"It's fine. I don't really care."
I felt nothing toward parents who abandoned me. Whatever reason, no urge to search. Finding them's work, and rebuilding bonds now? Nah. Better live carefree. Married now, kid on the way.
"But it's well-kept. Your dad really cherished you."
"That, and it's valuable. Kept as emergency funds."
"..."
The clothes and blanket were rare materials, not common in rural villages. Obvious value.
'Especially the writing even knowledgeable Ian couldn't read.'
Either way, good to save for future kids.
"Anything else besides this?"
"Tons."
Lots to grab.
Monster hides for wall insulation, Ian's hunting tools, and most importantly...
"What's this paper?"
"Dad said it's a land deed, but no idea where."
I could read it, but not the location. Never left Dark Forest. World's scale still fuzzy. No clue on value. How many pyeong in an acre?
'Ask Elsia later.'
Merchant's daughter; she'd appraise it.
"Let's eat first. Getting hungry."
"Agreed~"
So Leon and I had dinner alone, cleaned the house, tidied Ian's grave, and passed the time.
And then.
"Leon, let's go wash up."
"Wash?"
Washing in winter's tough. Water's cold, and firewood for heating's precious. Usually every other day. Only possible 'cause I stockpile wood; some bathe weekly. Here? Nothing?
Leon couldn't fathom it.
"No firewood, no water to boil."
"Heh, but there's a hot spring."
"Hot spring?"
Strange word baffled her. I smacked my forehead.
"You don't know. Figures, rural folk rarely see 'em."
Her pitying tone irked Leon, who snapped a bit sharply.
"So what's a hot spring?"
"Simple: spring of hot water."
"Such a thing exists?"
"That's why I'm telling you. Come on, we sweated getting here."
"True, but..."
Hesitant, Leon dawdled.
Impatient, I grabbed her wrist and led to the hot spring.
Sure enough, hot water bubbled out.
"Whoa... For real. Amazing."
I'd shaped it into a nice tub.
Who knew the Dark Forest hid this?
As Leon gaped in awe...
"Let's get in."
"Huh?"
I started undressing.
"What're you doing? Strip, Leon."
"..."
Seeing me naked, Leon flushed beet red, flustered beyond words.