Volume 2 - CH 4.2

Chapter 2-4 : Pelts And Meat Ⅲ (part 2)

First of all, I need iron plates for the base materials to make a magic stove and a magic oven.

I guess about 14 iron plates would be enough.

Oh, right. I also need some iron ingots to make the small parts.

I went to the blacksmith, Jizdo-san, to order the iron plates and iron ingots, and then I went to Geberg-san’s house.

I opened the door of the house that didn’t look like a carpenter’s house at all, and called out.

「Excuse me~ Geberg-san, it’s me, Sarasa~」(Sarasa)

After I called out, a person who looked like a grumpy old man came out from the back.

He’s Geberg-san.

Even though he looks like that, he’s actually a kind person.

I got used to it after I talked so many times with him since coming to this village.

「Oh! Ojou-chan, you finally came! Let’s go!」(Geberg)

Saying that, Geberg-san slapped my back.

I’ve gotten used to this ‘slapping other people’s back’ custom in this village, so it didn’t hurt too much.

「Eh? Wh, Where to?」(Sarasa)

I haven’t even told him what business I came here for, but Geberg-san suddenly asked me to go somewhere with him.

「To your house, of course! As a carpenter in this village, I have to fix this village’s hero’s house as soon as possible, but you have been bedridden since the battle was over. Now that you have recovered, I can finally do my job.」(Geberg)

「But, don’t you have a plan to repair other villagers’ houses today?」(Sarasa)

「You fool, of course your house is my priority. Let’s go!」(Geberg)

Saying that, Geberg-san slapped my back again.

「Y, Yes, sir!」(Sarasa)

I came here to ask when he would have time to help me repair my house, but it seemed that it would be today.

I hurriedly followed Geberg-san to my house, and then I guided him to the backyard to show him the damage.

「Kaahh! This is terrible! Do you want me to fix the fences like they used to be?」(Geberg)

「Yes, please.」(Sarasa)

Although it’s not urgent, the backyard fences must also be fixed in order to protect my herb field, and so I can dry my laundry without worrying about other people’s eyes.

The priority is of course the house’s walls, especially the kitchen.

「We can leave the backyard for later, more importantly, we have to repair the house’s back wall as soon as possible.」(Sarasa)

It’s nice to feel the breeze when I’m inside thanks to the holes in the wall, but it will be a problem when it rains.

「Hmm, so not only the door, but the walls were also destroyed, huh? This house’s walls are stronger than normal houses’ walls, right?」(Geberg)

「Yes. Do you know about it?」(Sarasa)

「Yeah, because I was involved in the construction of this house a long time ago.」(Geberg)

「Hee, I see.」(Sarasa)

Well, considering Geberg-san’s age and the fact that he is a carpenter in this village, it’s pretty obvious.

I’m sure he was involved in most of the construction in this village.

「I remember this house’s previous owner wanted to install a “Seal” or something in this house, and thanks to that, it was quite hard to build this house.」(Geberg)

「Ahh…」(Sarasa)

Building a house with a Seal is quite annoying for most carpenters because it’s really different from making a normal house.

Sometimes, the shape of the house is too complex, and the carpenters will get interrupted from time to time during work by an alchemist because alchemical work is needed.

I think carpenters who are impatient will be frustrated if they have to work like that.

「Umm… Geberg-san, I’m sorry, I think I will make you a little uncomfortable during the work…」(Sarasa)

「Hahaha! I know, don’t worry. It’s a carpenter’s job to meet the needs of customers! I won’t complain since I love my job.」(Geberg)

「Oohhーー」(Sarasa)

Wonderful!

I respect him even more.

If you’re a professional, you have to respect your customer’s request.

It’s a service industry after all.

If you want to build the house without following the customer’s request, you have to tell them the reason and convince them that their request will have a negative impact on the house in the future.

When I looked at Geberg-san with eyes full of respect, he looked away and blushed.

「So, when will we start the work?」(Geberg)

「I’ve told Lorea-chan to manage the store for the time being, so we can start now. I’ll be relying on you for today.」(Sarasa)

「Alright, let’s get started then!」(Geberg)

「Aye!」(Sarasa)

Repairing a house with a Seal is a job for professionals only, so Geberg-san didn’t call the villagers who once helped build the fences at my house.

The only ones working are me and Geberg-san.

While Geberg-san piling blocks and plastering them, I’m repairing the Seal.

「As expected from Geberg-san, you are very skillful.」(Sarasa)

「Of course. I’ve been a craftsman many times longer than the time you’ve been alive, you know?」(Geberg)

「Haha, you’re right.」(Sarasa)

He was involved in the construction of this house a long time ago after all.

By the way, repairing the Seal is unexpectedly difficult…

If you make a new one, you can set it as you want so you can make it easily.

However, it’s different when it comes to repairing it.

You have to work very carefully according to how the Seal works so there’s no deviation in the function.

Moreover, the materials used to repair a Seal are quite expensive.

It’s tiring mentally and financially…

Honestly, I don’t want to think about how much money I’m going to spend to repair this Seal.

After a few hours of working, we finally finished repairing the wall.

…..Hahh… It was tiring but it was faster than I expected.

Well, it’s thanks to Geberg-san’s amazing carpentry skills.

But actually, I also helped him a little with magic.

「Ahh, if only you were not an alchemist, I would have asked you to become my disciple.」(Geberg)

「But my carpentry skills aren’t that good. I only learned a little carpentry at school.」(Sarasa)

「I don’t think skillfulness has anything to do with school. It’s something you will gain from practicing.」(Geberg)

「Is that so? By the way, you don’t have a disciple?」(Sarasa)

「Yeah. There’s no man with a lot of will power like you in this village.」(Geberg)

「I’m a girl, though…」(Sarasa)

Geberg-san sighed.

I think having a master like Geberg-san would be tough because he seems to be very strict.

「Oh, well. Anyway, do you have any request for the door?」(Geberg)

「Ah, yes. Please make it strong. I don’t want the new door to become like the old one.」(Sarasa)

I pointed to the destroyed door on the pile of debris in the backyard.

Geberg-san smiled bitterly when he saw it.

「We’ll be doomed if something like bear attacks happens frequently in this village… But, roger that. I’ll also repair the backyard fences in the near future.」(Geberg)

「Thank you, Geberg-san.」(Sarasa)

He said “in the near future”, but it’s Geberg-san we’re talking about.

The next day, a new door was installed into the kitchen, and my beautiful fences were completely repaired.

That’s Geberg-san for you.