184-Chapter 12-3 Pachinko

'Leon. Just make sure you understand that what you did was a mistake that could jeopardize the position of everyone in this village right now!

I'm sorry...

Sure enough, Rion had been warned by Chris-san, who had arrived in a hurry. However, the moment Chris-san came into view, me and Albert stopped him, and told him why Rion ran into the goblin pack (but changed it to beautify Rion's behavior), and thanks to Cain's inclusion of telling Rion not to say anything other than 'I'm sorry' in that moment, Chris It seemed that the three of them couldn't come out as strongly as usual.

Incidentally, what he said in defense of Rion was something like, ''Thanks to Rion's preoccupation, the goblins couldn't get close to the village,'' ''In his own way, he took the initiative to protect the village in order to improve the reputation of the Frontier Earl family...'' In fact, in a conversation with the village chief, he asked, "'How much can we trust the Frontier Count family? When I told him that there was a reason why they built the wall to increase the village's ability to defend itself, Chris seemed to think that there was a reason for Leon's arbitrary decision-making.

'Sounds like Rion played a big part in that.

Grandpa, who had been watching for the right moment in the sky above, came down just as Chris's attention was ending. No one seemed to have noticed Grandpa in the sky except me, and I was surprised. Maybe that's why Chris-san, who was still trying to say something, completely missed the timing, and as a result, his attention to Leon ended there.

''I've explored the perimeter of this village as far as I can see, and other than the goblins lying around here, I didn't see anything that could be a wonder of this village.

Some of the villagers who had rushed in after hearing Grandpa's report went back to inform the village.

'So, Rion. What do you plan to do with the bodies of these goblins?

What do you think we should do ... dig a hole in the ground and throw them in it?

You can't get that many valuable parts out of a goblin corpse, and they may be purchased in some cities to make fertilizer, but they won't be of any use in this village.

''I guess that's fine for the corpse, but what about the magic core?''

'Ahhhh I guess it's only an allowance, but to be honest, it's a pain in the ass to get it out. Right!　Someone tell the village chief to bring a few villagers who have experience in dismantling it. The demon nuclei taken from that can be used for the village's share, but you can cash them in and use them to fund the banquet.

The remaining villagers were reserved at first due to the fact that the demon was defeated by a nobleman (Rion), but when they realized that the person in question really didn't want it, they began to dismantle it with those who were present. Even if we say dismantling, all we had to do was cut open the chest of the goblins and take out the magic core, so the process of disposing of the thirty or so goblins was over in the blink of an eye. After that, the corpses of the goblins were thrown into the hole I made during the dismantling and burned until they were reduced to ashes.

When I returned to the village after all this, I found many villagers at the entrance waiting for Leon to return. To the unaware villagers, Leon's outburst, which could be described as an outburst of revenge, was a heroic act for their own protection, more than enough to wipe away the distrust of the frontier aunt family.

And speaking of welcome in the village, it was a feast for all the villagers, just as it was in Kukri village, where Leon was hailed as the next lord and hero, and he was popular with the crowd. From the old men, uncles and aunts........

In this village now, the "young" men and women, both men and women, are in their thirties, and the "young" people below that age are either out of the village or already married. In other words, there are no "single women" of the same age as Leon.

''That's terrible...''

That's too much...

Even Cain, who usually laughs out loud here, is probably saying that the situation is so sad that he can't do such a thing with a stone.

''I'm beginning to feel sorry for myself as well... the most popular situation I know, and yet there's no girl among them...''

Chris-san, let alone Cain, seemed to have no choice but to feel sorry for Rion now.

''Well, it may have been disappointing as a 'man', but as the 'next lord' it was more than enough of an achievement, wasn't it?　This village seems to interact with the surrounding villages and towns...

We enjoyed the food that had been prepared for us as we watched Leon being praised in the center of the villagers.

''I'm sorry Temma I'm not going to make it...''

Okay. Cain, put Leon on the phone.

Roger that Rion, get some sleep.

The day after the banquet honoring Rion, we resumed our journey to Kukri village as planned, but Rion was suffering from a bad hangover from the continuous drinking that had been poured by the villagers at yesterday's banquet. Nevertheless, the villagers had gathered at the entrance of the village to see him off, so Leon kept leaning out of his seat and waving to them.

The villagers who were near the entrance had moved away so far that they were no longer visible, so he asked them to take his place.　

I asked the chief for the direction of Kukri and the village on the way there, so I don't think we'll be going in the wrong direction. Besides, if we get close to Kukri village, Grandpa might be able to recognize it and Shiroumaru might remember the scent, so we'll be able to make it work.

Even if that doesn't work, if I continue to use 'exploration', I know the geography of a dozen or so kilometers or so, so I'll be able to find something to use as a guidepost. But it's tiring, so I don't want to do it as much as possible, but.......

'Temma, what have you been making earlier?'

After an hour or so after I switched with Leon, I switched too, and as I was working on my craft in the carriage, I was approached by Amur for the first time in a long time. If it had been Amur before, he would have tried to hug me at the same time as I called out to him, so maybe Leni's education is paying off.

'I was thinking of using the materials from the frogs I defeated yesterday to make a hunting tool.　

The materials in front of me are the wooden sticks, frog muscles, and animal skin. The muscles of the frog have been processed into thin strings beforehand, and I intend to make the Slingshot by combining these materials. For me, "Slingshot" sounds more like a slingshot than a slingshot, but I think of it as a weapon or a hunting tool, so I chose the weapon-like name "Slingshot".

''Tie the string together like this........just to give it a shape?

Fold a 5 cm square piece of leather in two, make a hole in it and tie it, and then tie the other end of the string to the tip of a wooden stick, and you have a prototype of the Slingshot. It's a prototype, but the string is folded in two, passed through the hole, and then tied in a loop at the end to double the strength of the string, so it should have some power.

'It doesn't seem to have any problems with air strikes,'

I pulled on it a few times and didn't see any problems. The only thing left to do was to actually try flying the ball, but it was not good to fly it in the carriage, so I decided to hold back and put it away in my bag... but Amour and Chris got interested in it, and they took it somewhat forcefully.

I thought that Amour's behavior would make Leni-san angry, but surprisingly, after hearing about the use of the device, Leni-san seemed to go and look at the 'sling shot' with them.

When I was watching the three of them, I was able to predict what they would say next, so I decided to mass-produce the "Slingshot" before they said it. And we were able to mass-produce two 'sling shots'. The three of them are in the hands of three people who were watching the first one with great interest.

'Albert, Cain. It's a little early, but I need you to find a place to take a break. It doesn't have to be near a watering hole, but as soon as possible.

Hmm?　All right.

I've got something...

Cain, sensing the situation, asked me if I could use the rocky area nearby. There are likely to be pebbles and targets strewn about there instead of balls, and it seems to be a good place to test out the "Slingshot".

'There, please.'

Okay.

And a few minutes later, as soon as the carriage arrived at the rocky area and stopped, the three of them got out of the carriage and began to test out the 'sling shot' by using a nearby rock as a target.

'This is fun!'

Just the thing to use as a concealed weapon in case of emergency.

'For an infiltrator like me, this size is easy to carry around. It's a bit weak in power, but if you think of it as something to distract or exploit a falsehood, it doesn't seem like a big deal.

It seems that Amur was just a toy sensation, but the other two seemed to have a proper purpose for it. It is true that the portable size is one of the strengths of the 'sling shot'. This is why the power is less powerful than other flying tools such as bows and arrows, but if you increase the number of rubber (the frog muscles instead of the power source) and make it thicker, you can increase the power. Besides, if you change the ball to a pointed one like an arrowhead, or use an arrow like a crossbow, the killing power will be further increased. Well, I've never used arrows in 'sling shot', so it's unclear if they can be used properly in practice.

After that, the three of us were still testing the performance of the Slingshot after finishing our early lunch. And then I created a new version of the Slingshot with those three people at my side.

This new model has improved power, durability and precision. The changes from the prototype are: more substitute rubber (frog muscle), the body that connects the substitute rubber is made of magical iron, and the handle is shaped like the handle of a sword. By making the main body and handle like a sword, the handle could be adjusted to the size of the hand, making it easier to grip and therefore more precise.

'This is for Jeanne and this is for Aura.

They had glanced at Amur and the others using it, but since the three of them hadn't noticed their gaze, they had given up and were preparing their lunch. It's not that they improved its performance instead, but the reason why they originally wanted to make the 'Slingshot' was because they envisioned hunting in dense forests where bows and arrows would be difficult to use, and weapons for women who were less powerful than men. Incidentally, the three people who took the prototypes earlier were not very helpful, as they exceeded the muscle strength of the average woman (Leni-san is probably a little bit, but Amour and Chris-san are well beyond).

'Thanks, Temma!

Thank you, Lady Temma!

You can use it to protect yourself and others from thugs, but this is a weapon that can be powerful enough to kill people. You can use it to protect yourself and your thugs, but this is a 'weapon' with enough power to kill people, so keep that in mind.

I spoke so that not only the two people in front of me, but the three people who took the prototype could hear me, but it wouldn't make much sense since two of the three prototypes seemed to be attracted to its potential as a weapon. Well, just keep in mind that it's that dangerous, that's all you need to know.

The three prototypes looked envious of the versioned-up 'Slingshot', but since they were the ones who chose the prototype, they decided not to accept returns or exchanges.

''Nice........sounds interesting.......''

There was another guy behind me who seemed to want the 'Sling Shot', but I felt like there was something dangerous about giving it to him, so I said, "I'll make it for you next time when I get Chris-san's permission," but since Chris-san refused to give me the improved model, Cain's new equipment never materialized.

It's so simple to make, I'm sure anyone can make it if they want to.

''No, we don't have the essential frog material, so it's not that easy to make them. Temma has all the materials for the frogs you're familiar with, and...

No matter how you say it, you have to have Chris-san's permission to do it, Cain glanced at Chris-san and gave up with a sigh. Incidentally, the Chris-san that Cain saw was just about to ask to borrow the improved model that Aura had.

'Stop playing around and get ready to leave!

With my grandfather's encouragement, the guys who had been playing with "Slingshot" hurriedly began to prepare for it. Incidentally, Chris-san was unable to borrow it when he was so close to it because of the difficult negotiations with Aura. However, Amour's asked Jeanne to try the improved model several times. Leni-san was trying out various things with the prototype she had to see if she could somehow improve it.

'Nevertheless, Temma. You took a complete prototype with you, are you happy about it?

Let me ask you the opposite, Cain. Do you think you'll be able to get it back from Chris and the rest of the guys who got it wrong?　Leni may return it honestly, but I don't think the other two will let go of it for whatever reason.

I don't think it's a good idea to demand restitution only from Leni-san, so I decided to give up on the prototype. Well, we paid back for that by not making an improved model for the three of them. It is obvious that if you are going to make it anyway, it's better to make it with proper equipment and with the opinions of your main job, so I'm going to make my own after I return to the capital.

''That's true too. Especially the face of my senior when I asked him for permission for my share.......he was smiling, but it was very powerful.

With the way things were going, there would be another request for an improved model after we returned to King's Landing. Besides, if we were to make it in the capital, there would be at least three acquaintances who would ask us to make it for sure. The head of this country, the daughter of the royal family, or a high ranking person in the military.......

'Well, when the time comes, if I offer it to that person first thing, will they be a little more docile?

If I take the first issue in King's Landing to Maria-sama and ask her to be the point of contact for future 'Slingshot' production requests, the three requests in King's Landing will become more mature. It would always be the same without Maria-sama's supervision....

'Anyway, it's something to think about when we get back to King's Landing. That said, we have to get going as soon as we can.

'Right. It looks like Chris senior and the others are almost done cleaning up, and if we're late, what will they say...

That's why me and Cain hurriedly cleaned up our stuff and joined everyone else.

Temma," he said, "I'm afraid we'll arrive at Kukri in the next day or two. We'll probably arrive at the village of Kukri in the next day or two.

My grandfather, who was working as a coach, pointed to the mountain ahead and said this to me. According to my grandfather, there was a forest on the other side of the mountain in front of him.

It's a long way from there to the village of Kukuri. Maybe we should take a rest in front of that forest.

From there, they said that they would pass through the foot of the mountain and then move along the 'Great Old Man's Forest', so there was a possibility that stronger demons might appear. So he said it was better to spend the night in front of the mountain where the danger was less, and pass through the dangerous area while it was still light.

'If Grandpa says we should do that, maybe we should. If Lyden was serious about running, he wouldn't be caught by the slightest demon, but that's not the case with the carriage. If you're not good at it, it might break, and some of the demons that act in packs will ambush you.

It's possible that they could attack in packs against a higher-ranked demon like the "Dragon Snake" that attacked Shiroumaru's parents in the past, so it's best to avoid camping near dangerous places if possible.

Then it's settled.

When it came to this point, Grandpa was more knowledgeable about the geography of the area than Rion, so he decided to leave all the resting places to Grandpa.

It's a good thing that I'm not the only one who's been leading us to this point, but Leon was the first one to agree, saying it's safer to rely on my grandfather's memory and experience than the map of the frontier aunt's house. Well, I guess he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders since he had been guiding the way with his near tepid knowledge up to this point.

''Have you been around here before, Temma-sama?''

'No, basically I've only been to the area around Kukri Village. I've played in the Grand Old Man's Forest and so on, but when I went deeper into the woods, it was usually with my dad or grandpa.................I only went to Russell City once. When we got attacked by a bunch of zombies, we had to call for help.

Maybe he's thinking, "Even though it's the end of the line, some of the people under my command......." or something like that.

''Rion. He said it's over now, so there's nothing to worry about. Chris-san isn't going to get hung up on you and make a funny face.

Hey!　What's a funny face?!

Maybe Chris-san reminded me of the time I met my mom and dad. Except for me and my grandpa, Chris was the only person in this group who knew about Kukri Village, so that's probably why he felt those feelings.

''Whatever it is, don't be any sadder than me and grandpa. You won't know how to react, you'll never know how to react.

My light talk lightened the air in the carriage somewhat, but Rion and Mr. Chris seemed to be pushing themselves somewhat too hard. 'I don't suppose they'll be back so easily?　Well, I'll feel better when I wake up after I go to bed," and I was hoping that tomorrow morning or so, I'd be back to normal...

"You're going to die quickly!

f*ck you!

The place my grandfather had planned for the encampment was now home to goblins, and was being overrun by two depressed people in the carriage to distract them from their distraction.

''No, it's not a bad thing to kill goblins but that makes those two look like the bad guys.

That's just what I'm talking about.

'Miss, I'd like to say that the way you put it.......but that's not what I'd call it.

I was followed by Cain, Albert and Amur. Leni-san was about to complain about Amur's expression, but I gave up on the fact that it was inevitable after looking at those two.

It is natural for adventurers and security knights to destroy goblins' homes, but with the way things are going, it's impossible to camp here today.

The planned site, which had originally been defiled by the goblins, had been transformed into a place of scourge by the activities of the two of them, and in all likelihood, it was no longer a place that could be used as today's encampment.

''It can't be helped. Let's make a little further on as today's encampment.

The way things are going, I'll just go in the carriage and make dinner since I'm going to have to deal with this place and all that.

It would be bad manners to leave this place a mess and move on to the next planned camping site, so I decided to cook dinner so that we could eat as soon as we arrived.

'I'll help you,'

Hm!

Me too.

Me too!

Immediately Leni-san said she would help, and soon after that Amour raised his hand, followed by Jeanne and Aura, but since the carriage was a bit small for a lot of people, they didn't need that much help.

'Well then, Jeanne will help me, Aura will clean the baths, Leni-san and Amour will get the drinks and hand towels for those two... no, Leni-san will help me and Jeanne will be in charge of them along with Amour.

Not that he treated her like a customer, but he somehow tried to dump a simple task on Leni and soon realized that it was a bad idea. After all, Rion's first distraction was caused by Leni-san. It's not good for both parties to bring the cause of the distraction closer to Rion. That's why I've decided to switch Jeanne and Leni's responsibilities.

''What we're planning to do is make miso soup with frog meat... what else should we make?''

'Speaking of miso soup, my partner is white rice. And pickles are a staple in the south...won't people get bored with all that miso soup?

When camping, they often make it with dinner because they also need an evening meal for the person standing guard. For this reason, soup that can be made in large quantities and reheated is a standard dish. Even if you take the broth and add miso, you can make a dish of miso soup, which was a staple of my cooking. Well, it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm a former Japanese. Incidentally, the second most common dish I make is stew, but since miso soup is easier and quicker to make, it is inevitably the second most popular dish by a wide margin.

'Well, no one would complain about cooking with the encampment in mind, and if you say it, you just don't make them eat it.

As long as it's good, they're all adventurous-minded members who said it doesn't matter if it's good, so no one will complain about it. In the first place, if there was something they wanted to eat, they would request it. At the very least, those who would refrain from such things are not accompanying us on this trip.

'Well then, Leni-san, I'll have some miso soup. I'll make onigiri and asazuke.

To be honest, I wanted to prepare something like pickles, but I didn't have it, so I decided to make lightly pickled vegetables. I put shredded kelp and salt into the cabbage and carrots, rubbed them, and let them sit for a while.

After that, I used the rice that I had stored in the magic bag, and I just made onigiri. I made a new batch of rice at the same time, because it was not going to be enough.

'Temma-kun, I'm hungry.

Chris, who had eradicated the goblins and cleaned off the dirt in the bath, came to urge us to eat while wiping his hair.

'The food itself is ready, but you'll have to wait until everyone is ready.

Currently, the other women are in the middle of using the carriage bath after Chris, who was the first to bathe, and the other women are in the middle of using the carriage bath. And as for the men who couldn't use the carriage bath because of this, they had brought out the tub they had made in the past to bathe in a little distance away.

''Eh~''

While saying that, Chris-san was secretly reaching for his onigiri.

''Well, it's fine, but........it's kind of like Amur.

Ugh....

He felt that it was a bad idea that he was re-educating Amur and that he was doing the same thing as Amur. Most of all, Amur doesn't do those things anymore, so if Amur found out, Chris-san might lose his position if he was found out.

Oh, Temma. Please don't tell anyone about this...

I don't mind but Aura's watching you.

Like Chris, Aura was sneaking up on us, perhaps because she was trying to pick something up. And she saw Chris's attempt to snack on it.

Aura, excuse me.

Aura sensed that she had stumbled into a bad place and tried to run away just before Chris-san turned around, but it was a little too late.

Aura was then taken by Chris-san to the edge of the encampment, where he seemed to have negotiated to keep her quiet. However, I don't know how the negotiations took place. What I do know is that it must have been the result Chris wanted, because Aura looked tired after the negotiations and Chris was in a good mood.