Chapter 35

Relying on vague memories, I proceeded through the forest.

I have been to the forest many times, but this direction to the southeast is my first time.

The cabin is supposed to be downstream of the river that runs north-south on the east side of the town, a bit away from the town.

To be honest, if I wanted to hide, the invisibility spell would be enough.

Even in the usual town, no one would notice me if I was invisible, as long as I didn't come into contact with someone with combat aura.

I think it would be easier to do it that way, but there is a reason for coming this far.

I wanted time and a place.

Time and a place to study.

By the way, when the forest was searched by the hunters, how did Dena know where I was? The invisibility spell was working, and I hadn't used my combat aura at the time.

Is there some trick to see through it?

It's a mystery.

There was supposed to be a large tree as a landmark, and the cabin was supposed to be at the midpoint between that tree and the river.

I clung to the faint memory.

But it wasn't there.

I pushed through the bushes, searching for something that looked like it, but I couldn't see the cabin even through the gaps between the trees.

Maybe I misread the map.

I should have brought a memo or something. But this place is like a safe house, and it's not good to leave too many clues about its location. That's probably why Gustav didn't give me a map.

I rose into the air and looked around.

I thought I could find it from the sky, but I couldn't see it through the branches.

No wonder Gustav chose it as a hideout.

Should I go back to the shop and try to get the map?

I thought about it, but I couldn't go back.

It would be embarrassing to return saying I couldn't find it.

There's no choice but to search systematically.

I spread my magic to its limits to grasp the surroundings.

I could feel every leaf on the trees, but that didn't matter now.

I didn't even know what a cabin looked like, but I would recognize a building with living space.

I flew around aimlessly, as if I were mopping the forest.

This is a large rock.

This has space, but it's a hollow in a tree. No, that's not it.

After searching, I finally found it.

It was a low building, hidden from view by the surrounding trees and covered by the branches of tall trees. The building was made of stone and covered with vines.

The walls looked green due to the vines and resembled a large moss-covered rock. However, upon closer inspection, it clearly had windows, a chimney, and a door, making it a proper cabin.

"Wow, what a great place..."

I couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.

The inside of the cabin was in pretty good condition. Although it was covered in dust, there were no signs of leaks or damage. Someone must come regularly to maintain it.

When I closed the door, it became pitch black inside.

At least there were windows, so I could get some light. I lit a light at my fingertips and moved to the window.

There was a wooden sliding door on the inside of the fixed window, blocking the light. This was probably to prevent light from leaking out at night.

I found a table and sat in the chair next to it. When I ran my finger across the table, it turned black with dust.

First, I need to clean up.

I went to a nearby stream to fetch water. The bucket was inside the cabin and was also dusty, but it cleaned up quickly with water.

The water in the stream was already cold, probably due to the cooling temperatures.

I soaked a rag in the water and wiped the visible areas. My hands ached from the cold water.

After washing the rag three times, the water turned black. Each time, I had to fetch more water and diligently clean the dust.

After several trips, I realized something.

I could use magic to produce water.

Once I realized this, it was quick.

Thinking about it, I didn't need to drink the water; I just needed enough to soak the rag. There was no problem using magic to wet the rag, and the water produced by magic would quickly evaporate.

In other words, even if I flooded the cabin with water magic, it would dry up as soon as I stopped supplying magic.

The high-pressure water jet was the way to go. I didn't even need a rag.

I sprayed water from my fingertips to wash the walls and table.

It was fascinating to watch the dirt wash away and dry up from the wet areas.

Once I disposed of the debris that had washed down, it was done.

Maybe I could become a cleaner.

Although it wasn't as good as a new building, I was satisfied with the clean cabin.

"This is great. I could have used it as a place to sleep in the slums."

No one heard my muttered words.

The cleaning of the living space was done, and now I needed to secure food.

Gustav said he would sell it cheaply, but I declined, thinking I could get it from the forest.

The work itself was the same as usual.

I thought I would catch and cook some fish from the nearby river.

By the time I thought about catching and cooking fish, it was already getting dark.

As usual, it was time to sleep.

I bit into the fish head-first, discarded the stick it was skewered on, and lay down on the blanket.

I woke up when the sun rose. What a healthy life I lead.

I stretched and took a deep breath, and my body creaked. Maybe it was because I wasn't used to the bed, even though the building itself was much better than where I usually slept.

What should I have for breakfast?

I washed my face with water and took a breath. When I stepped outside the cabin and looked around, the forest spread out before me.

I could hear the birds without even straining my ears.

I'll have birds for lunch today. First, breakfast.

Thinking about fish or birds, nothing caught my eye.

I casually approached a nearby tree, but the fruit had already ripened and fallen, leaving only leaves.

It's troublesome to prepare birds for breakfast, and there are no fruits.

There's no choice.

I'll have fish again. Just as I turned to go, something moved at the edge of my vision.

Something was on the leaves.

A hole in the leaf, and a white body wriggling on it.

A caterpillar.

Looking closely, they seemed to be clustered everywhere.

Silkworms are said to have been completely domesticated, leading to the extinction of wild ones, but they still exist in this world.

Good. Breakfast won't be fish again.

After about a day of starting this life, I was burying the leftover bones and innards from the grilled bird when a visitor arrived.

"Nice to see you again."

Niksky appeared quietly in front of the cabin, greeted me briefly, and handed me a small package.

"Hello. Is this what I asked for?"

"Yeah."

He said that, and as I took the package, he took out a piece of paper.

"Sign here to confirm receipt. Do you have something to write with?"

"Um..."

I searched my memory. I was sure I had found some bamboo pens when I cleaned the cabin yesterday. I think there was also an ink bottle.

"Please wait a moment. I'll go find it."

Realizing it might be rude to leave him standing, I thought it was a good opportunity to ask some questions.

"...No, please come in. I can't offer much, but..."

"It's fine here. This cabin is designed to be invisible from the outside."

It seemed he had no intention of moving from the entrance. I decided to be honest.

"I have some questions, so please come in. I'll need a table to write on."

He sighed and slowly stepped into the room.

"Ah, here it is. I'll sign my name first."

I dipped the pointed end of the stick into the ink bottle to soak it up.

Then, I paused. What should I write here?

I quickly realized. I had a name given to me last time. But there was still a problem.

Niksky frowned and raised an eyebrow.

"Um, I want to write 'Crow,' but how do you spell it...?"

I can read and speak, but I'm not confident in spelling.

I have a guess, but I don't want to get it wrong.

Niksky snorted and held out his hand.

"Let me see."

He took the pen from my hand and wrote on the table.

"Copy this."

The spelling he wrote was the same as my guess. It was correct.

"Thank you."

I thanked him and dipped the pen in the ink bottle again. I tried to write it as it was spelled.

However, it was a bit difficult. I couldn't control the amount of ink. If I wrote too quickly, it would smudge, and if I wrote too slowly, it would form a blot.

I struggled to write it.

My first attempt at writing my name was awkward, but I could confidently read it as 'Crow.'

"I have indeed received it."

I handed him the receipt, which he folded and put in his pocket.

"So, what do you want to ask?"

"Gustav."

At the mention of Gustav, Niksky seemed to sit up straight.

The reason Gustav was so harsh with Haman and the others.

It's a small thing, but I want to clear up my doubts.