「That is why, every single day is miserable……」
「I see……」
I continued listening to Jered-papa’s complaints.
Well, it was me who shoved Jered-papa straight into hell, so rather than 『complaints』, maybe words like 『protest』 or 『formal grievance』 would be more accurate……
「But hey, summer is almost over, right?」
「Ah, yes. Once that happens, the swimsuit orders should settle down」
「Yeah」
In a few more weeks, summer will be over.
The 4-1 area is linked to the weather and climate outside the dungeon, so once summer ends, people will probably stop coming to 4-1 to play in the water.
Incidentally, I did consider setting the area to eternal summer so people could enjoy water play anytime, but it felt like it would lose its charm, so I decided against it.
If possible, I want it to be enjoyed as a seasonal tradition, like the cherry blossoms in the 2-1 area.
「But you know, it would be bad if the swimsuits are not finished before summer ends, right? So I am rushing things……」
「I see. So that is what you are thinking……」
That really is Jered-papa for you……
His tone is rough and prickly, but he always puts the customers first. As expected. Truly the village’s number one tsundere blacksmith.
「So I have been asking people to have them made elsewhere if they can. There are craftsmen in Lukmine too, so I tell them to order there if possible」
「Ah, I see」
「Even if they are not craftsmen, anyone with the 『Sewing』 skill should be able to make swimsuits. I ask around to see if they know anyone with the 『Sewing』 skill」
「I see, I see」
So, he is trying to have them made elsewhere as much as possible.
Apparently, toad hide is not that difficult a material to process, so maybe having the 『Sewing』 skill is enough?
「You do not have the 『Sewing』 skill, kid?」
「Me? No, unfortunately I do not have it」
「Tch」
A tongue click…….
What was that about? Was he trying to drag me into infinite toad hell too……?
Also, asking people about their skills is supposed to be bad manners and kind of perverted……
「Whatever. So then, what brings you here today?」
「Huh?」
「You did not come for no reason, did you?」
「Ah, yes. That is true, but……」
This time, I came all the way here because I had a favor to ask Jered-papa.
……But honestly, it was hard to bring up. Asking him for anything when he looked this busy made me hesitate.
「You look really busy, so maybe I will just forget it」
「Huh? What is that supposed to mean. If you stop halfway like that, it is going to bother me. Say it」
「No, but――」
「If I do not properly hear what you want to say, I feel like it will cause trouble later. Say it」
「Ugh……」
What an intimidating, pushy attitude……
Jered-papa is being unusually aggressive. Maybe he sensed danger or something……
「Then, just as a consultation」
「Yeah」
「Actually――I want something called a float ring」
「A float ring?」
A float ring. Yes, I want a float ring.
Ever since I was planning the 4-1 area, I have wanted float rings. I wanted to lie on one in the lazy river and just drift along, bobbing gently.
「What is a float ring?」
「Literally, it is a ring that floats on water. Hold on a second, I brought a drawing」
I took a sketch of a float ring out of my magic bag.
I even carefully drew a picture of myself riding it happily.
「Like this」
「Hmm. You make it out of monster hide or something?」
「Yes. You made a ball for me before, right? It would be something like a ring-shaped version of that」
A long time ago, I asked Jered-papa to make a soccer ball because I wanted to play with Jered-kun. I think the object itself would be pretty similar.
「I want to ride it and drift along」
「I do not really get it…… Is that fun?」
Well, just explaining it with words probably does not convey how fun it is.
「I think it will be fun. Honestly, I think it will become very popular」
「Popular, huh……」
「It will」
「If it becomes popular, who is going to make them……?」
「…………」
Would float ring orders also come flooding into this shop?
That does sound pretty rough……
「This sounds like it could turn into a bit of a problem」
「Not just a bit……」
「Yeah, that is true……」
「I am already in trouble as it is……」
「Yes……」
Then maybe I should just drop the idea……
I wanted to enjoy float rings before summer ends, but it cannot be helped. I will save that for next year.
「I mean, why do you not just make them yourself?」
「Huh? Me? ……No, I think that would be a bit difficult for me」
It feels like Jered-papa sees me as a fellow production-class craftsman, but I only have the 『Woodworking』 skill. Processing monster hide to make a float ring is not something I could do.
「Didn’t you make something before using wood shavings and varnish?」
「Huh? Oh, yeah, I made cups」
Thin, film-like wood shavings that come out when shaving wood with a plane. By sticking those together with 『Varnish Coating』, I made Woodworking Series No. 46 『Cup Stacking Cups』.
It was an interesting method that produced some interesting items, so I had shown it to Jered-papa before.
「You could make it with that, couldn’t you?」
「With that?」
A float ring made with that method……
I see. Shape the wood shavings into a ring, then harden them with 『Varnish Coating』……
「You are right. I think I could make one. It should float on water too」
「Right?」
The method using wood shavings and 『Varnish Coating』, the Shaving-Varnish method, can make quite a lot of things. The shape is flexible, and the texture can be adjusted freely.
It feels especially well-suited for making float rings this time. It is light, soft, and can trap air, so it should float properly on water.
「……Wait. But if float rings made this way become popular, what would happen?」
「What do you mean?」
「Wouldn’t orders start pouring in to me……?」
Anyone who sees me drifting along on a handmade float ring would probably want to drift along themselves. Then they would want a float ring.
And if that happens, wouldn’t the requests come to me after all……?
「Well, then you just make them」
「No, but I would be the only one who can make these float rings, right?」
Since they are float rings made with the Shaving-Varnish method, naturally I would be the only one who can make them.
Everyone who wants one would place an order with me, and I would have to make them all myself. I could not ask anyone else to help. Just me, alone……
If that happens, I would not have any time left to relax and drift along on a float ring.
An infinite float ring hell would begin……
「Well, that can’t be helped」
「Ugh……」
So it begins…… My own infinite hell begins too……
Also, why does Jered-papa look kind of pleased……?
next chapter: Woodworking Series No. 48 『Float Ring』
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