Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World

Chapter 120.2

Since there was only a little charcoal left, I decided to end the smithing work for today as planned.

Timing it just as the heat started to subside, I removed the furnace from the area and activated [Ice Frost].

For a moment, a fierce cold spread around, and the atmosphere surged into the smithy as if to wash it away.

It’s one of the spells I learned from Elphimia.

Repeated use can freeze water, but a single use causes it to return to room temperature quickly.

Even so, it can swiftly blow away excessive heat and make tropical nights a bit more bearable. It has been quite useful in a subtle way.

After tidying up the now cooler smithy, I took Naruvano’s sword and went up to the second floor.

It seemed that the break was over, as Quinns and the others had resumed their work.

I entered the alchemy room and promptly submerged the sword I had been given into the container.

“Still—it’s soaking wet after all.”

Although the exchange work was long finished, the discoloration on the board was still damp.

After the roof and small roof were created, I had also asked Rakendale about it.

Why such a magical item was born.

The answer was almost the same as Elphimia’s guess.

Swords get [Slash Enhancement], maces get [Blunt Enhancement], and armor gets [Durability Enhancement], making it easier to gain effects suited to their roles.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t an entire house become an extraordinary magical item?

Rakendale pondered this question and firmly stated,

“It’s simply impossible.”

Apparently, creating magical items involves a lot of fluctuations; factors like the quality of the foundation, the penetration of the alchemical solution, the type and condition of the magic stones, and the creator’s skills and tendencies all intertwine complexly.

Even if the entire house were an excellent craft, turning an ordinary house into a magical item would result in little of worth.

Moreover, the chance of a mere board becoming such a magical item was extremely low; if it hadn’t transformed into a magical item at that moment, the roof and small roof would not have been born.

“In other words, this board won’t fly.”

I flicked the newly laid damp board with my finger.

After that, I immersed myself in making magical items.

After a while, once the general tea processing was done, Quinns and the others came down to the first floor.

Having reached a good stopping point, I decided to take a short break.

I arranged chilled fruit water and dried fruit on the living room table and also prepared chilled general tea.

Then, we gathered around the table to discuss today’s reports.

Quinns and Kyle talked about deliveries, while Ginny and Emily discussed the drying process of the general herb, using gestures and expressions.

When the delivery work was assigned, Quinns and Kyle seemed a bit intimidated by the unknown craftsmen.

Indeed, artisans like Rag and Egil are often stubborn or eccentric.

In that sense, Katie is also eccentric, but when introduced, both of them treated her kindly.

I think it was not only because of the case I brought but also due to Quinns and Kyle’s straightforwardness that left a good impression.

The drying of the general herb is also going smoothly.

I considered increasing the ventilation as consumption has risen, but for now, it seems fine.

However, I need to start preparing tea leaves for winter soon.

If the entire room is covered, drying won’t progress, so I should probably talk to Dobal about it.

Also, surprisingly, Naruvano seems to discern the quality of the general tea and describes the taste differences when making deliveries.

It’s a bit annoying, but Quinn and the others were experimenting to make it more enjoyable. That might be another reason they treat me favorably.

With the reports over, we indulged in light, casual conversation while snacking on tea and dried fruit.

At that moment, I suddenly sensed a strange presence.

While responding to Ginny’s talk, I casually shifted my gaze and focused my awareness.

Someone was watching the house.

It felt like an unfamiliar presence. Did they have business with me?

As I wondered about it, the presence drew closer.

Then, without knocking, the door was suddenly opened.

“Excuse me for interrupting.”

The man who entered was in his thirties.

He looked around the room, pinpointed one spot, and grinned.

At that moment, Emily and Ginny’s presence changed.

Emily was frozen, and Ginny showed anger.

I couldn’t quite understand the situation, but—

“Who are you? If you have a business, speak to me first.”

“You damn brat, I don’t have any business with you.”

The man spat and turned his gaze back to Emily.

“Have you gotten fat in the time I haven’t seen you? Let’s go home.”

“You won’t take her! You’re planning to sell Emily, aren’t you!”

Ginny spread her arms and stood in front of Emily.

Quinns and Kyle seemed to be unaware of the situation and were simply surprised by Ginny’s statement.

He appeared to be Emily’s father—selling her, huh.

It seems she was living with her grandmother to escape from him.

According to [Appraisal], the man’s name is Boatus.

He holds [Bow 1] and [Martial Arts 1], but his appearance is shabby. He was probably an ex-adventurer or ex-hunter.

In either case, few commoners have mastered [Martial Arts].

He must be undefeated against ordinary opponents. It makes sense that he’s so confident.

Although Quinn and Kyle looked uncertain, they lined up in front of Ginny to protect their friend.

Seeing this, Boatus made a displeased face.

“Get out of the way!”

As he shouted and reached out, Boatus let out a scream.

It was our household guardian, the small roof.

It repelled his hand and floated in a way that blocked his view.

I wonder how many times he has stubbed his fingers. It must be quite painful.

While Boatus was writhing in agony, Quinns drew the small roof closer and pretended that he had thrown the wind himself.

Although it was obvious it was thrown, it was a good judgment. He’s learning things beyond just combat.

By the way, the large roof was fidgeting against the wall.

I can’t make excuses here, so I should keep it still.

It seemed that the pain had settled, and Boatus, with a red face, stood up.

“It hurts, you damn brat!”

In his intense rage, all four of us took a step back.

It seems there’s still more to learn.

Experience in such matters is crucial.

When faced with hostility, if you’re not accustomed to it, you can become intimidated.

That’s why humans are sometimes preyed upon by goblins of the same strength.

Naturally, Quinns and the others had no combat experience and couldn’t counter Boatus’s anger.

Boatus glared with a furious expression but didn’t try to advance.

He must not know how the small roof flew at him due to his familiarity with fighting.

I tapped the table to draw Boatus’s attention.

“Do you know whose house you’ve barged into? My name is Alter Less Riedwalt. I’m the second son of the Riedwalt family, guardians of the eastern part of the Arsys Empire.”

Boatus’s shock and fear were quickly replaced by a nasty grin.

“Is this the shallow wisdom of a brat? Did you think I’d fall for such an obvious lie?”

He doesn’t believe it at all.

Well, it’s not like a noble son surrounded by children would come without attendants.

Still, wary, Boatus glanced around the room.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re doing. My father came to take back his daughter. Don’t interfere.”

Boatus slightly toned down his speech.

Regardless of whether he’s a noble, he seemed to have judged that I was living in wealth.

In the tense situation, I shifted my gaze to Emily.

Now, what should I do?

Emily was cowering behind Ginny.

Not only did she show no sign of wanting to go home, but she also didn’t seem concerned about her injured father.

Her affection for her parent seems to have completely withered.

It would be easy to throw him out—but would that resolve the matter?

As I pondered, I suddenly sensed a new presence.

It approached with astonishing speed and reached the front door.

“Aniki, are you here!!”

The door was flung open with a force that seemed ready to destroy it, and it was Zelet.

Behind him, Valden was also hopping around, calling out, “Aniki, aniki!”

Why are they here?

Quinns and the others were even more surprised than I was.

Suddenly, the men with a bad demeanor came in. Moreover, the leading man was taller and more muscular than Talvit.

It seemed Quinns and the others thought they were Boatus’s allies, but they were so shocked they didn’t notice Boatus also freezing in place.

Ignoring the atmosphere, Zeret and Valden found me.

Then, just as if they were about to kill someone with their

◇◇◇◇