The moment I arrived at the abandoned mine, I mobilized every slime except for the Cleaners to patrol the tunnels. Once the perimeter was clear, I set up a workshop in the highest tunnel of the mine, just as I had planned.
The area was already quite spacious, so I simply used Earth Magic to mass-produce basic workbenches. It wasn't particularly difficult work. I stacked bricks at intervals corresponding to the length of the fabric, then carved shallow trenches into the corners of the benches. After preparing rods to fit those trenches and securing them, I used the Sticky Slimes' adhesive fluid to attach the ends of the cloth.
I repeated this process forty-five times. After that, I just had to instruct the Sticky Slimes to apply the adhesive fluid across the fixed fabric.
The only things I had to watch out for were stray insects or monsters while the slimes worked. Maybe I should install a door here eventually? While pondering future renovations, I gave the Stickies their orders.
I watched them for a while, and the benches worked perfectly. The slimes were as diligent as ever. With that handled, I found myself with nothing to do. If I were back at the shop, I’d at least have paperwork to fill the time...
Having nothing better to do, I decided to start my training.
Three hours passed. I finished my combat drills and meditation, but the cloth was still damp. I decided it was time for the slimes to get some exercise too. I remembered they had learned Staff Techniques and Spearmanship the other day.
I used Alchemy to dry some wood I’d gathered from outside, then processed the timber with Circle Saw and Polish to create a large number of rods and padded spears. With those ready, I put the slimes through their paces.
Eventually, the slimes' training session wound down, but the cloth still needed more time to dry. Perhaps the base fabric was absorbing too much moisture? This was the first time I’d worked with such large sheets, so I wasn't entirely sure of the timing.
Idle once again, I absentmindedly pulled up my status board.
My Mana Recovery Speed Increase had hit Level 3—likely a byproduct of all the magic I’d used building the shop. Taming Magic, Alchemy, Wind Magic, and Thunder Magic had all ticked up by a level as well. I really had been putting them to work.
I suddenly remembered that the Young Lady had mentioned wanting to see the figures I made. I figured I might as well make some now. I could use the soil around here as material and just sculpt whatever came to mind.
"Create Block. Rock. Break Rock."
I prepared the stone and simple tools. I used Break Rock to rough out the core shapes from the stone.
"Playing Clay."
I used the soil I had transformed into a clay-like state as a fine putty for the details, layering it over the cores and refining the features with my tools. I even had some lime left over, which I used as a primer coat before finishing.
I sat alone in the tunnel, illuminated only by my Light spell. Using magic as necessary to speed up the process, I passed the time by crafting various figurines.
Or at least, that was the plan.
"All right! ...Wow, I really made a lot."
Before I knew it, I was surrounded by a small army of figurines.
"Wait, what time is it? ...Crap!"
The sun was nearly down. I hurriedly shoved the figurines and the dry cloth into my Item Box and rushed for the exit.
I’d used a bit too much mana, and I felt a slight tightness in my chest. Even so, I had to push myself to get back before nightfall. I really needed to stop getting so absorbed in my work inside the mine. It was already easy to lose track of time, but underground, it was impossible to tell how many hours were passing.
As the sun dipped lower with every passing second, I was forced to use Space Magic repeatedly to close the distance, finally reaching the town just as the light faded.
"I’m exhausted..."
I reached the inn just before total darkness set in. After a short rest, I visited the Jamil family's suite to give my report. Arone-san greeted me at the door and showed me inside.
"Welcome back, Ryoma-san."
"It's rare for you to come to our room on your own, Ryoma-kun. Is everything all right?" Reinhardt asked.
"It's nothing serious. I just wanted to update you on my work first."
I explained the details of my deal with Serge-san.
"I successfully produced forty-five rolls of waterproof cloth today and have already delivered them to his shop. I still have the capacity for more, so I’ll gradually scale up production starting tomorrow to see what my limits are."
"I see. It sounds like production won't be an issue, then," Reinhardt said. "Is there anything else?"
"While waiting for the cloth to dry today, I finished those figurines the Young Lady wanted to see."
"Truly? Oh, please let me see them!" Eliaria exclaimed.
I pulled several types of figures out of my Item Box.
"Here they are."
First, I showed them wood-carved bears. In my old world, they were famous souvenirs, but I’d modified the design to look like the Black Bears I hunted in the Gana Forest to make them more appropriate for this world.
"Ho, a Black Bear ornament. It has a real sense of life to it, as if it is lunging for a fish," Reinbach noted.
"These ones are so small and cute!" Eliaria said, pointing to the others.
Those were Miniature Monster Figures. I’d made them in the style of bottle-cap collectibles, featuring Cave Bats, Cave Mantises, and Small Rats.
"And finally, these. These are the ones I’m most accustomed to making."
I pulled out a set of human figurines. Since I couldn't think of a specific subject, I’d used the four members of the Jamil family, Sebas-san, and the two maids as models.
"This is me!" Reinhardt said, surprised.
"And this is me," Elise added.
"I’m here as well!" Eliaria giggled.
"Even myself, Sebas, Arone, and Lilian are represented," Reinbach said warmly.
"They are incredibly exquisite," Sebas commented. "I knew of your skill from your divine statues, but your technique truly is magnificent, Ryoma-sama."
Seeing them so genuinely happy was a strange, pleasant feeling. In my previous life, only a guy named Fukada ever seemed to appreciate my work. Come to think of it, hadn't Fukada asked me for a specific figure right before I died? Or had he...?
Well, it didn't matter now.
"I took the liberty of using you all as models since I didn't have anyone else in mind. I’m just glad you like them."
"Ryoma-san, may I have these?" Elise asked.
"Of course. If you like them, please take whichever ones you want."
"Thank you so much!"
Seeing their joy made the effort feel worthwhile. I decided I’d have to make something else for them when I had the chance.
I stayed and chatted with Reinhardt-san and the others for a while before heading back to my room. As I was leaving, Sebas-san tried to pay me ten medium gold coins for the figurines. I turned him down immediately; it was way too much money.
The figures were just a way to kill time, the materials were cheap, and I couldn't justify taking that much for them. Eventually, we settled on two medium gold coins—a fifth of his original offer—though I still wondered if even that was too much.
As I was leaving, Sebas-san left me with a parting thought.
"There are many nobles who wish to have statues of themselves placed in their manors or around their cities. If you were to accept commissions for such work, you would receive rewards that would make this amount look like pocket change. With your talent, Ryoma-sama, you would never want for clients."
Seriously?
The idea was a shock to the system. Once I got back to my room, I found myself staring blankly at the ceiling, wondering what I should sculpt tomorrow while the cloth dried. Before I could come to a conclusion, sleep claimed me.