My camping trip with Isis-san was officially on, and we had finished scouting locations. I had heard that the Western Region of the Demon Realm contained areas like sandy plains, but the realm itself was so vast that suitable spots could be found in any direction.
We eventually settled on a location near the area mentioned in the book Isis-san had brought. Considering the influence of her Magic Power of Death, we chose a spot relatively far from any settlements. There was a river nearby, too, so it looked like we might be able to enjoy some fishing.
As for the gear, I decided that Alice’s shop would be my best bet. I made my way up from the basement and stepped into the general store.
"So, the thing is, I'm looking for some camping equipment."
"I can certainly help you with that, but what level of 'camping' are we talking about?"
"Level? What do you mean?"
I took a seat in front of the counter to consult her. Alice had spent years traveling the world, and her knowledge of the outdoors ran deep. To a total amateur like me, she was an incredibly reliable resource.
"If you try to do everything the old-fashioned way, camping is a lot of work. To put it simply, beginners almost always fail at the parts they see in their heads—like pitching a tent or cooking over an open flame."
"Yeah, I can see myself fumbling through it if I'm not used to it."
"This might be a bit blunt, but let's be real: Kaito-san, you don't necessarily want to struggle through the grit of survival, do you? You just want to enjoy some camping-themed leisure."
"Well, if I can get the atmosphere without the headache, I’d definitely prefer that. Neither Isis-san nor I have any real experience."
Alice nodded at my answer and began lining several items up on the counter.
"In that case, I highly recommend these pseudo-magic tools. Take this one, for instance—it’s a bonfire-style heating appliance. Remember that toy you bought before, the one that produced phantom magic effects when you threw it? It’s a lot like that. It creates a phantom illusion of a flickering bonfire. It’s not actually burning, so it’s perfectly safe, but it still provides a gentle warmth to the surrounding area."
"I see. That’s clever. It looks so authentic that the atmosphere would be perfect."
"I’ve also got tents that can be pitched in just a few steps. Since they're magic tools, they aren't exactly cheap, but they’re great for anyone who wants to enjoy the 'feeling' of camping without the hassle."
Many of the items Alice showed me were fantastic—even the ones currently sitting on the counter were tempting. I found myself eyeing a small, foldable chair.
"And then there are these: stainless-steel style mugs."
"Oh, I like those. I’ve always wanted to try drinking soup out of a mug like that in the wild."
"If you're looking for soup, I recommend the new instant products Kuro-san's trading company just put out. They’re easy to carry and save you all the prep work."
Now that she mentioned it, I remembered Kuro telling me about their instant lineup. She’d mentioned soups and other things besides the bread.
The image of sitting under the starry sky at night, sipping warm soup from a mug... it sounded perfect.
"By the way, besides the small chairs, you should probably pick up a high-back type—one with a tall backrest. It’s nice to be able to switch between them depending on the mood. Another thing you shouldn't overlook is a field rack. Think of it as a small, folding shelf for the campsite. It’s incredibly convenient for keeping your ingredients and cooking utensils organized while you work."
"I see... Please, keep the suggestions coming. Tell me everything I might need."
"Well, for cooking gear... these are quite popular. This is a simple smoker. It lets you make smoked food with almost no effort. Smoked cheese or wieners are delicious, you know. Personally, I’m a fan of this burner-type cooking utensil. Searing your food on a mesh over this is heaven. Other than that, you’ll probably want some lantern-style lighting magic tools."
Everything she showed me sounded like fun. I wondered if I should get some tools for brewing coffee, too. Even though I could just pull a fresh cup out of a Magic Box, there was something romantic about brewing it myself out in nature.
Isis-san and I were both novices. The last time I’d stayed overnight in the wild with Anima, it hadn't really been a "camping" trip; we had just happened to stay over while we were out fishing.
For now, I decided to buy everything Alice had suggested. I figured I might also look for a specialized outdoor shop later to see if anything else caught my eye.
With magic tools existing in this world, as long as I was willing to pay a premium, I could easily recreate the ideal camping atmosphere I had in my head.
"...By the way, I have to ask. Do you stock any of those instant soups from Kuro’s company?"
"I don't carry any food-ssu."
"Why is it that you never have any food in stock whenever I ask...?"
"Isn't it obvious? If I kept food here, I’d end up eating it all myself!"
"Your logic is depressingly sound."
If I were to rank my acquaintances by how much they ate, Alice would probably be at the very top.
Serious-senpai: "This is bad... Heh, heh... My body won't stop shaking. When was the last time I felt this level of pure dread? Was it when Illness made her debut at the Founding Anniversary Festival?"
???: "That was like, five minutes ago-ssu..."