Weiss returned a few moments later, hauling a hemp sack presumably filled with tools. Lezard followed alongside him.
The Baron looked up at the damaged roof just as Weiss had, letting out a casual, "Hoh."
"Father, may I try climbing onto the roof with Ren as well?" Licia asked.
"I shouldn't even have to say it, but no."
"Geez! You're just as bad as Ren, Father!"
"I wasn't truly worried, but it seems Ren’s judgment is sound," Lezard noted.
"I'm honored by your praise, sir," Ren replied.
"The two of you! Stop bonding over this!"
"Haha, well... I suppose I don't mind if you watch from the ground, as long as you promise to keep a safe distance."
It was a compromise, but Licia was happy nonetheless. Ren couldn't help but feel there wasn't much worth seeing in the middle of such a biting winter, but he kept the tactless thought to himself. If Licia wanted to watch and Lezard had given his permission, there was no reason for him to interfere.
"Weiss-sama, will this be enough?"
"We’ve brought the supplies!"
Before long, several other knights arrived at the Old Wing, carrying timber and metal fittings. They had been tasked with transporting the materials Weiss needed for the emergency repairs.
"Now then, we’ll head up to the roof through the inspection hatch inside. Don't push yourself too hard, lad—or so I'd usually say, though your strength far outclasses these men."
Knowing there was no need for concern, Weiss gave Ren instructions without hesitation. One knight measured the hole to cut the timber to size, while another began clearing snow off the roof so it wouldn't interfere with the work. Ren threw himself into hauling the materials, soon forgetting the cold entirely.
As he was taking a break against the icy gusts on the roof, Licia’s voice floated up from below.
"Reeeen!"
She was waving at him. She didn't have anything particular to say; she was simply waiting for him to notice her. When he waved back, her face lit up with a satisfied smile. It was a charming sight.
"All right... let's do this."
Seeing the knights bring the finished timber up to the roof, Ren followed their lead and picked up his tools. He focused on the wood, noting where the marks had already been placed for the metal fittings.
"Do you knights often get the chance to do work like this?" Ren asked Weiss, who had just reappeared on the roof.
"Not as often as a professional carpenter, but we use timber to set up camp. We usually have to source it on-site, so we've picked up a few skills along the way."
"Ooh... that’s good to know."
"It's a good opportunity to learn. If you're curious about anything, just ask. Like the survival skills I taught you before, this might come in handy one day."
"You mean like when I was running away with Lady Licia?"
"Exactly. Though, since that situation was my fault, I suppose I'm in no position to act like an authority on the matter."
Saying so, Weiss began laying the lumber across the hole. He carefully explained the process, continuing until Ren was satisfied whenever the boy asked a question.
In no time at all, new rafters were lined up over the gap and covered with boards. Hours flew by, and by the time the sun had passed its zenith, the hole was completely sealed. It was a simple fix, but having the structure repaired made a world of difference.
However, they weren't finished yet.
"And for the finishing touch," Weiss said, returning through the inspection hatch with something in his hands. It was a set of faintly blue, transparent sheets. "We’ll stretch these over the boards."
He explained that they were monster materials—processed scales from a sea-dwelling creature. They were used as a final layer because they were naturally waterproof.
"It’ll keep the melting snow from seeping in and trap the warmth inside."
"So we're using monster parts as building materials," Ren noted.
"Umu. It’s simple and it might not look like much, but the effect is undeniable."
Following Weiss's lead, they covered the wooden boards with the massive scales. With that, the carpentry work was finished. When Ren’s stomach let out a loud growl, Weiss laughed.
"I'm quite hungry myself."
After washing up and changing, Ren was visited by a servant from the Main Building. Lezard had requested that Ren join them for lunch. Seeing no reason to refuse—and feeling it would be rude to do so—Ren tidied himself up and headed over. When he arrived at the dining room, both Lezard and Licia were waiting for him.
"My apologies for the trouble, Ren. I’m sorry to have put you to work."
"Not at all. It's part of my job, and Lord Weiss and the others were a huge help."
Still, it had been a while since he’d done that kind of manual labor. The last time had been just before Jelququ attacked his village; before that, it went back to his early childhood when he’d helped his father, Roy. When Lezard asked about those days, he and Licia listened with rapt interest.
They savored the meal, filling their stomachs while enjoying the conversation. Eventually, Licia spoke up hesitantly.
"...Do you ever think about going back to your village?"
The words had slipped out because Ren had looked so happy while reminiscing. Even though Ren was in Clausel by his own choice, she felt a pang of guilt, knowing she was the reason he’d come here in the first place.
Ren smiled, sensing her concern. "It would be a lie to say I don't miss it, but if I don't grow stronger, I might only bring more trouble to the village."
"But—!"
"Besides, I think this was for the best. Call it working away from home, but the money I earn at the Guild here lets me buy magic tools for everyone back home."
If it meant his village would prosper, he felt his current path was the right one. As the son of a knight who would one day lead that village, he was fulfilling his duty in his own way.
"I’ve been receiving regular reports from your village as well," Lezard added.
Apparently, thanks to Ren’s contributions, the winter wasn't nearly as harsh as usual. The impact of the magic tools was massive, and the villagers were constantly singing Ren’s praises. Most of the rewards he’d earned from the Steel-Eating Gargoyles had gone straight toward improving the village's infrastructure.
"The roads are well-maintained, and I hear the villagers' homes are almost unrecognizable. I’m told you've even secured the funds to begin work on the perimeter wall."
"F-Father! But Ren is—!"
"Don't worry, Lady Licia," Ren said. "I decided on this myself after consulting with Lord Lezard."
He had no regrets. If his parents and the villagers were happy, he was satisfied.
"However," Lezard said unexpectedly, "I do think it's a good idea for you to head home for a visit."
Ren blinked, caught off guard.
"Don't misunderstand. I respect your decisions, Ren. I simply thought it might be time for a short return."
"...Did something happen?"
Anxiety spiked in Ren’s chest as he thought of the brutal winter. The snowfall around the Baldur Mountains was reportedly at record levels. He feared something had gone wrong at his birthplace. However, Lezard looked perfectly calm.
"I mentioned the perimeter wall earlier, didn't I? A portion of the construction is scheduled for the spring. They’re short-handed, so I’m planning to dispatch a squad of knights for about two weeks to assist."
Lezard suggested that Ren join the group. He understood Ren’s concerns about being recognized by those who might wish him harm, so the proposal was for Ren to travel in disguise. He wouldn't be able to reveal his identity to the villagers, but he could at least see his parents.
"I’m sorry, but officially, you'll be traveling as a knight."
"Is it really all right for you to go to such lengths for me?"
"Of course. You've done more for us than just handle the Viscount Given affair. Between the gargoyles and your success at the Guild, you've brought a lot of business to this town."
If Lezard was willing to set the stage for him, Ren truly wanted to go home, even if only for a short while. Having finished his meal, Lezard stood up. "Think it over," he said, before leaving the room.
(A homecoming, and then back to Clausel... I suppose that means being away from the Old Wing for about a month.)
If he was going to go, he needed to get his affairs in order here first. He started mentally mapping out his schedule.
He was looking forward to seeing his home again. He wondered how everyone was doing. As Ren’s thoughts drifted to the village, he felt a strange, yet pleasant, sense of cognitive dissonance.
He’d called it "working away from home," yet he realized he’d just thought of his return journey as "coming back to Clausel."
He smiled to himself. It seemed he had grown fonder of his life here than he’d realized.