If I bought the maps one by one in order, it might lead people to suspect my actual progress. On the other hand, buying the maps and then not entering the Labyrinth at all would probably seem just as strange. If I used Warp, I wouldn’t even need to pay an entrance fee to get inside.
I just had to hope that if I kept them stored properly, they wouldn't fall apart immediately.
"Um... that will be eleven silver coins in total."
The knight gave me the price after some visible hesitation. It seemed my thirty percent discount didn't apply here. More importantly, the knight didn't appear to have the Calc skill.
Even though he was a knight, he had been relegated to the role of a shop clerk; he certainly had it rough.
I paid the eleven silver coins, which included the entrance fee.
In return, I received the booklet and a piece of coarse, brown paper with some writing on it. This was presumably the entry ticket.
I tucked the booklet into my rucksack and headed for the Labyrinth entrance.
Two knights and an explorer stood at the mouth of the cave. The explorer was likely a guide, while the knights were busy collecting the brown slips of paper from those entering. My guess had been correct; it was indeed an entry ticket.
Following the party ahead of me, I stepped inside. After passing through a brief corridor of darkness, I emerged into the Labyrinth proper.
When I reached the small entrance room, the party that had been in front of me was already gone. They must have moved to a different floor.
The interior of the Quratar Labyrinth wasn't any different from the one in Vale. It was the same desolate, familiar cavern. The entrance room, in particular, showed no variation at all.
If there was one thing that set it apart, it was the sheer number of people. Even though the previous party had vanished, there were still people scattered all over the place.
I wondered if I could even hunt effectively under these conditions. Even as I moved deeper, the presence of others never faded.
I used my own instincts to navigate toward the least crowded areas. That way looked promising. I never imagined the skills I'd honed during my years as a loner would prove useful in a place like this.
Once I turned a corner and confirmed no one was in sight, I stopped. There was a party further in, but they were far enough away that they wouldn't hear me.
I visualized the word "Warp" and returned home. It wasn't unusual for an explorer to use Dungeon Walk, so as long as I wasn't caught using incantation-less magic, there wouldn't be a problem.
"I’m home, Roxanne."
"Welcome home, Master."
Roxanne greeted me the moment I returned. She paused her cleaning and bowed her head.
If only she were wearing a maid outfit, the scene would have been perfect.
Still, that outfit had been quite expensive, so it made sense for her not to wear it while doing manual labor.
"Did you learn that greeting at the Vale Trading House?" I asked.
Her movements were so refined and practiced that I doubted she had picked them up on her own. Her time under the slave trader probably wasn't a pleasant memory, so I figured I shouldn't pry too much. However, she seemed comfortable enough to offer guard duty, so she probably didn't harbor a deep trauma toward the place.
Besides, it was information I might need when the time came to buy another slave.
"Yes, that's right. Is it strange?"
"No. It’s wonderful."
So she had learned it at the slave trader’s after all.
I stepped closer and gave her dog ears a gentle stroke.
"Thank you very much. It’s almost time for the furniture to arrive," she said, quickly changing the subject. It seemed I was right about her past not being a pleasant topic.
"True. I'll go keep an eye out."
I followed her lead. We were promised the furniture around noon, so it should be any minute now.
The delivery arrived shortly after. The items were loaded onto two horse-drawn carts. I hadn't realized I’d bought enough to fill two of them.
"Thank you for waiting. We've brought the items you purchased."
"Thanks. Just put them inside."
"Would here be alright? We can carry them to the specific rooms for you."
"Right here is fine."
I had them unload everything into the room just off the entrance.
Even if they were just from a furniture shop, I wasn't comfortable with strangers wandering through the depths of my house—especially not in this world. There was always the chance someone could use Field Walk or Warp, even if the building’s shielding supposedly neutralized the former.
Carrying the items to their respective rooms was something Roxanne and I could handle ourselves.
The cupboard and closet were manageable with the two of us. The bed wouldn't be an issue either once we moved the mattress separately. The dining table was the largest piece, but since we were using the adjacent room as the dining area, we didn't have to move it very far.
"Well then, I'll give everything a light wipe," Roxanne said.
"Good idea. Start with the chairs. I’ll move them to the next room to set up the dining table. Let’s get settled one step at a time."
"Understood."
Once the delivery man left, Roxanne wiped the chairs and I carried them over. We moved the table slowly together.
With the table and chairs out of the way, the room felt much more spacious. Roxanne gave the cupboard and closet a quick dusting.
I wanted to take either the cupboard or the closet to the second floor. A clothes closet would be much more convenient in the bedroom or the room next to it.
"Should we put the cupboard in the kitchen and the closet in the room next to it?"
"Yes, that sounds like a good plan."
Carrying them to the second floor looked like a massive headache. We'd just have to make do with both on the first floor for now. We moved them into position.
With the furniture in place, the first floor finally started to feel like a residence. It was starting to look like a place where people actually lived.
However, I didn't want the second floor to go to waste, so I stood by my decision to use one of the upstairs rooms as our bedroom.
Roxanne and I carried the bed up. It took two trips for the frame and the mattress. Since it broke down into parts, neither was particularly heavy.
We placed the lone bed in the middle of a large room devoid of wallpaper. Since the closet and other storage were in different rooms, the space looked incredibly stark. Roxanne laid out the sheets and blankets, then placed a mat by the side of the bed. It finally looked somewhat like a bedroom.
The furniture was all set. Now, for the next order of business...
"I believe the very first thing we should do is test the comfort of the bed. Don't you agree?"
I pulled Roxanne close and whispered the question into her ear.
"Um. Y-yes... Mm..."
Taking that as a "yes," I sealed her lips with mine. She accepted me as I gently explored her mouth with my tongue, so I knew I hadn't misread the situation.
I laid her down and tested the bed's comfort.
Naturally, the bed felt fantastic.
Though, who's to say which "comfort" I was actually referring to?
It was already a settled fact that Roxanne herself was the best part of the experience.
After our "test" was complete, we headed out together to buy ingredients for dinner.
"What kind of cooking are you good at, Roxanne?"
"Well, I'm quite skilled at things like pot-au-feu. If you'll let me, I’d like to make that for us today."
"I’ll leave it to you, then."
"It would be even better if we had a bouquet garni, but I can make do without one."
I seemed to recall a bouquet garni being used for stews and slow-cooked dishes. It sounded very professional. Well, even if it wasn't, it certainly felt that way to me.
"A bouquet garni, huh?"
"If we plant herbs in the garden, we'll be able to make one ourselves soon enough."
Is that so? She really was dedicated to this.
"If you need specific ingredients, let's get them. Meat and vegetables for now?"
"Um... is meat really alright?"
"It’s fine."
"Yes! Then, since we don't have herbs yet, I think salted or smoked meat would be better than raw. Salted and smoked meats can be eaten just by boiling or grilling them."
I couldn't very well skip the meat.
Following Roxanne’s advice, we bought our supplies and headed home.
"By the way, the Quratar Labyrinth is really packed, isn't it?" I commented as we started prepping the vegetables in the kitchen.
"It is. The Quratar Labyrinth is very famous, and guide maps are easily accessible to everyone. Because there are so many people, there’s no risk of running into a room where monsters spawn in overwhelming numbers. And since so many monsters and people are defeated there, magic crystals, skill crystals, and treasure chests appear frequently. It’s said that the benefits far outweigh the entry fee."
Magic crystals formed when the magical energy that composed a monster condensed upon its death. If many people were killing monsters, more crystals would naturally appear. I assumed it was the same for skill crystals.
But I was curious about the treasure chests.
"I get the crystals, but why the treasure chests?"
"It’s said that the equipment of people defeated by monsters, as well as the contents of their Item Boxes, manifest as treasure chests."
That was... a rather grim thought. It was incredibly blunt.
Basically, "treasures" in a Labyrinth were just items that someone else had lost, and the Labyrinth was just recycling them. If more people died, more chests appeared. And because more chests appeared, even more people were drawn in. It was a vicious cycle.
"But with that many people, is there even enough to hunt?"
"The Quratar Labyrinth is incredibly vast, so the crowds thin out as you go deeper. Besides, since the first floor is full of beginners, it's safer to have others around."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"The population should drop as we go up. Or, we could try exploring in the middle of the night when fewer people are around."
If people were warping in from the other side of the planet, it would be daytime for them, though. But I doubted people came from that far away. There was probably a limit to how far one could travel with Field Walk.
The Quratar Labyrinth was one of the oldest in existence, and because no one had ever defeated the boss on the final floor, its true scale remained a mystery.
Generally, once a Labyrinth reached fifty floors, it would manifest an entrance to lure people in. From there, it would grow slowly while "digesting" those who entered.
The record for the highest reached floor in Quratar was the 91st Floor. That was a legendary feat achieved by the First Emperor’s party; in the modern era, reaching the 80th Floor was enough to be considered a top-tier adventurer.
Which monsters appeared on which floors varied by Labyrinth, though they followed certain patterns. In Quratar, the First Floor featured Kobolds, the Second Floor had Naive Olives, and the Third Floor had Spice Spiders.
Because Kobolds were weak and beginner-friendly, the First Floor of the Quratar Labyrinth was a popular "tourist spot" for those looking to start their adventuring careers.
Roxanne explained all of this while she cooked. She prepared the pot-au-feu in a stockpot while I stir-fried the meat in the wok.
As for the taste... let’s just say it was edible.
The pot-au-feu probably would have been better if it simmered longer, but in a kitchen that used firewood instead of a gas stove, long simmering wasn't very practical. Someone would have to stay by the fire and watch it the entire time, which meant we couldn't go to the Labyrinth.
In this world, fine dining was a privilege of the wealthy who could afford a chef to spend all day in the kitchen. There were no flavor enhancers, bouillon cubes, or powdered soup bases here.
In other words, I needed to work harder on my stir-fry skills.
It was our first day, so I shouldn't be too hard on myself. I’d have to start looking for various seasonings and spices.
After dinner, the sun set just as the water finished boiling. In the dim light, I helped Roxanne clean herself.
"We have one candle," I noted.
"But we don't have a candlestick."
Apparently, a candle, a candlestick, and a snuffer were a matched set. I hadn't known that. I suppose you couldn't just stick a candle onto the table like a birthday cake.
"I should have bought them today."
"My apologies. Candles are expensive, so I thought they weren't strictly necessary."
Well, I could enjoy the feel of Roxanne’s body without needing to see it. The solid weight of her breasts in my palms. The way they seemed to overflow and pulse with life. They were soft and smooth, with a firm elasticity that resisted my touch. If anything, the lack of light allowed me to focus all my senses on my hands.
Since it was dark, she wouldn't be as embarrassed, so I made sure to wipe every inch of her. We had already tested the bed earlier, but that didn't matter.
The night was a different story altogether.
Waking up with Roxanne in my arms felt incredible. Lingering in that half-asleep state, savoring the feel of her, was pure bliss. And when I finally opened my eyes, having her lean in for a kiss was the absolute best way to start the day.
"Mm..."
Her kiss was soft, gentle, and sweet. As our tongues met, my brain slowly began to boot up. From today on, it was just the two of us under one roof. I could do whatever I wanted with her without any interference. And Roxanne, of course, would never refuse.
I took my time, savoring her mouth. After a long while, I slowly pulled back.
"Good morning, Master."
"Morning, Roxanne."
I opened my eyes, but it was pitch black. All our clothes and equipment were laid out on the mat next to the bed—a bit of practical wisdom for living without light. I dressed myself by feel alone.
Even with our newfound freedom, I couldn't afford to slack off on the Labyrinth. It wasn't like I had anything else to do. Well, I did, but I couldn't just spend all day doing that.
The temptation to spend twenty-four hours a day in bed with her was strong, but I needed to exercise some self-control. I wanted to live a life of decadence, but I knew that once I let go of the brakes, I might never stop.
At least one more kiss, though.
Before warping to the Labyrinth, I pulled her close again, entangling our tongues and pulling her into a deep embrace.
"Mmm..."
Roxanne let out a soft moan but didn't pull away. As I teased her tongue with mine, she responded with a playful, flickering motion.
I wanted to push her back onto the bed right then and there, but I held back.
"I’d stay like this forever if I could, but we have work to do."
"...Ye-yes."
"We’re heading to the Labyrinth in Quratar."
I focused on the word "Warp" and moved to the entrance room of the First Floor, which I had visited just yesterday.
Despite my hopes that it would be empty, there were people nearby. However, since the entrance room could also be accessed via Dungeon Walk, my arrival wouldn't seem out of the ordinary.
"Um. It looks like we go straight ahead," Roxanne said, checking the guide map.
The map I’d bought didn't show the entire floor; it was just a simplified diagram showing the fastest route to the Boss Room. There was no other information provided.
The booklet was simply ninety pages tied together with string. One floor per page, up to the 90th Floor. Since the record was the 91st Floor, that final floor remained unmapped.
Buying the booklet for a thousand Nahl was a better deal than paying twenty Nahl per page—assuming I could keep the pages from falling apart. The paper quality was abysmal. It looked like it would disintegrate within a year.
"Is this really going to hold up?"
"It’s papyrus."
"Papyrus?"
"Yes."
Oh, so this was papyrus. I remembered learning about it in history class. Brown, stiff, and incredibly thin. It was more like a paper-substitute than actual paper. It looked like it would tear if I breathed on it too hard. This was the first time I’d ever seen it in person.
It was only written on one side, probably because the ink would bleed through or the friction would tear it if both sides were used. Or maybe it was just ninety loose maps bundled together.
I detached the map for the First Floor and we set off. Each page was marked with a number. I had learned to recognize the number "1" back at the inn in Vale.
"There are a lot of people here," I noted.
"Especially on the first floor. Some parties even time their entries to avoid the biggest rushes."
"I see."
"Also, since they have to pay an entry fee, many people push themselves to stay inside as long as possible."
Even though it was early morning, the place was bustling. It was only slightly less crowded than it had been yesterday afternoon.
In fact, the party ahead of us seemed to be following a map as well; they remained consistently twenty or thirty meters ahead of us. We didn't even really need the map.
I had prepared Durandal because I was worried about using magic in such a crowded place, but I didn't even need the sword. We reached the Boss Room without encountering a single monster.
The waiting room next to the Boss Room was equally busy. Whenever the door opened, a party would enter. Even while we waited, more groups filed in behind us.
After a short wait, our turn came. We stepped into the Boss Room.
"That was quite the crowd."
"It’s just a Kobold, so the boss shouldn't be very strong," Roxanne said.
I readied my sword. If it wasn't strong, it would be an easy fight, which explained why it was so popular. A quick fight meant a shorter wait for everyone else.
Smoke coalesced in the center of the room, and a monster appeared. It was a blue, humanoid creature. It was the same size as a standard Kobold, but it looked far more disciplined and focused.
Appraisal identified it as a Kobold Kämpfer—a Kobold warrior. It was clearly stronger than a normal one, and it wielded a sword that was significantly larger than a Kobold Knife.
Roxanne charged in and landed the first blow. The warrior immediately retaliated with a thrust. Roxanne twisted her body, dodging the blade with ease.
Facing an armed warrior felt significantly more dangerous. If I had been alone and unaccustomed to combat, this might have been a problem.
But Roxanne was dodging as if she were dancing. The Kobold Kämpfer wasn't even a challenge for her. She made it look like child's play.
Since Roxanne was holding the front, I moved in from behind. It was a simple job: whittling down its health with Durandal while Roxanne distracted it.
The Kobold Kämpfer eventually collapsed and dissolved into smoke. A white substance was left behind. It was called Kobold Flour.
Flour? I’d heard that word before. Not a flower, but...
Ah, wheat flour. It was literally just wheat flour.
"It had a sword, but you handled it perfectly. Weren't you scared?"
"Its attacks were monotonous and it didn't even use feints. I could probably dodge it with my eyes closed."
Well, there you go.
I was starting to lose my sense of wonder at both Roxanne and the Kobold Flour.
"I-I see. So we got some Kobold Flour."
"It’s wheat flour. It’s said to be much tastier than the ordinary kind."
A delicacy, then? Not a bad haul. Monsters were surprisingly practical.
"If it’s flour, let’s put it in the rucksack and take it home. We might find a use for it."
I had Roxanne carry the drops. Actually, I was starting to run out of space in my Item Box. Roxanne followed my instructions without question, tucking the flour away.
We left the Boss Room and moved up to the Second Floor.
"There’s no one here. We should be safe to use magic," Roxanne noted as we emerged into the entrance room. She scanned the area carefully. Indeed, there wasn't a soul in sight.
"Is it really that empty?"
"Kobolds are for beginners, so they're probably too weak for the people here. About half the monsters on the second floor are still just Kobolds."
"Ah, that makes sense."
"The crowds stay on the first floor."
Beginners loved the first floor because of the Kobolds. However, for those strong enough to handle the second floor, Kobolds were no longer worth the effort. Thus, the Second Floor of Quratar was a ghost town.
"Let’s call it a day for Quratar. We shouldn't rush our progress too much."
"Understood."
I had the map for the second floor with me, but I decided to hold off. I’d learned the number "2" back in Vale as well.
I was also worried about my Item Box capacity. There was no need to do everything at once.
We returned home briefly to drop off the map and the Kobold Flour. I tossed them onto the table in the dark and immediately warped to the Vale Labyrinth.
"But the third floor here is still just Kobolds, isn't it?"
"It is. We could ask a guide at the entrance to take us to a higher floor if you like."
I remembered a knight saying he couldn't stand Kobolds anymore and heading for the fourth floor. Maybe we should do the same.
"No, this is fine. It’s safer to take it one floor at a time."
Bold moves in a Labyrinth usually led to trouble. Cautious, steady progress was the way to go. Besides, the real issue was my Item Box. If fourth-floor monsters dropped multiple items, I’d be in trouble. The Needle Wood from the first floor also appeared on the third and likely the fourth. Moving up would definitely strain my inventory.
Since Item Box capacity grew with my level, exploring the third floor would help me level up and make future trips easier.
We spent some time exploring the Third Floor of Vale and returned to Quratar just as the sun was rising. I warped from the Labyrinth to the wall of the Adventurer Guild.
The guild hall was open twenty-four hours a day, though the counters were unmanned at this hour. Since many people explored at night, the building remained accessible. However, I couldn't sell any items until the staff arrived.
"The shops really are open this early," Roxanne remarked.
"So it seems."
The shops in Quratar were indeed open for business. I’d heard about this yesterday, and it wasn't a lie. The hardware store was closed, but the food stalls were up and running, likely catering to people buying breakfast.
We didn't have a refrigerator, so things like eggs and milk had to be bought fresh. I doubted they were transported overnight; more likely, produce harvested the previous evening was being sold now. Anything sold during the day was probably harvested the day before that, and that one-day difference mattered.
Quratar was surrounded by farms and fields just outside the city center. It was a peaceful, pastoral region. While Vale had its fields outside the walls, Quratar had no walls to speak of, so the boundary between residential and agricultural land was blurry.
There was a large field just beyond our house. I hadn't seen any livestock yet, but they had to be around somewhere.
After buying our groceries, we stopped at the bakery near the Adventurer Guild.
"Welcome! Freshly baked at sunrise!"
"Do you always sell bread this early?" Roxanne asked the shopkeeper.
"Bread gets hard if it sits too long. Fresh bread is a luxury you only get in Quratar."
"Ah, that’s very true."
Roxanne and the baker chatted for a moment. Apparently, Roxanne had experience with stale bread. I didn't think it would get hard in just a few hours, but modern Japan probably had better preservatives.
"Buying fresh bread every morning is the local way. What can I get for you?"
"I’ll take one of those from the back," I said, pointing to a medium-sized loaf that looked like a baguette.
"You have a discerning eye! That’s our Premium Bread. That will be eight Nahl."
So the ones in the back were the high-end stuff. The cheap bread we’d had for dinner last night for two Nahl was dry and tasteless. My palate was spoiled by Japanese food, but I couldn't help it.
My thirty percent discount didn't apply to a single item, but I accepted it. We’d bought two cheap loaves last night, and one per person had been way too much. Were people here just big eaters, or was it because they had large families?
I had the impression that most explorers were single, but maybe they lived in shared housing with their parties.
Since two was too much, I just bought the one loaf. Even with a discount, there was no point in wasting food. I didn't see any bread made with Kobold Flour, or maybe the Premium Bread was the one made from it.
We warped from the guild back to the house.
"We’ll split the loaf," I said.
"Is that alright?"
Of course it was. I only bought one, after all.
"One is way too much for me."
"I believe bread is usually sized so that one person eats a whole loaf per meal," Roxanne explained.
"Is everyone really that hungry?"
"Bread is the staple, after all."
They certainly ate a lot. Maybe it was because they only ate two meals a day.
"I see. But even for dinner last night, one loaf was too much."
"Well, we had a lot of meat and vegetables last night. Most people don't have that many side dishes, so they eat more bread to compensate."
So the bread made up for the lack of other food. That sounded about right compared to modern Japan.
"I see. Well, this is how we do things in this house."
"Yes. Thank you, Master."
It wasn't like last night’s dinner had been a feast. If anything, it was quite modest. It had been my first time cooking here, after all.
Since we weren't at an inn, we had to cook for ourselves. I could have let Roxanne handle it, but I wasn't sure about her culinary skills. From what I’d seen, cooking here didn't go much beyond simple boiling or grilling.
I didn't mind cooking. My mother had passed away when I was young, so I knew my way around a kitchen. Replicating recipes was hard without the right ingredients, but I could manage once I got used to the local supplies.
For breakfast, I made ham and eggs. It was just a simple fried dish, but in this world, it looked like a gourmet meal.
"This vegetable dish is quite good," I said as we sat down to eat.
"Thank you. Your cooking is also very delicious, Master."
Roxanne had prepared some leafy greens, boiled in salt water and dressed with vinegar. It was just as simple as my ham and eggs. Because it was so simple, the flavor was clean and pleasant. Since slow-simmering for bouillon was out of the question, this was exactly the kind of food we should be eating.
"The ham and eggs turned out alright, too."
"Ham and eggs... it’s a wonderful feast."
"Buying the expensive bread was the right call, too."
The bread was soft and flavorful. You really got what you paid for. Being stingy was clearly a mistake.
"But... is it really alright for me to eat the same thing as you?"
"You're going into the Labyrinth with me. Your health is our most important asset."
"Thank you. I’ll work my hardest!"
The Premium Bread was eight Nahl, split between us. The greens were just a few Nahl for a large bunch. Eggs were five Nahl each, and we had two apiece. The ham was cut from a hundred-Nahl block of smoked meat, so maybe fifteen Nahl per person. All in all, breakfast cost about thirty Nahl per person.
In this world, that was a pretty high-end meal. The ham was delicious even though it was just sliced and grilled, so it must have been a quality product.
The portion was generous, too. I’d mostly adapted to the two-meal-a-day lifestyle. Breakfast after sunrise, dinner before sunset. Since the gap was so long, I was usually starving by breakfast.
"It looks like we’ll be fine on the food front."
"I’m sorry for making you do the work, Master. I should be the one handling all of this."
"Don't worry about me cooking. I enjoy it."
I had no intention of compromising on food. The average height difference between people in the Edo period and modern Japan was about twenty centimeters. Since the genetics were the same, it just showed how vital nutrition was.
Between the two meals a day, the lack of sugar, and the physical labor in the Labyrinth, I didn't have to worry about gaining weight.
The next morning, we tackled the Second Floor of the Quratar Labyrinth. Quratar was crowded, so it was best to go when fewer people were around. Before sunrise was the sweet spot.
Even so, I kept Durandal out and avoided using magic. Having my magic seen would be a disaster. Mages were rare, and an explorer or adventurer using magic would raise too many questions.
Of course, using Durandal meant I could one-shot everything on the second floor, which was also a bit conspicuous. I just had to be careful not to be seen.
Following the map, we encountered a wooden monster. It wasn't as thick as a Needle Wood; it was a flexible tree with vibrant green leaves. Appraisal called it a Naive Olive Lv 2.
I stepped in and felled it with a single stroke of Durandal. The tree collapsed into smoke.
"It’s olive oil," Roxanne said, picking up the drop and handing it to me.
Appraisal confirmed it. It was an item that looked like a soft rubber ball.
"Olive oil? Can we use this for cooking?"
"Yes. It’s perfect for stir-frying. The membrane is very fragile and will tear easily, so please be careful with it."
"Understood."
It was a thin skin filled with oil. It definitely looked like it would pop if I wasn't careful. I tucked it into my Item Box for safety.
"I don't smell anyone nearby. I think you could use magic for the next one," Roxanne suggested.
"I see. Well, let's just stick to this for the second floor."
Roxanne didn't know this, but the only reason I used magic was so I could reallocate the bonus points from Durandal into experience-gain skills. Pulling Durandal out and putting it back was more annoying than simply swapping weapons, so I preferred to keep it out if I could.
The second floor was much quieter than the first, and we encountered several more monsters. I dispatched them all with Durandal. For the boss, we used our usual pincer attack. It was a simple matter of whittling it down.
For breakfast, I used the olive oil for a stir-fry. It was missing something, but it was a solid start. If I could cook at this level, I felt like our life here was officially established.
"Now, I want to do something about these rooms," I said during breakfast.
"The rooms?"
"They’re a bit stark."
I looked around. Bare walls, bare floors, and a few pieces of furniture. It screamed "we just moved in and haven't decorated yet." It was cold and lacked character. It didn't feel like a home.
"I think we should decorate with carpets," Roxanne suggested.
"Carpets?"
"Yes."
A carpet would definitely add some warmth.
"True. But the rooms are quite large; covering the whole floor would be a lot of work."
I wondered if carpets were cheap. Even at the slave trader’s mansion, they only had carpets in the guest rooms. They were probably a luxury item.
"Oh, we don't lay them on the floor. We hang them on the walls."
"Hang them?"
"Yes."
"Not on the floor?"
"No." Roxanne nodded.
Apparently, carpets were used as wall hangings here. Since we didn't have wallpaper, carpets served as decor. They must be quite prized.
"I see."
"Only the very wealthy lay carpets on the floor, and even then, usually only in a few rooms."
"W-well, we didn't have carpets in my house either."
I was starting to worry she thought I was some rich noble's son. I mean, I did buy a slave, so I guess it was a fair assumption. But in reality, we didn't have carpets. We had tatami.
"Is that so?"
"Where do they even sell carpets?"
"They’re a luxury item, so we might have to go to the Imperial Capital to find a shop."
"The Imperial Capital... maybe we should head there today."
We had passed through the capital on our way to Quratar, so I could warp there whenever I wanted. A bit of sightseeing sounded nice.
"Yes. Please go ahead, Master. I’ll go pick up the seeds."
"Seeds?"
"The caretaker promised to give us some."
"Ah, the herb seeds."
The hardware shop lady had offered to share some. I’d forgotten we had a garden to maintain. Renting a house was turning out to be a lot of work. I couldn't just let the yard stay a mess.
"I’m looking forward to seeing what she gives us."
"Me too. I’ll go with you. If we’re doing yard work, should we wait until the afternoon?"
"It will be warmer then. Is that alright with you?"
"It’s fine. The capital isn't going anywhere."
We decided to spend the day gardening. After a morning trip to the Labyrinth, we returned to the Quratar Adventurer Guild at noon. I sold our loot at the counter and we headed out. The hardware shop was just a short walk away.
"Welcome! Ah, I’ve been expecting you. You're here for the herb seeds, right?"
The shopkeeper greeted us and told us to wait while she went to the back.
While we waited, I looked over the tools. There was a hoe—the kind you swing down to till the soil. I’d never seen a real one before, but it was a beautiful piece of equipment. It was perfectly functional. I picked it up and found it surprisingly well-balanced.
Was I really going to do this? My agrarian blood began to stir. To live off the land. To receive nature’s bounty and live in harmony with the world. Behold this man! See the life of one who walks with the earth! To live nobly, even while covered in blood, sweat, and tears.
"Should we get some farming tools, too?"
"It’s just a small garden, so we don't need anything that fancy."
Ah, so the hoe was overkill? Even if it felt right in my hands?
"You sure?"
"We can just dig things up with a wooden board."
"I can't let you do that. How about this?" I handed her a medium-sized implement that looked like a sturdy shovel.
"That’s a spade. It looks very high-quality. It feels a bit like a waste for a small garden, though."
A spade, not a shovel. We needed something to sow the seeds; I wasn't going to make her dig with her bare hands.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
The shopkeeper returned with another person. "I'm going to explain how to plant them, is that alright?"
"Yes, please," Roxanne said.
Roxanne listened intently as the person explained which seed was which. They were wrapped in bundles of papyrus. I didn't need to listen; even if they told me the names, I wouldn't have a clue what they were.
"Can I get this spade and that hoe over there?"
"Oh, thank you! I feel bad making you buy tools. I’ll give you a discount on the price."
It was just the thirty percent discount, I assumed. But as long as it was cheaper, I was happy. I ended up buying both tools.
Roxanne tucked the seeds into her rucksack and we left. She carried the spade, and I took the hoe. We warped from the guild back to the house.
"Thank you for the tools, Master."
"They’re necessary. So, what’s the plan? Do we till the soil before we plant?"
"Yes. I think we should just dig everything up, weeds and all."
I swung the hoe into the earth. I was worried I might hit my own foot, but I managed just fine. The soil was soft and easy to turn. Even if it was overgrown, it was still a garden, after all.
I could dig it up with ease. As I suspected, the hoe was total overkill.