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Chapter 31 – Clare’s Silk Cocoon
“But it’s not just spies, there’s a door and a book in the ruins of an ancient civilization… Things are getting a bit hectic…”
Clare said as if it was someone else’s problem, and the girl doll looked up into the sky with a faraway look. She even tilted the doll’s props, like a teacup and saucer, as if she was taking a breath, not sure when they had prepared them.
“That’s getting elaborate…”
“I like it.”
Rona and Selena were talking like this.
“Well, joking aside. I wonder why the door was reacting to me.”
“It’s hard to say right now. There may have been some prerequisites for you to meet, but it’s also possible that it was because you defeated the grave keeper.”
“We may find something out if we continue to decipher the book.”
“Hmm. I should get involved in that a little. I’ll talk about that the next time I visit the capital.”
Rona folded her arms and pondered. Then she turned to Clare.
“You should study the grave keeper’s remains for the time being, but try to keep them in their original state as much as possible.”
“They might use them for some kind of camouflage in the future.”
“Yeah. If something like this happens again, you can bring the grave keeper’s remains with you and hide it.”
“Even if the door doesn’t open, it’ll just mean that the prerequisites weren’t met this time, so that’s the end of it.”
“That’s fine about the door… the current problem is that he’s a spy. Well, it’s still just a suspicion, though.”
Rona says, and Selena nods.
“The Empire is clinging to an ancient civilization, so I think that if they were spies, they would be quick to relay the information.”
“It’s not impossible that they could steal the books. I don’t know if they would take such drastic measures, but the person in question used concealment techniques, so they probably have some magical cards. However, since I’m still “touching” them, I’ll be able to sense if they try to do something magical.”
Rona and the others nodded, deciding that they would take action if they saw any suspicious movements in the camp. Then Clare and the others began preparing to camp.
“We don’t want to leave any traces, so shall we sleep high up in the trees?”
“High up in the trees…?”
“Yes. Leave it to me.”
As she said this, Clare chose a relatively thick tree, held out both hands, and stretched out threads from them, twisting them into multiple layers. A huge cocoon-like structure formed in the air. However, it has stairs and an entrance, and although it is built in the air, it is actually a tent-like structure. It is large enough for three people to sleep in.
Finally, the surface color changes to a camouflage pattern that blends into the forest.
“I see… For now, I’ll take care of the barrier to keep people away and hide them.”
“Thank you. If you only need to maintain it, I think that’s fine.”
The girl doll makes a gesture as if making a power lump.
The three put their feet on the stairs to enter the constructed cocoon tent.
“It’s as solid as a normal staircase.”
“The tent floor feels the same. The seating area is different, though. The sleeping area is also moderately soft.”
Clare’s thread can be changed in a wide variety of ways, including its strength, properties, color, and thickness. Not only can it be changed to physical properties such as hardening or giving it rubber-like elasticity, but it can also be freely turned into an intangible thread, or the thread itself can be hidden by applying other magic.
Since it was a unique magic, it was easy for Clare to maintain even if it was the size of a tent, as long as it was simply a change in hardness.
The inside of the tent was spacious enough for three people. As Clare said, cushions and bedding were already prepared. They took out food and water bottles from their bags and started preparing for camping.
“Somehow… it doesn’t feel like camping. It’s comfortable.”
“Hahahaha. I’ve been camping a few times during my training. I thought it would be nice to have something like this, so I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
“You have to think about a lot of things. Well, I don’t mind thinking of things to make things easier.”
While talking like that, the three took out food from their magic bag and started preparing meals.
In Clare’s case, because of the magic bag, they didn’t have to worry too much about preservation or weight even outside. They took out meat from monsters they had hunted, cheese, vegetables and fruit from the hut, and other items that would normally be on the table at the hut.
“I’ll keep watch at night, and I’ll make some midnight snacks.”
“Yeah. After we finish eating, we’ll take turns taking naps.”
“Then I’ll shift my nap time to keep you both awake, and act as a vigilante while you’re concentrating on the target.”
Perhaps because Selena can’t detect long distances outside of her line of sight, she volunteered to do this.
–It was a while after the sun had gone down when Selena woke up.
“Good morning, both of you.”
“Good morning, Selena.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. I slept well thanks to the medicinal bath.”
Rona had compounded a medicinal bath that helps you fall asleep. It’s a little bitter, but it’s very effective.
“Well then, I’ll get straight to it… I’m going to take a nap now.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“See you later.”
Clare drinks the contents of the cup that is likely filled with medicinal bath and sits down to sleep at the back of the tent. Selena finds it endearing to see the girl doll lying next to her.
Selena goes to the entrance of the tent and keeps an eye on the outside.
“There’s still no sign of movement. I have a concealment barrier, and the night is long, so it’ll be tough if you’re too tense.”
“I understand. I’ll save some energy.”
When Selena answers, Rona nods, and while she recommends a medicinal bath to wake her up, she creates a soundproofing barrier around Clare, creating an environment where she can sleep peacefully.
“So–Have you gotten used to being an adventurer?”
“Yes. Thanks to that. I feel like I’m running around the Great Sea of Trees as an apprentice witch with Clare-sama, rather than an adventurer, but the training itself is fun.”
“Heh heh. That’s the best thing. Well, the things you need to do to hunt monsters in the Great Sea of Trees don’t change whether you’re an adventurer or a witch. It’s stuff I’ve accumulated since I used to hang out with adventurers.”
The Great Sea of Trees and the monsters that inhabit it haven’t changed much since Rona was with her fellow adventurers. The know-how of the Great Sea of Trees that Rona taught you is still applicable even if you’re with other adventurers. Selena had heard that Rona had come to the Great Sea of Trees with her fellow adventurers.
“–I am truly blessed to be able to learn such valuable knowledge. I have given Clare-sama something in return, but it’s not quite balanced. I’ve given Rona-sama something in return. Is there anything you want me to do?”
“No problem. I have my own goals, and I’ve learned from your unique magic. So I’ve got something in return.”
Rona shrugged her shoulders.
“Rona-sama’s goals…”
“Hmmph. That’s a boring thing. Besides, I enjoy training apprentices. I never thought about it before I met Clare.”
Rona grinned and said.
“…Well, we have some time left. The spy will move after the investigation team falls asleep and there are fewer people around. Until then, I’ll give you a quick lecture–or rather, some magical knowledge and trivia. If I need to concentrate on something, I’ll neglect other things.”
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