Read Between the Lines.

Karina-chan here. The sun is so yellow…

So I holed up in my storage space, deployed Kossori-kun, and passed the time investigating my body.

I also made various small items, so I'm pretty sure my woodworking skill has gone up.

I mean, chairs and tables? Yeah. Cups too, you know?

I even tried making a toothbrush out of wood fibers, but it was too stiff and kind of hurt. Using animal fur was too soft though, so both have their ups and downs for different uses. Anyway, never mind that. Next time I'll make a better one.

Man, that was a good workout.

 

 

Anyway, here I am in the port town of Véraldo for the second time in as many days.

A dog-eared soldier was checking my Guild Card.

"Departure: Solasidor, eight days ago. Cargo looks fine too. You may pass. Welcome to Véraldo."

Yeah, it was supposed to take five days, but I padded it by three, huh?

I got absorbed in some analysis and experiments, okay? Read between the lines.

No, wait — actually, don't notice. And even if you do, please pretend you didn't.

"… I don't mean to be presumptuous, but you might want to put a little more effort into your cleaning magic. So you don't attract unnecessary trouble, you know? Also, there's a bathhouse near the center of town."

"… Yes. Thank you very much."

D-do I smell? Do I smell that bad!? Bad enough for him to recommend the bathhouse!?

Dang it, on the way back to Solasidor I'm building a personal bath inside my storage space!

With that resolved, I pulled my handcart along and finally made it into Véraldo proper.

The streets weren't much different from Solasidor, but there were more stone buildings. Maybe because they hold up better against the sea winds?

First, let's get this delivery done.

Casting cleaning magic on myself, I looked for the Adventurers' Guild.

I found a building similar to the Adventurers' Guild back in Solasidor… Problem: I obviously can't bring a handcart inside. There's no free parking around here either, so I'll stash it in my storage space for now.

Officially, that means I left it at an inn. In practice, my storage space is where I sleep anyway.

And now, allow me to unveil my new technique.

First, a perfectly ordinary street corner. I deploy my space there!

Then I slip into it.

Lo and behold — I've completely vanished from sight!

This is my new technique: optical camouflage!

People on the other side of the corner can't see me to begin with, so there's no commotion. Anyone behind me will just assume they lost sight of me the moment I rounded the corner.

Thanks to this, I can disappear naturally even in town and shake off pursuers!

Well, it's not like anyone is chasing me right now, though.

Just a little application of Spatial Magic.

I wasn't holed up for eight days for nothing, you know.

… Honestly, I don't really understand it myself, but I somehow managed to pull it off — keep that part between us.

Anyway, I stowed the handcart in my storage space, grabbed the delivery box, and headed back to the Adventurers' Guild.

"Heeey. Where do I drop off a delivery?"

"Oh my, that box is from Solasidor, isn't it? Bring it over here."

Beckoned over by the receptionist, I set the cargo on the counter.

"No signs of tampering… alright. Received. Request complete — here's your payment."

"Thanks. Also, where's the Merchants' Guild?"

"Head out the door and go a bit to the right."

"Much appreciated."

Nice and simple.

Everything went smoothly with no one hassling me. This is how it should be.

Back in Solasidor too, aside from Blade-senpai pestering me when I first registered, nothing really happened.

Then I suddenly remembered the gate guard recommending the bathhouse.

… Surely I don't smell so bad that people don't want to come near me… right??

…

Maybe I should hit the bathhouse before the Merchants' Guild. Yeah.