Chapter 6: The Bed
The backyard of the mansion.
The same place where the laundry was done.
“T-Then everyone…
Please take care of me.”
Clap clap clap clap.
For some reason, Raymond, Uruk, Head Butler Tetto, and dozens of maids all applauded me.
(Why are there so many people gathered here…?
Wait!
Is literally everyone in the mansion here!?
…I’m really not good with being the center of attention…)
We had provided the Great Black Bird Kurobird’s meat to the mansion.
As for the beak and claws, we sold them at the Adventurer’s Guild, and Uruk gave me the entire reward.
According to her, she hadn’t done anything.
I told her that wasn’t true, but she refused to listen.
The feathers had been separated one by one and now formed a mountain before me.
“First, I’ll use [Laundry Wash] on the Great Black Bird Kurobird’s feathers.”
As I repeated the same process as before, a question came flying at me.
“Lord Alto, forgive my rudeness, but wouldn’t that process merely remove the dirt from the feathers?”
“Yes, that’s correct.
As its name suggests, the Great Black Bird Kurobird has black feathers, but its feathers are actually pure white when it’s born.”
“Pure white…?
I’ve never heard such a thing…”
“Long ago, someone once told me they wanted to eat Great Black Bird Kurobird eggs…
So I ended up finding one of their nests.”
“W-What another unreasonable demand…
To think such a master exists…”
“Yes.
Of course, the eggs were there…
But there were babies too.
I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Haha.”
Those words caused the maids’ eyes to grow moist.
“Alto is such a kind person…”
“He smiles while talking about such painful things…
He’s such a bright person…”
Their voices never reached me as I continued working while explaining.
“The Great Black Bird Kurobird’s feathers change from pure white to black.
I became curious about why that happened and investigated it.
Apparently, the feathers darken because of dirt.
The more dirt they absorb, the harder the feathers become.”
“Dirt…?
Hoho, I’ve never heard of that before.”
“The Great Black Bird Kurobird only appears on sunny days.
That’s because when its feathers get wet, the dirt washes away.”
“Ohh!
I see now…!!
So that’s how it works…!!”
Raymond cried out in astonishment.
The others also nodded repeatedly while listening with great interest.
“When people turn them into armor, they coat the feathers with lacquer to preserve their shine.
That’s how they maintain their durability…
But when you wash them like this, see?
They become completely white.”
“““Ohhhh…!!”””
Everyone gasped at the breathtakingly beautiful white feathers.
“C-Could I touch them?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“…This is…!!
They’re soft and feel wonderful to the touch…!
To think Great Black Bird Kurobird feathers could become like this…!”
“W-Would it be alright if I touched them too!?”
With a troubled smile, I answered, “Go ahead,” and soon everyone wanted to touch them.
“If these were used in beds, they’d surpass even the royal capital’s finest…
No, this is beyond even that…
Remarkable.”
Once they grabbed hold of the feathers, nobody wanted to let go.
Before dissatisfaction could build up, I hurriedly washed the remaining feathers as well, when Uruk suddenly noticed something.
“…Wait.
Doesn’t it smell like mint?”
“Now that you mention it, it does.”
“Ah, I infused the feathers with the scent so they’d feel more comfortable during sleep.”
Everyone’s gaze instantly focused on me.
Eh…?
All I did was use [Enchant Magic] together with [Laundry Wash] to add fragrance…
Was that bad?
I had been told not to talk about enchantment magic, so I kept quiet about it.
“…Lord Alto, are you planning to use these for Lord Raymond’s bed?”
“Y-Yes…
Well, that’s the plan…”
“““…”””
Everyone exchanged glances before immediately turning back toward me.
Uruk was the first to speak.
“Alto, could you make one for me too?”
“Lord Alto, there is something I would very much like to request as well.”
The maids quickly joined in.
“M-Me too!!”
“Alto!!
We’ll pay however much it costs…!!”
As they crowded around me, Raymond stepped in to stop them.
“Wait, wait.
I’m first.”
Everyone glared at Raymond.
He flinched slightly, then let out a bitter smile before brightening up again.
“Hunting enough Great Black Bird Kurobirds would place far too much burden on Alto…
I know.
From now on, I’ll put in a request at the Adventurer’s Guild for people to deliver the feathers instead.
Then Alto can simply craft the beds from them.
What do you think?”
“A splendid idea, Grandfather.
That would greatly reduce his burden.”
He then turned toward me.
“Alto-kun, I’d like to officially commission you.
Of course, you’ll be paid…
These are better than the beds in the royal capital after all…
Hmm, how about 10,000 gold per bed?”
“T-Ten thousand!?
For just one!?”
10,000 gold was an absurd amount of money.
“Considering the servants as well, that should come to around 400,000 gold total.”
Just for the servants present here alone, it would amount to 400,000 gold…
Enough money for highly-paid miners to live for several years without working at all.
“They’re worth that much!
My eye for talent has never been wrong.
Those with talent naturally deserve proper compensation!”
My chest grew hot.
Something I thought was insignificant was actually being valued.
“Alto, you underestimate yourself too much.
You’re already incredible.”
“…Uruk.”
“So please…
Will you lend us your strength?”
They needed me.
There wasn’t a single person here calling me “useless.”
“Understood!
I’ll make as many as you want!”
By evening, the bed was finally completed.
After finishing dinner, we carried Raymond’s bed into his room.
The bed was designed using feather padding to reduce strain on the lower back.
“Hohh…
Now then, let’s see.
I haven’t been able to sleep properly for a very long time…”
He climbed into the bed.
“Ohhh!
This is incredible…
It feels like I’m sinking into it…
The scent is wonderful too…
I feel sleepy already…
Ohhh…”
“Grandfather…
That voice is a little…”
“Lord Raymond…
At your age, that pitiful voice is rather…”
“Enough already!
And quiet down!
I won’t be able to sleep otherwise!”
We all left the room, and when we peeked through the crack in the door, Raymond had already fallen asleep almost instantly.
Seeing that sight, Tetto quietly muttered:
“If the world learns about this, things will become troublesome…”
I instinctively asked back:
“Is it really that serious?”
“It was the same with your laundry magic, but the amount of effort you’ve poured into these creations is extraordinary…
There will certainly be wicked people who try to exploit your talents.”
I still didn’t truly understand how amazing any of this was.
Perhaps I really did need to be careful about how I lived from now on.
“But I’m just happy Raymond-san can finally sleep properly!”
“Lord Alto…”
Moved by Alto’s kind-hearted words, Tetto’s eyes grew teary.
“It’s alright, Tetto.
I’ll protect Alto.”
“Even you as well, Lady Uruk…
Fufu, then I’ll excuse myself.”
Once Tetto returned to his office, only Uruk and I remained.
Unable to find the right words, I tried returning to my room as well.
“I-I’m heading back to my room too…”
“Wait.”
She grabbed the hem of my clothes.
“Alto, could you come to my room tonight?
There’s something important I need to tell you.”
“Eh…?”