Chapter 98 – Wagon Journey, Depart!
“Hello. It’s nice to meet you. I am Kara, your driver.”
When they arrived at the Merchants Guild around midday, they found a four-horse covered wagon.
A capable-looking woman was standing there in a tidy butler uniform. She bowed and greeted them. She had dark skin and long black hair that was tied in the back.
Ling was standing next to her and smoking her pipe.
“Since you are an important customer. I thought it should be a wagon with a roof.”
“You don’t mind sending a woman driver?”
Menew wondered. Ling nodded as if to say, ‘show them.’
Kara then showed her status. She was a merchant.
However, under that, it showed that she had the bodyguard skill.
“She is the strongest of my attendants. No one could do better than her.”
“Well, we aren’t going to do anything so dangerous…”
They then shook hands, but Kara looked at them strangely.
It was because they had very little baggage.
They would pitch tents at night, and they needed food as well.
“Don’t worry, it’s all here. Surely it is best if the carriage is light?”
Menew said with a laugh as he showed his pouch. Kara nodded.
“Well, let’s go then.”
She said as she climbed up into the wagon. Menew handed Ling a leather bag.
Inside the wagon, there was a thick rug and cushion to sit on, a space to put your things.
But as they had nothing to put there, it was currently used for Kara’s modest baggage.
Once everyone was inside, the wagon started to move slowly.
However, they picked up speed once they were out of the town gates.
Menew opened the window and took in the breeze. He could not help but be amazed by the sight that rushed past them.
“Totto, look!”
“Yes!”
They were like excited children.
Even though it was shaking, Mofusen and Ralph drank some tea from their bottles.
Menew was happy at this surprisingly comfortable trip, but when he looked to the driver’s seat, he saw that it was bare wood. There was no cushion.
And this was likely to be a long journey.
“Ms. Kara. Doesn’t that hurt?”
“I am quite fine.”
“You can use this. I have another cushion.”
So saying, Menew pushed the cushions over to the driver’s seat, so that it was all fluffy and soft before she could protest.
She was being paid for this work, and seemed used to such travels. Still, this would take a week. Surely there was nothing wrong with being more comfortable.
“Thank…you.”
“You are welcome. Just stop when you get tired. And then we can rest. I don’t really know how this works, so we’ll follow your schedule.”
Menew said, and then he returned to the back.
He took out his sketchbook and drew a picture of a cushion. Like this, he made several.
“Since there is space, maybe I’ll make a bed for Ms. Kara as well.”
The covered wagon had a sturdy frame, with doors in the front and back, as well as windows. And there was empty space in the back that was big enough to fit a bed.
Using his brush, Menew established the perspective, and in his sketchbook, he drew a curtain hung from a beam, and behind it, a comfortable-looking bed mattress. There were four feather pillows and cushions, and he also included a chest for storing luggage.
Some men might not care, but Kara was a woman. And so he added a large bucket for wiping yourself, and a fluffy towel.
“What do you think?”
He asked the other three men.
Mofusen inspected the picture as he stroked his beard.
“Hmmm. I do not think that it lacks for anything…”
“…After all, the bathroom would be outside, surely.”
“How about putting a carpet on the floor?”
He accepted Ralph’s suggestion and drew a carpet.
“If there is anything else, she can tell me later.”
Menew concluded, and then he manifested the art.
There was a clunk as the wagon suddenly became heavier, and it swayed.
“Wh-what is happening!?”
Kara frantically stopped the carriage and opened the front door to look inside. There was now a comfortable room there that had certainly not been there before.
“Ah, sorry. You must have been surprised by how quick it was. I made a room for you, Ms. Kara.”
What do you think? Menew asked her hesitantly. She looked at him blankly.
She had heard that this man was rather strange, but that was clearly an understatement.
Normally, you would not place a bed inside of a wagon. You would not make a room. More importantly, you did not create things out of thin air as if it was nothing.
There was even a curtain.
“…Is there anything else you might want?”
“Um… If anything, you might have made too much.”
“Oh, I’m glad then!”
Kara realized that she had brought her tent and other things for nothing. But Menew did not seem to care.
“I could make extra clothes if you need.”
“Ah, yes… Huh?”
Indeed, she only had one extra change of clothing. Still, this was all very confusing to her.
“I suppose you do not have pajamas? I’ll put them in the chest then. Uh, should we take a break?”
Kara could do nothing but shake her head silently and return to the driver’s seat.
The journey had only just begun.
And yet this had happened.
She now understood why Link had said they needed a driver who was tight-lipped. However, she was now wishing they had chosen someone else.
Thanks for the new arc!