Aiming for a Cozy Life in a Dangerous Forest in Another World! - Chapter 31
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- Chapter 31 - Let’s Ask About Various Things
Chapter 31: Let’s Ask About Various Things
I had decided to hire Label as my butler.
It felt like I had just gone with the flow, but I had to take responsibility for what I said…
Still, a butler?
My image of a butler was someone who managed the other servants, giving instructions, assisting their master with tasks, and such.
What could Label do…? Well, I had a feeling he was incredibly strong. I just knew it instinctively.
………Sensing strength instinctively. I was really becoming a wild animal.
He looked to be a young man, probably in his early twenties. His black… butler uniform? It fit him perfectly. He was handsome, and had a good physique. If he weren’t my butler, he would definitely be popular with the ladies.
And he had said something about being a “Demon,” right?
A demon, as in, the kind you would summon with a magic circle, offering something in exchange for their services? Label had also mentioned responding to summons…
And his name too. He had said he would go by “Label,” but his actual name was much longer, wasn’t it?
Ugh, I had so many questions.
I usually pushed things I didn’t understand aside, but since he was going to be serving me, it might be better to just ask.
We still had a way to go before we reached the base, so I decided to ask him as much as I could…
“Hey, Label?”
“Yes, what is it?”
I still wasn’t used to being addressed so formally…
“I have a lot of questions. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“First, I’m calling you Label, but your real name is different, isn’t it? Are you sure it’s okay for me to call you that?”
“Yes. The true names of the Demon Tribe are usually quite long. This is because they were given to us by the dragons we served in the past. You see, the Dragon Tribe had a tendency to prefer long names… So, when they gave us names, they were naturally quite long. But, to be honest, long names are inconvenient in everyday life. So we usually shorten them. I am very honored that Kotoha-sama has given me a shortened version of my name. Therefore, I would like to be called Label from now on.”
“…Okay, as long as you’re happy with it.”
“Thank you very much.”
“So, you’re a member of the Demon Tribe?”
“Indeed. But we’re not that different from other humanoids, like humans and beastmen. We eat, sleep, and such. However, our mana adaptability is quite high, so we require less sustenance in areas rich in mana.”
I see…
Now that he mentioned it, I felt like I had heard the term “mana adaptability” somewhere before.
Well, whatever. Next question, next question.
“So, you said you’ll be my butler. What exactly can you do?”
“Anything and everything that is required of a butler!”
“…Everything?”
“Yes! Cooking, laundry, cleaning, and other household chores, as well as financial management, trade management, assassination, combat… anything you wish!”
…Wait, what?
What was that last part?
“Financial management? Assassination? Are those really butler duties?”
“Yes. It is also the duty of a butler to assist their master with their business affairs. And to discreetly eliminate any scoundrels or enemies who might threaten their master’s well-being. Of course, I doubt there are many who could harm Kotoha-sama.”
“…For now, I would like you to help with cooking. Though, all we really do is grill meat…”
“Having limited options just means I have to be more resourceful. Rest assured, I am up to the task.”
He was so positive…
“I see… And do you know how to make clothes? The children I live with, their clothes are falling apart…”
“I am familiar with sewing, but procuring the necessary materials will be difficult. We cannot obtain anything in this forest that can be made into cloth…”
“Ah, I figured as much–”
“Perhaps you could teach them the 『Physical Armor』 skill, just like you use it, Kotoha-sama.”
“It would be convenient, but… is it possible to learn a skill just by wanting to learn it?”
“Yes. Skills are essentially just highly systematized magic. Therefore, it is possible to learn them intentionally. For 『Physical Armor』, I believe they should be able to learn it if you demonstrate it for them and have them try using it.”
“…I see. I’ll try teaching them when we get back.”
“Very well.”
“You know a lot, Label. That’s impressive.”
“Your praise honors me. However, if I may be so bold, it is best not to ask me about magic or skills.”
“Why?”
“The acquisition of magic and skills is directly related to one’s self-development. Therefore, it is desirable to learn through personal effort, trial, and error. I have lived a long life. As such, I possess knowledge of many magic and skills. If I wanted to, I could easily teach them to others. However, if one were to rely solely on me and repeatedly learn in this manner, they would never truly make it their own. It would not lead to their self-improvement. Many of those who summoned me sought my knowledge of powerful magic and skills. I would teach them, as long as they had something to offer in return, but I do not know if they truly made those skills their own. Kotoha-sama, who carries the blood of the Dragon Tribe and possesses limitless potential, I sincerely hope you will grasp your own power with your own hands.”
I see.
Thinking about it, he was right. There was a difference in value between something you acquired through personal effort, through repeated failures, and something that was simply given to you.
『Stone Bullet』, 『Dragon Transformation』, despite the circumstances that led to me learning them, they were precious abilities I acquired through my own experimentation. No one taught them to me.
Kaito and Pola’s magic and skills too. I might have given them the initial push, but they learned through their own practice.
And besides, it wouldn’t be fun if I just had someone teach me everything!
I was enjoying experimenting and coming up with my own theories in this world.
This was my second chance at life, so I had to make the most of it!
“I understand. Thank you, Label.”
“Not at all. I apologize for overstepping my bounds. And of course, if you are ever in danger, I will assist you. Until then, I would like to serve you as a simple butler.”
“…Yes. Thank you, Label.”
Label seemed much more normal than I initially thought.
Though he was a little too respectful.
Well, when we got back, I would have Kaito and Pola practice the 『Physical Armor』 skill…