I followed Sylphy into the mud hut and marveled again at the comfort it offered.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Crack! Crack!
A cool wind blew in through the windows as the fireplace gave off very warm heat.
The contrasting temperatures reminded me of when I covered myself with a blanket in an air-conditioned room.
The hut still had no door and that made me feel a bit uneasy, but I ignored it for now.
Other than that, I was able to find a small bed with a hardened mud base covered with sheets on the back.
"Sorry ... I can't make a more comfortable bed than this one ... " (Sylphy)
Sylphy had a downcast expression on her face and her words seemed very honest.
Chuckle. "Heh. What are you talking about? This is much better than sleeping up in the branches of a tree." (Ember [Usagi])
I'm sure she did the best she could to make this hut and I'm not the type to overlook things like that.
As for sleeping on a tree, I was thinking of using my Climbing ability in case we didn't find shelter.
Though, compared to that, this makeshift bed is much better.
"Thank you, Sylphy. This is a very amazing place." (Ember [Usagi])
So I smiled gently and told her that I was very grateful to have her as a companion.
" ... Hehe. If you like it, then I'm happy ... Cough! I mean, it's good that you approve of this dwelling." (Sylphy)
She made a cute smile at first and then changed her expression to one of indifference.
Her gestures and words made me want to pet her head. It's a shame that the difference in our sizes is too great ...
"Sylphy, what will you do about that?" (Ember [Usagi])
I pointed my index finger at the doorless doorframe of this place.
"Don't worry! I was just waiting until we were inside ... Spirits of nature, hear my call and seal this hole!" (Sylphy)
Then, wisps of dark green light slowly appeared out of nowhere before tree roots emerged from the ground and covered the entrance like a door.
" ... That was very cool." (Ember [Usagi])
" .... Hehe." (Sylphy)
Sylphy put her hands on her hips and lifted her chest proudly.
After that, I opened the special field bag and took the meat slices that I got from the pronghorn.
Why is this bag called special? Because it keeps bad smells inside and is even resistant to rain.
Then I realized that Sylphy had already prepared some clean skewer sticks, so I proceeded to cut some meat and vegetables into small pieces before nailing them all together.
Next, I also sprinkled a little salt and pepper on each one.
I didn't think I'd get a food-related skill that easily, but then I looked at the raw skewers I had just made and nodded.
'Indeed, they look delicious ... ' (Usagi)
One might even think that they were prepared by a very experienced home chef as they looked perfectly symmetrical.
However, I hardly cooked anything in my past life, so this is in reality the result of some of the effects of my skills overlapping.
Finally, I put them on the fire with care so they don't burn and end up crispy and juicy.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
' ... Smells good.' (Usagi)
Drool~
I started salivating and wondered how much time I would have to wait to give them a bite.
" ... You are very skillful, Little Rabbit. Were you a cook in your past life?" (Sylphy)
Other than knowing that I was reincarnated and that this is my second life, I haven't told her much about me.
It wasn't because I didn't want to, but because I don't feel very comfortable with my past.
I was just a white-collar worker at a software company and spent most of my free time playing video games, watching animated series, and reading fantasy novels.
As for friends, I had very few and I hardly visited them.
On the other hand, I was also an only child and my close relatives were just my parents.
" ... No, I was just a boring person. You see ... " (Ember [Usagi])
Even then, Sylphy is my precious companion and she needs to know what kind of person I am, so I started to explain everything I could about my past.
I also told her about my world and the different things that existed there thanks to our modern technology.
"Huh ... You are truly intriguing, Little Rabbit. Please tell me more about you." (Sylphy)
I thought she would laugh at me, but instead, she flew up to me and sat on my shoulder.
She had a happy smile on her face like she was glad that he was sharing these things with her.
My depressed mood quickly disappeared and I started to smile too.
We continued chatting as I slowly turned the skewers until a very appetizing aroma began to waft in the air.
The grilled skewers smelled so much more delicious than when I just put them on the fire.
Growl! ... Growl~
Now, it wasn't just Ember's stomach that was hungry.
" ... Hey, Little Rabbit. I said before that I didn't like meat, but ... Could you give me one of those?" (Sylphy)
She seemed a bit embarrassed but her words were firm and she didn't waver.
'It's unfair when she makes those kinds of expressions ... ' (Usagi)
She's just too cute ... There's no way I'm going to say no.
"Of course. You can take one, Sylphy." (Ember [Usagi])
"Thank you~!" (Sylphy)
She changed to her human form as she was too small to hold a skewer and then started eating one with a happy face. I also did the same.
"Om nom nom ... " (Sylphy)
"Om nom nom ... " (Ember [Usagi])
We focused too much on our food that we even forgot our manners.
Sylphy ate not just one or two skewers, but three along with some fruit and water.
As for Ember, her stomach kept growling at the smell of meat, so I even had to prepare a few more.
When a meal includes meat, she mysteriously becomes a heavy eater ...
'Well ... She's still a wolf after all ... ' (Usagi)
Wolves are true carnivores ...
I knew that eating too much at this time is bad for one's health, but I couldn't help it. Her stomach seemed bottomless.
Also, I could feel her body bursting with energy from head to toe but also sensed sleep would come soon enough.
The meat slices I got from the pronghorn disappeared quickly.
However, not all of them became skewers. I did my best to smoke the rest of the meat because I didn't want it to go bad.
They will be good snacks to ease our hunger while we travel.
Soon after, we finished eating and washed our hands with a little soap.
"Thank you for the food, Little Rabbit." (Sylphy)
"It's nothing. I am happy that you liked it." (Ember [Usagi])
Our words were similar to what we said when Sylphy showed me this hut. The difference was that now she was the one thanking me.
I gently patted Ember's belly and drowsiness slowly overtook me.
Yawn. " ... Sylphy, let's go to sleep ... Ember is very exhausted from running too much ... " (Ember [Usagi])
In fact, her legs may even be a bit swollen. It's amazing the distance we covered in such a short time thanks to her.
As for taking turns guarding the hut, it wasn't necessary due to my Sense of Danger skill.
It was already at level 5 and it would be very difficult for a nasty monster to approach here without being seen.
Nod. " ... Yes. Come here, Little Rabbit." (Sylphy)
She sat on the side of the bed and motioned for me to do the same.
Before laying on it, I touched its surface and nodded.
'Indeed ... It's not remarkably soft or comfortable, but it's still good enough for today.' (Usagi)
Aside from the white sheets it had, the base made of hardened mud was very stiff and even a little cold.
It couldn't be compared to the beds at the White Sheep Inn at all.
"Spirits of the wind, we are counting on you. Add more of that firewood and keep that fire alive until dawn!" (Sylphy)
She pointed toward the fireplace and the wooden sticks next to it.
She's right, we need someone to keep the fire going. Otherwise, we might wake up tomorrow with a fever.
Well, Ember is too strong so it might be a little different in her case.
Either way, with that settled, I'll go to sleep for now.
" ... Good night, Sylphy." (Ember [Usagi])
"Rest well, Little Rabbit." (Sylphy)
Once I lay down on the bed, she kissed me on the forehead while silently smiling.
She then returned to her true form and became very small again.
My eyelids grew heavy and I slowly sank into the embrace of sleep.
. . .
Once I opened my eyes again, a dark world appeared before me.
Ember was still sleeping on a bed of red flowers, but something changed in her.
Her former pale red color was now flickering between a darker color constantly.
'That looks odd ... Is something going to happen?' (Usagi)
I took a few steps back as a precaution and then I saw an amazing sight.
Ember began to slowly rise into the air along with almost all the flower petals that were on the ground.
Then, she took a standing position while still in midair and the petals turned into wisps of red light before entering her.
She was constantly glowing brightly now.
Finally, the rest of the petals entered inside me and the flower stalks on the ground gradually faded into the darkness.
' ... Wow.' (Usagi)
My gaze then returned to Ember.
She slowly descended until she was standing in front of me.
The color of her soul was now dark red, but it was no longer glowing.
When she gently opened her eyes, I could immediately tell that they were no longer those of a beast.
" ... Master?" (Ember)
She looked a bit dizzy and her balance was unsteady, so I hugged her small frame tightly in my arms.
Once again, I forgot that we were both naked.
Having her by my side is the most important thing, after all, so I didn't give any importance to details like that.
Also, I've gotten a bit used to touching her for all the times she lent me her body even if I didn't want to.
"Yeah, it's me. I am truly glad that you finally woke up ... " (Usagi)
She smelled good like flowers and had a shy expression on her face.
Nod. " ... I am also happy to be with you, Master." (Ember)
Then, she hugged me back and we stayed like that for a few minutes enjoying each other's warmth.
Soon after, we sat on the ground while still holding hands and I began to tell her about our current location.
"We are in a forest now, but you don't have to worry about our safety. Sylphy made a little shelter and you two are sleeping comfortably at this moment." (Usagi)
I smiled to assure her that her body was fine.
However, she didn't seem very interested in what I was talking about, so I changed the subject.
"As for our destination ... According to Sylphy, we are very close to the southern city, Myra. Also-" (Usagi)
"Master, I don't want to talk about the outside at this time. I trust you to take care of my body, so that doesn't worry me." (Ember)
She blushed slightly when she mentioned her body, but her determined expression remained the same.
"I will also apologize to my Big Sister tomorrow, so ... I want to spend as much time as I can with you until the sun comes up, Master ... " (Ember)
She held my hand tighter before releasing it.
Then, she stood up and sat between my spread legs.
" ... Ember? Actually, I want to train for a-" (Usagi)
"Master, please hug me from behind. I want to feel your warm arms ... If you want to train, tomorrow I will lend you my body as much as you want. After all, I made you a promise, didn't I, Master?" (Ember)
She grabbed my hands and I was forced to hug her properly because she was trying to put them in the wrong place ...
'Was she always this bold?' (Usagi)
Besides, she did make a promise like that ...
Both training and exercising in the outside world give much better results than doing it here, so I'm genuinely thankful that she still remembers that ...
Well, if she wants to be pampered today, I have no reason to refuse.
" ... I get it. Let's flirt with each other until morning, Ember." (Usagi)
I whispered into one of her ears and hugged her tighter.
However, it would be a problem if this became a daily routine ...
My heart would eventually explode because of all her cuteness ...
But that's a concern for later. Right now, I will do my best to make her happy.
We kissed many times and said sweet words to each other for hours ...
Nothing bad happened during this quiet night and the rays of the rising sun slowly but surely entered through the windows.