Chapter 97: Bed

This was their first winter in the Great Forest, but Ethan didn’t find it hard to bear, the snow fell heavy, but the weather stayed surprisingly mild.

"It’s so warm and cozy, meow~" Pearl rolled across the heated floor bed, purring like a tiny motor.

Ethan glanced at Pearl, then at the other end of the floor, Zharok was in the exact same state — sprawled out, eating chilled Ice Tangerines while the heated bed baked him from below.

"Quite the luxurious way to spend winter."

Bodies warm, mouths ice-cold, the refreshing chill of the tangerines contrasting with the heat, it must have felt wonderful, neither the wolf beastman nor the cat showed any intention of moving, not now, and not soon.

"I have to say, this cabin is built really well, meow~"

"I made you a bed, Pearl, an actual bed."

"With the floor being this comfortable, who would sleep in a bed?" Zharok grinned and tossed an Ice Tangerine to Ethan.

Ethan caught it, peeled it, and looked out the window.

"So warm and cozy!"

The Minotaurs and kobolds had gathered around the charcoal kiln outside, their latest favorite pastime was to sit by the kiln until the rolling heat soaked them through from head to toe, and then leap into the freezing river for an icy shock, they came out roaring and steaming in the cold air.

A knock interrupted the show.

Ethan got up and opened the door, a group of kobolds stood outside, clutching a large chunk of meat.

"Could you help us roast some Honey Sweet Potatoes?"

"Sure, no problem."

He took the meat they had brought as trade, ducked into the kitchen, and grabbed a batch of Honey Sweet Potatoes from the storehouse, he placed them on an iron plate, slid them into the charcoal kiln to roast for a short while, and pulled them out, even with just this, the sweet potatoes came out soft, sweet, and fragrant.

"Whoa!"

"Way too delicious!"

Ethan watched the kobolds blowing on the hot food and tearing into it with relish, then turned and headed for the greenhouse.

He entered the first greenhouse to check on the tropical fruits, the warm air inside was a sharp contrast to the biting cold outside, the Sun Stones embedded along the walls gave off a steady, even heat that mimicked the tropical south, the plants he had brought back had adapted well, their leaves green and healthy, a few already putting out buds, at this rate, it wouldn’t be long before the first harvest.

He picked a ripe Ice Tangerine from a low branch, peeled it, and tasted it, cold, sweet, refreshing — a bite of summer in the middle of winter, a satisfied smile crossed his face before he moved next door.

This was where the Mana Grass grew. On one side of the greenhouse, dried stalks hung from lines. On the other, vibrant green shoots pushed up through sandy soil.

Ethan picked up a dried stalk, inspected it closely, and confirmed its quality was top-tier. He stepped outside.

’It’s about time to visit the Elven Kingdom.’

By evening, the kobolds had returned to their village, while preparing dinner, Ethan made his announcement.

"I plan to take a trip to the Elven Kingdom."

"Now that you mention it, they did send an invitation a while back." Zharok sat up from his lounging position.

"When do you plan to leave?"

"Once this harvest is finished."

The tropical fruits and Mana Grass in the greenhouses still needed to be gathered — two days of work, at least.

After Ethan finished explaining, Zharok crossed his arms and smiled wryly, he shook his head.

"Looks like he’ll have to stay behind this time, meow~"

"Yeah, someone’s gotta keep an eye on things, meow~"

Pearl was right, the cabin, the greenhouses, the wheat field — none of it could be left unattended.

"I’ll leave things here to you."

Ethan meant more than just watching the cabin, the wheat in the fields needed care, Zharok didn’t know how to farm, but at the very least, he could keep monsters from tearing the fields apart.

Zharok met his eyes and nodded with a smile. "Don’t worry. Leave it to me."

’How reliable.’

Ethan told him to help himself to any fruit in the greenhouse, then he picked up a leather backpack. He had a lot to bring.

"What are you packing so much for, meow?"

"I might be staying there a while."

"How long?"

"Until winter ends, at least."

Beyond obtaining the World Tree fragment, Ethan wanted to collect crops and fruit trees grown in the Elven Kingdom, if possible, he hoped to learn elven cooking methods too — including how to make Elven Yogurt.

For this trip, he planned to bring back as much as possible, porcelain for gifts, Mana Grass for trade, tropical fruits for the elven nobles, he packed the necessities one by one, checking each item off a mental list, the leather backpack was bulging by the time he finished, he also loaded the handcart with crates of carefully wrapped porcelain pieces, breaking one would be a waste.

"Pearl, anything you need to bring?"

"Meow~ As long as I have you, that’s enough, meow~"

"You sure know how to say the right thing." He scratched Pearl under the chin, then looked at Zharok.

Zharok was back on the heated floor, reading a book. He glanced up. "What?"

"Pick out a few books for me. I want to bring some as gifts."

"Oh, perfect timing. Bring me a few back, too." Zharok scribbled on a piece of paper and held it out.

Ethan scanned the list. Books — a shopping list of books.

"Hand that to Leon. He’ll find them."

"What kind of books?"

"Nothing much. Novels. For my free time. Let’s see if anything new has come out."

’Can’t do much about a bookworm’s cravings.’ Ethan pocketed the list and pulled out his communication crystal.

"Long time no see, Mr. Leon."

Leon’s voice was full of warmth, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ethan got to the point.

"I plan to leave the Great Forest the day after tomorrow."

"Are you coming to our kingdom?"

"I am."

"Wonderful! The House of Nobles and the royal family have been mentioning you frequently. Everyone is eager for your arrival!"

"Good to hear. I’ll be bringing southern tropical fruits and Mana Grass."

"Excellent! By the way, what about the pure iron...?"

"That will still take some time."

The smelting work was ongoing, but iron ore was running low. Ethan needed it for his own tools, and the beastmen had piled on requests besides.

Leon sounded a touch disappointed, but he understood. "Then let’s trade the fruits and Mana Grass this time."

"I’m also bringing some porcelain as gifts."

"That is very kind, the royal family has expressed anticipation for new porcelain. Bringing some will greatly help in establishing good relations."

’Good relations are exactly what I need if I’m going to ask for World Tree fragments.’ They discussed a few more details, arranged to meet in two days, and ended the call.

"Are you going to fire new porcelain, meow?"

"No need. I fired plenty over winter. The warehouse is full of it."