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Chapter 7 - The carpenter and the lumberjack's guild

Right...

Why am I here again?

I asked myself as I pondered all the questions in life, but I should focus on the thing in front of me.

There's a man in front of me hugging a life-size wooden carving of what seems to be a beautiful woman... Erm... Is it normal for him to act intimate with it? I wonder...

Seeing the scene before me, I wasn't quite sure how to react. Was I supposed to interrupt him? Let him finish his…erm...appreciation of his work?

I glanced at Ernie, who had completely given up trying to get the man's attention.

[Should we come back later?]

I whispered, but Ernie just groaned.

[If we do that, we might never get a word in with him. Just—just try calling him yourself] (Ernie)

I hesitated, then cleared my throat.

[Excuse me, are you Wilfred?]

No response.

He was still caressing the wooden statue's cheek, mumbling something about divine craftsmanship.

Okay. Time for drastic measures.

[HEY! WILFRED!]

I raised my voice just enough to startle him out of his trance. The carpenter flinched, almost tripping over his own feet as he turned toward us with a scowl.

[Who dares interrupt my sacred communion?!] (Wilfred)

He huffed before realizing who he was talking to.

[Oh. Ernie. And… a new face?] (Wilfred)

The carpenter in question was a middle-aged man with a striking moustache. His brown hair matches the color of his mustache. Judging from what he wear...he really is a carpenter through and through.

It's just that, this guy is a bit eccentric. A bit sounds like an understatement though from how Ernie reacted to what this guy was doing earlier.

[This is the guy I was telling you about.] (Ernie)

The town's mayor gestured toward me.

[He needs a house built. Thought you might be able to help] (Ernie) 

Wilfred blinked, his eyes scanning me up and down. Then he suddenly grinned.

[A house, huh? Now that's a project worthy of my talent!] (Wilfred)

He crossed his arms, nodding to himself.

[But tell me—do you seek mere shelter, or do you wish for something grand? Something… artistic?] (Wilfred)

Said by the carpenter while laying out drawings of houses on the table. They were meticulously done, enough to compare it to the computer aided designs I have seen back then from my original world.

I exchanged a glance with Ernie, who simply shrugged.

[I just need something livable, but sturdy. I don't have any experience with building, so I'll be relying on you. As for the price, we can talk about it]

Wilfred stroked his chin as he hears what I said. He seems to be so deep in thought, but he is also still caressing the idol sculpture with his other hand.

[Hmmm… I see, I see… a house for a novice, yet one that stands the test of time…] (Wilfred)

Then, as if struck by a eureka like inspiration, he clapped his hands together.

[Very well! I shall take on this challenge!] (Wilfred)

I felt a small wave of relief. At least he seemed interested in the job.

[So begone for today, for I have other matters to attend to. I shall visit your property tomorrow morning to do a land survey, it was that land at the edge of the town, right?] (Wilfred)

[Yes, the land with that questionable house]

[Ah...the hermit's house. You are quite the brave one for even taking that. Now, shoo---] (Wilfred)

And just like that, it seems that an eccentric person will be building my house.

==================================================================[You seem so lost in the though?] (Ernie)

Right when we left Wilfred's house, I could still see from the window that he is continuing to carve that idol with such...passion.

[Well...I was reminded again that there are always the black sheep within the flock, but he seems to be a good person]

[Hohohoho. He is a good person, just eccentric. Then shall we head at the lumberjack's guild for the wood you shall use for the construction of the house. You need an expert's opinion regarding the wood to use considering that Goldenvale is located at the spot where our spring last longer than the rest of the empire] (Ernie)

Their spring lasts longer? Well... that's certainly interesting. I hadn't paid much attention to the climate differences in this world yet, but if seasons lasted differently here than in my old world, then that could mean other oddities as well.

[Goldenvale's longer spring is what makes our lumber some of the best in the empire.] (Ernie)

He adjusted his cloak as we walked down the dirt road, his boots kicking up small clouds of dust. Ernie then began to point at the woods visible from us.

[The trees here grow at a steady, optimal rate throughout most of the year, making them sturdier than wood from other regions. Even our standard construction lumber has a resilience that rivals that of enchanted wood] (Ernie)

That certainly sounded useful. Wait, enchanted wood?

[That wood used for staff and wand making? No way--]

[Hohohoho. Doubt as you may, but we have proof of that~] (Ernie)

That aside...

[So, does that mean my house will be built to last a lifetime?] I asked, half-joking.

Ernie let out a hearty chuckle.

[If Wilfred's building it? More like several lifetimes.] (Ernie)

I glanced back toward the carpenter's workshop. Through the window, I could still see Wilfred muttering to himself while passionately caressing the idol's cheek as if it were a real person.

[Yeah, as long as he doesn't get distracted by carving more... questionable statues]

I muttered under my breath.

[Oh, he will. But he'll still get the job done.] (Ernie)

We soon arrived at the lumberjack's guild, a large, rustic building made of thick logs, its structure radiating the sturdy craftsmanship of people who truly knew their wood. The smell of fresh-cut timber filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of sap and sawdust.

The sawmill was astoundingly loud, making that crisp sound of cutting logs at a fast pace. It seems to be using the energy of the flowing river via a water wheel found beside it.

Inside, the guild was bustling. Men and women with burly arms and well-worn tools moved about, discussing orders and weighing different logs. Some sat at wooden tables, sharpening axes or drafting supply routes on rough-looking maps.

A red-bearded man, built like a mountain and clad in a thick leather apron, noticed Ernie and waved us over.

[Mayor Ernie! What brings you here today? Need some fine planks for that fancy office of yours?] (??)

The person was a manly man, manly on a sense that I feel like a baby in front of him.

He's huge! His height, I mean.

[Not this time, Horace. This young man here is building a house.] (Ernie)

Horace or so he was called turned his gaze to me, his thick eyebrows rising.

[A house, huh? First time building?] (Horace)

[First time anything, really,]

I admitted.

Horace let out a deep chuckle.

[Then you've come to the right place, lad. We'll set you up with wood that'll keep you safe through storms, wind, and whatever else this land throws at ya. Follow me to the warehouse, you need to choose after all] (Horace)

He gestured for me to follow him deeper into the guild, where stacks of neatly arranged logs sat in storage. Different types of wood were labeled with small wooden plaques, each detailing its properties.

[Wow........]

It was like walking at IK** or at H*M* D*P*T. Everything is just....amazing.

[Chairs for sale? Bed frame? There's even wooden utensils. Wow, there's almost everything]

[Hohohoho~ They almost have everything that you would need at your house, as for the luxuries those can be found at the nearest city. Anyway--] (Ernie)

The town's mayor tapped at Horace's shoulder, thus we stopped at this part of the guild's warehouse. Right at the construction supplies section.

[Right, depending on what kind of house you want, we got different choices. You want something simple and sturdy? We got good old Ashpine. It's resistant to rot and holds up well in the damp seasons] (Horace)

He tapped at a thick, dark brown log. Behind the log are the furniture also made from the same material.

[But if you want something a little fancier, there's Everoak—sturdier than Ashpine and has a natural resistance to pests. Costs a bit more, but it's worth it.] (Horace)

He then tapped at the other log that was a bit lighter than the one before.

[What would you recommend?]

I can afford it, but what suits the most? I could ask myself following the context of what I should, but an expert's say could help me choose.

Horace crossed his arms, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

[Well, considering you're building near the old hermit's place, you might want something with a bit more durability. That land's close to the woods, so the humidity is as you would expect...wet. Everoak would be my pick. It holds up better against moisture, and you won't have to worry about termites gnawing at your walls since it has this resin that termite hates to eat] (Horace)

I nodded. It's settled then.

[That sounds like a good choice. How much would it cost?]

Horace grinned.

[Since you're new around here, I'll give you a fair deal. Let's talk numbers] (Horace)

And just like that, I found myself haggling over wood prices, another unexpected step in my new life.

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