"Anna, it's getting late. Let's rest here first. We need to set up camp..."
"Yes, I've finished."
"You set up the tent so quickly... Wait! A log cabin? You built a log cabin?!"
...
"Anna, to avoid cooking fires attracting nearby hunters, we need to gather some wild fruits for food..."
"Yes, I've finished."
"The cooking is done?! When did you gather everything?"
...
"Anna, adventurers might come looking for us at any time, so we need to set up traps..."
"Yes, I've finished."
"Where? I didn't see you... Uwah?!"
The location is within Duke Borgia's territory in the Kingdom of Michel. After repeatedly using [Spatial Transfer] and then walking on foot until evening, Lily, Sigrdrífa and I finally took temporary refuge in a forest near Baron Biliran's territory. Originally this forest had no name, but since it's near Baron Biliran's territory, let's call it Biliran Forest for now.
I helped Sigrdrífa down from where she was hanging upside down from a tree—she had carelessly stepped on one of the enemy-deterrent traps I'd set up while running around.
Sigrdrífa struck a defeated forward-leaning pose (○|￣|_), completely exasperated, and it took her a long time to resignedly lift her head.
"Anna..."
"Is there anything you need help with?"
"Are all maids in the human world monsters?"
Sigrdrífa had finally reached her limit.
"Why can you build a log cabin in the blink of an eye?! The furniture is all neatly arranged, you've finished the cooking and defensive fortifications by yourself—doesn't this make me look... super useless..."
I feel like Sigrdrífa is showing signs of going into hermit mode.
It's not that I don't understand Sigrdrífa's melancholy. After all, when I finish all the work that needs to be done by myself, Sigrdrífa inevitably develops philosophical doubts like "Who am I, where am I, what use am I, what's the meaning of my existence?"
Normally I would be considerate of others' feelings, but this is a special situation—I'll complete all the work I can do in one go.
"Doesn't Rifa like living in a log cabin?"
"Mmm, that's not it. Rather, we elves mostly live in log cabins... Anna building this cabin gives me the illusion that we're not fleeing but going on an outing."
"Living in a house is more comfortable."
Besides, I don't really like sleeping in my clothes. If I undressed outdoors it would make me feel excited... no wait, it would make me very embarrassed. I should find time to make myself some pajamas soon.
Making full use of my [Construction] skill, with sufficient materials I could build Rome in a day. As expected of me.
I set up [Area Mosquito Repelling] around the perimeter, similar to the area sound-proofing I'd used before. I've heard that elves are even closer to animals than beastkin, so insects won't bite them, but Lily and I don't have such racial talents.
After a busy day of rushing around, exhausted Lily went to rest early after enjoying dinner.
"Rifa, let me take the night watch..."
"I'll do it."
Sigrdrífa firmly took the burden of night watch upon her shoulders.
"Anna, go rest. You've been working hard all day. You said using spatial transfer four times would exhaust you to the point of being unable to walk—I imagine using it three times isn't much better, right? Even so, you still walked all day, then built a log cabin and went hunting to cook. The negative status [Severe Fatigue] on you doesn't lie."
"My recovery speed is quite fast."
"That's still not acceptable. Save any plans and decisions for tomorrow."
Although I tried my best to pretend I was in good condition, I can never hide my status panel—this is one of the inconveniences of the game world. Whether someone is pushing themselves too hard can be seen at a glance.
Actually, my insistence on taking night watch wasn't entirely forcing myself. As a maid, I have the resolve to shoulder high-intensity work. Something like mere severe fatigue—watch me get through it with willpower.
"Come on, don't forget I'm a moon elf. Night, forest—with the absolute advantage of favorable timing and terrain, if I make any mistakes now, I might as well commit seppuku and go meet the nature goddess."
Sigrdrífa put her hands on my shoulders from behind and pushed me into the log cabin's bedroom, with the attitude that if I didn't rest, she'd force me to rest even if she had to use physical means.
"Alright... Oh, Rifa, there's no toilet in the log cabin. If you need one, please wake me up." I placed my hand on my chest. "When that time comes, please use my..."
Sigrdrífa suddenly grabbed my wrist excitedly.
"No! Anna! Girls need to take good care of their bodies!"
"...simple portable toilet that I carry with me... Eh?"
Take good care of my body? What does that mean? Am I mistreating my body somehow?
"Uh..."
Sigrdrífa's expression was extremely awkward, her face flushed red as she looked away.
"Really, Anna, don't pause dramatically when you speak. I thought you were going to..."
"I was going to?"
"N-nothing. Anna, go rest quickly!"
"Then... the second half of the night..."
Seeing Sigrdrífa's unyielding attitude, I obediently swallowed the rest of my words.
I only need a short time to recover from severe fatigue to full status, so taking the night watch in the second half wouldn't be a problem.
However, was I too tired today? My body feels slightly strange. My medical skill diagnosis shows it's not any disease, and there are no negative status effects indicating discomfort visible on my status panel.
Maybe I'm overthinking it. I comforted myself this way, lying down beside Lily and slowly drifting into sleep.