Eric recalled that the Black Wolf tribe’s clothes were made from the best cotton mixed with magical beast leather; they were both warm and beautiful, looking very expensive.
The young Black Wolf man leading the way dressed even more magnificently; the fabric material seemed even higher quality than ordinary cotton.
It made sense; although the Black Wolf tribe was expelled by the Golden Kingdom, they must have certainly accumulated a not-so-small fortune before that.
Thinking back, beastmen had more conscience than humans. Just think about human history, how many founding meritorious officials were wiped out because their "merit overshadowed the master." The Black Wolf tribe rebelled but was only chased away, and their assets were not even fully confiscated.
Eric thought about how the Dwarves had many beautiful mineral ores; they had even given him quite a few. Plus the glittering primary magic cores, along with seashells and pearls brought back from the seaside, all could be used to attach to clothes as decorations.
Although the Snow Wolves looked down on the Black Wolf tribe’s flashy style, Eric believed that if there were beautiful clothes, they would certainly like them too.
Beastmen had just lived a primitive life for too long, not yet used to the introduction of civilization. If they really didn’t accept it from the bottom of their hearts, the beastmen of the Golden Kingdom wouldn’t have been assimilated so quickly.
According to Eric, beastmen being assimilated by human civilization was a matter of time, unless they could create their own civilization before that.
But the most urgent matter now was resolving the trade with the Ox-Head tribe. Eric had to temporarily put the plan of drawing clothing designs aside.
"Max, the Dwarves have finished preparing the farming tools. It’s a bit rushed today, let’s depart tomorrow morning. You choose a few warriors; we will set off with Joseph and the goods."
Eric stated his decision.
The warriors in the tribe all acknowledged Max’s strength. He was practically their captain, and understood each person’s ability and personality well, so letting him arrange these matters was most appropriate.
Kevin eagerly raised his hand:
"I want to go too! Last time you guys didn’t let me go along. Grass and Sam both had their own business so that was fine, but I’m free! I also want to go with Eric to the Ox-Head tribe!"
"I think you just want to eat food cooked by Eric’s own hands along the way." Michael snorted.
Having his dark intentions hit right on the mark, Kevin turned purple with embarrassment and shouted:
"I don’t care! You can’t keep making me stay behind to guard the house forever!"
Max glanced at him coldly, and Kevin immediately deflated, lowering his voice.
"This time we are transporting a lot of goods, we need two more people. You can go along."
Max said, ignoring Kevin who was cheering in delight. He turned to look at Michael:
"There aren’t many warriors left in the tribe. Besides Grass, your strength is the best, so you stay here to protect the tribe members."
The Thomas tribe didn’t have many warriors; the whole tribe only had over a hundred people, and the number of combatants was less than a third. After deducting those staying at the Red Grass tribe, and leading away a few more people this time, without a high-strength warrior guarding, it was indeed worrisome.
Eric thought for a moment and also agreed with Max’s arrangement.
Michael was a bit unwilling, but he also knew the tribe’s safety was the most important. Even so, his mouth couldn’t help but complain:
"Grass is so formidable, having her alone is enough."
"We will go and return quickly this time. Michael, just stay at the tribe; if you stay, Grass will have time to knit a few more sweaters." Eric chose words to console him.
"Eric, is what you are wearing a sweater?" Michael had sharp eyes; glancing at a section of soft wool sleeve revealed from Eric’s beast skin cuff, he asked curiously.
Saying so, he even reached out to touch the material of the shirt, exclaiming in surprise:
"It’s really soft, and looks warm too. Why is it softer when knitted into a shirt than the ball of wool?"
Eric nodded:
"Grass made this for me. She even knitted a set for Leo; it’s much warmer than hemp and cotton undershirts."
Kevin wasn’t like Michael who just returned and didn’t know the situation; he had been eyeing the sweater for a long time, so he sidled closer, his voice full of envy:
"It’s so nice! I also want to ask Grass to make one, but her hands are never free."
The sweater successfully diverted Michael’s attention. He rubbed his hands, his eyes lighting up:
"This sweater looks comfortable just by looking at it. I have to think of a way to get her to make one for me."
Kevin’s eyes looking at Michael immediately became full of hidden meaning:
"Hmm... you just try and see." He patted Michael’s shoulder:
"But I have a sincere piece of advice: pick a spot near the door to say it."
Near the door to make it easier to run away? Eric couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed that besides Max, the others all had a genetic fear of the powerful Grass.
Michael’s face immediately stiffened, starting to worry about how to get himself a sweater. Although adult Snow Wolves weren’t afraid of the freezing cold, who wouldn’t want to be more comfortable!
"Grass will certainly knit for the cubs first, what are you guys hanging around for?" Max frowned and said.
The two awkwardly looked at the sky and the ground, changing the subject.
Michael patted Kevin’s shoulder and told Kevin about the Ox-Head tribe’s vegetables, and how delicious Eric had made them, making Kevin crave them so much he just wanted to fly to the Ox-Head tribe immediately.
The layer of fine down from the wild ducks was piled up in the basin. Eric intended to summon a water stream to wash them clean.
Everything was good here, only life wasn’t very convenient. Before coming here, Eric hadn’t hand-washed clothes for many years; he always threw them straight into the washing machine.
Thinking of washing machines, Eric couldn’t help touching his chin in thought. Wasn’t the principle of a washing machine a rotating water stream to clean clothes comprehensively without dead angles? If he could use water magic like a washing machine, wouldn’t he not need to wash clothes by hand anymore in the future!
He was so excited his eyes shone; he immediately wanted to test if his idea was feasible. Squatting in front of the basin, this time Eric focused his mind not only on conjuring water but on a rotating stream of water.
Water droplets gradually condensed in the basin, slowly turning into a stream of water flowing inside, but the speed was far from achieving the effect Eric desired. He couldn’t help but feel a bit discouraged. He no longer had the mind to pay attention to the people seeing him cast water magic for the first time; he just stared intently at the basin looking for a way.
Washing machines cleaned clothes by rotating the drum. How could he rotate it? Should he ask Luban to carve a magic formation at the bottom of the basin and put a magic core in? Doing that seemed a bit wasteful of magic cores...
A biting cold wind blew past, dancing wildly. A flash of inspiration struck Eric. Wasn’t carving a magic formation meant to push the water to rotate? Just like the principle of a meat grinder. Then if he could create wind to push the water to rotate, wouldn’t that work?
He didn’t know if he could use wind magic. Eric felt a bit apprehensive inside, but this was also a good opportunity to test his compatibility. He was wondering how to test other magic elements anyway.
After using magic a few times, he had gradually gotten used to utilizing spiritual power. He directed it towards the basin, thinking about condensing wind to make the water rotate...
Unknown to him when it happened, everyone in the yard had stopped their actions. Even the mischievous cubs had gathered around, silently watching Eric and the basin.