"Follow me if you want to live." It gives me unexplainable satisfaction to order them around using old movie quotes.

At least they sound confident so the System can be happy.

[Notice: You shouldn't overdo it. If you act out of character for the Goddess, they might become suspicious.]

Sure, and before that, you said I must hide my identity. Pick one.

"Your Highness, we walked for a week. We are at our last strength, please spare us." The Goblin complains, and he does look in bad shape.

I couldn't expect him to carry a human almost twice his size even if he weren't.

And the grey-haired wolf-dude looks old. Okay, I'll whip up something then.

"Head over to the camp on the other side of the swamp and report to the guards I posted." If I don't have their eyes on me, I won't have to come up with an explanation.

"I'll take care of this Princess."

I can tell they want to protest, but they know better.

Asserting my dominance must have worked.

It's too bad it wasn't a mission only a suggestion this time.

And it wasn't my merit either. The System put up quite a show when dealing with the wolves, and they know Alex too, so it's not surprising.

As they leave, I open the console. The stench of vomit won't let me think, so as wrong as it sounds, I peel off the soiled dress from the sleeping girl.

[Notice: You are an expert in making it sound wrong.]

Shut up. I don't have a knife or any tools, but since the wolves are already in my inventory, I can skin them without anything.

I created a new set using the pelts and her tattered clothes — sans the vomit.

It's more robust and appropriate for adventuring, emitting a noble vibe and less smell.

I dress her up before she gets a cold, or someone sees us, and I start pondering.

The Crafting Skill can make anything it has the schematics for.

It only takes until I put the right parts into the right place on that blocky UI, and remove the item from the other side.

How does it work? I don't know, magic. But it works, and I will use it in sticky situations to get my money's worth.

Except it won't give me a list to choose from.

[Notice: You can ask me for templates if you have something specific in mind, and are on your skill level.]

Yeah. Here is the thing. I can't ask for anything specific without knowing my options.

The blocky game Alexandra copied had its InfoPedia page to help, but not the System.

The skill taught me the basics and about a hundred schematics. The rest is guesswork.

Trying to place the raw materials in a shape that resembles what I'm looking for can only get me so far.

The more complex something is, the less likely this method would work.

And that is after I figure out what I want to make. In a real sticky situation, there wouldn't be any time to fumble with the controls like this. Well, it's not a combat skill for sure.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

It also matters which materials I try to use. I can't make clothes out of wood, for example, or a bed from stone. At least if I have the schematics, it will tell me what elements I need.

[Reminder: I also told you what materials to use for your crossbow. It isn't in my catalog.]

Okay, that's true. The animal sinews were your idea, even though the crossbows are too complex for the System.

The skill also helps with crafting or carving. It takes longer, but I have more control over the outcome. And it's possible to mess it up too.

"Hmm. Okay. Do you have the schematics for a wheelbarrow?"

[Confirmation: Here is the layout you have to use. It requires wood.]

Bingo. That should work. Except, when working from the presets, I can't change the shape, size, or color. Thus, the wheelbarrow I make is too small to carry the Princess.

The girl could still fit into the thing, but it isn't comfortable or something a noble would use.

Fumbling with the UI to scale it up, I find a hidden feature the System never mentioned.

And as it turns out, it can make infinite copies if I have the materials for them.

When I made the two dozen spears in the village, I did them one at a time. What a waste.

[Notice: You never asked if it's possible.]

This is why you should have an actual tutorial. You know, one that exists, rather than thrown out there and leaving me hanging.

Making those spears took about five minutes when I could have done it all in one go. And I find this out by making a dozen small wheelbarrows instead of a larger one.

Also, it's crazy to think I had this much wood on me, and could still move around like normal.

[Notice: You don't carry the items in your inventory. They are in an extra-dimensional pocket, attached to your person.]

That makes sense. It's like a Bag of Holding from Hordes & Monsters. I'm not even surprised Alexandra copied it. She can teleport after all.

Then could I pack up the entire swamp and sift through the riverbed for iron later?

[Resignated begging: Please don't.]

So I found a loophole. Okay, but the Princess takes priority. And if I have all these wheelbarrows, I can pass them on to the Orcs to continue the work while I escort her home.

Mabel will be in charge, and I'll leave enough guards with them. The wolves won't dare to return anytime soon, and the mission can progress in my absence.

[Notice: What a slavedriver.]

Didn't you say I should assert dominance, and show the tribe who's boss? And you gave these stupid missions anyway.

In the meantime, I'll have to take Elizabeth home without help. It seems appropriate to use a princess carry.