Chapter 144: Fairy
After sending Retze off, I made my way to Naruadeid. The butler had distributed the necessary information along with the sword during the night, so it should be waiting for me.
I bought some vegetables and wheat at the market in Naruadeid and headed towards the shipyard. This shipyard is well-regarded by the island’s residents, and I heard the previous owner had married into the island’s community. Few boatmen are eager to venture into the troublesome waters filled with reefs, so I rely on this retired owner.
As I approached the pier, I spotted a group of people. By the time I arrived on my small boat, it seemed like nearly fifteen villagers had gathered, all of them likely having seen me coming.
This time, even the able-bodied men had chosen not to go fishing and were here instead. The vegetables and wheat I purchased would serve as their wages for the day.
“Thank you all for gathering today. My name is Soleil,” I began, initially thinking of saying something clever about being the sun for everyone in this agricultural community, but I decided against it out of embarrassment. After all, this was about fishing.
I provided a rough explanation of what I intended to do, discussing the potential for quick profits and mentioning that two residents would be staying on the island in my place.
With so many people leaving the island, life here is not easy. To be frank, it seems like they’re barely scraping by. While the sea is abundant with fish, as long as storms don’t persist, they won’t starve, but it seems they can’t sell enough to make a decent living.
Well, the fish caught here could also be caught in Naruadeid, and since I can only manage a small boat, it can’t be helped.
The talk of cash income had everyone, including the children, listening intently. I had sweetened the kids up with candy during my last visit, and it seemed the food I brought had made an impression on the adults as well.
First, I asked the villagers to help with digging a well. More specifically, I needed to clear out the unused and crumbling well located in the fortress.
I heard that the saltwater would start seeping in if we didn’t dig deep enough, so it was fortunate that the empty well was filled with sand. It would be easier to scoop out the sand than to start digging from scratch.
Currently, there’s only one usable well in the village, so securing a reliable water source is essential. There are two more wells: one in the fortress square and another underground in the buildings.
In addition to their daily wages, I promised bonuses for the well’s completion based on the progress made in two and four days. Of course, any injuries would result in deductions.
In the meantime, I would be repairing the temporary housing for Kingin. Even if we were to create a sewer system, the island only has well water, so it wouldn’t be a constant flow. The toilets would likely be the old-fashioned pit latrines.
Seven days later, the well was completed. Coincidentally, Kingin also arrived on the island.
“Isn’t that a bit fast?” I remarked.
“You’re the one saying that?” Gin replied.
“I don’t get it.”
They seemed to have something to say but couldn’t quite express it, their bodies trembling slightly in a way that suggested they were nervous. The oath document must be having an effect.
“I’ve prepared temporary housing for you, but until your house is built, feel free to stay or commute from Naruadeid as you like,” I said, guiding them to the house, which still needed some finishing touches. I figured I’d let them remodel it as they wished.
On the outskirts of the village, I had repaired a spacious vacant house closest to the fortress. It must have been a desirable location in the past, but now, people live closer to the sea for easier access to fishing.
“What’s going on? There’s no way you could have arrived before us.”
“This is clearly strange.”
“You two as well!”
As soon as I closed the door, the two of them began speaking rapidly. I opened the shutters to let in some light while giving a brief response. How did they manage to arrive in less than half the expected time?
As soon as I opened the shutters, Kin closed them again.
“We came through the Fairy Path. We are changelings,” he confessed.
“Hey, is that okay?” Gin asked, a bit taken aback.
There hadn’t been anyone around, but it seemed they closed the shutters to keep their voices from leaking outside.
“We’re both bound by the oath document, after all,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely sure if I was bound by it.
It was a mutual agreement to keep each other’s secrets, but if one reveals a secret in front of the other, it can be shared. Since it’s already out, it’s not really a secret anymore.
“Changelings,” I recalled what Dinoss had said about spirits possessing the bodies of imperfect sacred beasts and swapping places with human children. Imperfect sacred beasts, especially those in human form, are often referred to as fairies.
Unlike spirits, imperfect sacred beasts can appear and be touched by ordinary people, but their vessels are unstable, so they need to be raised by human parents to learn and stabilize their forms.
The Fairy Path is the boundary where the Spirit Realm and this world intersect. I’ve heard that if you go too far into the other side, you won’t be able to return. Even skilled magicians find it difficult to utilize it, even with ample time and resources. Plus, it’s said to make you feel nauseous while you’re inside.
“Yes. I’ll leave it to your imagination to figure out who the fairy is.”
“No way, it’s definitely you.”
“…You’re quite perceptive.”
Fairies tend to be quite chatty. Unlike spirits, who are said to be silent or inaudible, fairies are more vocal. I had done some research when the topic of changelings came up in relation to heroes, but I never thought it would come in handy here.
“So you didn’t just look like twins; you actually copied each other’s appearance. —How did you manage to stay safe?” I asked, directing the latter part at Gin.
I need to remember their names already. I saw their signatures during the oath document, and I should have heard their names. …I didn’t write down my full name. I can’t believe I got through that oath.
“The parents noticed before they could take us. But they apparently couldn’t tell which one was their child.”
“I think I did a pretty good job at mimicking,” Kin said, placing a finger to his lips and chuckling softly.
I’ve really hired some strange ones this time.