Chapter 162: Droplet
“…I remember when Ash built his secret base in the garden.”
“Hm…?”
The butler’s distant gaze made Ash pause as he scooped up his pudding upon hearing his name.
“Ash did something like that too?” I had heard that he had been crammed with sword practice and tactical studies since he was quite young to become a knight, but this playful side of him felt very boyish.
“I’m sorry, I don’t recall.”
“That was when you were seven years old.”
…
“Ah, now that you mention it, En and Baku are just like that.”
“A secret that can’t be kept, huh?”
Stop looking at me with those warm eyes!!
“Secret bases are usually built in places that are a bit too obvious, and adults end up tearing them down.”
“I helped out, though?”
Dinoss retorted while resting his chin on his hand, contradicting Retze.
Now that I think about it, there was a treehouse in the forest near the Dinoss Family’s estate. It was a not-so-secret playground for the kids and a place to run away to in case of emergencies.
“I get it. Let’s not talk about this! It can’t be a secret if we do.”
“You’re saying that now?!”
“Being able to keep a secret is what makes one an adult.”
If I were to put it in Retze’s words, does that mean I was an adult when I was in Japan? I don’t know, that doesn’t feel very good.
“That aside, I can share what I know that might interest you, Jean. I’d be happy to be of help.”
Ash said as he looked over at me.
“Then, could you spare a little time after dinner every week?”
“Sure.”
A study session—would it be okay to send the butler away? I glanced at the butler, who wore his usual smile.
“If it’s a secret, then it’s fine, but make sure to consult me before things get out of hand, alright?”
“I don’t know where you are or what you’re doing, but make sure you have a safe place to run to.”
It seemed like both Dinoss and Retze were concerned as well.
“Still, this place has turned into quite the dining hall.”
“Isn’t it a bit too much of a renovation?”
“I built guest rooms, but I realized I don’t have anyone close enough who would stay over.”
I had vaguely thought about making friends, but it all ended up being too clustered.
With a simple table and chairs, I wanted to have barbecues and okonomiyaki, so I made sure the table had a removable lid in the center to fit a shichirin.
Right now, Daifuku was plopped right in the middle of the table. Can I knead it? No? Is that so? Watching its tail swish back and forth, I pulled my outstretched hand back.
“Is there a cat again?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded in response to Retze’s question.
“Not being able to see is inconvenient.”
“No, this is normal. I mean, it’s not like I have any complaints, especially not now that I’m older.”
Retze denied Dinoss’s remark.
“It seems someone has arrived.”
“Is that Chris’s voice?”
As Dinoss said, a voice called out from in front of the house.
“Oh, how convenient that Ash and Note are here as well. I have something to discuss.”
As expected, the voice belonged to Chris.
For now, I invited them upstairs and served honey mead. Chris preferred sweet drinks with a subtle hint of herbs.
“What kind of consultation do you have?”
Once settled, Note asked.
“First, my brother came to this town, and I just ran into him at the Guild.”
“You have a brother?”
Thinking about it, in this world, being an only child is rather rare. Given the poor sanitary conditions, it’s uncertain how many children will grow up safely.
“Yes, he’s quite capable, even for my brother, but he’s a bit too perfect, making him somewhat suspicious. He’s the type to investigate until he’s satisfied if something seems off.”
“Ugh, that sounds troublesome!”
“And while he has helped various people multiple times, I don’t want him getting too close to Jean.”
“Is the consultation about your brother…?”
“He wants to rent a room for about a month. If I refuse, it’ll definitely raise suspicions, so I’d like you to come up with an excuse to turn him down, Note. Something like not renting for a short term would be fine.”
“That sounds like a hassle.”
“Is it certain he’ll leave after a month? And why did he come here in the first place?” Retze interjected.
“Do you know of the Temple of Nassos?”
“Ah, that temple in the northern marshlands, right? I heard it was abandoned shortly before the age of the wind god, where they worshipped the fire god.”
Dinoss answered.
“The peat marshlands, huh?”
I vaguely remembered visiting after we all went to investigate something.
I had found it strange that there was a fire temple in a marsh and recalled seeing the peat, which made sense. Peat burns well when dried, even though it’s weaker than coal.
“It’s the ruins of that temple, but I heard rumors that a spirit still resides there, and it seems my brother went to check it out. However, the spirit had just given its droplet to someone, so it won’t be able to produce another for two years.”
“So he’s got two years of free time, huh?” Dinoss bluntly stated.
“That’s the situation.”
…
“Is the droplet special?”
“Having a droplet from a god-level spirit is quite impressive just to possess.”
The spirit’s droplet is fundamentally the same as a magic stone; it’s a stone infused with the spirit’s power.
Unlike magic stones, which can be hit or miss, the spirit’s droplet is highly transparent and beautiful. Unlike magic stones, it contains no malice toward humans and is often used as a protective charm or in jewelry.
Magic stones can also be used for charms, but they are more effective when used in sorcery. Beautiful things are called gems, just like ordinary minerals. However, magic stones can also be used as a source of magic power when activating magic circles, making them highly valuable and expensive.
“Since it’s something that can’t be taken by force, it’s valued by knights when they are searching for a master.”
Now that I think about it, Chris was also a knight searching for a master…
“Is your brother aiming to be a knight? If he has a decent-sized magic stone and a spirit’s droplet, he can choose a good master.”
Knights here are mostly hereditary, serving their lords, while others are knights who search far and wide for a master… They are busy defeating demon beasts and participating in martial arts tournaments to raise their names.
Hiring nameless knights for payment is only common in war-torn areas, so raising one’s name is essential to be hired under good conditions.
… So, the droplet is something good to have for raising one’s name.
“He plans to stay here for about a month, broadening his horizons while he’s at it. That’s just enough time for him to receive a droplet, so a month is certain.”
Whether he takes a detour around the conflict-ridden Nakahara or cuts straight through, it would take over a year to return.
“Even if we turn down a short-term stay, it seems he will still visit Chris.”
The butler wore a serious expression.
“I’m sorry. I took him to an inn that mimics that house, which is a bit pricey but is said to be the latest trend, so I don’t think he’ll raise any suspicions by checking out my room.”
Chris looked dejected.
“Why not just let him stay? It’s only for a month, and Ash wouldn’t have a problem with it, right?”
“—Is that alright?”
“Yeah. I’ll be away for a month.”
Because, no matter how you look at it, I’m the one who received the droplet.