Chapter 164: Investigating and Tending
In the forest, I was digging holes for the foundation and the cellar. Since I had already dug in this spot once, it was easier. With [Storage] available, I could have done it carelessly, but I felt like trying to build an entire house. It’s common to have a cellar around here, and there’s a certain romance in creating one.
People here build houses meant to last. They don’t rebuild frequently; instead, descendants inherit the house. The first generation builds the house, the second focuses on the interior, and the third buys the furniture. If the fourth generation continues to live there, they become the proud owner of a fine home.
Was it similar for houses that have existed since Japan’s Edo period? I’ve always wanted to stay in one of those.
Rishu seemed to be in a good mood, nibbling on the Ex-Staff since it was cooler here.
Digging holes was easy; I just had to break the soil with a shovel and [Store] it away. I felt like I could manage with the Zanzenken, but I sensed I might be using it incorrectly, and it would lack charm if I did. So, I decided to stick with [Storage].
Even so, it was incredibly fast and convenient. I didn’t have to move around to gather materials.
While diligently constructing the house, I pondered about the island. I wondered if there was a duke’s daughter like Ash just lying around somewhere. But Ash seemed too serious about internal affairs to play around with me, so that was out of the question.
For now, I should head to the library to gather some knowledge. Rishu looked hot, so I needed to find a way to cool him down too.
After refreshing myself with a bath, I made my way to the library. I searched for shelves related to magic circles and pulled out several books that seemed relevant.
In the end, I had left the magic circle I wanted to draw untouched. I hadn’t encountered a significant black spirit yet, and I had been relying on brute force instead.
I skimmed through the books, copying down usable magic circles and noting the necessary materials and activation methods. Hmm, I wouldn’t be able to memorize everything, and the effects would be weaker, but I preferred activation methods that only required placing the corresponding magic stone.
I jotted down some interesting ones too.
Sipping tea, I immersed myself in reading, easily getting sidetracked. I hesitated to drink coffee since its aroma was too strong. Steam rose toward the high ceiling of the small room.
As usual, it was quiet, and the sound of turning pages echoed loudly. I lost track of time, but I didn’t mind this way of living.
After about five days of seclusion, only returning for Rishu’s walks and sleep, it was time to check on the fields and orchard before summer truly set in.
I had thought the surrounding plum blossoms were fragrant, but soon peach, apricot, and almond trees bloomed with pink flowers, while apple and pear trees burst into pure white blossoms, scattering petals and quickly ushering in the heat.
In the mountains, currants hung with green and translucent red fruits, and Juneberries and Japanese plums were starting to color. They would soon turn a deep red.
With the wild fruits in the mountains thriving, I needed to tend to the fruit trees I was caring for, pinching off the buds to encourage larger fruits. Pears and apples should have had their flowers pinched off earlier, but they were so beautifully in bloom that I waited until now. The spirits seemed to enjoy the flowers too.
Occasionally, small spirits clung to the remaining buds, so I made sure to leave those behind as I pinched off the flowers. Apples, pears, mandarins, oranges—pinch, pinch. Doing this alone was almost enough to make me cry, but today, Mishto was around.
He wasn’t helping me directly; he was just watching my work, sniffing the scent of gardenias, and floating around in sunny spots. But having someone around changed my mood.
Kadal and Mishto often spent time in the orchard, while Pal was in the fields, and Ish was by the water. Van frequently came by to check on whatever he was making, and I often ran into Haralfa in places where flowers were in full bloom.
Right now, the grapevines were flowering, so I encountered her right next to the house. I was a bit surprised at first since grape flowers are quite plain. I had thought Haralfa, being such a glamorous beauty, would prefer roses or more flamboyant flowers.
By the way, Rudil sometimes surprised me by silently appearing beside me while I was reading at night. He was more focused on watching Rishu than on me, though.
Speaking of Rishu, I noticed he had been nibbling on the Ex-Staff, but before I knew it, he had dug a shallow hole in the shade and was curled up, sleeping.
“Looks like you’re really hot, Rishu.”
“Yeah, if it were the old Rishu, he would have frozen this entire mountain by now.”
As I voiced my thoughts while watching Rishu, Mishto said something chilling.
“Oh, but not producing even a single ice crystal means he’s enjoying the season with you, Gene. That’s a bit unexpected.”
Mishto tilted her head cutely, looking curious.
“It’s the time of hibernation; he’s conserving his power.”
Whoa! Don’t just appear out of nowhere like that, Rudil! You sneak up on me without a sound, and it’s bad for my heart.
“Are you okay being out in the light?”
“…It’s a bit tough.”
This spirit isn’t fond of the bright sunlight. He had mentioned the earth and silence, and while he seemed fine in cloudy winters or autumns, I wondered if his pale skin made him sensitive to UV rays…
Rishu, who possessed darkness, was fine outside, though.