Chapter 182: Unicorn
Ordinary wells are typically established near or within the main tower due to their importance. Long ago, the highly defensible main tower served as the residence of the castle’s lord, but most have since built separate mansions. Consequently, these wells were later used to confine criminals.
This castle’s well was buried under rubble from the collapsed floor, but it was located within the main tower. Depending on the location, digging a well can be incredibly expensive. The cost of digging a well can even rival that of the castle’s other construction expenses.
Even now, craftsmen are bustling about, going back and forth to the main tower to fetch water. I decided to bypass the main tower and head to the spirit hall, which also served as a bell tower attached to the mansion. The spirit hall is a simplified version of the Spirit’s Branch, essentially a chapel. The lord of this castle, or rather, this island, worships the Sea Spirit as a deity.
The bell tower features a bell at its peak, which used to signal noon to the island’s residents. Though it was broken and crumbling, the main tower and the areas built later, aside from the castle walls, showed significant signs of decay. Living here may be inconvenient, but the old structures are indeed sturdy.
Setting that aside, this is the place where I ordered water to be drawn.
“Why are we digging again when there’s already a well? It’s going to cost money.”
“I didn’t ask for you to break through the bedrock, so it shouldn’t be that bad, right?”
They dug until they hit the bedrock, and then constructed it like a regular well, but the stonework of this well reaches near the top of the tower.
“I can’t quite understand the purpose, but it’s not for a toilet, is it?”
“Why would it be that?”
Is it like the toilets in the Edo period’s inner palace? I remember that the kitchen’s toilet had a deep hole dug specifically for it. Do they have something like that here too?
Alright, alright, it’s an empty well as I ordered. The upper part resembles an observation deck atop the tower. If I climb the narrow stairs, there’s a place to ring the bell, but the installation of the bell hasn’t happened yet.
It’s ridiculously expensive, but since there’s also a clock, I hesitated a bit. However, the cost of hiring someone to ring the bell for a hundred years is far cheaper. I’m contemplating whether to have a carillon that plays a melody with bells of different pitches.
I’m tempted to play that school bell sound, but it might attract too much attention, so I’ll refrain.
“Is the work here finished?”
“Yes.”
“Then, no one is allowed in until I say so, except for Auro and Kiel.”
I handed some sweets to the two, who looked puzzled but agreed, and called it a day. Later, I plan to secretly inscribe a magic circle to obtain water. Fetching water seems like a hassle, and while they’re constructing the waterway as I requested, they probably have their doubts. It might be better to show them the flow sooner rather than later.
I also need to prepare a place for indigo dyeing and move forward with the plan. The red dye seems to be made from cochineal, but it appears the dye guild is keeping that a secret, so it’s best not to meddle. I have a vivid memory of being shocked to learn that it’s a natural dye made from insects used in food back in Japan.
Next is purple. This can also be dyed using cochineal, but the dye made from the shellfish of the Purpura genus is quite expensive. It’s said to be the color of noble and ancient blood, making it very costly.
Being born into a noble family is often described as “born surrounded by purple,” a color favored by those in power. By the way, the method for this dye is also kept secret by the dye guild, but the crucial shellfish have been overharvested and are now nearly extinct.
Upon researching, I found that the secretion used for dyeing from a single shellfish yields only three or four drops. To dye a T-shirt, you’d need over ten thousand of them. It’s no wonder that ordinary shellfish are on the brink of extinction. Occasionally, a cochineal that has transformed into a demon beast is found, and particularly if you discover a Three-Horn, it could lead to a windfall.
While pondering ways to profit with the island’s residents, I moved to Kanum, placing a basket of white wine and blueberry cheesecake inside, along with wrapped ingredients like eggs and bacon for my neighbor. Today is the day I get to enjoy Shiva’s home-cooked meal.
“I’m coming in!”
“Oh, you made it!”
“Jean!”
As soon as I closed the door, Tina burst in, followed by the twins.
“Wait, wait! The raw eggs in the basket are in danger!”
“Welcome, Jean! I can’t quite manage right now.”
I heard Shiva’s voice from the kitchen.
I set the basket down and hugged them again, moving to the front of the fireplace. Dinoss was using a feather duster made from branches to coat a roasted bird with something.
“Are you tying sage to a rosemary branch?”
“Exactly. I’m mixing the bird’s fat that dripped down with olive oil and applying it. I’ve been at it for about an hour, so look forward to it.”
He said this while occasionally turning the bird and patting it down.
Has he really been at it for two hours?
“I helped!”
“I took over!”
Startled, I turned to see the twins proudly declaring their contributions. Usually, the one who speaks first is Baku, and En follows suit.
“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”
“I helped Mom too!”
“What did you make?”
Their friendly competition was endearing, and I smiled as I patted their heads.
“Thank you for waiting.”
“Alright, let’s move this to a plate.”
Shiva emerged from the kitchen, starting to set the table, while Dinoss removed the bird from the large roasting spit and placed it on a board he insisted was a plate.
Short pasta tossed in a green sauce, a roasted chicken, soup, and white wine.
“Let’s eat!”
I was excited because Shiva’s cooking is delicious.
The sauce for the short pasta was likely a pesto made from basil, pine nuts, olive oil, cheese, and salt. The pasta was handmade. I usually prefer spaghetti with a firm texture, but this chewy pasta paired wonderfully with the sauce and was delicious.
Next came the cabbage soup.
“Oh, it’s sour.”
“It’s sauerkraut soup. Is this your first time?”
Shiva asked with a smile.
“Yeah, I was a bit surprised.”
“It’s more of a northern dish. I’m not a fan of sour.”
Dinoss said this while scooping the soup with a spoon, staring at it for a moment before popping it into his mouth.
It’s made by simmering various meats and sauerkraut for three days. For some reason, there’s also a sausage in it, perhaps to lessen the sourness for Dinoss.
“Here you go, chicken.”
Dinoss cut the chicken into pieces for me.
“Thanks.”
As I took a bite, the skin was fragrant and crispy, while the juicy meat inside was tender and fluffy, with a hint of refreshing lemon.
Before cutting, Dinoss had pulled something out of the bird. Was that lemon?
“By the way, have you heard that Reed is coming back?”
“Yeah, he’s supposed to bring Ash here, right?”
I replied to Dinoss while eating.
“That’s part of it, but…”
“He wants to marry me.”
“Huh? A criminal!”
Tina blurted out without thinking.
“Is he going to get caught?”
“Capture him!”
The twins giggled.
“That guy is after my Tina.”
Dinoss looked tense.
Was he serious? I thought he was a refreshing knight outside of work!
“According to Chris, it’s said that Reed has the Unicorn Spirit with him. Could that be the reason?”
Shiva tilted her head in confusion.
“U-Unicorn…?”
Wait, that muscular horse is a unicorn? It’s true that unicorns are fond of maidens, but is that really a unicorn?
“Who made that judgment?”
I stopped eating, unable to help but ask.