Chapter 246: Installation
The Earth Folk were in a frenzy over the spiderwebs acting as screens, the Great Tree floor, the Spirit Lamps, and the window grilles.
I had brought them here through Teleportation, but the moment they laid eyes on the intricate craftsmanship, it was as if all their attention shifted there. They were fascinated and praised the Spirit Lamps, but the design received its fair share of criticism.
Well, with my Production Talent, it’s clear that without experience and a good sense of aesthetics, flaws are bound to show.
They measured everything, chattering away about this and that. I felt a desire to call the cold-sensitive Earth Folk from the island, but since I had brought them here on the condition that they wouldn’t leave this tower, I decided against it.
As long as they don’t know where they are, they should be fine even if they get asked something. They can see the sea from the window, and given the heat, they should realize it’s to the south. They’re the kind of race that takes things as they come, thinking, “Whatever happens, happens!”
I asked them to keep things from getting too flashy, and after sending them back to the Northern Lands, it was finally over. They were loud and bustling about, making me feel like I had been thrown into a festival and tossed around. I was tired, but somehow felt refreshed.
Now, is there anything else I need to do? Ah, the branches.
“Ex-Staff.”
“What is it, Master?”
As I called out while pulling the Ex-Staff from my back, a stick about twenty centimeters long extended out, revealing the Ex-Staff.
“Can you give me a branch?”
“Sure thing!”
With that response, a slender branch wrapped around the lower half of the Ex-Staff stretched out and snapped with a crack.
Before it even fell into my hand, it transformed into a branch about four centimeters in diameter and ten centimeters long, with two protrusions coming out from slightly above the center. It had two dark knots—what can I say, it looked very much like a haniwa. It resembled those simple, flat figures known as the “dancing people.”
What should I do with this? I feel like I’d get scolded if I tried to display it.
“How do you like my branch, Master? Do you think it’ll end up being displayed?”
“Yeah, it’s… quite unique.”
Oh no, the Ex-Staff was sparkling with anticipation.
“I’m planning to get one from Karn too, so it’ll be together.”
“Sure!”
Forgive me for running away a little.
—The one I got from Karn was a delicately branched, softly glowing silver and black iron branch. Damn it, he sent me something so delicate despite being so big! If it had been something thicker, it would’ve hidden the haniwa! What am I supposed to do with this? No matter how I display it, the haniwa will definitely stand out!
If only it had been a horse haniwa…! No, that’s not a branch; get a grip, me!
I quietly slipped into the Spirit’s Branch. Good, there’s no sign of anyone around. I wonder if the pedestal is already set up? Upon opening the door to the Spirit’s Branch, I stepped into a garden surrounded by a corridor. Several narrow waterways, either dug out or made of stone, ran through it.
Are they going to make it look like a stream? There are places with strong currents that splash water and others that flow gently without creating waves. There are still fragile seedlings scattered around, likely planted by Charles. Once they grow, it will surely become a beautiful garden.
At the back of that garden stood a building with several rooms. A priest resided in the large Spirit’s Branch, dealing with mischievous spirits that might possess it. It seemed someone was living there to manage things.
In the room without walls separating it from the central garden, a beautiful Water Basin was placed, with flowers floating in it. As more Spirits gather, the water could be sold, but it feels like the water from the nearby waterways is just as good. The most effective water seems to be the one collected from the room in the tower where it accumulates.
As the water flows, the tiny Spirits mixed in easily disappear, and even if they remain, they gather into splashes of Spirits, losing their effect on the water. So, it’s best to draw water from places where many Spirits are submerged.
At the end of the room with the Water Basin, there was a large door, locked tight. I had the key, and while it was a door that wouldn’t open easily for one person, I had no problem with that.
I quietly opened it and slipped inside. The design allowed for the door to be opened wide during festivals, showcasing the branches displayed on the pedestal.
The beautifully adorned room had thin cloth hanging from the ceiling, and in the center of the front wall was a heavy fabric with a deep blue background and an emblem depicted on it. And in front of it stood the problematic pedestal.
Why did I go all out on this? The branch I intended to display was supposed to be a fake. No matter how I arrange it, the haniwa will steal the spotlight. I might as well give up and go for a simple look.
I placed the haniwa in the center, with the branches I received from Karn on either side, intertwining the white and black slightly behind.
That’s it, with the white and black at my side, I’ll be the strongest—
“Whoa!”
Did this haniwa just… glow? No, it’s not its eyes; it’s just the knots!
What if it starts dancing at night? Well, whatever. I’ll leave the management after decorating it to Soleil. If anything, she can rearrange it.
Even as I set it up myself, I tried to pretend I wasn’t looking. When will I notice the installation? If it activates the effect of summoning Spirits before I realize it, I’m sure I’ll just give up.
I believe Soleil is a woman who values substance over appearance!