Chapter 295: Industry in Progress
“Well, have a seat. I’ll give some to Kiel as well.”
Auro and Charles were elegantly positioned at an angle, as if to protect the sausages. Regardless of their grace, they were silently slicing the meat.
I like to take a big bite, but those two were cutting it into bite-sized pieces and bringing it to their mouths. Dean seemed to enjoy the meat the most. He had a robust demeanor, but he didn’t chew with his mouth open, giving off a rough vibe without being crude.
“Just to confirm, you did taste it, right?”
Given their demeanor, it seemed like they had, but I pushed my plate of sausages toward Kiel for confirmation.
“Yes. However, the flavor is milder than what we had before, and the impact isn’t as strong. It’s like candy—well, candy has flavor, but…” Kiel paused, “Auro, don’t take my lord’s offerings for granted.”
“Unlike the usual stuff I eat, I rarely get to enjoy this. It’s better than nothing, but the taste is indeed weak. Also, this is good meat, but it’s not well-seasoned. Auro probably doesn’t like this flavor.”
Kiel was also cutting his food into bite-sized pieces.
Now that I think about it, Auro had a muted reaction to the sweets as well. How can someone be picky about flavor when they can’t even taste it?
“The weak flavor is due to the minimal influence of the spirits. The sausages were bought from a stall.”
When they were grilled, the essence of the Fire Lizard spirit had merely sprinkled down, separating into fine particles.
“Regardless of personal taste, whether something has flavor or not depends on how much influence it received from the spirits.”
“Ah, I see. Once, a spirit-possessed herbalist made me drink a potion so bitter it nearly killed me.”
Kiel grimaced as if recalling the taste. Seriously, how did you not notice that at the time?!
“If a spirit visits the fields on this island, even the changelings will produce flavorful vegetables. The primary goal is to cultivate seedlings for Naruadeid, but it’s fine to let three-tenths flow directly to the island. The water is already influenced, so we just need a spirit-possessed chef. Ideally, I’d like to scout someone favored by the spirit of fertility to manage the fields.”
There are various preferences for taste, and it would be good to have multiple cooks.
Given the size of the island, I’ve given up on producing staple foods like wheat. But instead, I plan to cultivate a variety of things.
“My lord, shall I manage the fields as well?”
Charles suggested.
“No, that would make things too busy. I took a look around today, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Spirit’s Branch and the town will grow.”
So please, no job change from gardener to farmer.
“Thank you. The stonemasons are still working, so I’ve put that on hold for now, but I’ll gradually start on the castle gardens as well.”
With a gentle smile, Charles was quite the charmer. I could picture him tending to the garden outside a noble lady’s room, holding a flower and sniffing it.
The castle—or mansion, or whatever it is—has many areas where the stonemasons are still hard at work… A few people smiled at me and said, “I’ve decided to settle here,” but I hope they’re not planning on endless labor.
“Ah! This isn’t the time for that. Soleil is coming, or he wants to come.”
Kiel, forgetting his errand in front of the food.
“Ah, let’s go. The priest has returned, right?”
After confirming he had returned to the inn, we headed to Soleil. As we entered the main building from the front, blue cloth embroidered with the emblem hung down from the ceiling on either side. I had tried to emphasize Rishu’s cuteness, but the emblem turned out to be a cool-looking wolf.
The reception area seemed to be well-prepared, quite impressive. The dyeing had begun, and the hanging cloth served as a product display. Given the island’s size, it’s impossible to raise mulberry trees and keep silkworms, so silk threads are imported.
Cotton is dyed too, but silk shows a deeper blue than cotton. It can be dyed in shades from pinkish hues to light indigo, but right now, a clear, deep blue is selling for a high price in Naruadeid.
The top layer of liquid is discarded, and the slaked lime and impurities are removed as much as possible before dyeing with the precipitated indigo. It’s a vivid and beautiful blue, but it fades easily unless layered multiple times with care. However, that deep blue, known as ultramarine, is truly stunning.
It seems they also take in threads and cloth for dyeing. They plan to increase the number of artisans, but for now, the rarity has driven the prices sky-high.
Things are off to a good start. I thought I should thank Soleil, but as I entered the office, I was greeted by a face as stiff as a Bisc Doll.
“Why! Why!? All three are real?!”
That expression crumbled as Auro and Kiel closed the thick door behind us.
“I asked for something nearby, but I ended up with something that looked a bit off, so I added a little extra.”
It turned out to be more of a Haniwa than just branches.
“What do you mean nearby!? Added what!?—Ah, enough already! What’s going on?!”
She slammed her hands on the desk, teary-eyed, then stood up, buried her head in her arms on the desk, and suddenly lifted her face to plead with me.
Soleil, who favors provocative dresses that reveal just enough while hiding what should be hidden, seems to be in a state of delightful chaos.
As a young man, I’m torn between where to look and whether to be put off by her frantic state.