Chapter 296: Fees
“Soleil, please calm down,” Faramia soothed him. For now, could someone fix the straps of my dress?
“Yes, yes. I will accept any questions you have,” he replied.
“What about the entrance fee!?”
Soleil, who had been trembling with his head down, suddenly lifted his face. Is the entrance fee the first thing on his mind?
When it comes to money, he becomes incredibly pragmatic, or perhaps calm—his switch is quick!
“It’s basically free, but we’ll set up a donation box. Also, I hope to have a thin cloth like a curtain in front of the branch, so only the silhouette is visible.”
“Indeed, hiding that mysterious shape would likely enhance its ability to attract faith,” he agreed.
…Mysterious?
Does Auro really see it as mysterious? Or is he just avoiding direct expressions? If it’s the former, I wouldn’t know how to interact with him.
“What about the holy water?”
“Well, it’s technically paid. For those from outside the island, it’s expensive, but it’s cheaper if used for healing on the island.”
Honestly, I wonder if there’s any difference from the water flowing around here…!
“Understood. I’ll have Pamela confirm the effectiveness of that, and then adjust the fees for Naruadeid’s Spirit’s Branch accordingly.”
Soleil mentioned Pamela, the Changeling apothecary.
I answered Soleil’s question, though my response was rather casual.
Naruadeid’s Spirit’s Branch is genuine, so it’s a good standard to use. However, the effectiveness varies depending on how many spirits gather and how familiar they are with the water.
Naruadeid is known for having many spirits attached to or following those who enter and exit. Because of this, the effects of the holy water are high but unstable. Some days it works wonders as a healing potion, while on others, it sharpens the blade of a sword used for maintenance. They say if you pay, a priest can tell you what attributes the water is strong in.
I wonder how the holy water on this island will turn out? What if drinking it makes you suddenly drunk, or causes you to burst into laughter or dance—no, I want to believe that won’t happen.
“If there are donations or offerings, use them for the repair of the Spirit’s Branch and for flowers. If there’s anything left over, allocate it to the town’s greenery. Of course, we’ll set a basic budget for other expenses, but I ask you to create an environment where spirits can settle.”
The latter part was directed at Charles.
We discussed the basic handling policies for the Haniwa and the black-and-white branches.
“Changing clothes is one thing, but bathing is going to be difficult. Fortunately, there’s plenty of water, but all the firewood is imported. The steam bath using the heat from the bakery’s oven is already crowded as it is, and I think many residents avoid it because it’s a hassle. Although if I explain the branch’s characteristics, that might change…”
“There are two other public baths in town. If we use a fire magic stone once a day, how much will the maintenance cost?”
“What size are we talking about?”
Soleil asked Kiel instead of me.
“I’ll call Cain and Teof, no, everyone. Let’s meet in the conference room.”
“Please do.”
Kiel left the office, and we moved to the conference room.
Cain and Abel are Changeling assistants to Auro and Kiel. Cain manages the town’s construction plans and oversight, while Abel primarily manages the residents, including craftsmen. Teof is a magic stone craftsman.
“Why does it have that shape!? The white and black branches are so delicate and beautiful! They have a presence that seems to speak to you—so why is there a branch in the middle that looks like it could spring to life and is staring right at us!?”
As soon as the conversation shifted back to practical matters, Soleil’s eyes welled up again.
His mood swings are intense. His ability to switch gears is impressive! So both branches have a strong presence, right?
“They are the strong branch and the noble branch. They are always watching the islanders to ensure there is no wrongdoing.”
Auro said with a smile. Yeah, it does seem strong. If it were unglazed pottery, it would likely break easily, but since it’s wood…
“Three branches! How will we uphold the contract’s protection? We can’t aim for so many ideals! This is unprecedented!”
“Ah, there’s nothing particularly strict we need to adhere to. In exchange, there are no black spirits or demon beast repellent,” he replied.
It’s indeed unprecedented for a Haniwa to claim to be a branch. Well, the branch isn’t particularly claiming to be a Haniwa; it just happens to be shaped like one.
Faramia brewed some tea for us. It must have been sourced from Naruadeid, as it smelled delightful.
Ordinary households drink plain hot water, and tea is rare. If they have a bit of leeway or if the environment around them is suitable, they might have herbal tea. Black tea is expensive, and the kind that wealthy folks from Kanum, far from the sea, drink often loses its flavor during transport, resulting in something rather muddy-tasting.
“Huh? That can’t be right! Where did you even get it from!? What country did you get tied to!?”
“Don’t worry, there are no interferences or demands coming from anywhere. The branches were pilfered from the ruins of the Era of Fire, buried in sand, far back in time, and as long as the king is alive, there shouldn’t be any issues.”
“I don’t understand any of this!!”
As I dealt with Soleil, a bell rang.
“Why is it ringing at such a strange time?”
“It is a signal for all to gather, as our lord has arrived,” Auro conveyed with a smile.
Is it me? Is it because I always come here on a whim?
“There should also be several Changeling applicants who have expressed a desire to work, so please prepare the contracts first.”
“Yes, yes.”
Could it be the rumored suspicious owners of the bakery or the inn?