Chapter 300: The Zabuton I Want to Ride
“Welcome back, Jean.”
“I’m home.”
As the Butler greeted me, Ash peeked out from the room, but it seemed he was busy writing a letter, so he quickly retreated. It’s cold; he could write it here—no, if it’s a personal letter, having others around might make him uneasy.
Karn seems to have gone out somewhere. He often wanders about to bridge the gap between eras and cultures, just like Kanum. But he should be back soon; after all, it gets cold when the sun sets. I should add some firewood to the Fireplace.
“I’ll brew some tea; I’ll go fetch some water.”
The Butler said and left the room.
As I added firewood and stoked the flames, the Zabuton wandered around my back. Given its shape, I felt it might be dangerous if sparks flew, so I hoped it would keep its distance.
When I stood up, I felt a poke at my rear, prompting me to sit on the Zabuton.
“Stop sitting on the Spirit.”
“Well, you can’t blame me; a Zabuton is meant to be sat on—look, it’s in shock!”
Though the Zabuton isn’t humanoid, it has been around people long enough to understand human speech. Its corners were slightly crumpled as it looked down.
“At least stop floating.”
“Fine, I’ll move to the bench.”
With that, it straightened up and floated over to the bench, appearing as if it were sitting there.
“Stop moving while floating!”
Dinoss has too many demands!
“By the way, Retze is working too hard.”
“He’s been gathering bits of information about En, really. I haven’t been able to repay him except for introducing him to some old acquaintances, but I wonder if that counts as a favor…”
Dinoss chimed in at my mutterings.
“You told him about En?”
“No. But from the information he’s been passing along, it seems he knows.”
“There’s a theory that Retze can read people’s minds.”
“You’re wearing your thoughts on your face, though.”
How terrible!
“I’m well-known in the East and North, so information tends to gather around me, but that also means news about me spreads quickly. I might as well ask directly about the False Hero’s movement methods when I go to the Guild tomorrow.”
It seems Dinoss’s activities as an Adventurer are focused on the Demon Forest and the Northern Lands. His name might be more recognized, but it seems his face is only known within that range.
The Butler returned, carrying a water pitcher and firewood. I wondered how he managed to open the Door, but I took the firewood and stacked it by the Fireplace.
“Adventurers tend to be a bit reckless, yet sometimes they seem too composed, making them feel older.”
“That’s definitely because of Retze’s beard.”
People possessed by Spirits tend to look younger, after all.
Also, Retze seemed a bit pale, his skin lacking its usual luster. He had regained a bit of shine after eating some Peach in Syrup, but with all the time spent in the Forest and Mine Shaft, his base stamina, being non-Spirit possessed, is likely just average. He might be getting worn out?
I wonder if I can whip up some restorative dish? I should ask the Zabuton for help later.
“What are you talking about?”
“Just how capable Retze is.”
I replied to the Butler’s inquiry.
“—I see?”
He seemed a bit puzzled since he had only caught part of the conversation, but it seemed he had no objections to Retze’s capabilities.
While sipping the tea the Butler brewed, I chatted a bit about Rosa and the others. Ash also joined in.
“Alright, let’s roast some duck.”
We had pork, chicken, and beef yesterday, which are the specialties of the Fortress City. I’ll take my time to grill it, and we can eat once Retze returns.
“Hmm…”
As I stood up, the Zabuton poked Ash to sit down. I had told it not to poke a woman’s rear, so it was careful to poke around her wrist instead.
The Zabuton pokes me, Ash, and Retze. Az and the Vines are also part of my Spirit family, so it seems they can freely speak (or poke?) with me.
Retze looked quite surprised; even though he sat down, his legs were at a 90-degree angle, and his back and limbs were perfectly straight. It’s understandable since he can’t see.
He said, “I’m just not used to Spirits!” but he often gets sat on or stepped on by Daifuku, who seems to show up when he feels like it, but he hasn’t shown himself to Retze yet. Or rather, it seems he’s been playing around without revealing his form.
Continuing the conversation while preparing the meal.
What else should I make besides duck? For sides, I could do some finely sliced potatoes sautéed in plenty of butter, roasted yellow and red bell peppers, and watercress. I should make sure to serve some vegetables while we’re together, so maybe a Minestrone too.
Roasting the bell peppers slowly for over an hour makes them delicious, so I’ll set them by the Fireplace. But I can’t resist the fresh ones, so I’ll prepare both kinds.
“I’m back.”
“Karn, welcome back. For now, just drink until Retze returns.”
I handed a bottle of Red Wine to the cold-looking Karn, and the Butler prepared cups for everyone.
“The wine you serve has a deep flavor.”
Karn is fond of the Red Wine from the Pantry.
The wine here doesn’t have the best preservation techniques, so most of it is consumed while it’s still young. There’s a lot of sediment too.
“I’m back; it’s warm. And lock the door; most people probably look like me.”
As soon as he returned, Retze started giving educational guidance. I suspect the Butler has some Spirit keeping an eye on things from somewhere, but it’s better to be cautious.