Chapter 305: The Shape of the Branch
After tidying up Kanum’s House, I head back to the mountain house.
“Rishu, I’m home~!”
I rush in and give Rishu a good scratch.
Looking outside, I notice something plastered all over the window.
It seems to be the Spirits that Haralfa and Mishto brought along from the Fortress City on their tour. The Note greets me with a cheerful bow.
Since the Gods were leading them, it looks like they were waiting without the usual automatic numbering. However, even without it being automatic, they still have a sequence. Considering the effects of Liberation, it’s probably better for me to name them directly.
I give Rishu another pat and prepare some coffee at the table facing the terrace. As I open the wide window, the Spirits slowly close in. The Note skillfully organizes the line.
“Haralfa Tour No. 1!”
As I call out the name, the Spirit spins around and steps out from the front of the line.
“Mishto Tour No. 1!”
The Spirits that moved over from the Temple are quite large, not as big as a zabuton, but noticeably bigger, and I can tell they’re carrying more magic power than usual.
I also name some Spirits that aren’t part of the tour from the Temple. I’m just sipping my coffee while watching the Note write down names one after another.
The Note is impressive. I need to buy a new notebook and some ink soon; I’m running low.
I was thinking about cleaning the house, but I’ll skip it today. I should wrap things up before I run out of magic power and head for a bath.
For dinner, I grilled some large shrimp. The shrimp around here are lobster-like; their smooth texture and flavor surpass that of the Ise lobster, but the elasticity is definitely better here. I twist off the tail, peel it, dip it in shrimp miso instead of crab miso, and then slather on some mayonnaise before taking a big bite.
Sometimes, simpler dishes taste better than elaborate ones. I eat messily while sipping wine. The vegetables are cabbage soaked in a garlic-infused pickling liquid.
After dinner, I play with Rishu to make up for the time I was away. We play tug-of-war and fetch.
I sleep on the springy bed for the first time in a while. For a while, I’ll focus seriously on maintaining the house and the field.
First, I open all the windows and start cleaning. I head down to the basement, which I don’t often visit, to scoop out the ashes from the fireplace. The ashes from this house also collect underground.
Since the house is built on a slope, one side is a bit higher, and there’s a horizontally long window on the basement wall that peeks out just a little.
This house is probably a result of my imagination clashing with the technology of this world, making it slightly more modern than other houses. However, most of it adheres to the mansion standards of this world. The basement actually has rooms for servants and a bread-baking area. There are also storage rooms, but I rarely go in since I don’t plan to use them.
Since I hadn’t cleaned at all, there was quite a bit of dust… I ended up having to store the dust before dealing with the ashes.
I also need to tend to the neglected field and orchard. I’ve been checking on them every morning, but they definitely need more care. I intended to do some grinding of various grains, but that will likely be pushed to tomorrow.
I mix the collected ashes into the field and fix the stakes—though I’m not just working; for lunch, I’m invited to enjoy Shiva’s cooking for the first time in a while. After that, Dinoss joins in for some card games with the kids.
I create a warm cape with a hood for Karn. I also work on the magic circle plate for the public bath on the island. I feel like I’ve been doing more grinding on stone than anything else, huh? I do have some processed parchment for the magic circle, though.
The cape for Karn features a large magic circle around the shoulder blades and five smaller magic circles near the knees. There are lines flowing magic power from the magic stone to the large magic circle, radiating out to the smaller ones.
The lines connecting the large and small circles aren’t just simple lines; they’re two sets of spell sequences. One flows magic power, while the other heats up like an electric heating wire. I think it turned out quite well.
I head over to give it to Karn.
“Hmm, this is quite warm.”
“I put in a lot of effort.”
He’s not the type to visibly express joy, but I feel a bit happy that he immediately puts it on.
I remind him to be careful of low-temperature burns, and he retorts, “What do you think I am?” I realize he’s more Spirit-like than human.
“Jean, the Note wants you to show your face tomorrow!”
As I’m leaving, Chris calls out to me.
Could it be that he’s managed to get in touch with the rumored Mage? I feel a bit giddy. With my mind wandering, I can’t focus on work, so I decide to take a day off!
I’ll take a stroll around Naruadeid. Just walking around is enjoyable, and more than anything, it’s warm there! I do like staying indoors and fiddling around on cold days, but after a while, I really want to see the blue sky.
Naruadeid is the island of contracts and product samples. While there are times when physical goods are sold here, most contracts are made here, and then the goods are sent directly from the production area.
Since many people come and go, there are personal retail shops, but they don’t seem to be the main business. That’s where I have my errands.
The last time I came, I bought red glasses, silverware, and fabrics. Now that I’m buying fabrics in bulk on the island, I’m just tagging along. The leather from the Giant Lizards is too convenient—though maybe I should take a look for belts or decorations.
Before that, I realize I haven’t checked out the Spirit’s Branch here, so I head that way. The Spirit’s Branch in Naruadeid should be real.
The entrance fee is outrageous!!!!!!!
Is it because it’s real? Or is it because it’s a trading island? I pay a price that almost makes me tear up and step inside, only to find a rather gaudy display.
Everything is gold-plated. I hear there’s a small stream in the courtyard where gold dust settles, and a few guards are smiling. The flowers blooming are mostly yellow, and the stones, while I thought they were plain, turn out to be rocks from a gold mine.
It’s quite beautiful, but it feels unsettling!
I pay even more to enter the room to see the Spirit’s Branch. Golden branches, huh? Well, that was expected.
What surprises me a bit is that they’re shaped like wheat. What on earth is a branch…?