Chapter 306: Worrying About the Branch
So, if the Spirit’s Branch is Mugi no Ho, what kind of branch is the King’s Branch? But I can’t really imagine Haniwa taking the form of the Ex-Staff. Personality aside, of course.
Hmm, it moved.
…Branches can move?
As I pondered this, Mugi no Ho suddenly began wriggling like a fish, its metallic form surprisingly smooth in motion.
…So it can move. I picture Haniwa in my mind.
“Wha— the branch moved…!?” Staff A, who was both guiding and monitoring, let out a small scream, freezing for a moment before suddenly dashing out of the room in a flurry.
“I can move because I’m old, but normally, they don’t.” Mugi no Ho spoke to me out of nowhere.
“They don’t move?”
“Nope. It’s tough to move. You’re quite fluent in Spirit Language, huh? It’s been ages since I’ve talked to anyone other than a spirit.”
In the now-empty room, I converse with Mugi no Ho. Well, it’s more like I’m thinking it, so to anyone watching, it probably looks like I’m just staring at the Spirit’s Branch in silence.
“You don’t remember human speech?”
“I do, but I don’t like using it. If I start talking, strangers will ask all sorts of questions.”
“Ah, that sounds annoying. They’d probably ask a ton of things.”
As a divine object, it seems like Mugi no Ho would be inundated with requests and consultations.
“Come visit sometimes. Maybe once every ten years.”
“Once every ten years? You’re quite patient.”
“I live a long time. As long as there’s no shortage of gold coins or human greed, about a third of my Oath will be upheld. I have a rather subtle presence.”
“You take the form of Mugi no Ho, yet there’s not even any ground here.”
“Exactly. That’s why I usually just sleep.”
“I placed a Spirit’s Branch on my island, but I can’t just drop by for a visit.”
“Even if I try hard to move, I can’t leave this designated area.”
Unless the king, the master, carries the King’s Branch, it cannot leave the country. It seems the Spirit’s Branch can only be moved by the king or someone he directly hands it to. If anyone else tries to carry it, it remains so still that it feels as though it’s still connected to the earth.
Rishu can only carry the Ex-Staff within the confines of the mountain where our house is or the sacred forest. I wonder if he could go to the island? It feels like the Ex-Staff would wander off on its own, but then again, wasn’t he supposed to be protecting the kingdom first?
Restricting the area is probably good for preventing theft, but it must be boring for the branches. Mugi no Ho seems to have a lot of patience, though.
“The Spirit’s Branch moved!? It’s been ten years; what happened!?”
“Nothing in particular. I heard nothing happened ten years ago, so it might just move once every decade!”
I sense the commotion of people approaching.
“Here comes the noisy ones.”
“Not a fan?”
“Ten years ago, when it moved a little, they came here saying they wanted to see it and cried for a while. When they have no work, they just hang around all day.”
“Sounds like you’re loved.”
“That love is a bit heavy.”
As we talk, the voices grow closer, and three people enter.
“Worshippers!? Did you leave a person unattended among the Spirit’s Branches!?” A poised woman of a certain age scolded Staff A, who had dashed off, seemingly her subordinate.
She gives off an impression that’s a mix of Ash’s friend Lilith and Soleil, but with a strong-willed gaze and a tightly pursed mouth. Yet, her soft, curly hair and round features give her a gentle appearance—cough, cough. She resembles Soleil more, but doesn’t have the knightly aura of Lilith.
“Oh, don’t mind me. Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy the beauty of the branch.”
“Of course, Mugi no Ho is exceptionally beautiful!”
Of course? That seems a bit out of context. Mugi no Ho, huh?
“Mugi no Ho, did anything inappropriate happen?”
“What kind of inappropriate?” I can’t help but interject.
“Like being petted, licked, or… ugh… pulled…”
“Asmomii… I apologize. There are some who occasionally try to take it out or play pranks.”
“Pulled! Pulled!” Staff A quickly covers Asmomii’s mouth and smiles at me.
“That love is a bit heavy.”
“…I’ll help you if you want to escape.” I promise Mugi no Ho without thinking.
I wanted to see how other Spirit’s Branches are managed and who manages them, but this is troublesome.
“Asmomii, please calm down. The Mugi no Ho seems unchanged.”
An elderly man, the last to enter, spoke. He mixed up the way of addressing the branches.
He looks like a soldier, with white hair and deep wrinkles on his face, yet he stands tall and moves briskly. There’s an elegance about him; his voice carries well, though it’s not overly loud. He gives off the impression of someone accustomed to giving lectures or sermons. Perhaps he’s the one responsible for this “Spirit’s Branch”?
“…I apologize for doubting you. However, this Mugi no Ho is one of a kind. I hope you understand.”
Asmomii, regaining his composure, was released by Staff A and apologized to me.
“There are three of us, though.” Mugi no Ho chimed in nonchalantly.
“It feels like I’m about to see something I shouldn’t, so I’ll take my leave. I’ll come back soon.”
Since the worship fee was high, I’ll have to ask Soleil for some money. I also need to collect the sales I left behind.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. —Is it alright if I just go?”
Everything here is so gilded that it’s hard to imagine wandering off alone.
“I’ll guide you.” Staff A offered.
“So, how did Mugi no Ho move, and in what way!?”
But Asmomii has been holding onto Staff A’s elbow this whole time…
“I’m also a guest, but if you’d like, I can guide you to the exit.”
The elderly man offered.
I thought he was the top authority, but he’s a guest? Wait, could it be that the top authority here is…?
“This is it, this is the one in charge.”
“Wow. Good luck…”
“I can’t trouble Lord Haynes!”
“Is it really graceful even when it moves?! How is it!?”
Staff A kept glancing over here, but Asmomii was determined to drag me in front of Mugi no Ho. The elderly man’s name turned out to be Haynes.
“Don’t worry, Asmomii won’t stop.”
“I apologize for interrupting your conversation. Thank you for your understanding.”
Staff A bowed, half in tears.