Chapter 318: Gratitude
I hope they’re happy, but I can’t shake the anxiety that no one will stop Haniwa.
“Orlando, do your best…”
“What’s with that pitying look!?”
No, right?
“Don’t look away! What’s going on?”
Orlando is closing in, but I can’t meet his gaze right now!
“Ah, at least there’s someone who’s persistent…”
Soleil pretends to wipe away tears.
“My lord, Haynes and the others are waiting at the pier.”
“Alright, let’s move.”
I quickly put on my shoes at Auro’s words and start heading out.
“Ugh, I can’t keep Lord Haynes waiting.”
Orlando follows behind, looking reluctant.
At the pier, I see the old man, Arina, and Kiel. The old boatman is already waiting in the small boat.
“Ah!”
Arina waves as she notices us.
“Nii-sama, it’s been decided that I will officially be in your care starting in seven days. I look forward to it.”
As I approach, the old man gives a slow bow. The zabuton seems to be mourning our parting.
“Likewise, I look forward to it.”
I pat Arina’s head and shake hands with the old man to send them off. Orlando looks like he has something to say, but I manage to smile through it.
When I tried to hand the boatman some money, I found out it had already been paid. I usually pay a lump sum annually, but I give something each time I use the service. It seems either Auro or Soleil beat me to it this time.
Speaking of which, I wonder what happened to Arina’s weasel? Is it still sleeping? Well, it’s probably fine; if it’s a spirit attached to Arina, it should be looking after her.
“Well then, back to the crabs.”
“Stop it!?”
Soleil interrupts me.
“If the King’s Branch gets damaged…”
Soleil looks like he’s about to cry, flustered.
“It’s fine, it’s sturdy.”
“Wahahaha! You’re so overprotective!”
“Overprotective…”
Soleil takes a step back, looking somewhat shocked.
“I can hardly believe it’s the King’s Branch, but my spirit is in an uproar.”
Kiel starts saying something that sounds a bit like a middle schooler’s fantasy.
Alright! With that, I return to the rocky shore. Auro follows me. The two adults and the staff continue to play by the shore.
Well, Auro is busy collecting the crabs I caught and carrying my shoes. Hey, what about your own work?
As the sun began to set, I secured the crabs and stored them away. Ex-Staff, who loves to explore unseen places, seemed satisfied today. Thankfully, the zabuton didn’t get damp either.
After parting ways with Auro in front of the castle, I head to the tower.
I climb the stairs to the entrance hall. The first floor is a storage area where carts can come in directly, while the entrance is on the second floor.
I make my way to the top floor, shedding my clothes and sinking into a warm bath. I gaze at the sea, now tinged with orange. The plants I’ve planted around the bath have grown quite sturdy.
The blue climbing rose I received from the gardener Charles has begun to stretch its branches over the stone wall.
As I ponder how quickly it’s growing, I notice the spirits splashing around in the bucket meant to adjust the temperature in front of the bathtub.
There are all sorts of spirits. Normally, you wouldn’t find fire spirits near water, but perhaps due to Van’s power turning the water into hot water, they’re gathering around. Is this what they mean by the “Spirit’s Branch” courtyard?
I spend the time transitioning from day to night in the bath. As the sun sets, the night spirits arrive. Spirits of starlight, moonlight, and night breeze.
“Ooooh?”
In the distance, a large, dark shadow looms.
I’m seeing a dragon for the first time! Even from far away, its massive silhouette is astonishing. Under the moonlight, it glides smoothly, hardly flapping its wings, like an airplane.
How does it fly? It’s not hovering in the wind. This is fantasy!
I want to see it up close, but it’s so big. If it were to attack me now, would I be able to handle it? I need to get stronger if I want to explore further.
I watch until the dragon disappears from view before getting out of the bath. I’m definitely wrinkled now.
In the kitchen, I prepare dinner. Tonight’s meal is beef tendon curry. Since I had a lot of block meat in the fortress city, I decided to use beef tendon. The salad is simply lettuce topped with shaved hard cheese and dressing.
I’ve prepped a large batch of beef tendon, simmering it several times to cool it down and remove the solidified fat. I plan to stew it later with daikon and burdock, and maybe add some konnyaku.
After finishing my own meal, I make a large batch of tamagoyaki. The eggs come from the ordinary-looking chickens at home, who don’t slack off in laying eggs. It’s probably due to the spirits’ influence.
When I head to the room with the desk, I find a beautiful lace piece completed. I had asked for it to be done whenever they had the time, but it seems they put in a lot of effort.
I place a thank-you water, along with sugar and flowers favored by the spider spirit, on the desk. I set the new wooden frame on the easel and carry the lace-covered frame to Soleil.
For now, I’m grateful to everyone for turning this town into a wonderful place, even from an outsider’s perspective. I’d like to give bonuses to the craftsmen, starting with the stonemasons.
—Soleil stands frozen, holding the lace frame aloft, his eyes sparkling!
There’s a scuffle over the tamagoyaki, but I don’t mind; it’s a regular occurrence. In the end, everyone always gets one each. A battle with afterimages unfolds behind me, but as long as they don’t break the furnishings, I’m okay with it.