Chapter 337: The Forest House is Complete!
Today, we return to the sacred grove after a long time.
“Rishu, be careful not to wander out of the sacred area.”
As we teleport into the sanctuary, Rishu dashes off, sniffing around excitedly.
He hasn’t ventured out of the mountains much, so everything must seem new and filled with intriguing scents.
“Well, I was told to arrange the furniture…”
And here comes Retze to help.
Yesterday, I asked him to assist since it’s definitely easier with two people, and we agreed to meet at Kanum’s House before teleporting here. When Kanum saw Rishu, he made a face like, “Oh no.”
Originally, I had planned to bring Haulon along to greet the pill bugs, but I was told to at least space out those visits. However, I’m scheduled to visit the Earth Folk again tomorrow, so taking Haulon to the forest will have to wait a bit longer.
“Thanks for your help.”
“Yeah. Well, as long as we don’t think about where we are, it’s just normal work. —It’s looking really good.”
Retze glances around, taking in the surroundings.
The trees we planted have stretched their branches, and the roses are blooming. Though the branches still look a bit fragile, the initial awkwardness of the newly planted trees has faded, allowing them to blend into the landscape.
Retze, having taken off his jacket, follows me inside. The weather in the sanctuary feels like early summer, so his usual attire is a bit too warm.
“The temperature is different from the last time I was here. It feels odd compared to the surrounding climate.”
“It seems like the seasons are gradually shifting.”
I leave the door open for Rishu to come in.
“So, what’s first?”
“I want to put some shelves on the walls.”
“Just need to hold them in place, right?”
I appreciate how quickly we’re getting to the point.
We have thick, slightly warped boards—of course, the side that attaches to the wall is straight—along with black iron brackets for the shelves.
“This looks like a common design, but I shouldn’t ask where you got it, right?”
“Made by the Earth Folk from the Northern Lands.”
“Don’t spill the beans! Ugh, I bet this cost a pretty penny.”
“It’s free, free.”
I had them made by a young craftsman who was turned away from working on the Goddess’s Great Tree, as a favor while ordering furniture.
When I offered him some branches from the Great Tree, everyone took turns trying to saw them, and they were overjoyed. The furniture they made matches my specifications perfectly and rivals the products I’ve seen in Naruadeid.
“Just because it’s made by the Earth Folk, it’s already expensive. If it has the name of a renowned craftsman on it, the price would skyrocket.”
Retze helps me while saying that.
The furniture from the Island Tower is all coordinated, but I hope it’s okay. I can already imagine the potential for scratches or screams if someone tries to use it carelessly.
…Alright, I’ll keep quiet about who made it.
I place a perfectly round magic stone on the shelf to check its level.
“Those beautiful spheres are pricey, you know?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t think of anything else round.”
Making marbles would be a hassle.
“You could just fill a bowl with water, hang a weighted string, or set up a stick to mark the same height.”
“Oh! The water surface is level, after all.”
It’s only logical.
Didn’t they use water levels for the pyramids too? I remember something about Japanese castles using the water surface of moats as a reference.
We attach shelves in various places, lay down carpets, and arrange the furniture.
“Alright, done! Thank you!”
The Forest House is complete!
“Yeah, no problem.”
And just like that, we enjoy lunch in the freshly furnished house.
We have smoked salmon avocado rolls, shiso seeds with seaweed and sesame, a touch of wasabi. There’s asparagus dressed in sesame miso, boiled eggplant, tofu, and a small bowl of Nara pickles lined up. Fried octopus tentacles, and I wonder if the flavor of the chawanmushi will be too complicated.
Rishu gets water and meat. When I call him, he happily runs over and nudges his head against my shin. I can’t help but pet him affectionately.
My little one is so cute.
“His mannerisms are just like a regular puppy…”
Retze mutters as he takes a seat.
This table and chairs are also made by the youth of the Earth Folk. They’re sturdy and stable, with a rough appearance, but they’ve clearly put thought into the details, as there are no splinters. The corners are smooth.
“If it doesn’t suit your taste, there are sandwiches too.”
I’m cautiously trying to introduce Japanese food to Retze, hoping the smoked salmon will be okay.
“The presence of chopsticks means this is cuisine from where you lived, right?”
He starts eating.
“Hmm… You’ve gotten good at using chopsticks in no time.”
“You gave me a practice set, after all.”
Now that I think about it, I did give him some beans and chopsticks. Retze has a tendency to get really into things.
“I actually like this flavor.”
“That’s good to hear.”
It’s a relief.
“Most of the food here is usually just one or two dishes with the rest being alcohol. It’s nice to have a variety.”
I didn’t enjoy meals with people back in Japan, but here, it’s enjoyable.
“Let me ask again, what do you want to do as a Hero, Jean?”
“Not much, really. I’ve heard from the Gods that if we gradually harmonize spirits and matter, we’ll prosper; otherwise, it’ll lead to self-destruction. So, I’m just letting things be.”
I toss an avocado roll into my mouth.
I’ll later marinate the avocado in kombu and enjoy it with wasabi and soy sauce. It’ll be even better chilled.
“Isn’t it creepy to have a doll of yourself?”
“I’ve never acted normal in front of my sisters.”
If I had made it based on their impressions, it would probably look either grumpy or fake-smiling.
Most likely, it reflects my personality too. In the years leading up to my eighteenth birthday, I’ve been handling things smoothly. I didn’t want to hide my irritation suddenly, so I just let it show.
“If you’re okay with it, then it’s fine. I won’t go out of my way to interfere, but I’ll give Haulon a little warning. —This has a nice subtle flavor.”
Retze scoops some chawanmushi and comments. It seems he’s enjoying it too.
“This is called chawanmushi. You can also add chicken or shrimp.”
Today, I included clams, kamaboko, shiitake mushrooms, and ginkgo nuts, garnished with a bit of sakura shrimp on top.
At this rate, before conquering the continent, Shulm’s regime might collapse. The surrounding nations have been shifting alliances even before Shulm intervened, so even if it falls apart, it might not change much.
As I finish eating, Rishu snuggles between my legs. I gently cradle his face in my hands, savoring his softness.
“Haulon still has plenty of reasons to shout, yet he’s already overwhelmed with processing everything. For now, the main concern is meeting the pill bugs…”
Retze glances over at me.
It’ll be fine; it surely won’t be as bad as when Shiva froze part of the forest while holding a pill bug in her palm.