Chapter 339: The Current State of the Spirit’s Branch
With Auro following slightly behind me, I made my way to the Spirit’s Branch. Honestly, it’s a bit awkward for me to talk like this, so having him beside me would be fine.
When I asked why he was hanging back, he replied, “I am not a knight, so it is easier for me to respond to any potential threats from this position,” his answer still coming from a diagonal behind me.
I gave up on pursuing Auro’s ominous reasoning and quietly continued toward our destination.
“The key to the Spirit’s Branch has been handed over to Lord Paorul. Currently, the unveiling of the branch is conducted at dawn,” Auro explained as we crossed through the open gates, where Orlando appeared.
“Welcome! I’m glad you could come.”
“Hello, I came to check on things. Is there anything inconvenient?”
I thought to myself how polite Orlando was as I asked.
“This town is so comfortable that it’s almost frightening; there’s nothing inconvenient at all. However—”
“Yeah?”
I prompted him to continue with a nod.
“In the room where the Spirit’s Branch is kept, there are sounds at night. Even if I open the door immediately to check, it’s just a thin cloth fluttering…”
“…Ah.”
I averted my gaze.
So, there’s a suspicious phenomenon happening, huh? But I think I can guess the cause, and I’d rather not touch that.
Following Orlando’s lead through the Spirit’s Branch, the garden remained as beautiful as ever. The water flowing through the nearby channels was influenced by the spirits, but it seems that residents make offerings before taking any, despite the low population.
Normally, the water flowing through the Spirit’s Branch is either circulated or, when it flows out, it’s covered and directed through a culvert beneath the cobblestones. But our island has it flowing out in the open.
It wouldn’t be surprising if someone came to draw water from it—just as I thought that, I spotted a blue frog bouncing around, flicking its tongue at the water’s surface. Each time it did, tiny droplets scattered from the water, showering the nearby roses.
Could it be that there are spirits who dislike having their offerings taken for free? Like a golden frog or something…?
By the way, this blue frog is big enough that it wouldn’t fit on two palms—doesn’t it seem a bit too large to be in a newly formed area? Where did it come from and settle here?
A zabuton floated happily by, seemingly greeting spirits on this side and that. The zabuton is surprisingly sociable…!
Still, there are an awful lot of spirits moving around. If this keeps up, the island will become restless…! Or is this just how new towns are?
The blue lizard at the tower seemed calm, so maybe the older spirits are more settled? The newly born or gathered spirits are probably lively, I guess.
This is bad; seeing spirits just adds to my worries.
“Welcome, Nii-sama.”
“I’m intruding. Since this place is newly established, I imagine there are various things to sort out, but do you think it will run smoothly?”
The zabuton joyfully dove into the chest of the old man who greeted us. Visually, it looked like a pillow fight gone wrong…
“Yes, everything is going smoothly. Since you’ve prepared everything up to this point, there are no issues.”
The old man smiled.
Is the noise okay?
“By the way, when will the instrument craftsman arrive? Unfortunately, this old man has no knowledge of music and cannot tune anything.”
The old man seems to have an inkling about Haniwa’s behavior.
“The craftsman is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. The miniature one will also come tomorrow.”
When I glanced at Auro, he provided the information.
“What about the protection of the Spirit’s Branch? Currently, we have dispatched guards from the castle, but if you intend to make it independent, it would be better to appoint someone designated by Lord Paorul.”
Now that I think about it, I vaguely recall discussing a system of power distribution to prevent unilateral actions from either side. I wouldn’t mind if we could work together constructively, but that would leave too much to individual personalities.
Yet, starting off too rigidly might not work either. I mean, it’s a small island, and during this developmental phase, we need Soleil and the others to lead. Having too many captains would just lead to chaos.
“Well then, I have no connections. How about we start with Auro selecting a few candidates, and from there, I can appoint a few?”
“Yeah. That sounds good until things stabilize. The town itself is still in the works and unsettled. And as for Lord Paorul—”
“Nii-sama, please just call me Paorul.”
He’s already switched from ‘sama’ to just ‘Paorul’! Orlando is also using polite language! Is it because I’m the employer that they’re being so considerate?
“If Lord Paorul has any thoughts regarding the town’s development, please feel free to share them with Soleil or Auro. Also, you can speak comfortably.”
“Then, I have one, no, two things to mention. I cannot see spirits, but I have some knowledge about magic circles. I would like to scatter protective ones throughout the town. Additionally, I wish to impart knowledge about these magic circles to a select few.”
The old man smiled and bowed his head.
A magic circle classroom, huh? I’d like to see that too.
“…Lord Paorul’s knowledge here on this island?”
I heard Soleil’s voice from the entrance, sounding utterly astonished.
Before I could look toward the voice, I caught sight of Orlando’s smug expression!