Chapter 357: Soleil Enters the Tower
“The door… It’s not something that should be left exposed to the rain…”
Soleil looked like he was clinging to the floor. There was a cushion near his face, probably placed there by Faramia. Should I care about that? Maybe it would be a loss if I did.
“At least there’s a roof, right?”
The staircase clung to the outer edge of the tower, lacking any handrails. However, at the end of the stairs, the space in front of the entrance was sheltered by a lattice that extended from the eaves to the floor, creating a windbreak. The island is usually calm, but they say when the spirits get riled up, storms can brew. I wanted to avoid opening the door to a second-floor landing with no walls.
“Soleil-sama, we are still at the entrance,” Faramia stated flatly.
“My lord, this is from the gardener, Charles. He requests that you place it in the corner here. It’s said to bloom many small white flowers, and watering it with the splashes from the downspout will be sufficient. May I set it up?” Auro lifted a pot at his feet and showed it to me.
From the larger pot, slender branches with soft-looking small leaves sprouted abundantly. The branches were intertwined with vines, suggesting they would wrap around the lattice as they grew.
“Thanks. Please do.”
Unlike Auro, who completely ignored Soleil’s odd behavior, Kiel lent a hand to help Soleil stand. He was quite attentive.
“Shall we go inside?” Soleil invited, along with Faramia, Auro, and Kiel.
“Ugh. Hold on, my stomach. No, my heart!” Soleil muttered, sounding slightly uneasy.
Supported by Kiel, he stepped into the entrance hall. The second floor was entirely a hall.
In the pristine white marble floor, several white fish spirits resided. They seemed to appear out of nowhere. If they felt like it, they probably showed themselves to people who usually couldn’t see them. Occasionally, the shadow of Blue Lizard-kun’s tail would flicker on the walls.
High above, a chandelier crafted by the Earth Folk hung from the ceiling, adorned with my magic circle for the spirit lamp. Several spirit lamps of a similar design were mounted on the walls.
A staircase led straight ahead, with a corridor wrapping around it. The handrails were another piece of art made by the Earth Folk. The stairs were covered with a classic carpet in deep red and gold.
Well, I didn’t know if it was classic in this world, but the carpet was custom-ordered from Es, featuring specific patterns and colors. It was woven by a spirit-possessed weaver who worked tirelessly at night, and although it was expensive, the quality was excellent, and most importantly, the delivery was quick. Quick, that is, considering I had ordered it before the Earth Folk’s renovations were decided.
On either side were heavy doors leading to the castle wall’s corridor. A massive bolt barred them, too heavy for a single man to lift. Symmetrically placed across the staircase were chairs and chests that served as tea tables. Naturally, everything was crafted by the Earth Folk.
I had requested a simple design to avoid being overly extravagant, but the hall prioritized a bright atmosphere, making it more lavish compared to the other rooms. It was a surprising brightness for a tower covered in thick stone walls.
“Ugh. Can I lie down again?”
“Please refrain. We are still in the first room,” Faramia replied, standing rigidly beside the swaying Soleil.
“It’s beautifully fantastical. It suits my lord’s residence perfectly,” Auro commented.
“If we were to invite guests, the imposing effect is more than sufficient,” Kiel added, offering a practical observation.
“Speaking of guests, what was the talk about Lady Rosa?”
“It was about a fabric business deal, but I declined. Even if the profit was substantial, I want to avoid doing business without going through Naruadeid. Moreover, Faramia and Kiel investigated Lady Rosa’s past transactions and found several arrangements that seemed unnecessary. It appears she has ulterior motives beyond pure commerce,” Soleil said, revitalized by the business discussion, furrowing his brow in thought.
I was surprised that Kiel, who seemed like a musclehead, could actually do some research!
“I sensed that there were signs of security around this island and the mansion, as if they were confirming potential attack routes, so I politely sent them away,” Auro explained.
“I see.” So, they were probably planning to involve us in the conflict with the Shulm Kingdom, where the Hero is. It wouldn’t be funny if I thought it was just a business meeting and ended up in a war with a nation.
“Is something wrong?” Soleil asked, looking puzzled. He usually didn’t poke his nose into business matters.
“Perfect timing. Let’s do a little fact-check together. ‘Seabird-kun, it’s your turn!'”
“Yes, boss! Ready to spill the beans!” Seabird-kun appeared at my call. After our contract, I had also asked him to take on Lady Rosa’s tasks.
It seemed he had been working hard with a small amount of magic, but after I used 【Liberation】 and occasionally lent him my magic, he agreed cheerfully.
I had thought he was just chatty, but it seemed that unless there was a strong affinity, people couldn’t hear Seabird-kun’s voice. However, they could see him.
“This is a spirit I recently met, and he brought information about Lady Rosa. ‘So, please go ahead,'” I said, moving forward while the four of them—Faramia was expressionless, and Auro was smiling—looked on in surprise. Seabird-kun pressed his chest with a little puff.
“The Blue Spirit Island is a perfect base. Security is tight, but we can gradually replace collaborators once we get inside. If it comes to that, we can take the seaside residents as hostages. I’ll also consider that method,” he said, his beak opening wide as a woman’s voice flowed out, low and powerful, as if through ventriloquism.
So, that’s what it meant to deliver a voice!
“How about that, boss? Pretty impressive, huh?”
“That’s amazing. I’m a bit surprised. Thanks!”
“No problem at all!”
After I gave him a bit of magic as thanks, Seabird-kun flapped away. He seemed to have taken a liking to the room with the lattice near the sea, so that was probably where he was headed.
“So, that’s the situation. Please keep the interactions with Lady Rosa to a minimum from now on.”
“…Understood.”
“Got it.”
“I understand, but that’s a bit of a cheat, you know?”
The three of them replied, while Faramia silently bowed her head.