Chapter 359: Unexpectedly Useful
“What’s over here?”
“I don’t know. The Spirit wanted me to plant some plants, so I did. They’re still growing, and no flowers yet.”
I replied to Auro.
The Spirit brought some seeds, and I just scattered them as they were. So far, the closest resemblance is to wisteria. Soft, light green leaves are sprouting from the vines. However, they seem to branch out more finely than usual, creating a lush appearance. They spill out from between the lattice and stretch downward.
Despite not giving them much care, they thrive against the salty sea breeze. Now that I think about it, while this island does have the coastal winds, the refreshing breezes from the cool streams and the Spirits of Leaf Wind and Gentle Breeze are more dominant, so there are surprisingly few places exposed to the salty air.
The coastal breeze here is nice and refreshing, not sticky at all.
“Next is the workshop.”
I bid farewell to Seabird-kun and we descend the stairs in a single file. We’ll meet again when we return.
The workshop and my collection shelf room. The ceiling here is nearly twice as high as in other rooms, but it’s filled with shelves that reach up to the ceiling, so it doesn’t feel very spacious. There’s a corridor leading from the stairs to look up at the top of the shelves.
“An aerial corridor? It’s short, but I can’t figure out how it was constructed. And it’s beautiful.”
Soleil said, looking down from the bottom of the stairs.
Softly glowing Spirit Lamps of various sizes are placed around, casting shadows. Though it’s a workshop, the lighting is quite moody, yet bright enough. Perhaps it’s because my eyes have adjusted, but I feel like the daylight around Naruadeid is almost blinding.
“It certainly has changed a lot.”
Auro remarked.
“Soleil-sama, I’m at your service.”
Faramia called out, and Soleil began to move slowly.
“Don’t worry, I’m just looking at the floor now… Bring me my room shoes!”
After murmuring softly, Soleil demanded in a strong voice for his room shoes.
“Ah, yes, yes.”
I opened a small door set into the stone wall, revealing the room shoe storage. Since the stairs are narrow, they aren’t slippers but rather shoes that cover the heels and won’t slip off.
“Here you go.”
Faramia neatly arranged them on the floor for everyone.
This workshop has been beautifully and conveniently transformed by the Earth Folk. There’s even a ladder that moves along rails attached to the shelves.
The aerial corridor and the stair railing that Soleil mentioned are made of Black Iron, which has begun to be infused with Spirit Iron. The wooden parts, like the shelves and ladders, are crafted from the Goddess’s Great Tree. Despite being a workshop, this place took the longest to complete.
Oh, when I move the shelves, a hidden room appears, and moving the shelves in the hidden room reveals a hidden passage. But I won’t be giving any tours!
“Wait, I don’t think it’s okay for things just to be randomly placed in the shelves…”
Soleil started to tremble!
I had just arranged a few items, but he said it looked haphazard. I had even tried to angle them nicely to make them look cool.
“Is this ink for the Magic Circle? It seems to emit an aura that demands attention.”
Auro gazed intently at the ink, which was indeed for the Magic Circle.
Even before drawing any symbols, Spirits tend to flock to it, so I think it’s excellent for a Magic Circle that aims to attract Spirits for specific effects.
The materials for the ink were given by the Gods, but they haven’t been processed yet. I plan to do that at the House. Just in case something strange happens or if I get overwhelmed by Spirits even more than this.
“Over here is Es’s…”
Soleil wobbled as he looked at the shelves.
“Hey, the Magic Stones are all mixed up and just thrown into boxes.”
“They’re color-coded, though.”
I replied to Kiel’s complaint. I was tired of arranging them; besides, that area is meant for materials, not my memory collection.
“Ugh. Things that should be in their own cases are mixed in with stones meant to be crushed and used…”
Before Soleil could slump down, a cushion was slid under his knees.
Faramia, that was a perfect timing and placement.
Kiel supported the swaying Soleil and moved him to a spot surrounded by glass windows supported by the lowest tier of Spirit Iron.
“By the way, I received thanks from the Shipping Guild. Since the lights were installed in this tower, the number of groundings around Naruadeid has decreased.”
Soleil regained his composure. His complexion was still pale, but he stood properly.
“They’re likely using the lights from this island as a marker to pinpoint shallow waters and reefs. Ships can dock at Naruadeid even at night, and those waiting to depart might be pushed unexpectedly by the waves created by other vessels.”
Auro explained.
While not as treacherous as around this island, the waters between Talia and the Cavil Peninsula can have reefs or sandbanks if you get too close to small islands or peninsulas.
Aside from Naruadeid and our island, the lights used elsewhere are small and few. Plus, they don’t stay lit all night.
In that regard, my tower is different. It’s a hassle to remove the Magic Stones one by one, so the Spirit Lamps stay lit. When evening falls, Spirits are called by the Magic Stones and Magic Circle, gathering in their round glass vessels to emit a soft glow.
The tower has glass windows all over, and especially in this room, nearly all the walls are glass except for the side facing the cliff.
I thought I might get scolded for wasting resources, but it seems I’ve been assigned the role of a lighthouse.