Chapter 363: Insect Repellent
After returning from a long journey, I hurriedly used [Teleportation] to get back home. Then, I quickly set to work on creating an insect-repellent garment for Ruta.
Since it seemed like the Black Spirit was involved, I decided to use fabric adorned with designs that repel it. I researched the magic circle I had seen at the Temple in the Fortress City and created a simplified version, narrowing its range. I thought it might come in handy during breaks in the Forest or Labyrinth.
The magic circle at the Temple didn’t repel or block the Black Spirit; instead, it emitted an aura that the Black Spirit detests. Therefore, it wouldn’t be effective against a furious Black Spirit charging out of the woods or one that could tolerate its dislikes.
Creating a city-wide effect would consume a lot of magic power or magic stones. Since Black Spirits can spawn within the city, I couldn’t just set it up at the boundary.
Moreover, the repelling type consumes even more resources, and it seems that neither the magic power supplier nor the financial backing can sustain it. It’s only used temporarily in a small area when it’s known that a Black Spirit is coming.
That’s why I drew the designs on the pedestal of the fake branch dedicated to Kanum’s “Spirit’s Branch.” In a city where real branches are absent, it’s common to channel power into the fake branch, pouring magic power into the magic circle on the pedestal.
Although it’s set up, there are still Black Spirits that slip through. This is especially noticeable when a comfortable space forms within the city. I’ve heard that the sewers are currently one such place.
Alright, it’s done.
While it won’t repel ordinary flies, it should be effective against insects related to the Black Spirit. Ordinary bugs should be kept at bay within the garment’s range, and there’s insect repellent in the stables. For now, it should cover the area around Ruta and the horse rental yard.
As for humans, I’m not concerned. Most Black Spirits are created by humans anyway. But I’d rather not have them come up through the sewers, so I’ll place one in my own house too. I wonder if Ash and the others are around?
Well, it wouldn’t hurt to have it there. It’s small enough.
“Note, this is insect repellent. Please place it in the restroom to avoid any stings.”
With that, I knocked on the back door to summon the Butler and handed him a Black Spirit repellent that resembled a handkerchief with a bell attached.
I dislike being stung, but I also can’t stand the rustling sounds. Though, rustling is something I often hear outside here.
“Insect repellent… is it?”
“Yeah. Can you place one in the rental house too?”
To ensure that guests borrowing the restroom wouldn’t notice, I had sewn the magic circle on the inside. The magic stone supplying the magic power is contained within the bell at the end. Or rather, it’s more like a gum ball.
“It seems to have a magic stone attached…”
The Butler looked quite suspicious.
“There are bugs swarming in the sewers, right? I’ve made sure that the usual bugs and their scents won’t come up, but I’m worried about this one.”
Both Ash and the Butler are Spirit Possessed, so they should be fine. However, just in case. If it’s a Black Spirit the size of an insect, the two of them would be larger. Spirits that clearly can’t win won’t approach.
But I heard from Ash that there’s going to be an investigation in the sewers. There’s a chance that something could be chased up here.
“Lord Jean.”
“Yeah?”
The Butler called my name with a smile.
“Would it be alright if Lord Dinoss and Lord Retze visited this evening? If possible, I’d like to invite Lord Haulon as well.”
“Sure. Once I deliver the horse garment to Ruta, I don’t have any urgent matters to attend to.”
The evening plans were set.
I also heard from Ash that Dean had returned, so it’s probably about going to Es. Wait, the Butler’s smile seems a bit too formal!
“Don’t tell me it’s a lecture!?”
The Butler continued to smile!
“What’s this? Is this the reason!?”
The Butler kept smiling!
“It’s merely a sharing of information.”
The Butler bowed while still smiling!
…It felt ominous, but I resigned myself and headed to the horse rental shop. I had gone through the trouble of hiding it while making it.
“Ruta! Did you break something again?”
I patted Ruta’s neck as he approached me.
Before I could see him, I heard a noise and a voice exclaiming, “Ah!” He must have broken through the fence of the horse yard to come to me. This is the second time today. Should I increase the boarding fee again…?
While I was brushing him in the grooming area, the staff called over the farrier, saying that Ruta was calm when I was around, and they began to tend to his hooves.
They trim the hooves to balance them, attach horseshoes to prevent wear, and check the horse’s leg health. If a horse is overworked or has imbalanced hooves, it often leads to inflammation in the legs. Ruta received a clean bill of health.
After grooming, I dressed Ruta in his horse garment. Other horses were wearing the rental shop’s garments, but they weren’t very nice. I had to disguise Ruta’s garment to avoid any trouble if others wanted to buy him.
—It feels like working horses are treated better than humans. Horses are more expensive than humans here.
“Thank you. This is for the repair costs—no, it’s separate from the boarding fee. Please get new garments for the other horses too.”
Just enough to cover the cost of the horse garment and the staff’s clothing.
Here, there’s a custom of giving clothes from employers to employees once or twice a year. Depending on the shop, they might receive matching outfits, casual wear, or just fabric.
Now then. What should I have for dinner?
There’s a vague sense of unease, but since Retze frequently visits the Guild, he should have heard about the bugs in the sewers.
I want to know what’s happening in the city, but I’d prefer to finish my meal before the topic of the sewers comes up.