Chapter 406: Design
“If I seriously increase the number of contracted Spirits and make them collectively stronger than the Hero—or rather, stronger than the Ball of Light—then I should be able to avoid encounters altogether.”
Whenever the topic of the Hero comes up, I can’t help but feel a sense of gravity. I’ve decided to leave that matter alone, so I just try to avoid getting involved.
I pull out a deck of cards.
“Right, if I contract a lot of Spirits… that’s the conclusion I’m reaching… ugh.” Haulon presses his fingers to his eyes.
“I don’t really understand the whole Spirit thing, but Gene’s approach seems the most peaceful. I don’t get the power dynamics among Spirits, though,” Retze says.
“Don’t emphasize that. The Spirit Realm is terrible, but the human realm is definitely peaceful. Thanks to Gene indiscriminately naming them, there’s no bias, and since there’s no active servitude, it’s peaceful! It’s peaceful…!”
“The damage is just our common sense being shaken,” the Butler mutters, not making eye contact with anyone and staring off into the distance.
“The more you know about Spirits, the more everything gets shaken up,” Karn adds quietly.
“And on top of that, only a select few of us know that Spirits are being named more and more,” Dinoss chimes in.
“Just give it up,” Retze says.
“I can’t imagine a world where Spirits are invisible since I’m benefiting from the visible life. But for the first time, I think it’s nice that they’re invisible,” Haulon says, glancing at the Daifuku resting on Retze’s lap.
Perhaps sensing the gaze, the Daifuku, which was about to slip off Retze’s lap, stretches one front leg in a yawn and curls back up.
“You can move over to my lap, you know?”
“Peaceful, peaceful,” I start dealing the cards.
“Before we know it, we might have half of the Spirit Realm in our hands… What are we going to do?” Haulon flips over the cards dealt to him.
“Fifty-one.” The game involves collecting cards to get as close to fifty-one as possible, counting face cards as ten and Aces as either eleven or one. There are variations like fixing Aces at eleven or including Jokers, but I’m just applying my hazy recollection of the rules. We also play other games like Tic-Tac-Toe and Battleship.
I’m thinking of making some Shogi pieces next, but when strategy and tactics come into play, I tend to lose… What kind of game can I win?
Everyone checks their cards, and the game begins. It’s peaceful, indeed.
◇ ◆ ◇
Now then, today I’m in the Northern Lands again to process the ebony I received.
My mountain isn’t that big, so finding a flat area is a bit tricky. Well, there are flat spots for a House or Barn, but the ebony is large…
So, I bring the ebony to a desolate flat area. I use the Zanzenken to swiftly cut off branches, letting them absorb moisture and dry out.
Before I knew it, the Spirit of Dryness had increased. In fact, a Spirit specifically for drying timber was born—how pinpoint accurate!
That’s fine, but does this mean I need to regularly dry the timber, or will it disappear? No, I can sustain it with my Magic Power, just like Karn supports Baylis with Kanum.
I want to paint the walls white and put on a red roof, but since they requested ebony, I guess they prefer it black, Wanwan.
Should I make it so that a human-shaped figure can lie down inside?
…
Inside, I could lay down a futon on a pedestal with a railing, making it look like a small shrine? Maybe add some gold leaf for a touch of elegance—though it might end up looking like a Buddhist altar. No, if I shape it properly, it could work!
While pondering this, I start processing the dried ebony into boards and timber with the Zanzenken, making it easier to work with.
Even though it’s ebony, a completely normal doghouse would be nice too. If I hang a nameplate with Japanese writing, it might not get noticed.
Would a doghouse on the pedestal of the shrine be okay? Alright, if I make a doghouse sized for a dog-shaped Wanwan, it won’t use up too much timber, so I’ll make both.
I’ll order the design for the railings and openwork from the Earth Folk—right now, they seem quite lively and busy with the timber and Spirit Iron I provided, so they should be thrilled to help with the new ebony material.
With my plan set, I approach Gamri of the Black Iron Pit to discuss it, getting introductions to those skilled in carpentry and carving, and entrusting them with the work.
As for me, I’ll study the architecture of this world a bit more. …Wait, am I really going to use timber that isn’t straight? Is the balance of the woodwork based on experience?
While recalling Japanese techniques, I convey my thoughts. Cooking is covered by All Cooking, so I can easily recreate things I’ve seen or eaten in Japan, even if my memories are hazy.
But Production Talent is a talent, so just having vague knowledge doesn’t guarantee success.
“Hmm, how about this?”
“Oh, finally straightened out…”
“Really! So this is how you join the wood. And the joints are beautiful too!”
With a scale of about one-twentieth, I work alongside the Earth Folk carpenters and builders, discussing how to do things differently. I’m trying to recreate Japanese houses and techniques from my hazy memories.
It seems my intelligence—or rather, memory—has improved, as I manage to recall and convey the work of Japanese craftsmen I’ve seen in videos. It was a program about shrine carpenters.
Scattered around are failed experiments, like white wooden chopsticks that were used and discarded. I’ve repeatedly made various unclear parts to shape what I’ve learned.
In the center of the table is a partially crafted dollhouse—though it might be a bit too big to call it that? A miniature doghouse for Wanwan.
Some decorations have been set up as samples, and since there are people diligently working, this doghouse should turn out beautifully. What I’ll use it for afterward remains a mystery.
Yeah, the model is a chaotic mix of shrines, temples, and local construction methods and decorations. It’s impossible to perfectly replicate Japanese techniques and designs.