Chapter 410: The Employees Are All Energetic
What’s going on? Soleil seems a bit off… no, it’s more like he has an overwhelming love for art and crafts.
My tower has a newly installed door for the first-floor storage room. The parts for the internal shelves have arrived, but they’re still waiting to be assembled. Once everything is ready, I plan to have it put together while making adjustments; this is the last piece. We’ve been busy with banquets and storing materials, after all.
Since it’s just a storage room, it could have been left as is, but it seems Soleil couldn’t stand the thought of leaving this room untouched…! He nearly fainted just from the makeshift banquet tables made by the Earth Folk.
The office desk I gifted to Soleil was assembled in the spacious storage room before being carried out of the tower. I remember him clinging to the entrance door, crying out, “It’s going to get rained on!” The desk was wrapped in cloth for protection, so I didn’t see his reaction then.
Sorry, but it looks like the storage room door is getting replaced too…
Feeling a bit conflicted, I placed the souvenir box on the side table. The wooden box is also made by the Earth Folk, who seem to prefer a sturdy and practical style, giving it a rugged feel.
I like that rugged style too, so I plan to furnish the Forest House with similar pieces. The plants I’ve planted over there have grown, blending nicely with the natural vegetation of the forest, creating a lovely garden.
“I have two sets of game boards and pieces, so you can use them for four players.” I popped open the box lid to reveal the contents.
It’s a game similar to chess, popular in Naruadeid. I took out the checkered board, made of maple and ebony, crafted by the Earth Folk. The seams are only distinguishable by the color differences, and I arranged the delicate pieces on top.
“Eep…” Soleil froze in place.
“Please, handle them gently and with care,” a trembling voice escaped from Soleil.
These pieces were a trial run made from ebony. The maple pieces came from Dogu-chan’s lake. Even the branches—though they’re just regular log sizes—can be crafted into various forms.
“This is magnificent,” Kiel said, unusually impressed.
“For Kiel to recognize its beauty… the craftsman must be exceptionally skilled,” Auro smiled.
I can’t quite tell if Kiel and Auro are close or at odds with each other.
“It’s wonderful. How should I put it? It shines like a jewel. I hesitate to even touch it. I wonder how much a single piece like this would be worth…” Soleil gazed at the pieces, entranced.
By the way, I’ve left plenty of fingerprints on them. I wiped them off, but still…
“And here’s this too.” I presented a small box with inlay work and another with marquetry. Just two of the various items.
Thanks to Dogu-chan’s Great Tree, the woodworkers are thriving, but other specialists are struggling. I’ve tried providing Spirit Iron and other materials, but only the chosen skilled craftsmen seem to have the right to process them.
With my vague knowledge, I introduced the concept of trick boxes, secret boxes, and crafted boxes. I also mentioned music boxes, locks, and keys. We have keys, but they’re not very complex, so I informed them about the existence of more intricate designs. I don’t know the structures, though!
The Earth Folk are becoming obsessed with recreating those items. I’m sure they’ll eventually produce something beautifully representative of their culture, but they can experiment with leftover materials for the structural recreations.
How do the Earth Folk manage to make such precise adjustments with their thick fingers?
“This is beautiful too… The marquetry and inlay usually end up rough, but the wood’s luster and smoothness make me think it could almost cling to my hand just by looking at it. The inlay is made from mother-of-pearl, and is that a walrus tusk? While ivory is the norm around here, this is beautiful too,” Soleil explained, lost in admiration. It’s amusing how he can explain while practically shouting; he really is a businessman at heart.
He’s leaning in so close that his breath is fogging up the surface. He’s even kneeling to get a better look. And just before he knelt, Faramia slipped a cushion under him.
Aren’t you going to stop him? You’re encouraging this odd behavior? The relationship between these two is quite mysterious.
“And this is candy,” I said.
“Alright, let’s have tea,” Kiel replied without missing a beat. He swiftly swatted away the hand I had extended.
And smoothly, Faramia began putting away the game board and small boxes. Auro joined in silently, ignoring the entranced Soleil, wrapping everything back in soft cloth.
“Ahhh, just a little longer, let me admire them…!”
“You’ll get crumbs from the tea and sweets all over them,” Faramia continued her work without changing her expression.
“Ugh…” Soleil slumped down in disappointment. Kiel might cause a ruckus, after all! It can’t be helped!
“Soleil, let’s order a display shelf that fits this,” Faramia suggested.
“Yes, I’ll place the order. Make sure it has glass, so we can see inside!” Soleil’s face lit up with excitement at Faramia’s words. It’s a pretty simple structure.
“No, I want you to play the game normally,” I added. You can put something in the small boxes too, you know.
The sweets for all the employees were quickly locked away in a cupboard. This lock has been opened several times after fierce battles in the dead of night, so I hope the Earth Folk can create a more complex lock soon.
What kind of battles are happening over sweets on my island?
“We compete and improve our skills every night. Right now, there are a few who could sneak into the king’s bedroom of a great nation…”
Auro smiled cheerfully.
What on earth are they training for…?