Chapter 419: The Measuring Stick
“So? What happens if I eat this?”
Retze asked, holding one of the Usa Apples.
“The surrounding Spirits will lend their power, and it seems it will be easier to absorb the power they offer.”
“Does that mean the compatibility improves, reducing the loss when a person receives power from the Spirits?”
Haulon nodded in understanding.
“Something like that.”
“Can you stop speaking so formally? It makes me uneasy.”
Dinoss interjected.
“Effectively, that’s about right.”
“Did you just rephrase that?!”
Dinoss seemed overly particular.
“It shows interest in the person who eats it and will poke at their stomach. The eaten apple gets digested, but the effect seems to linger in the stomach. Even when not using magic, it will automatically share the Spirit’s power, so it accumulates in the stomach.”
I had no choice but to explain in detail.
“Accumulates in the stomach…”
“Is it fat or something?”
Retze shot back at Dinoss, who was repeating my words.
“There’s a place in the abdomen called Tanden where magic power is refined…”
“Exactly, you can store the Spirit’s power in the Tanden.”
The long explanation that started with the results of [Appraisal] changed to Tanden.
Thanks to Haulon’s explanation and the function of the Language skill, it was translated to ‘Tanden’ in a way I could understand.
“Jean, if you understand, could you please elaborate a bit more… just a little?”
Haulon wore a pained expression. Karn remained silent, but the deep furrow in his brow deepened.
Sorry? I know difficult words and can write stiff essays, but I tend to think in simpler, clearer terms to understand things…
Because of that, I felt like the results of [Appraisal] were in complete chaos. Generally known information tends to come out concisely.
“Whether you eat it whole or cut it, the effect doesn’t change?”
“It doesn’t change, but the amount does. It just depends on how wide or narrow the range is where the Spirits notice it.”
I answered Retze’s question.
“I see. It doesn’t feel as hard as metal when I hold it.”
Retze observed.
“Yeah, it felt dense when peeled, but still within the realm of an apple, I guess? Or rather, did it give up and turn into an apple after the first slice? When it wasn’t scratched, it looked metallic, just like its appearance.”
Even a knife on par with the Spirit Sword didn’t work, so I had to use the Zanzenken to slice through it cleanly.
“…”
The Butler wore a subtle smile.
“…”
Dinoss placed a hand on his forehead.
“What on earth is a resigned golden apple…”
Haulon gazed off into the distance.
“…”
Karn slightly shook his head.
“You mentioned bringing more, but is it a large quantity?”
“No, there are only these two golden apples. I lectured them that it’s not good to deviate from the appearance of fruits, so they probably won’t create anything naturally, but if I ask, I think they’ll enjoy making it.”
“Let’s refrain from deviating from the contents as well?”
“I made sure to request that the apple tastes like an apple and is delicious.”
I’ve learned my lesson.
“In Jean’s case, the additional effects are… The appearance and taste are apple-like, but the effects of the Golden Apple are no joke. Well, this Golden Apple was made by the Spirits on a whim, and I suppose they stopped after that?”
“Yeah.”
The red ones look tastier than the golden ones anyway.
“So, if there’s a golden apple, there must be others?”
“There are Silver and Copper ones, but they’re inferior versions of gold. The Silver has a biased attribute for summoning Spirits, and the Copper seems to have weaker summoning power.”
Also, there are apricots, but I’ll keep that to myself.
“…”
“…!”
Please stop pulling my cheeks silently. They stretch.
“The fact that you’re not making eye contact means there’s something strange left, huh—well, if it’s in a place where others can’t take it out like Silver and Copper, I won’t pry.”
He released my cheeks and sighed.
“If I introduce everything, it’ll be morning.”
Various things have been happening little by little in places out of sight! Some were even disguised!
“…Why did you only bring the Golden Apple?”
Haulon said, rubbing his temples.
“Well, I wanted to showcase what I could make. I can’t clearly understand its social standing on my own.”
I’ve been gathering knowledge from the Library, but the cultural advancement varies greatly depending on the location in this world.
“You…”
“You…”
“Lord Jean…?”
Dinoss’s grimace, Haulon’s wail, and the Butler’s confusion were good indicators of their feelings.
“I will definitely confirm it myself…”
“Try to find a better method.”
Retze and Karn’s voices were filled with exasperation.
“Because it’s easy to understand!”
“I’ll cry, you know?!”
“Stop saying that!”
“Was it a deliberate act…?”
The three of them shouted over my words.
It wasn’t like this at first, you know? But now, I’m grateful for their help.