Chapter 544: The Effect of the King’s Branch
“…Goat, they call me Captain Goat.”
The cat captain introduces himself in a somewhat mechanical manner.
“Cat! You’re really obsessed with Spirits!”
Ex-Staff bursts into laughter.
“Obsessed, huh?”
I glance at the cat captain.
Is that why he looks like a cat? The Wind Spirit seemed to have a friendly vibe, so it’s probably about a different Spirit, right?
“…”
The cat captain sits in a relaxed position, his ears slightly drooping.
“Is it real…?”
He mutters, looking thoroughly unconvinced.
“Yes… For some reason, it’s being carried around, but it is indeed real.”
For some reason, Haulon also looks away.
“Ex-Staff is Ex-Staff, right?”
Soleil smiles brightly.
“I’ve heard that in front of the ‘King’s Branch,’ there’s a strange pressure that makes it impossible to deny it’s not the ‘King’s Branch.’ I see now, this is it.”
The cat captain nods.
“It is possible to verbally deny it. But in your heart, you can’t help but affirm that this is definitely the ‘King’s Branch,’ can you?”
Haulon sounds somewhat resigned.
I feed a hungry Ex-Staff a hot dog.
“But Ex-Staff is Ex-Staff.”
Soleil beams.
It feels like there’s a refusal to call him anything else—like rejecting the title of ‘King’s Branch.’
“You’re managing to strike a pretty good balance, huh?”
Haulon seems impressed with Soleil.
“I didn’t think the ‘King’s Branch’ could be eaten. I thought it was something that, like Spirits, lived off morning dew or something.”
The cat captain stares at Ex-Staff in disbelief.
“It’s delicious! The food Jean makes is blessed from the ingredients, so we can actually eat it!”
Ex-Staff, having finished his meal quickly, declares.
What I served him was a simple hot dog topped with onions and relish—finely chopped pickles. The bread is crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, while the sausage, slightly protruding from the bun, bursts with juices when bitten into.
Even though the ingredients are simple, the size is still considerable, but Ex-Staff’s bites are always a mystery.
“What do you mean by ‘blessed’?”
That can’t be about the blessings from the Gods that I receive, right?
“You’re asking Jean about that?”
Haulon leans back, sounding exasperated.
“Spirits prefer things close to their attributes: light, the veil of night, the flowing wind, the earth. These are widely found in the world, so many Spirits are influenced by them. Next are water, morning dew, night dew, and clear streams—fire’s flicker, heat, color. The scent of flowers, the rustling of trees.”
“Are those… food?”
I can’t help but interject.
“What Spirits like are usually things that influence them, things that strengthen their existence. Among the phenomena I just mentioned, many Spirits gain power and vitality from them.”
Well, I know that Spirits tend to eat what they like and gather to gain strength.
“Since it’s something that happens on a broad scale, it’s usually dispersed, but a place where it’s somewhat concentrated is the ‘Spirit’s Branch,’ right? I think the location of your field resembles the environment of a ‘Spirit’s Branch,’ where Spirits gather and spread their subtle powers. The subtle powers of Spirits can be absorbed by any Spirit, enhancing their existence.”
Haulon continues explaining.
“The fact that it has flavor means it contains those subtle powers, making this world closer to the Spirits. —It’s a long explanation, but essentially, blessed ingredients are the harvest from places where Spirits reside.”
So, is the final answer that the ingredients that taste good are those that Spirits or Changelings eat?
Does it mean that only things that interest me have flavor because they provide me with power? Haralfa loves pollen, after all.
“The ingredients from Blue Spirit Island, while not boasting, are almost all blessed. Flowers bloom all year round, and pleasant water flows, making the entire island a ‘Spirit’s Branch.'”
Soleil says proudly.
“If it’s delicious, then that’s a good thing.”
“You really do summarize things carelessly…”
Sorry, I appreciate the detailed explanation, but I can’t keep up with it. Because if I pursue all the little questions, it seems like I’ll ultimately have to perfectly understand Spirits. Spirits are just so irrational.
Besides, I suspect that the structure of this world changes based on the whims of people like me…
“For now, I’m relieved that I’m more drawn to food than the ‘King’s Branch.’ Thanks.”
I thank the cat captain! Even with his ears drooping!
“Whether it’s being carried around or poking at rabbit holes, Ex-Staff has the effect of attracting those who hold the same wishes as ‘the wished wish.'”
The Butler begins to speak while looking slightly down at Ex-Staff.
Ex-Staff is friendly, so he won’t get angry even if I look him in the eye, right?
“They say the strength of the wish of the one who wished is also the strength that attracts.”
Haulon adds.
“So, the captain’s friend had the same wish as the ‘King’s Branch’ he saw?”
It sounds like the strength of the wish from the person being attracted also has an influence.
Could it be quite troublesome? It’s good for gathering residents with the same wish, but…
“It seems difficult for people to resist Ex-Staff’s ‘wish,’ but since the wishers are lenient, it might be a relief.”
The Butler says with a solemn expression.
“Ah…”
Haulon looks at me.
“I see…”
Soleil adds.
“This guy, huh?”
The cat captain points.
“…”
Faramia remains silent.
What’s going on?