Chapter 546: The People of the Surface and the Underworld
“I’ll just say this: Faramia has nothing to do with the Black Spirit.”
It’s probably just a name for the Underworld at this point.
After the 【転移】, I found myself in my house in Kanum. Haulon and the butler seemed to have a lot left unsaid, so I opened the door wide to let in some light and started boiling hot water for coffee.
The butler was grinding coffee beans with a satisfying crunch. I always thought coffee mills and siphons had such elegant designs, and when the butler was using them, it made for a lovely scene.
“I know that well; I met her in person.”
Haulon rested his chin on the table.
“So just meeting her makes it clear?”
If it were that easy, what about Faramia’s struggles?
“Even when she’s nearby, my Spirits are just ordinary.”
Haulon said it as if it were nothing.
“I see?”
Now that I think about it, the Black Spirit consumes Spirits, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there were some kind of reaction when it was around.
Looking back, the Spirits on the island were also quite ordinary around Faramia.
“If it’s that easy to tell, why are people so afraid?”
Perhaps Changeling types are a bit oblivious to the presence of Spirits, so I guess that’s understandable?
“There are few who can read the emotions of Spirits.”
“Well, that’s because they’re assassins. That’s scary, right?”
…
Now that I think about it, before the talk of the Black Cursed Child, even Auro and Kiel were feared by those who had one foot in the Underworld, mainly by those who had shady dealings or those who were just average in their line of work.
“I shouldn’t be the one to say this, but I never expected twins to settle in one place. I thought it would last at most two months.”
The butler cooled the boiled water slightly before brewing the coffee.
I love the taste of coffee, but I also adore its aroma. The butler’s coffee, while not as good as Retze’s, is a deep roast. I add milk for Ash.
Now, what kind of sweets go well with coffee? A lighter sweet pairs well with a milder, acidic coffee, while a heavier sweet complements a strong, bitter brew.
“Why did you introduce someone so dangerous? Were you aiming for the Fairy Path?”
Haulon asked, still leaning on his hand.
“I was asked to introduce someone in the same line of work. It seemed like they might be involved in negotiations and managing craftsmen, and since I thought Lord Jean’s business was on this side of the mountains, my plans got a bit derailed. I won’t deny I had a little ulterior motive, though.”
The fragrant coffee was served.
Ah, did the butler know that Auro and Kiel could use the Fairy Path—the Spirit Path—to travel to Naruadeid? He seems unaware of the entrance, though. The timing of the introduction was when Ash was still being targeted, so it makes sense as an escape route.
“Things are always just skirmishes here. If you consider the back-and-forth between Kanum and the Pasture, it’s definitely not something an ordinary person could manage. Especially not with Jean involved.”
Haulon shrugged.
“Me involved?”
I distributed butter cookies. They were more like shortbread—crisp yet rich with butter, moist in texture.
“An ordinary person would find it hard to keep up.”
“The work on the island doesn’t have a wide range around Naruadeid, you know?”
Though Talia recently had a new territory added.
“What kind of meeting did you have with Soleil?”
The butler inquired.
“I was undressed.”
That was quite the impactful statement.
“…”
“Could you explain a bit more clearly, please?”
Haulon asked in place of the silent butler.
“Well, it seems I was trying to escape from the foolish son of the trading company I worked for. Apparently, they managed to settle things on their end, but I was trying to swim to the island with nothing but myself.”
They had taken down the trading company, ensuring that the foolish son couldn’t remain in Naruadeid as a merchant. It seemed he chose Kiel’s island as a hiding spot until he could figure things out.
“That young lady…”
“That’s quite a rare encounter.”
Haulon and the butler sighed.
“I met Ash while I was injured from being stabbed, and he was giving me a tour.”
“…”
“…”
Haulon glanced at the butler.
The butler smiled without meeting his gaze!
“I’ve heard tales of the renowned former High Priest of Anoma being around.”
Haulon turned his attention back to me.
“I found him at the temple in Naruadeid and scouted him normally.”
Initially, it was my attendant, Orlando, who was the main focus, but now I’m grateful for that meeting. He’s calm, unfazed by the Changelings’ antics, and has the heart of a grandfather.
“If he was scouted and came right away, I doubt the journey from Fortress City Anoma to Naruadeid was long…”
“To incorporate a well-known assassin group in the Underworld and have a renowned former High Priest and Sword Master on the surface, this is quite a unique island.”
The butler held the cup elegantly, saucer and all.
“I suppose the Sword Master was called in by Soleil and the others for prestige, right? If I recall correctly.”
I still don’t understand why he chose to work for us. His personality shifted from grumpy to athletic all of a sudden.
“Just confirming the stories I’ve heard is one thing, but what would happen if I actually went to Blue Spirit Island?”
Haulon bit into a butter cookie, looking like he wanted to sigh.
There’s nothing to worry about! There are ordinary residents living there!