Chapter 618: The Professional
I stepped out of the castle gate and crossed the stone bridge that also served as a waterway, arriving at the square. This area was still within the castle grounds, surrounded by the castle walls that housed various lodgings and a livestock shed.
After passing through, I entered the town square. The castle square and the town square were separated at night by a black iron gate.
The gate, crafted by Washiku, a cold-sensitive Earth Folk, was pitch black. It was adorned with beautiful gold embellishments made by the goldsmith Austaniss. At night, tourists often wandered around as the gate closed.
I had also asked Washiku and Austaniss to make zippers for me, but we hit a snag with mass production. The details were just too intricate!
The town was primarily made up of stone buildings and roads. However, thanks to Charles, who arranged trees and flowers, it had a vibrant atmosphere. As a condition for living on this island, I had included tasks like cleaning the waterways and nurturing flowers at doorsteps and windows, so I wasn’t working alone, but he was the mastermind behind it all.
Once a viscount and now a gardener, he had a romantic relationship with a noble lady—though the details might differ, his background was quite flashy. So far, there had been no trouble with women on the island.
In the center of the square stood the “Spirit’s Branch,” overflowing with flowers, greenery, and water, creating a beautiful sight. The entrance stairs were designed to be a security measure, making it a bit difficult to enter!
“Excuse me,” I called out, and the two guards straightened up sharply.
They could have waved their hands or said something more casual, like “Welcome!”
“Welcome! Nii-sama!” A girl, acting as a guide, appeared before I could even mention Grandfather Paorul.
She was different from the last time. They probably rotated shifts; the working hours for boys and girls were kept short.
I had a vague desire to change the title of “Branch Guardian” to something more fitting for the temple. Considering that Haniwa was a guardian, it felt quite earnest.
Guided by the cheerful girl, I made my way through the garden of the “Spirit’s Branch.” This island was generally rich in spirits, but this place was particularly abundant.
There were three Spirit’s Branches here, which was only natural, but I wondered if Shahira’s black and white branches counted as one. They didn’t have the effect of warding off the Black Spirits, but spirits often gathered around! Thanks to Haniwa, I had the added worry of nighttime noise!
“Nii-sama, welcome!” Grandfather Paorul greeted me, accompanied by Orlando.
“Kate, go on to the study where everyone is,” Orlando gently nudged the girl who had guided us.
“I’m a bit late; the children must be ready for dinner by now.” I had lost track of time while watching the changeling’s reactions to the cream puffs and dishes.
Entering Grandfather Paorul’s home, I laid out the food on the table. The dishes I imagined children would love included hamburgers, curry, and omelets.
Today’s menu featured hamburgers topped with fried eggs and shrimp tempura. The sides were potatoes, sweet corn, and broccoli.
“Keep bringing it out!”
I definitely wouldn’t use [Storage] in front of the kids. I had only told them that “dishes blessed by the spirits would be served.”
Wishing for the spirits’ blessings on the food and tools was a normal duty of the “Spirit’s Branch” and the temple. The suspicious array of dishes that appeared was all thanks to Orlando’s cooking skills.
While I left the children to Orlando, I sat down with Grandfather Paorul. A zabuton was wandering between us. It should just settle under Grandfather Paorul!
“Are you getting used to life here?”
The menu included clam chowder, grilled eggplant, marinated fruit tomatoes, fried lotus root and burdock, and braised salted pork, served with bread and red wine.
Though it was called salted pork, the brine also included white wine and herbs. After simmering, it was cut into about three-centimeter thick slices and browned in the oven. It was tender enough to fall apart with a fork, melting in the mouth.
I had adjusted the recipes I learned in this world to be lower in salt. Here, “salted” meant a heavy hand, after all. While it was correct for preservation, I preferred to prioritize flavor, especially with [Storage] at my disposal.
However, for those accustomed to strong salt flavors, my cooking might taste bland. Fortunately, the dishes from the Talia Peninsula and Naruadeid weren’t overly salty, and Grandfather Paorul had no issues since he was close to the Demon Forest, where meat was readily available, coming from Anoma.
“Yes. I am grateful every day for the fulfillment of teaching and the joy of serving the spirits. Thanks to you, Nii-sama, I have also realized my dream of seeing the spirits.” Grandfather Paorul spoke gently.
…The joy of serving, referring to that Haniwa? Surely, it couldn’t be that he saw something different from me—no, judging by Soleil and the others’ reactions, that wasn’t the case. Was Grandfather Paorul just too generous?
“Is there anything troubling you? Even related to the branches?” Noise, laser lights, or the blinding mirror ball, perhaps?
“I am more comfortable here than when I was in Naruadeid. Being surrounded by the ambition of those in Anoma has rejuvenated me.”
Grandfather Paorul, a fortress of resilience…! You can complain about the branches, you know!?
“Nii-sama, do you have any troubles or requests? I may not be able to do much, but I would like to help fulfill your ideals and ease your worries.”
Even if he offered, I didn’t have any particular troubles. Most of my requests were handled by Soleil, who was right in front of me, including Grandfather Paorul.
“Oh, by the way, is there a way to help a ghost pass on?”
I had thought about going to the Spirit Library to research, but here was the professional—wasn’t he? The temple here didn’t seem to deal much with the dead? I lacked confidence since I had never interacted with the temple in that regard.
“It’s a technique to erase a person’s thoughts. I will teach you after dinner—though the food for the children looks delicious, this is quite tasty as well.” He said, bringing a spoonful of clam chowder to his mouth and tearing off a piece of bread.
It seemed he had some knowledge about how to help spirits pass on. The Revenge Plan for the Land of Ruin was on; this time, I would prepare properly.