Chapter 68: Uma
In the town where I buy timber, the buildings are generally constructed with stone walls, allowing them to stand on their own.
“…Tch.”
“More powerful than any Spirit.”
There are no pillars or beams. The roof is simply placed atop the stone walls. Even the roof alone is quite heavy, creating a structure that feels like it’s being pressed down from above.
“…Tch.”
“More free than any Spirit.”
While the arch structure is strong against loads from above, it would be utterly dangerous if an earthquake struck from below.
“…Tch.”
“That voice reaches every corner of the world.”
If the stones used are as large as those in castles or fortresses, it would be a different story, but as a Japanese person, I can’t help but feel uneasy about ordinary houses.
“…Tch.”
“Trampling upon those who call themselves the Apostles of Wind.”
However, there’s a silver lining: wooden structures are weak to fire, and reinforced concrete deteriorates over time, but stone and plaster are fire-resistant. Plaster, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and re-crystallizes back into limestone, is sturdier than I expected.
“…Tch.”
“Protecting this Forest.”
So, they adopt continuous pillars and beams while using stone masonry and plaster for the walls. To prevent resonance, it’s better for the stones to be intentionally uneven.
“…Tch.”
“What a sight that is.”
Wait, isn’t it better if stone walls are somewhat loose rather than tightly packed to absorb vibrations?
“…Tch.”
“A year ago, even the faintest presence vanished from this world.”
Could that be because Rishu came to my house? And what’s this about the Apostle of Wind? Is it related to the fact that there are only forests in the east of this continent, while the rest is plains or barren mountains?
I had been completely ignoring the ongoing praise for Rishu and lamenting her current state, but now this Yukihyo has started talking about the origins of this land.
Rishu, as usual, is indifferent, busy peeling the bark off branches.
“Apostle of Wind?”
“…Tch.”
“The entourage of the previous Hero.”
What a useless Hero!!!
“…Tch.”
“Stripping away the power of Kadal, the one who governs the green.”
“…Tch.”
“They created a vessel that runs on water.”
A vessel that runs on water… a ship? The image of the port in Naruadeid flashes in my mind. Sorry, previous Hero, but I’m also benefiting from it, yes.
“Sorry. I probably use that vessel conveniently too.”
I can’t help but pat Rishu’s chest and belly with both hands. I wouldn’t know what to do if Rishu started to dislike me.
“…Tch.”
“It’s a matter of degree.”
“…Tch.”
“Even now, the forests in the west have not returned.”
Ah, the current Nakahara and beyond are also grasslands. It’s strange that there are so many wooden pillars in the old houses, but maybe it used to be a forest too.
“I’ve heard that the current summoner is a Light Spirit, but it’s far from peaceful. The moment I went to check, I was forcibly drained of power by the current Hero’s magic, and look at this mess.”
Uma snorts derisively.
“—I thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve managed to avoid falling into cannibalism among my kind.”
When our eyes meet, Uma looks away and expresses gratitude.
“That’s something you should say to these two. I’m the one who’s been given this place.”
It seems like it originally belonged to Rishu.
“There’s something troublesome in that place. A high-ranking Spirit with no deficiencies, yet it’s still a cannibal among its kind. It’s still weak, but it’s protected by the Hero, so you shouldn’t approach it. The Hero is stronger than you.”
Uma warns me.
“I won’t go near it, so don’t worry.”
Uma is the one I can communicate with the best, but unfortunately, he doesn’t know much about Rishu. Yukihyo has just been half-crying and praising her, and the Deer is out of the question.
The melted part of Uma’s shoulder is starting to heal, which is a relief. By the way, Uma was pure white before he was stained black.
“Did you lose most of your power along with your memories?”
I don’t quite understand the mechanics of the map, nor do I know how much Rishu remembers.
The Ball of Light summoned me when Rishu had shrunk. If her memories suddenly returned and she left home, I’d feel lonely.
I finish my afternoon tasks early and head back home. It’s not that I’m bored with Yukihyo’s repetitive stories. It’s just that Uma stopped me first.
I plan to create a field in a flat area I found in the mountains during my walk and plant the potatoes from this world. Spring and autumn are the planting seasons, and I’ve chosen the largest seed potatoes I could find. They look a bit like sweet potatoes, which makes me a little anxious.
I cut the seed potatoes in half and stick ash on the cut surfaces before burying them in the furrows. I still have the growth-promoting powder set aside, but I’ll just grow them normally. After nearly a year in this world, I’ve started to get a sense of what exists and what doesn’t.
Even among the things that exist, there are many that aren’t recognized as food. With [Appraisal], I can identify the original species of the vegetables I know. The items in the Pantry can only be grown within this property, so I’m thinking of gathering the original species from various places and trying to make them edible.
The reason I’m motivated is because of the Spirits. According to the books, if you become friendly with the Spirits of the land’s soil and water and cultivate them, you might get good vegetables or flowers that you’ve never seen before.
I don’t have knowledge of genetic modification or breeding, but it seems possible, doesn’t it?
I’m determined to enrich the dining table of this world just a little bit.