Chapter 78: Reading
I finished reading the book about this Library. The text was large, and despite its thickness, I was able to read through it quickly. Each chapter was adorned with beautiful gold leaf decorations that captivated my attention. Some patterns were embossed with glue, giving them a raised appearance, while the thin foil resembled solid chunks of gold. The blues of lapis lazuli and azurite were stunning.
I need to focus; I have to find a book about Spirits. The Library’s book had a rough classification system laid out. It seems that the broader categories can be found in the wide aisles, while the narrower classifications branch off in the thin passages between the bookshelves.
However, the noisy books are isolated in a different room. Almost every book here is inhabited by a Spirit, and those Spirits tend to be quiet and prefer stillness, whether they reside in the book or attach themselves later.
It’s not just a matter of preference; some Spirits seem to experience time flowing slowly. Generally, they are quiet. However, adventure tales and certain magical tomes are filled with eager Spirits that can’t help but chatter and move about restlessly, which is why they’ve been shoved into another room, disregarding classification.
Only the sound of my footsteps echoed in the tranquil space.
I need to find a way to capture Spirits that doesn’t rely on physical means—though first, I should learn more about Spirits. I hope I don’t encounter the same erroneous methods as last time, making it impossible to discern the right approach.
I chose a mix of older books and newer ones, opting for those that had multiple copies alongside unique editions.
The older books might contain insights closer to the essence of Spirits, while the newer ones could present the thoughts of past researchers in a clearer manner. The more common titles likely reflect widely accepted ideas, while the unique ones might be heretical or rare.
Once I find something intriguing, I can choose which direction to take my reading. With that in mind, I gathered four books and returned to my small room.
Drinks are permitted, so I opted for coffee. Unfortunately, I only have a practical camping cup stored away. It’s a shame to use it here, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Next time, I’ll bring a more elegant cup.
The aroma of coffee filled the small room.
The first book had a deep brown cover with beautiful gold embellishments, and the parchment was uniformly thinly shaved. The ink had darkened to a brown hue, and some of the white undercoating had flaked off the pages. My excitement quietly surged.
Among Spirits, light and darkness are the easiest to be born from. These two attributes tend to mix well with others. While pure Spirits are stronger when their attributes don’t mix, the longer they exist, the more opportunities they have to be influenced and blended, ultimately making the strongest Spirits those that are mixed.
Earth, water, fire, and wind are referred to as the four elements, while light and darkness seem to have a slight distinction. Light and darkness are always born in pairs, but they easily integrate into any attribute, and humans unknowingly consume them in large quantities, leading to discrepancies in their abundance in the world.
Light, fire, and earth are more responsive to human calls—among other things. It’s a bit complicated, but as expected from a book with Spirits, the information is sinking in well.
Parchment varies in texture depending on its use. The beautiful gold is smooth, while books with many illustrations tend to be slightly rough to enhance the adhesion of the paint. Some books have a velvet-like texture. The content is enjoyable, but so is the feel of the material.
By the way, the term “People of Luf” appears frequently in the older books and once in the newer ones. In the older texts, they are described as those connected to Spirits, while in the newer ones, they are referred to as descendants of Spirits. But how can they be descendants when Spirits are still active today?
What piques my interest isn’t that, but the line stating, “The Hero possesses abilities equal to Luf.” It seems I should also investigate Luf.
After returning the finished book, I borrowed a new one. Here, there’s no distinction between day and night, and outside sounds don’t intrude. It’s a luxury to lose track of time while reading.
When I stepped outside, it was morning. I had been so engrossed in reading that I hadn’t even noticed my hunger. It’s time for Rishu’s walk!
I greeted the elderly man who had assisted me earlier and handed him a small amount of gold. It seems the money I saved for buying books isn’t necessary after all.
“Thank you! With this, I can purchase flowers and water.”
The water on this Island is said to be slightly salty in most places, so they want to prepare good water for the Spirits.
“I’ll bring the water separately.”
Yes, I’m definitely planning to come back.
I used [Teleportation] to return home.
“Rishu, I’m back!”
As soon as I called out, Rishu dashed out of the room.
Though it has warmed up quite a bit, early mornings are still quite chilly. My house isn’t as warm as Thermist, where I was just before, but it’s located in a region that stays warm even in winter. However, being on a mountain means it does snow in winter. Kanum is even colder.
Rishu, being a Spirit of ice, is lively even in the cold. He runs here and there, sniffing the ground before returning to the mountain path I walk. Checking his territory is important, and exercise and walking are different things.
I still want to see the sights in Thermist, and I’d like to check out the silverware too. Would a handkerchief made of lace be a suitable souvenir for Dinoss’s wife and daughter? No, I’d rather not attract the attention of tax collectors.
While disappearing food is safe, having the same thing every time lacks creativity.
I decided to gather willow branches while I was out for a walk. I remembered that they would be used for weaving baskets at the Dinoss Family. I also thought of thinly shaved chestnut boards, which can be skillfully woven into everything from simple to beautiful items. The intricate crafts are the specialty of the wife, and fruits are often placed in them for decoration on the dining table.
I’ll give them some sweets along with this.
Back home, I brushed Rishu while petting him. Being a puppy, his fur is fluffy. Even without brushing, it doesn’t get tangled or form mats, but this is our bonding time.
Now, I’m definitely feeling hungry.
I shucked some small oysters and rinsed them in saltwater. I prepared porridge by adding water, kelp, a bit of sake, and salt. After removing the kelp, I tossed in the oysters and spinach, then quickly turned off the heat and covered it.
The oysters can be eaten raw, so warming them is all that’s needed. I’ll turn the removed kelp into tsukudani later.
Today’s breakfast is oyster porridge. The saltiness is just right, and it has a gentle flavor. After the meal, I enjoyed pickled red turnips and tea.
I wonder if Ash and the others have returned by now?