Chapter 67: Rishu
While I was wandering around aimlessly, the day of the Subjugation Squad’s departure had arrived.
“Mmm…”
Ash chewed thoughtfully, savoring his food.
“A warm breakfast is truly delightful. And everything is delicious,” the Butler praised, holding a slice of French toast made from a baguette.
Ash and the others would be away from the House for quite a while, so they had consumed all the perishable ingredients over the past few days, as I learned from two people I ran into returning from dining out.
That’s why I invited them for breakfast.
Today’s breakfast featured a menu heavily focused on bread and bread-like staples. Alongside it were dried fruits, a bit of meat if there was any left, and cold vegetable soup. Since they would be heading out to work as soon as the sun rose, we often skipped lighting a fire. It helped conserve firewood, after all.
It seemed Ash’s family boiled water for tea but didn’t cook much in the morning. Perhaps it was a Continental breakfast? The kind centered around cold dishes that don’t require cooking.
Well, even without cooking in the morning, there were plenty of freshly baked breads available for purchase outside.
The breakfast I prepared included French toast, croissants, and a small plate of butter and marmalade to accompany the baguette.
There was a small but jiggly omelet, ham, and three types of grilled sausages. Grilled onions and turnips, along with vegetable soup. I wanted to add orange juice, but I restrained myself and opted for tea instead.
I wished I could use potatoes or tomatoes as sides. I felt like I had already used them in a meal I served to Ash, but that was probably just my imagination.
In this world, both potatoes and tomatoes exist. However, the potatoes are tiny, about three centimeters, treated as flower bulbs in Naruadeid. The tomatoes are also small and poisonous, primarily used for ornamental purposes.
Corn is a bit different too; it must be a pre-cultivation variety.
“This is your lunch. Be careful.”
“Thanks, I’ll be off.”
“I appreciate it.”
I sent them off with their bento boxes. I had packed some for Dean and the others as well, so they were quite bulky, but I hoped they would manage.
Now, it’s time for me to gather building materials!
I collected plaster, stones, timber, and bricks for the Fireplace. I went around buying supplies under the pretense of repairing the House. If I couldn’t find everything in one place, I bought small amounts of similar items from different shops in the same Town.
The day passed quickly, and I brewed some coffee. Speaking of which, I intended to use the siphon method.
I had decided to build a small two-story house, with one room on the first floor and one on the second. It would be nice to drink tea on the first floor without taking off my shoes and to lounge around on the second floor when my Magic Power was depleted. Since the sanctuary isn’t very large, I wanted to make the garden spacious.
“Rishu, there’s a safe zone in the Forest now, so I can take you there.”
When I called his name, Rishu wagged his tail at my feet.
With this, I could spend time with him during the day while naming the Forest Spirits. I wanted to ensure Rishu had plenty of space to run around.
I activated [Teleportation] to the sanctuary in the Forest.
Inside the sanctuary, the Spirit I had named could come and go freely, but today, perhaps surprised to see Rishu with me, the Spirits scattered in all directions, like a flock of pigeons taking flight.
“Rishu, it’s safe up to that thin white line of light. You can play around.”
With this, we could communicate properly, and Rishu would follow what I said—he was a clever one.
First, I needed to level the ground for the building site. It seems there are hardly any earthquakes here, so they don’t consider seismic resistance much, but as a Japanese person, I wanted a sturdier foundation. I’d like to use through posts at the corners.
Having strength is wonderful. I dug holes efficiently, finishing the first task by midday.
Rishu typically had meat for breakfast and dinner, but I made sure he could drink water anytime. There was a spring here, so he was drinking from it, but I also filled his water bowl with water from the House.
Perhaps sensing my presence, Rishu came running over. After drinking from the bowl, he lay down beside me, playing with a twig he had picked up, gnawing on it while adjusting its angle with his front paws.
For lunch, I had a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, accompanied by frilly lettuce. I sipped tea while gazing at the white clouds drifting through the gaps in the branches above.
Days passed peacefully.
Or so I thought.
“…Tch.”
The Yukihyo still had his tail in his mouth.
“Why is Rishu-sama here?”
The Deer stood facing forward, not looking at me.
“…Tch.”
“It’s been five years since you vanished without a trace.”
“…Tch.”
“The sparrows say you disappeared after failing the Hero summoning.”
The Yukihyo seemed overwhelmed with emotion. Well, I couldn’t see his expression, but probably? When he glanced at Rishu, he resumed gnawing on the twig, indifferent.
“Rishu, were you this Yukihyo’s superior?”
Rishu looked up at me, tilting his head in confusion.
Did he not remember, or had he never intended to remember? Or was he just ignoring it because it was too much trouble?
“…!”
Then, Uma came rushing in, panting. He froze upon seeing Rishu.
“Could it be that Rishu’s previous home was in this Forest?”
A dog? A wolf? Either way, he seemed more suited to the Forest than to a place with people.