3 bar menu

Chapter 306: Worried About the Bough

If the Spirit Bough is a stalk of wheat, then what about the King’s Bough? Ah, but then, I guess you can’t imagine X-Stick’s figure based on Haniwa’s appearance too, huh, disregarding personality.

Oh, it moved.

…Do boughs move?

Just as the thought crossed my mind, the ears of wheat wriggled and twisted smoothly like fish despite their metallic appearance, as if giving me fan service.

…So they move, huh.

I remembered Haniwa.

「Eh, the Bough moved…!? 」
Staff A, who served as my guide and monitor, exclaimed softly. He stood rooted to the spot for a while, then he suddenly rushed out of the room in a fluster.

『I’m old so I can move, but I don’t normally do it. 』
The wheat ear suddenly spoke to me.

『You won’t move? 』
『I won’t move, I guess. It’s hard work, you see. Big Bro, you’re fluent in Spirit Lingo, huh? Me, it’s been a long time since I spoke to someone other than a spirit. 』
Nobody else was inside the room, so Wheat Ear and I talked. Well, talk is what I said, but we’re doing it telepathically, so other folks would only see me staring quietly at the Spirit Bough.

『You don’t know how to speak human? 』
『I know, but I don’t like using it. You see, if I speak using human language, strangers will definitely pester me with questions. 』
『Ahh, that will be a pain in the neck, I guess. They seem like they have tons to ask, after all. 』
Folks will definitely come here seeking advice or pray for wishes if it’s treated as an enshrined deity.

『Drop by from time to time. Once a decade is good. 』
『Once a decade is “from time to time” for you, huh. You’re so patient. 』
『I’m long-lived, after all. As long as human’s greed for gold coins doesn’t vanish, one-third of the oath is already kept. What a dicey existence I am, huh. 』
『Well, you’re in the shape of a wheat ear, but they don’t even have proper soil here. 』
『True. That’s why I’m usually asleep. 』
『I also have Spirit Boughs in my island, but there’s no way you can visit there, huh. 』
『Even if I did my best to move, I won’t be able to leave this land that had been chosen.』

King’s Bough couldn’t leave the kingdom or country it is in unless it’s carried by the king that owns it. Spirit Boughs are also the same, only the king or the person the king personally handed it to could move it to other places. Even if other folks try to carry it, it won’t budge, not even the slightest quiver, to the point that one might get the illusion that it’s connected to the land, apparently.

The only places Riche could carry X-Stick in his mouth were in the mountain where my house is, or else the sanctuary within the forest. Maybe on the island too? X-Stick also seemed the type to wander around on his own, and I guess country protection wasn’t included in the conditions in the first place too.

Having designated boundaries would probably be great for preventing theft, but it would probably be tedious for the Bough. Ah, Wheat Ear seemed to be patient, though.

「The Spirit Bough moved!? It’s been a decade, something must’ve occurred! 」
「No, nothing special happened. I was told that nothing also occurred ten years ago, so perhaps the Spirit Bough moves once every ten years! 」
I could sense people rushing here.

『Ah, the noisy one came. 』
『You don’t like it? 』
『When I moved just a tiny bit ten years ago, that person came here begging me to show it again while crying, going on and on all day long if there’s no work.』
『You’re so loved. 』
『That love is too heavy for me. 』

Three people burst into the room while we’re talking.

「A guest!? You, you failed to keep your eyes on someone within the Fae’s Bough!? 」
A tense young woman scolded Staff A, the guy who took off earlier leaving me all alone here.
Quite young, but she’s the superior, apparently.

The vibes she gave off were kinda like Ash’s friend Lilith and Soleil mashed together then halved. She’s a beauty, but those stern eyes glinted with determination and her lips were pursed. Her curled locks looked soft, and equally soft were those — cough, cough. She’s more like Soleil appearance-wise, without that knightley demeanor of Lilith.

「Ah, please do not mind me. It is thanks to him that I can gaze at such a beautiful Bough to my heart’s content. 」
「Of course, Wheat Ear-sama is exceedingly beautiful! 」
Of course? Wait, isn’t that beside the point? Wheat Ear-sama?

「Wheat Ear-sama, were you forced to do something heinous? 」
「What, heinously? 」
I unwittingly quipped.

「Fondling it, licking it all over, Bff…mggghh!! 」
「Asmomee-sama… Please pardon our rudeness, there had been groups who wished to take it out, or else scribble graffiti with the Bough in the past. 」
「Mgghh! Mgghh! 」
Staff A hurriedly blocked this Asmomee-sama person as he smiled at me.

『That love is too heavy, see. 』
『… I’ll help you when the time comes that you want to run away. 』
I unwittingly promised Wheat Ear.

I wanted to use how other Fae’s Boughs are managed and what sort of person is in charge of them, but it’s proving to be difficult.

「Asmomee-sama, please calm down. Nothing has changed with the Wheat Bough. 」
The old man who was the last person to enter the room said. Ah, he mashed up the names of the Bough.

This guy gives off that military vibe; his posture is upright and his way of speaking is brisk despite the white hair and deep wrinkles on his face. Still, he carried himself with an air of elegance. His voice wasn’t booming, but it was clear, giving the impression that he’s used to giving lectures or sermons. Maybe he’s the one managing this 『Fae’s Bough』?

「…I apologize for suspecting you. However, please understand that our Wheat Ear-sama is one and only, truly unique. 」
Asmomee seemed to have calmed down so Staff A released her. She apologized to me.

『But there’s three of us, you know. 』
Wheat Ear nonchalantly commented.

『Seems like I saw something I shouldn’t, so I’ll leave now. I’ll swing by again soon. 』
The entrance fee was exorbitant, so let’s extort some money from Soleil. Well, actually it’s just me collecting the sales revenue that I left in her charge all this time.

「Well, then, please excuse me now — Am I permitted to leave on my own? 」
Everything here is gilded, so it’s obvious that no one could stroll around here unsupervised.

「Allow me to escort you. 」
Staff A said.

「So, how and in what way did Wheat Ear-sama move!? 」
However, it’s plain to see that Asmomee had been clutching Staff A’s elbow since earlier…

「I’m also a guest, but allow me to lead you until the exit. 」
Old Man commented.

I thought he’s the top brass, but it turned out he’s also a guest. Eh? No way, then does that mean the top guy here is…

『It’s her, this here is the person in charge of this place. 』
『Uwahh. Good luck… 』

「No, we can’t trouble Heinz-sama… 」
「Was its movements as elegant as it is!? Explain! 」
Staff A was looking at us in a fluster, but Asmomee ignored that as she pulled him in front of Wheat Ear again. Then, it’s confirmed that Heinz is this old man’s name.

「No matter, Asmomee-dono will not be stopped. 」
「I deeply apologize for intruding during your pleasant conversation. Thank you for your understanding. 」
Staff A was on the verge of tears as he bowed.