Chapter 307: Name of the Island
We passed through the glittering hallways until we reached the exit. It’s a relief that I had someone with me; it’d be troublesome if I walked around on my own then something went missing later.
「That lady seemed quite… peculiar. 」
The silence is unbearable while walking, so I broke the ice.
「She’s a remarkable girl, though…Back when she was just a kid, she happened to witness the Wheat Bough move, and that moment enthralled her. In just a decade, which is considerably a short span of time, she managed to rise to the rank of the Conservator of the 『Fae’s Bough 』. It would be easy if the Bough was a mere display; however, it would be difficult to become one without wealth and luck, although those two aren’t enough. 」
So Asmomee’s an excellent person if we disregard her being a pervert, huh. I wonder, is she so amazing that the old man could ignore her pervert tendencies, or is it just that his ability to let things slide is top notch? If Asmomee was the Custodian for such a long time, then it’s probably the former, huh. Maybe.
「Why did the Bough take on the shape of wheat when this land isn’t suitable for growing that crop? 」
「Hmm. This is the Gold Capital, and gold has been consecrated to the Bough since the olden times. It’s because of that that this city flourished. It’s already proven that this is the right thing to do, and yet they probably still felt the necessity to offer something superfluous. It’s unbelievable for folks here to till the land in the first place. 」
Yeah, I could understand his point.
「Apparently, it’s thanks to Asmomee-dono that gold has increased in recent years, but… I guess it’s only natural that it’s different since it’s already 50 years since I last visited this place. 」
The old man stopped on his tracks and gazed at the courtyard from the corridor.
「I see, may I ask where were you during those 50 years? 」
「Teorall. I served for the Light Spirit Namina in the fortress city of Anoma — what’s wrong? 」
I had unwittingly stepped away from him.
「Ahh, but isn’t Anoma quite far from here? 」
I smiled and asked in an attempt to gloss over it.
「Right, it will still take one and a half years even if you spend money on a ship and travel through the land route. 」
Traveling normally already costs money, so perhaps he’s saying that if you’re in a rush it would cost even more?
「May I ask why you opted to do the journey once again? 」
In this world, long journeys not only cost money, it also requires a lot of time, and might even be dangerous enough to be life-threatening.
「For some reason, I felt the stirrings of doubt within me not so long ago. I wondered if I was truly serving Spirit Namina. In order to dispel that doubt, I initially headed towards Shrum, the place said to be where the hero summoning occurred. I heard that Spirit Namina, the one who did the summoning, remained beside the heroes. 」
Eh, so he crossed the great continent just to clear his suspicions? It’s impressive what a serious person can do when he broods on his thoughts.
「So you went there to see Spirit Namina? 」
「That’s right. I thought that even a Sightless One like me would be able to see a spirit so powerful that she’s called a deity — I’m here, so I bet you can already guess how that went. 」
Alright, alright. I’m glad you came to your senses and regretted that.
「But pardon me, aren’t you an esteemed person yourself? 」
In appearance and speech, at least. And he’s being treated as a guest here too.
「Formerly, that is. The only eccentric folks who’ll stick around a Sightless senile guy would be Thomas and his older brother, I warrant. Well, it’s a relief that Thomas seems to have found a new master. 」
Thomas? Maybe he’s referring to Staff A? But that guy’s obviously having it hard.
When I turned my gaze to where Old Man was staring at while musing about these thoughts, I saw a virtuous looking guy who’s the spitting image of Staff A but older, probably by 5 years or so, standing there.
「Sage, you have arrived — and this is? 」
「He’s a guest, here to see the bough. I’m about to guide him to the exit. 」
「Oh, how astounding despite being so young! 」
I was lost for a moment there, wondering what’s so great about it when it hit me — it’s the donation, the donation, huh!
「Ah, business has been going well here, so it’s a token of my gratitude for that. 」
That’s not a lie, okay.
「Oh, congratulations. Sage, we have been permitted to go on a voyage to the Island of the Azure Spirit after a month. I will inform you regarding the details at a later time. 」
「Island of the Azure Spirit? 」
Oohh, doesn’t sound like an ordinary island based on its name, huh? What is it, what is it?
「You don’t know? Water suddenly gushed out abundantly on one of the islands nearby, and a beautiful city where blue fabrics are dyed is situated there. The number of people who can traverse the island is also limited, but it’s even harder to settle there. Rumors have it that Changelings abound there so it’s a bit restless — what? 」
「Ah, no, the name isn’t familiar, but it’s an island that I know very well. 」
I was excitedly thinking of swinging by that island — turns out it’s mine!
「So you wish to visit it as a tourist? 」
「Yeah. Apparently, a genuine Spirit Bough also lies on that island, and they’re looking for someone who can manage it. I don’t think I’ll be chosen, but still, it’s a great opportunity to see a genuine Bough that’s different from the Wheat Bough. 」
「I see. 」
『Hey, c’mere, you little spirit-kun! 』
『Me? What’s up~ 』
A spirit swaying on top of the center of a yellow flower approached me.
『Maybe it’s me?』
A spirit that was sticking its tiny arm and making swirls in the gold dust drew closer.
『What sort of person is this Gramps? 』
Research, research.
『He can’t See! Ah, but he can probably Sense us? He’s really considerate towards us~ 』
『He’s not easily influenced by us spirits, be it positive or negative! He’s a serious guy! Gets cranky when dealing with the higher-ups!! 』
The spirits all chimed in their opinions about the old man.
『What about the younger guy who was here before? 』
『Average! But he’s always on the grind! 』
『Workaholic! He takes good care of Gramps, but is so sloppy when it comes to himself! 』
「Alright, you’re in. 」
「What? 」
A no-nonsense person and a hustler — Soleil will be over the moon, for sure!
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
I Got Transferred in the Middle of a Mountain
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 80 hours
Thanks for the treat.