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Chapter 314: Successfully Captured

When the office doors opened, Soleil was standing there with the huge windows behind her. She welcomed us with a huge smile —

「…. 」
— which crumbled as soon as she saw us. She staggered towards the leather covered chair and plopped down on it.

「Goodness, I asked you to bring someone normal, NORMAL, and yet… No, I guess it’s my fault for having high hopes but totally forgetting that this guy’s normal is anything but normal… 」
She put her elbows on the desk and buried her face in her hands while mumbling.

「Soleil-sama… The guests are confused. 」
Faramir politely said to Soleil.

「…Pardon my rudeness. It’s my pleasure to meet you, Paulor Heinz-sama, I am Soleil. Are you perhaps visiting this island because you’re considering the position for managing the『Fae’s Bough』? 」
Soleil stood up with a professional smile.

Oh, so Gramps’s full name is Paulor Heinz. So he has a proper surname, huh.

「The pleasure is all mine, Soleil-sama. News really travels fast — We came here today as per Ny-dono’s invitation, but it’s true that I plan to visit another day. It’s just that I am not sure whether a person like me, who abandoned the place I served after losing my faith, would be suitable to become the Bough’s custodian…. 」
Gramps, you have to show motivation during the interview!!

「If Paulor-sama is unqualified, then I’m afraid almost no one else can qualify to be a custodian. 」
Soleil replied and Gramps bowed in response.

「It seems the Boughs here are extremely unique, but if it’s alright to know, what are their requirements, and what blessings do they bring? 」
「They desire cleanliness and they summon spirits — please sign the contract first before we delve into the details. The donations will be allocated for the maintenance and management of the 『Fae’s Bough』, with the 40% given to Lord Paulor. Additionally, we will be providing a fixed amount each month, and please use that to manage Fae’s Bough’s employees. Further details are included in this document. 」
Soleil gestured for them to be seated as she briefly explained.

「40%, that’s a huge amount. Free use of spirit water — if the Bough is genuine then this clause is understandable for independent temples, but isn’t it supposed to be the property of the town? Doesn’t it belong to the fief lord? 」
Gramps commented while skimming through the document.

Sorry. The effect of the water that generates『Fae’s Bough』’s stable income shouldn’t be any different from the water you can scoop in the canals near the castle, probably.

「Entry to the island is being restricted. Frankly speaking, we won’t be able to generate the same income that the 『Fae’s Bough』 of other towns receive. Given the circumstance, we hope that you understand and pardon the frugality — however, if Paulor-sama agrees to stay with us, we can add another 10% to your compensation. 」
Soleil offered with a smile.

Gramps and Orlando-kun carefully read the documents and conditions; tea had been served before they noticed. Soleil magnificently glossed over the truth about the Boughs.

「If your companion also agrees to stay, then please sign here together. 」
Faramir placed the contract document when it was time for signing.

Gramps accepted the terms and conditions and signed. Orlando-kun also signed his name below Gramps’s signature.

「Nice, gotcha!! 」
I said while making a victory pose.

「Ha? 」
Orlando-kun raised his voice dumbfoundedly.

Auro had already approached them without their notice. He took the pen and papers and placed them before me.

「Eh!? 」
Orlando-kun’s eyes went as wide as saucers as he stared at me.

「So the contract partner is not Soleil-sama, but Ny-dono? I did have an inkling that you must be someone with an important position… Governor, or perhaps a steward…? 」
「Wha, what!! We’re in the presence of the Fief Lord, yet you say our contractual partner is somebody else!? That’s outright disrespect towards Heinz-sama!! 」
Orlando-kun was trembling.

「No, you did sign the contract with the Fief Lord of this island, and that is no other than MiLord. 」
Auro beamed.

「Excuse me then, I might look like I don’t know what I’m doing, but it’s true that I’m Fief Lord Soleil Ny. Oh, wait, was it Ny Soleil?* 」
「Hey, I know I told you that you should add a surname, but you’re way too perfunctory. 」
Kiel, who had been standing quietly in the room looking like a subordinate who deeply respects his master, suddenly spoke.

「I am usually in the forefront as the fief lord’s proxy, but I only handle the administrative work. Everything on this island belongs to Ny-sama, including the Spirit Boughs. Quite a number of Changelings are staying here, but they are also contracted to Ny-sama. 」
Soleil explained with a sigh.

「Huuuuuhhhhh!!!??? But I haven’t heard anything about that! Just what sort of information control are you doing!? 」
Orlando shouted.

「I’m acting as the proxy, and it’s clearly specified in the contract too, you know? But for some reason, people immediately go back to thinking I’m the Fief Lord even if I deny it to death! Yes I totally understand that our names are way too similar and people can easily confuse them, but isn’t it too much that even the heads of the Commerce Guild and Maritime Guild make that mistake!? Isn’t it too strange!?」
Soleil yelled.

Ooh, they immediately started their job of shouting together.

「Ah, right, about the Spirit Bough’s requirements that must be kept — there’s nothing in particular. And about the spirit summoning, that’s only what it does. It doesn’t block monsters, so please work hard. 」
I said while handing the documents I finished signing back to Auro.

「Huh!? No, that’s too strange!! There’s no way such a Bough exists. Which kingdom did you get it from!? 」
「Yes there is a Bough like that. Just give up. 」
I soothed the excitable Orlando-kun who was totally riled up by now.

「Then what the heck is that Bough for!? 」
「A decoration meant as Temple-repellant. 」
「There’s no way that’s true!! 」

「….Ahhh, what a totally normal reaction. 」
Soleil seemed moved to tears.

Well, I’m glad that you’re satisfied. But it’s a bit too noisy.