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Chapter 340: Matters Hereafter

「I’m so old that it wouldn’t be strange if I pass away, so I also passed everything to Orlando, but — 」
「I do not possess enough mana. It would still be difficult for me to draw the first circle even with the support from other people. 」
Orlando-kun continued Gramps explanation while beckoning to Soleil.

Kiel was standing behind her. I wonder what they’re here for?

「I wish to teach children with potential and raise them to be my future successors as custodian of this 『Fae’s Bough』. If Ny-sama allows, Orlando will succeed me, and the third generation will be someone born from this island. 」

Oh no, Gramps is talking about the future. I’m gonna get an earful if I tell them that I recruited them to be Soleil’s buddy personnel.

「I thought you’d recommend Asmomee’s niece. 」
He seemed quite close to that Bough-loving girl.

「Arina is just mimicking Asmomee-dono’s behavior. She doesn’t even wish to become a priestess, and though she behaves like that, she doesn’t truly wish for a Bough-sama. There seemed to be a reason why she imitates her… 」

「Oh, is that so? 」
「I’m afraid so. 」
Gramps, you can really see through people, huh. I totally thought she’s Asmomee Number 2.

「Then I’m leaving the future generations in your hands. May I also attend the magic circle lessons from time to time? 」
「But of course. Ny-sama, will you be teaching them? 」
Gramps grinned at me.

Gold, Silver and Soleil all froze a bit. Mm, does that mean Gramps shouldn’t have any idea that I could also draw magic circles, then?

「Ah, no, I have never seen people draw them, so I just want to see it in action. 」
「I see, my conjecture is correct then. You can draw them too, is that right? Then these spirit lamps must be your creations, Ny-sama. 」
Gramps’ smile deepened.

「Yeah, but my method of drawing is skewed. 」
I only examine the object I wish to see, so I don’t have any sort of system.

I continued the conversation with no intention of hiding anything. He already noticed the spirit lamps in the 『Fae’s Bough』, and the things he could reveal to others are also restricted thanks to his contract with me.

Oh well, Soleil would be the one suffering from all the things we would talk about, though.

「If it’s alright with Auro-dono and Kiel-dono, I would like to invite you too ー I can also do attributes other than Light. Magic circles that can be used for security and communication might be handy for you. 」
「With pleasure, we will be in your care. 」
Auro agreed while beaming.

Kiel was averting his gaze. Oh, maybe because he’s muscle-brained, he hates studying? But he came off as being conscientious with detailed work, though?

「Come to think of it, Soleil, do you need anything from me? 」
「That’s right, there’s something I wanted to ask you. Are tourists allowed to see these spirit lamps!? We’re keeping mum about them in the meantime by opening the 『Fae’s Bough』 to the public during day time when it’s bright and quiet, but if somebody gets wind of it, I’m absolutely positive that they’re gonna demand that I sell them! 」

Quiet? Is that because it’s morning, or is it because of Haniwa?

「Just brush it off by saying we bought it from a traveling Earthkin. 」
「Traveling Earthkin, what the heck is that?! 」

The rumor about Earthkins hoarding treasures underground is a pretty famous one, although they’re just a bunch of ordinary craftsmen when you actually meet them.

Spirit silver and gold might be expensive, but for the Earthkin, they are just materials for creating items, plain and simple. The different tools are more precious to them.

Earthkins cannot draw magic circles, but the Northern Continent’s chasm is brimming with artifacts that they can use to have the spirits do their bidding. It’s literally a treasure trove. The spirit lamps made out of glass, in particular, were carefully handled, so many of them had magic circles still left in them.　

Earthkin themselves favor fire attributes over light, apparently, so they didn’t use the spirit lamps. They love working with their hands, and they have this slight satisfaction in lighting candles, I think? The reason they took those lamps must be to study the designs of their ancestors.

They didn’t seem to be impressed with the chilly plates and spirit lamps that I made, so I guess they must be used to seeing them. Despite possessing so many handy things, Earthkins prefer not to use them, and it’s their determination and dignity that draws me to them.

「One more thing, I’ve been receiving complaints that strange voices were resounding from your tower!! 」
「We forbid anyone from approaching that place. They can’t check it themselves, so they’ve been pestering us instead. What the heck are those bold voices, huh? 」
Kiel, who came here to confirm what’s going on, pressed for an answer.

Oh dear, that’s right, that place didn’t have any soundproofing, plus the tower walls are thick, but the air vents are completely open! Gridd of the Red Silver Valley will also be coming two days from now, so it’ll be even more boisterous!

「Ahh, those are craftsmen that agreed to help me coordinate the furniture in the tower. Things will probably be rowdy for ten days or so, so please bear with it. 」
「Wasn’t that tower complete as it was? It was already gorgeous beyond compare… 」
Soleil found it hard to believe.

She was praising it, but I just made them according to my memory of the towers I saw in a film back in Japan.

「Is there really such an impressive tower here? 」
「My house. 」
Orlando-kun asked in wonder, so I answered him.

「But this 『Home of the Spirits』is already magnificent… 」
「I’ll tour you around once it’s done. 」
Gramps seemed curious about it too.

「I’m not sure how to feel about it, it’s exciting, but it’s also scary… Will my blood pressure be alright… 」
Soleil muttered while pinching between her brows.

Eh, is your blood pressure high? But you’re so young!