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Chapter 362: Spirit Case Files

「There is no need to worry. Our island is only accessible to small boats and the possible intrusion routes are very limited. 」
Auro beamed as he assured me. At any rate, it seems like it’d be fine to reject Lady Roza so I felt relieved.

I was still worried that we’d be attacked by spirits, but thanks to Gramps’ directive, suitable magic circles had been drawn at every important place on the island. I should talk to the spirits living on the island and the neighboring areas too.

「We have received instructions from Paulor-sama regarding security and communication with nearby towns in case of emergencies. I’m not suitable for external public relations, after all. 」
Auro explained with his head bowed slightly, perhaps out of respect for Gramps.

Gramps is so capable…!

「Soleil-sama’s expertise and pride lies in her ability to lay the groundwork for business transactions — 」
He wasn’t bowing this time, but looking down at the floor.

「Uwuwu, even the floor is a work of art… 」
I followed his gaze and saw Soleil prostrated on the ground. She had the cushion beneath her face as she admired the floor.

Her dress was spread, revealing the silhouette of her perky butt. Hey, woman, should you be doing that?

「Ehem. 」
Kiel deliberately cleared his throat and pulled the sheet off the table and covered Soleil with it.

「Uwah, you’re so skilled! 」
He did that trick thing where you pull the cloth without disturbing the things on the table. Faramir had carried most of the tableware to the sink and washed them, but how did Kiel manage to do that trick with a cloth that huge?

「Hmpf. 」
Kiel snorted proudly.

Another piece of riddle for me — is Kiel excellent or not? Hmm, I’m not sure if he is, but he sure is a muscle-brained guy.

And so, our little gathering went our separate ways afterward, and I teleported back to my 『House』.

Riche rushed towards me and sniff-checked me all over, then we played tug of war afterward. The rope given by the Earthfolks is sturdy and useful just as I wished.

Still, it certainly won’t last forever, so I had to find a replacement before my stock runs out. Riche must be having fun since he was gnawing and pulling the rope with great gusto, so it’s only a matter of time before this rope wears out.

Riche’s weight is proportional to his size whenever he runs to me or when we play together, but his footfalls don’t make a sound and he doesn’t really have an actual weight, much like the spirits floating around.

Even so, Riche weighs as much as a normal puppy does whenever we play, so I’d end up lifting him up if I pulled the rope seriously. I would tug at the rope closer to the ground or shake it from side to side so that won’t happen, although I guess it’d be fun for him too if I were to lift him up and twirl him around.

I brewed coffee after playing with Riche, then got down to business naming the spirits. When naming ordinary spirits, I just had to get the record notebook and place it on the table and it would jot the names down automatically, but I still open it properly from time to time. Spirit Noth of the Notebook would record everything even if I just verbally name them, so it’s pretty convenient.

I also regularly go to the Magical Woods to do some workout capturing black spirits. Notebook Spirit Noth would also follow after me covered in light just like a human soul, and the names are automatically recorded, just as you’d expect. It’s kind of nostalgic reminiscing the times when I run around naming spirits and just jotting the number of the last one to be named.

The island spirits were sorted out to become the Spirit Bough’s retainers, so there’s no need for Notebook Spirit Noth. I just had to ask for their help through X-Stick. I’ve heard that the normal King’s Boughs could vanish if you wish for something other than what you swore to do, though.

The spirits who opted not to go to『Fae’s Bough』and settle in my tower instead had become Blue Lizard-kun’s retainers — hm, I guess I’d better prepare a notebook, just in case.

In order for Notebook Spirit Noth to be born, I had to fill three to four notebooks with names on my own. I’m not sure if that many spirits would come to the tower, but let’s just give it a go later while gazing at the sea and the Dragon Continent.

***
The following day, I finished working on the fields early in the morning then teleported to Canum.

Ash and I are going on a riding trip today. It’s the season when tender-looking leaf buds are starting to sprout. I let Ruta gallop as he pleased.

We finally reached the landmark tree we usually stopped at, and we got off our horses while chortling and chuckling. We then started grooming the horses right away. Butler doesn’t come with us these days; he just sends us off at the door with a “have a great time”.

Ash and I stood side by side as we wiped the sweat off our horses and brushed them.

「Mm… 」
「Yeah, I should burn some insect repellent first, huh. I prepared a mixture that’s gentle on the horses. 」

Horseflies and black flies, which normally comes out during the summer season, were already swarming despite it being early spring. Ash and I smeared insect repellents before we left the house, but the horses were defenseless.

I watched Ruta driving the horse flies swarming his butt with his tail as I kindled the insect repellent that looked like a candle. The beeswax started to melt, dissolving the ingredients that had been hardened by the wax. A soft, indescribable scent began to waft through the air; it was a refreshing scent that smells like fresh verdure.

There’s a peculiar note in the scent, but it wasn’t harsh, and it wouldn’t bother you after 5 minutes of inhaling it.

Hmm, should I make a horse suit to keep the bugs off? Horseflies and stinging insects were relatively rare on the island, which is good, but I think the island is way too hot for Ruta, so the plan to move them to the island doesn’t seem to progress yet.

「Really, why are they coming out this season? It’s too early for them. 」
「Noth, Dinosso and the others are looking into right now. 」
I went back to Ash’s side and continued brushing Ruta.

Ash usually stays quiet, but it feels really nice doing the same thing side by side and eating together.

「Is there a reason for this happening now? 」
「Mm. Seems like there are black spirits moving around in woods, the canals and sewages of Canum. 」

Romantic conversations between Ash and I are practically non-existent, though.