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Chapter 393: It’s Too Early and It’s Scary

「So surreal… 」
Dinosso stared at the top.

The pedestal is so high and wide that Haniwa wouldn’t be visible if I were to put it on top. It was created with the assumption that Nalluahdid’s 『Spirit Bough』 is a wheat.

Ah, no, I think even the wheat won’t be visible if I placed it here, no? There is supposed to be another sculpture on top of this pedestal, giving the impression of holding something up with both hands. I ordered it for the boughs, but it was a failure. That sculpture had been installed on the wall behind Haniwa, near him.

The pedestal housing Haniwa, it wasn’t tall, just up to my waist.

As for why it turned out like that — let’s have a flashback of a certain conversation on the island.

***

「It’s made out of a tree, so it shouldn’t break even if it topples over, right? 」
「Probably? Ah, but the white and black boughs will probably break since they’re delicate? 」
I answered Soleil.

The Shahira’s Bough that I got from Khan resembled mistletoes. The finely branched delicate bough had a metallic, coral-like and ephemeral feel to them. I already witnessed it break and crumble to pieces before, though.

「This strange-looking Bough seems quite sturdy — if this one moves, then does that mean the other Boughs do too? 」
「Pardon, but if it moves vigorously, then won’t it be in danger too, given its diameter? 」
Kiel and Auro.

A strange Bough and a thick Bough… Is that an assumption, or is the movement expected?

「 Should we adjust the height so that it’s still safe just in case it falls? 」
「That’s a good idea. 」
I agreed with Soleil.

Yup, we’re assuming that Haniwa’s gonna move.

Remodeling complete — no, end of flashback, I mean.

That’s why the whale pedestal became a spare, but who knew it’d be given a second life in an underground temple in the desert, huh.

The centerpiece where the Bough would be originally stationed was positioned around the same height as my head. Now, a pillar taller than a Bough sat there — Asas was looking down on me.

「Thank goodness we can’t see his lower half depending on the angle… 」
I unconsciously averted my eyes.

Asas trembled in response.

「Oh well, it looks like an piece of sculpture. 」
Retze said something nice!

「That’s true; his face is gorgeous and the body line from his shoulder downwards is truly magnificent! 」
Hauron followed up!

「Erm, what about Doggy’s kennel, how big should it be, and where should I put it? 」
「Stop saying kennel! 」
Hauron said.

「It’s a tradition for the God of War to protect the facade. 」
Khan’s tone was grave.

「I see. Then let’s put it at the entrance, that’s the spot — so that he can pounce on and bite anyone suspicious right away. 」
I glanced at the entrance of the hall.

「Don’t treat him like a guard dog!! 」
Ahh, Hauron has too many demands!

「Thick trees suitable for building are extremely valuable in the desert. Ebony trees, in particular, are transported from distant and perilous dragon lands, and they pass through many hands just to come here, so they’re actually a symbol of power. 」
「Yeah, and it resembles a palm tree, tall and slender, when it’s hot. 」
I listened to Khan’s explanation.

Ebony can supposedly grow in hot places, but it can’t be found in the desert, as you might guess. Ever since Doggy requested an ebony bed, I’ve been doing my research among the tiny spirits by the River Es. However, its origin is still a mystery to me; I don’t even know where it grows, like, is it located beyond River Es, or perhaps in the far south, or maybe it’s one of the materials used by dragons to make their nests.

「Where do they get the ebony? 」
However, it seems like our ex-Majesty knows where to get it, huh.

「We buy it from the folks who serve the dragons. They’re located further south from here, beyond the place where grasslands spread and sparse trees grow. But that was so long ago, before the River Es meandered significantly. The trades had long ceased. 」
Khan said.

「Hey, don’t incite this guy, he’s gonna sneak around going places at this rate. 」
Dinosso stopped Khan.

Ah, I’ll go. But then, I had to pass through that scary jungle-looking place if I’m going South, though.

「Wait, there’s more. Back in my day, the rulers’ chairs should be made from ebony. If you try to excavate the countless city ruins, you’d get enough ebony to make a seat for the Deity of Tempest and War. 」
「Gathering countless thrones of rulers in order to make his seat… Truly fitting for the God of Tempest and War. 」

Asas was shaking and rattling above us. His face is becoming blurry because of the motion…

「Can I get enough materials to make a kennel? 」
「You won’t know until you search for it. 」

「I got a feeling that Es would come first before that — ack, she’s here!! 」
Water had started trickling into the entrance before we know it.

「Eh!? 」
「T-That’s impossible! This place had been designed so that only a fixed amount of water will enter even if the entire place outside had already been flooded! 」

Ahh, now that I think about it, we went down the stairs into a well-like square structure, and it led to a corridor that sloped upward.

「But isn’t the water ignoring the law of physics right now? 」
It was reminiscent of waves crashing gently against the sandy beach, although I also spotted some areas with rough and choppy waters here and there. No, rather than rippling waves, they’re more like playful dolphins jumping out, only to be swallowed up in the thin layer of water. It was abnormal.

「 — My wife Es! I will not abide with him, I will never obey! I want to freely frolic among the gorgeous butterflies and bees! 」
The water started snaking and coiling around the pedestal of the rattling Asas.

「Scary. 」
「Fufu, my beloved… 」
The water turned into Es’s shape and smiled after it reached the end of the pillar.