Kays Translations

Chapter 268: A Voice Directly in My Head

What should I do? There appeared to be no temple or altar dedicated to the spirits anywhere I could think of. In that case, perhaps I should simply build one in a suitable place. But…

“Julius. Julius.”

Who was speaking directly into my mind? The voice was familiar. Yes—it belonged to the Spirit of the Lake.

“Why are you speaking to me all of a sudden?”

“There is no need for anything so grand. A small household shrine will suffice.”

How did the Spirit of the Lake know I was considering a shrine? Perhaps the god who had sent me to this world and the spirits were connected somehow. In that case, I saw no reason to object.

A household shrine would be enough. Understood.

“What is it, Julius?”

“I just received a message from the Spirit of the Lake.”

“What in the world…?”

Sister-in-law Daniela went pale. She must have assumed it was an ominous warning. Admittedly, hearing a voice inside one's head would provoke that reaction. I hurriedly waved my hands.

“It is nothing bad. The spirit merely said that I should build a small household shrine and leave offerings there.”

“A household shrine? Still, for a spirit to speak to you merely about that…”

“They must really want some dried fruit.”

I smiled, and Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela returned strained smiles. They were probably thinking, What a glutton. By coincidence, I was one too.

At least the decision had been made: I would leave offerings at a household shrine. The remaining question was where to put it.

“Brother Alex, may I have a small room built in a corner of the courtyard to house it?”

“Yes. Many people pass through the garden, so the quieter courtyard would be more appropriate.”

“I agree. When I return to the royal castle, I shall suggest establishing one there as well.”

“Thank you.”

I did not think the royal family necessarily needed to worship the spirits, but they probably wanted to preserve a connection with them. Perhaps I had said something unnecessary again.

“I shall discuss it with Father too. Julius, could you design the shrine?”

“Certainly. Leave it to me.”

I would give it wooden double doors and three nested chambers, with the innermost door permanently sealed. Inside that chamber, I would place a spirit stone representing the spirits. I would keep the whole shrine small enough to carry.

After parting from Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela, I returned to the workshop yet again. Today had become unusually busy. Perhaps I should leave the shrine until another day.

“Hurry. Hurry and make it.”

“…”

“Lord Julius, is something wrong?”

“No. I merely feel as though all my motivation has suddenly drained away.”

“Pardon?”

Nero looked puzzled, but I wanted to be puzzled along with him. I had only been trying to do something kind…

I began constructing the shrine from spare wood in the workshop. Before long, Rosalia arrived carrying Mira. Apparently, she had successfully reported the dishwasher-dryer to Mother.

“Brother, Father and Mother wish to see you.”

“Understood. Did something happen?”

Rosalia and Mira tilted their heads in perfect unison. Their combined cuteness was overwhelming. Nero was trying to hide a smile; he must have felt the same.

Not knowing what this was about, I went straight to Father's study. Rosalia and the others followed.

I knocked and entered. Father and Mother were inside, along with Brother Alex. Was this about the shrine? If I explained that the spirit had requested it, surely they would approve…

“Excuse me. Did something happen? Is this about the household shrine? The spirit insisted, so…”

“No, this is not about the shrine. Alex already told us. We shall prepare a place in the courtyard, so you may install it there.”

“Thank you. Then what did you wish to discuss?”

I could feel everyone staring at me. They were smiling, so it did not seem to be bad news. Then Brother Alex narrowed his eyes until they were almost closed.

“Julius, you said earlier that you had not caused any trouble, did you not?”

“Yes, but… I truly have not, have I?”

I tilted my head. Mother, seated beside Father, leaned forward. Could this be about the dishwasher-dryer? If so, they should be asking Rosalia, not me.

“I heard that you created a magic potion called liquid detergent which removes even the most stubborn stains.”

“Oh…”

That? I had found it troublesome to dissolve soap whenever detergent was needed, so I had made a product that was liquid from the start. While I was at it, I had improved its stain-removing power and made it easier to rinse away.

“It is already becoming popular. The territorial knights are not the only ones asking to use it; the household staff want it too.”

“I also heard that you made a detergent for dishes. Apparently, a very small amount removes grease, rinses away easily and does not harm the hands.”

The cooks must have continued testing the dishwashing detergent after we left. For a small number of dishes, hand-washing would certainly be faster than using the machine.

They must also have been testing new recipes. They acted quickly. I was looking forward to dinner.

“What do you intend to do with it?”

“What do you mean?”

Father buried his face in his hands. Had I said something strange? Mother and Brother Alex were also staring at me in exasperation.

“Do you intend to sell it?”

Ah. I had not thought that far ahead. I had only wanted to make life easier for everyone in House Heine, but perhaps it should be made available to the public. I could not possibly manufacture it all myself, though. This called for my usual strategy: delegation.

“I shall sell the recipe to the Magic Pharmacists' Guild.”

“That may be best. Alternatively, since the project has grown this large, we could employ a dedicated magic pharmacist and sell the detergent as a House Heine product alongside the dried fruit.”

“In that case, why not include the magic tools Julius and Rosalia have developed in the same product line?”

“Agreed. We shall need a magic-tool maker as well. I leave the arrangements to you, Alex.”

“Of course, Father.”

Brother Alex's face contorted. Father had just delegated the entire matter to him.

Apparently, my own tendency to delegate had come from Father. Like father, like son.

Brother Alex was glaring at me now. Oops.

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