254 - - 二百五十二话 ルール

Vita explained the impact of the sanctuary and as we were trying to come up with rules for the future sanctuary, Dine suggested that we need a proper name for this place as well. At first we tried to name it "Drunkards' Paradise", but Dolly and Sylphy resisted, so we decided to call it "Spirits' Paradise", or "Paradise".

Although they have made no secret of their love for alcohol, they don't like to be used as an opportunity for such a thing. Maybe it's a complicated girl's mind. As for me, I was more interested in the drinkers. And it's a little embarrassing to call a place you pioneered a paradise.

"Then this is a paradise for spirits. It's called paradise. I'll explain the rules now that I have some of them..."

"Oh, yes, please, Sylphie."

"First of all, there is the matter of the brewing staff. This will not be a problem since we will bring spirits who have been making alcohol in other sanctuaries.

"Are you sure you can pull off something like that?"

Don't worry, the primary purpose of the other sanctuaries is to protect them. That's why we are making our sake in a very small way and being considerate of our surroundings. Here we can make sake with impunity. People will come here even if we don't invite them.

That's awfully convincing. And disturbing. I'm free from the restrictions of brewing. I'd better look around once in a while to make sure we're not doing anything rash.

"Okay then. When they start making sake, I'll go visit. And, what do you call it, sightseeing?　What about the spirits who come to play?"

We're going to treat it like any other sanctuary. We'll have to notify the palace of the spirits and get their permission."

I've never heard that word before.

"What's a palace of spirits?"

It's where the spirit kings hold their offices. The main function is to manage nature.

"Huh?　Didn't you say before that spirits are free and their rank doesn't mean much except for the king of spirits?"

"I told you before that there are times when I can't answer Yuta's summons if I am summoned by the Spirit King. There are times when he is summoned because he is short of hands. Other than that, you are basically free. The rank is also a measure of power.

"You told me something like that. I remember they said that if the Spirit King's call coincided with my emergency, I would be too unlucky."

"Yes, it's bad luck. Most things can be taken care of in the palace of spirits, so it's rare to get a call. So the spirits who work in the spirit palace are the ones who are good at that kind of work. Spirits are not always suited to the work, so it works out surprisingly well. As I recall, Dolly used to work there, didn't she?

Yes, I worked there a long time ago. The spirit palace tends to attract spirits who like a quiet and calm environment. It was quite fun."　

I see. I thought spirits were supposed to fly around freely and take it easy. I didn't know there was such a bureaucratic place. It's a pity that even spirits can't escape from that kind of organization. But, well, compared to the human society, the atmosphere seems to be much more relaxed.

"But if there is a permission system, what about children like Belle and Fuchu?　Can you get permission yourself?"

"Hmm, Yuta is too overprotective. Belle and her friends can at least ask for permission to do what they are interested in. But not if they are floating spirits and not conscious. But there are always caring spirits everywhere, so I'm sure the little ones will come to play in groups.

I know I'm being overprotective. I know he's older than me, but he looks and acts like he is. But surely Belle and her friends could storm into the palace of the spirits and say, "We'd love to have you!

As for the floating spirits who can't do that, it seems to me that a caring type of spirit like If will be leading them. There may be some gaps, but I guess it's not a problem for spirits who live for a long time.

"I see, so is there anything I should help with?　If you need a place to stay, I can get you something simple. ......"

"That's it, isn't it? As I told the Spirit Kings at the banquet, I'm going to use half of the area for making alcohol. With the other half, I want to eventually build a village-like place and create a life that can only be experienced in the sanctuary. Will you help me?"

What about putting half of the money into making alcohol?　I'm not sure if I'm supposed to say, "You're not going to use half of it," or "I'm amazed you could stand to use half of it.

"There's nothing wrong with cooperating. A village needs a house. Are you going to build a store too?

Yes, a bar, a diner, and a general store. It would be nice if we could rent things, since it's hard to own things when they leave the sanctuary. I know it's a long way off, but I've never built a village before, so just thinking about it is a lot of fun.

Sylphy and the others convey their excitement.

"Is it too soon to tell?　I don't think there's anything wrong with starting on it right away. ......"

"We also have to consider the price we'll give Yuta. We also need to find a spirit to take care of the store, and the first thing we need to focus on is making sake. Being able to make sake freely is more important than Yuta thinks.

Sylphy says to me with a serious face. More important than I think?　That makes me want to seriously consider a relationship with a genie in the future. .......

"Sylphy. In my mind Sylphy and her friends are the ones who love to drink. That's why I think that the spirits who love to drink are making a lot of noise about a big brewery being built. If it's more than that, I'm a little scared.

"Excuse me. It's not that bad. I'm just saying they're happy!"

Unusually, Sylphy argued loudly with me. It seems that what I had imagined was unexpected in her mind. But somehow I think my imagination is more correct.

"Well, let me get back to the point... Are you going to pay me a price?　My profits would be almost nothing if it weren't for Sylphy and the others. If I need money, I'll split the funds, and I don't need a reward. ......"

"No. Yuta has fulfilled our conditions and signed the contract. He's given us magical power, and it's only natural that we should cooperate. Yuta is the master of the paradise. If we ask him to cooperate with us by renting the land, it's natural that the spirit side should prepare the price. But it's the first time for a genie to pay a human being, so I'm worried about it.

I don't have to be so prescriptive about it, but I'm making enough money that it wouldn't be out of style, so it wouldn't be a problem for me to pay for it. I'm surprised that you have so many requests for alcohol when you have such a proper idea. I don't know where the line is. Are you saying that alcohol is a different thing?　

"Well, I sort of understand, but don't take it too hard. The Great Spirits are losing a lot of their magical power when they make a contract with me. You don't mind cooperating with them for free, do you?

"Hmmm, it's difficult to convert magic power into money. But thank you. If I'm short, I'll ask you to help me with that.

"Are we almost done?"

Yes. We've covered the general gist of it. We'll decide on the details as we go.

"Yes, sir."

"Well, it looks like we're done here. Yuta, I, Dine and If are going to talk to the breweries in the other sanctuary. Is that all right?

Yes, that's fine.

And the brewing will be done on the east side of paradise. So remove the rocks from the inside except for Yuta's place and the outer dividing line. I'm sorry to say that I should have made them, but I want to use the place more spacious."

...... That wall of rock, are we going to recover it after all? Well, it was better to build it under the same conditions, so it makes sense, but it's a bit empty. I wonder how many rock piles they cleared just by that?　But, it can be used to increase the area to be reclaimed. If it won't go to waste, let it sleep in the magic bag until we get another chance to use it.

"Okay. I'll put it in storage later."

"Yes, please. I'll see you later."

"I'm off too, sis!"

I'm off too!

Following Nomos, Dine and If run out of the living room.

"You three looked like you were having a good time."

"Well, we're going to build a big brewery. How can we not be enthusiastic? What are you going to do now, Yuta?

"For now, I'm going to go store some rocks. By the looks of him, he could come back at any time. I'll be fine on my own, so Sylphy, Dory and Vita can do what they want."

At that rate, he will fly as fast as he can and come right back with the spirits in tow. In reality, it would take some time to clean up the tools and other things, but there's nothing wrong with acting early in a situation like this.

"All right. Then I'll go with Yuta to decide where to build the brewery.

I'll go with you.

I'll keep an eye on the animals. Oh, we're almost out of food for the animals. We're running low on food for the night.

"Okay. I'd like to join you in feeding the animals, so let me know when you're ready. And while I'm here, I'd better prepare the food directly from the magic bag, right?"

Preparing meals is an effective way to gain the trust of the animals. I win the hearts of the animals in the sanctuary as their vigilance wanes.

"Yes, it's less work if I take it directly out of the magic bag. But I think we should wait a while before Yuta feeds them. Even if they are less cautious, they are still wild. I think that giving him some more time will be better for both Yuta and the animals."

Vita can see right through me.

"...... got it. If it's no longer a problem for you if I go, invite me."

"Yeah."

Vita leaves Vita to check on the animals, and I walk with Sylphy and Dolly to the east side of the paradise.

"But it's a little strange to see Sylphy and Dolly walking with me, isn't it?

"I doubt it.　I don't really remember walking next to Yuta, even though I have flown next to him. Maybe when we were eating?　When you are not materialized, you have to step on the ground with magic power, so there is no point in walking."

"I agree, flying is good, but walking is also good to feel close to nature. I remember when I went to visit the sanctuary. Oh, ...... this is now a sanctuary, too."

Dolly laughs and says, "I'm sorry I was so careless. I feel like we're having a very intimate conversation right now. Is it because I feel more at peace now that I'm in the sanctuary?