Chapter 158 - Small and Neatly Wrapped Up
After dinner, during our break, I explained how I acquired the [Civil Engineering] skill.
It had a rather troublesome prerequisite: raising [Applied Earth Magic] to skill level 5.
"Even if Bell-bucho were to acquire [Applied Earth Magic], it's debatable whether she'd want the [Civil Engineering] skill."
"There is no need for her to acquire the [Civil Engineering] skill. More importantly, were there no other books in your library, Brother? When one speaks of
"I'll check again later, but I think it was just
I read the plant and animal encyclopedias, and there should have been a few other types.
I read [Basic Magicology] and [Applied Earth Magic], but I don't think there were any other magic books.
"Hmm, perhaps the books on [Applied Magicology] can only be obtained within the [Ancient Ruins]."
"Huh? Aren't they available at the [Mage Guild] or something?"
"I would not know without asking Bell-dono, but if they were available, she would have already noticed."
"Ah, that's true."
Since she has a pure magic build, she tries to acquire as much knowledge related to [Elemental Magic] as possible.
If she hasn't found them, then...
"Perhaps, like you, Brother, one must discover them within the [Ancient Ruins]."
"Wouldn't that be too advantageous for the first person to find them?"
It's rich coming from me, but it means it wouldn't be impossible to profit just from lending out this book.
It would even be possible to hold study sessions for a fee, and I feel like I could make a fortune.
"That may be so, but for such information, it would be better to share it in moderation rather than monopolize it. Especially for magic, which does not exist in the real world, development would be more greatly desired if more players pooled their wisdom."
"I see..."
"Moreover, if one were to restrict sharing and attempt to monopolize, the envy from other players would be quite severe."
Yeah, that would certainly be unpleasant.
At least, I don't have the thick skin to just ignore that.
"Now then, I shall proceed to [IRO]. Are you studying for your test, Brother?"
"Ah. Yeah, no, actually, before that, about yesterday's matter."
I had to properly convey what I asked Natto and [Iincho] to do, or tomorrow would be a disaster. For me.
*
I studied for my test with Mion in the [Virtual Club Room].
If I studied alone in my room, I'd probably succumb to the temptation of watching a live stream...
"Break."
Yes.
Bell-bucho was absent.
If she played [IRO], [Yata-sensei] would find out, so she must be studying in real life, right?
[Yata-sensei], after confirming we were studying here, just said "In moderation~" and logged out.
Does that mean he trusts us?
"Oh, here it comes."
I opened the message from Seth (Miki) and accepted the invitation to a private live stream, and a screen unfolded before me.
"Can you see it?"
Yes, it's fine.
"Seth?"
Indeed, it seems to be connected.
I wanted to know at least how things would turn out, so I decided to observe through Seth.
By the way, it's a secret from Natto and [Iincho].
"Is it about to start?"
Soon, it seems... Oh, it appears to be starting. I am merely a witness, so I shall only observe, but if anything arises, Brother, do not hesitate to ask.
"Understood."
Well, even if I didn't say anything, I think Natto and [Iincho] would manage it well somehow.
Just as it turned 9 o'clock, representatives from 'Afternoon Blossom' and 'Moonlit Banquet', along with Natto and [Iincho], arrived.
Somehow, it felt more amicable than I expected, which was a relief.
Alright, I'm counting on you.
Yes, I don't know if it will go well, but...
[Iincho] led the way, followed by Natto, then the two representatives, and finally Seth. Ahead of them was a house prepared for the [Gnomes], I presumed.
Excuse me. May I ask something?
"~ ~ ~ ?"
[Iincho] crouched down to eye-level with a [Gnome] playing by the entrance and asked. She had the appearance of an [Elf], but it was just like the real [Iincho] often did.
When she asked the [Gnome] for its leader and expressed her desire to talk, the [Gnome] she questioned scampered off.
Did it get through?
"I guess it's [Spirit Magic], after all?"
After waiting for a while, a [Gnome] slightly taller than the previous one came out...
"~ ~ ~ ♪"
Oh, um, I don't really understand, but thank you.
She was shaking hands with [Iincho]. Their hands were so tiny.
And so, we investigated to see if your village was safe again, but it was destroyed by monsters...
"~ ~ ~ "
The leader [Gnome] looked dejected upon hearing that.
Seeing this, [Iincho] took its hand and continued,
We will do whatever we can to help, so please tell us what you would like to do.
"~ ~ ~ !"
The [Gnome] who heard that suddenly looked up, waving its hands and seemingly pleading for something...
Um, what is it you want, I wonder?
"Judging from the gesture, a pickaxe?"
Do either of you have a pickaxe?
At Seth's question, the two representatives pulled out small pickaxes.
They looked similar to the one I made for mining ore.
"~ ~ ~!!"
Ooh, oh?
When the two handed over their pickaxes, the leader [Gnome] cried out, and as if in response, a large number of [Gnomes]—more than 30 of them—rushed out of the house!
"""~ ~ ~!!"""
H-hey! Where are you going!?
The [Gnomes] all started running at once, with Natto and the others chasing after them in a panic.
What happened?
"Isn't this like them making a new [Gnome Village] outside the city?"
I feel like my [Fairies] are also building their own homes around that tree. I should go check later...
Natto-dono, it would be wise to gather all the pickaxes you can. They may be intending to build a new village.
That's it! Hey, sorry, but could you help me out!?
Natto chased after the [Gnomes], asking acquaintances he passed by for pickaxes.
Well, since [Gnomes] are small, humans can easily catch up to them, even if their momentum is incredible.
After a while, the [Gnomes] who had exited the city gate arrived at a cliff face,
"~ ~ ~ ?"
Oh, yes, you can do as you please.
"""~ ~ ~!"""
Hearing [Iincho]'s words... wow, incredible...
They're digging at an amazing pace...
"I guess that's what you'd expect from earth [Fairies]. And are they using [Spirit Magic]?"
It seems some kind of magic is applied to the ceiling of the dug hole. Is it something to reinforce it to prevent collapse?
It seems they're going to build a new [Gnome Village] here, but could you two guilds also provide support?
Oh, as expected of Natto. He managed to pull it all together.
The two representatives also seemed happy, so I guess this resolves it?