Chapter 185 - Yeah, I Knew
There was nothing else new or noteworthy inside the church.
I had hoped for books... but they would have taken those, too, I guess.
"I think that's it. Sweee, let's go home."
I called Sweee, who had emerged from my hood and was fluttering around.
I'd hoped she might find something interesting... but it seemed she was only interested in sweet fruits.
"Alright, then let's harvest some Grapeful and head back."
"Woof."
"~~~♪"
I don't think anyone would come, but it would be annoying if a centipede reappeared and entered here.
I carefully closed the door and stepped outside.
"Around 10 o'clock?"
"Yes. It just turned 10 a moment ago."
I can play from school again tomorrow afternoon, so there's no need to rush.
Beyond the great gate, should I go up first? I hope I can find Lupi's father or siblings...
...
...
...
"Here you go. Two bunches should be enough, right?"
"~~~♪"
Sweee gave me a thumbs-up in return.
I placed two bunches of Grapeful Fruit on the earthen floor table and left the rest to her.
I watched Sweee fly off towards the forest where the Divine Tree was.
I'd thought about gathering enough to fill my inventory, but then I remembered the Ancient Magic Storage didn't have much free space, so I restrained myself.
My Gathering skill leveled up for the first time in a while, but I guess that's because it was something new I was collecting?
"Hmm, I want to make Dried Grapeful..."
It's still a little before 11 o'clock.
"Is that something that can be done quickly?"
"Probably? It's basically just dried grapes."
The Drying Magic is so excellent that I have a feeling I can make most things that involve drying.
Things that would normally take a long time to dry might work out with this magic combined with the game's time-saving features, right?
"I want to see!"
"Alright, I'll give it a try. Oh, people with regular Cooking Skill probably do this, so it's not particularly amazing, okay?"
"Okay."
I lit the Stone Kiln and adjusted it to a low flame.
I put several Grapeful Fruits into an earthenware pot and placed it over the heat.
"Eh? Are you baking them?"
"Yeah. Partly for sterilization?"
I don't really know the details, but my grandma used to bake them in the oven before drying them.
After about 10 minutes of baking, rolling them to prevent burning, the skins started to wrinkle slightly, vaguely resembling Dried Grapeful.
"Then, I'll... [Dry]."
The Grapeful Fruits visibly shriveled in an instant.
As their volume decreased, the wrinkles on the skin rapidly increased... I guess this much is enough?
[Cooking Skill Level Increased!]
[Material Processing Skill Level Increased!]
"Congratulations!"
Oh, both went up.
No, that's not important right now.
"Thanks. And, they look like what you've seen before, right?"
"Yes, they're raisins!"
They're a bit larger than the raisins I usually see, but still, pretty much raisins.
I'll Appraise them just in case.
[Dried Grapeful]
"Dried Grapeful fruit. The astringency and sourness of the skin are reduced, and a rich sweetness remains, making it delicious.
Cooking: Used in bread and pastries. Material Processing: A raw material for Grapeful yeast."
"Perfect."
Now I can make yeast with this, and if I can just procure wheat, I should be able to make bread...
"Is it very sweet?"
"Hmm, even if I say sweet, it's a fruit's sweetness, and it might be a little more tart than Dried Papu Fruit."
I know I can make as many as I want, so I popped one in my mouth...
"Ah, this is dangerous. It's so delicious I could eat it forever..."
In the real world, I never really bought raisins to eat, but I would buy these.
"Woof!"
"Alright, alright. For Lupi, too..."
Just as I thought that, I saw the Fairies Sweee had brought with her staring intently...
*
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
"I've been waiting, Big Brother!"
"I'm sorry it's so late..."
Since the two of them were waiting past 11, I returned to the Virtual Club Room.
Seth seemed energetic, but Bell-buchou looked tired.
"What happened?"
"I forgot to ask yesterday, but where is Marie-san now?"
"Huh? Uh... sorry. I don't know either."
It sounds like 'why don't you know?', but I can't predict anything Marie (Mashiro) Onee-san does.
Seth probably doesn't know either.
"I see, I'm sorry to bother you."
"Is something wrong with my sister-in-law?"
"No, Season-san should be with Marie-san."
"Ah, she's still dragging her around, huh..."
Bell-buchou, as the guild leader, apparently wants to share what Witch Bell is doing and where. Well, that makes sense.
If we don't share the outcome of the conflict in Amiera Territory, she'll come back and be like, "Huh?" won't she?
"How about Shou-kun or Seth-chan sending her a message?"
"Yeah, well, I'll send one. But she'll read it and forget it anyway..."
"Oh, it's fine. We can just have Dimaria-san message Season-san."
Apparently, the two are cousins, so they can contact her that way.
Yeah, that's more reliable than me or Seth trying to contact Marie Onee-san...
*
After that, I had Bell-buchou review today's video (Mountain Cabin Renovation Compilation) before publishing it.
While monitoring the comments, I asked Bell-buchou about the units of length and weight in the IRO world, and it was quite interesting.
Apparently, there's a Meter Standard Magic Tool at the Merchant Guild, and ropes measured there are used as the basis.
Regarding weight, copper coins are the standard, with 200 coins equating to 1 kilogram.
There was even a player who actually measured if it balanced with 1 liter of water (0.001 cubic meters)... amazing, right?
"We can't measure either on the island..."
"You're right."
Since there's no Merchant Guild on the island, no copper coins, and no way to measure 1 liter of water (0.001 cubic meters), the map skill is on hold...
"Alright, then, I'm opening it."
"Okay."
Today, first order of business is receiving the magic tools (?) sent by Silver Dragon Argenta downstairs.
After that, maybe I'll go upstairs and look for some wild vegetables?
The area beyond the church to the north is scheduled for exploration at night...
"4725."
I opened the Unlock Code door and checked inside.
Yep, no more Skeletons coming out.
"Woof."
Lupi led the way, indicating it was safe, and I followed.
Sweee was with me today too, but I thought I heard snoring coming from inside my hood...
"Then there's the Goddess Statue, huh?"
"The specific Goddess differs by church, doesn't it?"
"It's oddly detailed, isn't it? Well, I guess it feels very Japanese."
I had Bell-buchou watch yesterday's video from around where we exited the cave after the centipede fight and asked about the empty altar at the very back.
Apparently, that's indeed where a Goddess Statue is placed, but which Goddess it is differs by location.
"Do you want to try Buchou's idea?"
"Hmm, maybe when things settle down a bit more."
Bell-buchou's idea was for me to craft and display the Goddess Statue...
But I've never even seen a Goddess Statue before.
We descended the Transfer Elevator and arrived in the massive transfer room. The ceiling lights were still on.
I didn't put much MP into the emergency Magic Crystal Stone, but it's lasting quite a while...
"Woof."
"Oh, there's something placed here."
A luxurious small box sat alone in the center of the smaller Transfer Magic Circle.
It looked expensive, but I wonder if it's okay for me to take it.
"Shou-kun, Appraisal."
"Ah, right."
First, I Appraised the box.
[Magic Transfer Box]
"Transfers its contents to a corresponding Magic Transfer Box by infusing MP. The crystal on top flashes upon arrival."
"Whoa, this looks like a really expensive item..."
"Shall we open it?"
"Roger. I'm sure there's something inside."
Probably the first letter or something?