Chapter 191 - A New Place Spreading Below
I was agonizing over what to do about the story of Lupi's mother's passing, so I consulted Yata-sensei.
"It leaves a bad impression if you hide it and it comes out later~"
She told me.
Well, thinking calmly, that's true.
Besides, someone observant would probably notice the [Magic Wolf Fang Pendant] that Lupi and I wear and ask about it.
"Woof?"
When we reached the crossroads beyond the Unlock Code door, Lupi asked, "Which way?"
"We're going up. To the east side this time."
"Woof-woof."
I chased after Lupi, who was trotting lightly up the stairs, continuing my chat with Mion.
"I always leave the videos to you, but isn't editing hard?"
"It's fine. I just give instructions to the editing AI."
"...I see."
Video editing AIs are for professional use, aren't they?
Well, Mion's mother runs an entertainment agency, so she could probably afford those kinds of professional AIs.
"How long will this recording be?"
"If it includes making a grave, it might be long."
"Ah, right. We called Drab Wolves and defeated Crimson Apes, didn't we?"
Even if I cut out the parts where I practice archery, I want to show Lupi's cool Howling scene...
"It might be a bit shorter, but how about up to the Water Source Area and the Water Spirit? And include a thorough view from that Observation Deck?"
"That sounds good. Sweee-chan was very active, after all."
Come to think of it, Sweee appeared at the end of the last live stream and stole the show, didn't she?
"Woof."
"Whoops, sorry, sorry."
We got on the Transfer Elevator and I pressed the button.
After a brief floating sensation... the door that opened was behind us, I remembered.
A little further on was already the Collapse Site.
Sweee emerged from my hood and went through the shortcut ahead. She's probably looking for offering flowers again.
"From what I saw with Civil Engineering Skill, it looks like we can enlarge the shortcut now."
"Please make it bigger to fit Lupi-chan."
"Roger that."
I answered as I crawled through the hole to the Observation Deck.
The weather was good, but the air felt a little...
"It might rain."
"Eh? You can tell?"
"Just a feeling. Well, my cloak has a hood, and I think there are places to take shelter."
Worst case, I can just log out at Lupi's old den.
Large monsters probably wouldn't enter there.
"~~~♪"
"Woof-woof."
"Sweee, thanks as always."
After properly paying our respects, today we headed beyond the Water Source Area.
With Lupi leading and Sweee in my hood checking our rear.
Well, Lupi's steps were light, and we'd already cleared out the Crimson Apes that were around here.
"Oh? Did they come? Call them over."
Lupi nodded and gave a light bark, and a different Drab Wolf family than the one from midday appeared.
They lined up neatly in front of Lupi and lay down.
"Thanks for coming. Please lead the way today."
""Baaark!""
The two who replied in unison were probably the parents.
Their siblings (?) behind them? They still looked a bit young, but they were bigger than Lupi.
"Woof."
"Alright, let's go."
From the Water Source Area, we proceeded along the path leading east.
I did some weeding in the overgrown parts... Oh?
"Lupi, wait a moment."
"Woof."
This is...
[Odapra]
"A perennial plant with small white flowers. Its large rhizome is edible. Be careful, as the sprouts and damaged parts are poisonous.
Cooking: The rhizome is an ingredient for various dishes."
"An ingredient?"
"It's a potato, I guess. A potato or a sweet potato..."
"Eh?"
I took out a shovel from my inventory and dug it up, and a row of things exactly like potatoes appeared.
"Amazing!"
"I feel like I've finally found a staple food."
Since I have sesame oil, I guess fried foods are in order? French fries, croquettes, potato chips. Turning it into flour for potato mochi is also an option...
"Woof."
"Ah!"
Something was caught by my Presence Detection.
Lupi and the Drab Wolves took defensive stances, glaring in that direction.
I had a hunch it was a Ranziboa.
It seemed to be charging straight at us, but doesn't it consider its numerical and qualitative disadvantage?
If someone says 'it's a game,' then yeah...
Ah, by any chance, is it upset about the potatoes I dug up?
"Bwaaa!"
"[Stone Wall]!"
I placed a Stone Wall right in front of the charging Ranziboa and supported it with both hands so it wouldn't fall.
A dull thud and considerable impact reverberated, but I'm pretty used to it now.
I think this is the easiest method, but I might have used a shield to raise my skill levels...
"Woof!"
Well, I guess I'll leave the rest to Lupi and the Drab Wolves.
It's a good time, so I'll take a short break here...
...
...
...
After Dismantling the Ranziboa, the meat became a snack for Lupi and the Drab Wolves. Sweee and I had Dried Grapeful. Next, I'll have to go north again, as we're running out of Grapeful Fruit.
That's fine, but...
"Lupi."
"Woof?"
Being looked at with those innocent eyes, asking "What?", is tough...
But I have to ask.
"Where is Lupi's father?"
"Woof~"
Lupi jumped into my lap and rubbed her head against me.
I instinctively started petting her...
"Lupi-chan's father is Shou-kun."
"That makes me happy, but does that mean she's never seen her real father?"
"Perhaps..."
It's likely he was gone before she could remember.
I wonder if I'll ever meet him if I keep exploring all over this mountain?
"Shou-kun, are you taking the potatoes back to cook?"
"Eh? Ah, half of them. I plan to plant the other half in the field."
"You'll have to work hard on making fields, too."
"That's true. I have too many things I want to do..."
I want to get started on the fields early, also considering Farming Skill and Gardening Skill.
Lexon (cress), Kitopukusa (ramps), Perilsense (sesame), Glycine (soybeans).
Just now, Odapra (potatoes) were added, and I might plant more Grapeful (grapes) in the forest near the spring.
"Alright, first I need to explore this side."
"Okay."
"Woof-woof."
At Lupi's command, the Drab Wolves, who had been in a relaxed mood, perked up.
Sweee went back into my hood... probably nap time.
...
...
...
Heading east, or more precisely, east-northeast, we eventually ran into a large cliff.
However, this cliff felt a little different this time.
"There's a path for climbing."
"Do you think it's been here since ancient times?"
"I think so."
Lupi was talking to the Drab Wolves, presumably asking if the path ahead was dangerous or something similar.
The Drab Wolf father,
"Baaark."
He barked and led us to the path carved into the cliff.
Following him, Lupi, I, and the Drab Wolves proceeded in a single file along the switchback path.
"Alright, this seems to be the top, but..."
From the top of the cliff, a slope stretched to the northeast.
There was indeed a path that seemed to have been used by people, and beyond it...
"A port! A breakwater! And a lighthouse!?"
"Amazing!"
There didn't seem to be any signs of people, but three stone buildings were visible.
A feeling that new discoveries awaited!