Chapter 197 - A Quick Check, Then Go With the Flow
I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.
I wasn't surprised, as I knew before logging in that today's start would be at the northeastern coast.
"Lupi, good morning."
"Wuff~."
After petting Lupi, who was playfully nuzzling me… where did Sweee go?
I think…
"~~~Zzz."
"She's sleeping."
The Fairy Queen was sprawled out on the folded robe by my pillow, snoring.
Well, she'll probably wake up if I make it bright.
"Light… no, I'll open the window."
Opening the wooden window, the rainy weather of yesterday was completely gone, and soft light and a refreshing sea breeze blew in.
"~~~!?"
"Good morning, Sweee. Let's have breakfast."
I thought Greenberry would be better for waking up, so I gave her some.
Lupi had Ranziboa meat, so… I'd get down from the loft first.
"Heave-ho."
I jumped down from the loft towards what looked like a tavern.
I should have prepared a set of camping gear for overnight stays during explorations like this.
"Let's go outside."
"Woof-n."
Sweee slumped into the hood of my cloak. Do fairies also have low blood pressure? Still, she's munching on Greenberry…
"Next time, I'll bring lunch plates too."
"Wuff~."
I sliced Ranziboa meat for Lupi.
Lupi cleverly held and ate the meat, careful not to drop it on the ground. Her tidiness was also cute and smart.
I broke a Dried Papu Fruit in half and popped it into my mouth. The other half, as expected, was taken by Sweee.
"Shall we return to the Mountain Cabin?"
"Hmm, since we're here, I'll check the warehouses and lighthouse during club time, and then go home at night. I think I'll come back again, but I want to check the interesting places."
"Okay. Oh, Shou-kun, about the next live stream, why don't we fish here?"
"Ah, that's a good idea. The people from Cleene asked me to go fishing."
"Right."
Relaxed fishing here, then maybe a food-terror broadcast with the fish I catch?
I don't know what I'll catch, and I might not catch anything at all…
"If I don't catch anything, that's just how it is, I guess?"
"It'll be fine."
"I hope so."
I've done a lot of stream fishing with my grandpa, but almost no sea fishing. That's just because my hometown was deep in the mountains.
"In that case, I'll need the Fishing skill. And I'll have to make a lot of fishing gear. Sorry, could you make a note for me?"
"Yes!"
Fishing skill, and there should be a fish encyclopedia, so Marine Biology skill, I guess.
A fishing rod from Hermit Bamboo, thin rope for the main line, and Ranziboa fur for the Harris.
Fishing hooks with Blacksmithing and Crafting. I'll need bobbers and sinkers too. I'll plan for several sizes of each. Oh, I think I could make artificial flies too.
"I'm just taking notes without understanding anything, so please review them later, okay?"
"Ah, yeah, I'll explain what everything is. Also, I want to get soy sauce ready in time for the food-terror broadcast."
"Yes. You're going to introduce that Magic Brewer, right?"
I'd use the Ancient Magic Brewer to turn Glycine into soy sauce. I should also prepare grated Rudish.
Just grilled fish wouldn't be enough, so I'll think of something else…
"Alright. Let's start by looking at the warehouses."
"Woof!"
……
…
"Hmm, these are empty too."
"What do you think was stored here?"
"It's a mystery. These doors are quite large too."
I tried hard to open the large, rusted sliding doors, but both warehouses were empty.
Only dust had accumulated, but since there was nothing visible at a glance, I left them alone. If I leave them open for a while, I think they'll get somewhat clean.
"If something large was stored here, how did they transport it?"
"That's also a mystery. There was no Transfer Magic Circle either."
I'm thinking maybe materials for repairing boats?
According to that record, it was considered a remote area, but there was a church, and beyond it, abandoned houses, so people must have lived here at some point. Maybe these are remnants from that time…
"Well, I'll ask Argenta-san about this too."
"Yes."
So, off to the main event, the lighthouse.
Ancient Magic Doors don't rust, do they?
"Alright, opening it."
"Monsters might appear. Please be careful."
"Roger."
Is there a possibility of monsters appearing right after opening it? Golems or Gargoyles, maybe…
I activated Spirit's Blessing and asked the light spirit for a light. Are we ready?
As I slowly placed my hand on the door, I heard the usual query.
[Access by a Blessed One confirmed. Unlock?]
"Yes."
Confirming the door's resistance was gone, I gently pulled it open.
Ahead of me, illuminated… no monsters in particular? No reaction from Presence Detection either…
"Woof-n."
"Okay. Let's go."
Before me was a stone spiral staircase. Looking up, it continued far above, seemingly drawing into the topmost room.
"No announcement appeared."
"Oh, you're right. Is this not an Ancient Ruin?"
"You're right. Or perhaps this entire island is one large Ancient Ruin?"
"Ah, that might be it. Otherwise, I'd get discovery reward SP endlessly."
Talking about such things, I first surveyed the surroundings.
I'd climb the spiral staircase in the middle later; was there anything else… no.
Oops, I should deactivate Spirit's Blessing.
"Hmm, is it really just a lighthouse? Well, I'll find out if I climb up."
"I'm worried the stairs might collapse."
"Ah…"
It's been left neglected for a long time, so it might be quite precarious?
No, I have a skill for times like these, don't I?
"Hm… how is it?"
Focusing on Civil Engineering skill, I checked the base of the spiral staircase.
It's green, so it should be fine. The next one and the one after that too…
[Civil Engineering skill level increased!]
"Congratulations. You were able to confirm it with Civil Engineering skill."
"Yeah. Speaking of which, I should have checked more often."
I feel like just this checking alone could raise my skill level to about 7.
For now, I'll check each step as I climb.
"They all seem fine."
"Yeah. Well, let's not let our guard down. Lupi, you be careful too."
"Woof-n."
It's a common trope that the stairs seem fine, but then collapse towards the end.
If I were to fall from a place like this, I wonder if a wind spirit could do anything?