Chapter 230 - Round and Round We Go
Miki happily munched on the store-bought [Baked Pudding] he'd served for dessert after dinner.
It really was delicious…
"Speaking of which, did you meet the Viscount yesterday?"
"Indeed. I even received a [Dragon Coin]."
"Huh?"
According to Miki (Seth), it was also to report on the [Winged Folk] issue that was resolved on Sunday, and Grad-san, a [Dwarf] NPC, had accompanied her.
And, as expected, Grad-san's group had received a commission from Argenta, the [Silver Dragon].
They had been investigating the [Winged Folk]'s behavior while setting up a base at the abandoned location, interacting with Leona-sama's [Imperial Guard], the members of [Silver Manor], and fans.
Apparently, the [Dragonkin] themselves believed it was impossible to manage all the [Ancient Ruins], and that any newly discovered [Ancient Ruins] should be managed by the nation that found them.
"Well, even so, they seemed to have sensed signs of a mass monster outbreak. They dispatched the [Winged Folk] and [Giantkin] as support, but…"
"So, it was a misunderstanding on someone's part, then."
The [Giantkin] apparently did their job properly and left.
The southern part of the [Principality] and what used to be the [Former Holy Nation]… is it somehow different there?
"So, why did you get a [Dragon Coin]?"
"To be precise, [Silver Manor] and [Throne of the Thunder Emperor], each guild received one [Dragon Coin] as recognition for their contributions in this matter."
[Throne of the Thunder Emperor] was a new name to Shou, but judging by it, it was probably Leona-sama's guild.
They each received one [Dragon Coin] from the Viscount and Grad-san, and at the same time, all guild members were granted the title [Ally of Dwarves].
"Oh, all guild members? That's amazing!"
"Indeed. However, it was Grad-dono who led the matter to its resolution, so we felt a bit undeserving to receive it."
"So, [Dragon Coins] are received from other NPC races or nobles, huh? Wouldn't that be tough for new players?"
"No, [Dragon Coins] can also be found in [Ancient Ruins] and such, you know?"
"Eh?"
Seth's deduction was correct: the fragments of the immense [Magic Crystal Stone] shattered by the Goddess were [Dragon Coins], apparently scattered all over the world.
However, over long years, most of the ones in conspicuous places had been picked up, and were now held by individuals or nations.
"Incidentally, the [Dragon Coin] I received is called a [Silver Dragon Coin], and it is said to strongly emanate the mana of Argenta, the [Silver Dragon] whom Viscount Amiera's ancestors met."
"Heh… now I kind of want one."
"Hmph."
Miki said proudly.
He supposed he could ask Argenta-san for one, but that felt a bit off. Besides, he couldn't even go to the Necropolis.
"Grad-dono says there's a high possibility that untouched [Dragon Coins] are sleeping in the newly discovered [Ancient Ruins]."
"But none have been found until now, have they?"
"That part is a mystery, but those found in shallow floors likely passed through the hands of animals and monsters, and consequently ended up in the hands of nations or the [Dragonkin]. Well, it might simply be for game-related convenience."
She laughed as she said that.
"So, to go to the [Necropolis], do we need to collect one for each person?"
"No, wouldn't one per party suffice? If it were one per person, the price of a [Dragon Coin] would become astronomical."
"Huh? You can sell them?"
"I've never encountered an untransferable item in IRO. The [Dragon Coin] I received was passed to Bell-dono and other key members for them to appraise individually."
I see…
In that case, it would be a matter of one per guild. Though it would depend on the guild's scale.
"So, are you going to the [Necropolis] right away?"
"No, today's stream is scheduled to enter the [Amiera Territory]'s [Ancient Ruins] accompanied by Grad-dono. We've been told to keep the fact that we received [Dragon Coins] a secret for a while longer."
"Ah, right. Well, many players would want them… so it's better to confirm they can be found in [Ancient Ruins] first, huh?"
"Indeed, as expected of big brother."
Seth gave a smug nod.
If players knew they could get them by achieving some feat, inquiries would flood in, so it's better for the information that they can be found in [Ancient Ruins] to spread first.
"Also, we've found a way to clear the third floor."
"I remember it was bug and mushroom monsters, right? So, it's still a matter of [Holy Magic] blessings and [Spirit's Protection]?"
"That, of course, but a much easier method was found. This, too, is thanks to big brother."
"Eh? Did I do something…?"
＊＊＊
After talking with Miki, dinner concluded. He quickly finished the dishes and homework, then logged in.
Today was Tuesday, the day planned for looping around the south side of the island.
Well, it would mostly be gathering while taking a walk with Lupi, Sweee, and the [Fairies].
The main goal today was to secure as many [Papu Fruit] as possible. When he returned, he'd have to make more of that Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit for gifts…
"So, by combining [Camlus Fruit] found in [Cleene] with mushrooms grown by the [Gnomes], they managed to get [Anti-Poison II] for six hours?"
"That's thanks to Shou-kun!"
"Well, I guess so…"
The [Camlus Compote] was also a chance product, so he felt it was more accurate to say it was thanks to Sweee and the [Fairies].
"But then, it feels like we'd be completely reliant on the Gnomes' mushrooms."
"Oh, that's fine. I mean… Polly-san received mushroom spawn from the [Gnomes] and is cultivating them with Shishou and Dimaria-san, apparently."
"I see."
Jinbee-shishou really knows a lot, not just about pottery. Or rather, the people in [Silver Manor] are just too capable. Dimaria-san is like that too.
"Oh, and the effect is real, right?"
"Yeah. They say it works well if you transfer MP to the mushrooms through a tree spirit or an earth spirit."
"Then Shou-kun might be able to do it too."
"Ah, that's right. I guess I'll cultivate [Chagatake]… Which do you think mushroom cultivation falls under, [Farming Skill] or [Botany Skill]?"
"Shou-kun, you have both skills, don't you?"
Yeah, that's true, but he meant in a general, real-world sense.
"Woof!"
"Oh, Lupi, already! Thanks!"
A rotten log with [Chagatake] growing on it lay nearby. Usually, he only gathered the [Chagatake], but could he take the whole log this time?
It looked like it would just barely fit in his inventory, so he'd take it back and try.
"What kind of place would be good? Should we ask Sweee-chan?"
"Oh, that's fine. My grandpa taught me about it."
The ideal location would be dense with trees yet receive dappled sunlight. It would get plenty of rain but still have good ventilation.
At his grandpa's mountain, they had logs stacked in a small valley, so a place like that should be fine.
The basin where the [Mountain Cabin] is, the north side beyond the spring? That area was dim, and rainwater should be flowing down from the northern cliff…
"Did you learn that as a child too?"
"Yeah. Well, my dad and mom were generally often absent, and during summer vacation, I often stayed at my grandpa's house."
Until Mashiro-nee entered high school, his summer vacations were pretty much spent living in the countryside.
Maybe it was that experience that gave him the strange confidence that he could manage even with an [Uninhabited Island Start]?
"I want to visit Shou-kun's countryside home sometime."
"Hmm? Well, if Tsubaki-san comes too, and Mion's mother approves?"
"Yes!"
Anyway, what would they do this year?
Miki probably didn't need to worry about entrance exams, so it would likely depend on Mashiro-nee…