Chapter 239 - Episode 212: A Variety of Colors
"Morning."
"Yo!"
"You're energetic…"
My best friend, who should be exhausted from both track and field and IRO, is needlessly energetic. When he's like this, it's usually because something good happened. And it comes with the whole 'asking me for advice' routine.
"What's up?"
"Oh. …I found a Dragon Coin."
"Seriously…"
We immediately lowered our voices and started talking. I'm sure Iincho is giving us a complex look, but I'll make excuses at lunch.
"The 'Inner Ancient Dungeon' you mentioned?"
"No, you know where the former Gnome Village is nearby? We searched there and found it."
"Ah, I see…"
Apparently, now that the Gnomes had settled into their new environment, their leader took a few others to check if anything important was left in their old village. They searched all over the old village, which was essentially a cave, and found Dragon Coins along with old pickaxes and other tools they used to use.
"So, what should I do?"
"Talk to Seth (Miki)-chan and ask her if she can spread this information discreetly."
"I see…"
They found over 10 Dragon Coins, which they properly returned to the Gnomes. But apparently, the Gnomes gave them all back…
"I tried to tell them that having so many wouldn't be good."
"From their perspective, you and your friends helped them build a new village, and you all meet Argenta-san's condition of 'being liked by fairies,' right?"
"Well, all of us have [Gnome Guardian]. But we decided it wouldn't be good to monopolize them, so I also gave some to the guild masters of [Afternoon Blossom] and [Moonlit Banquet], who are also guardians."
Both guilds have been involved in the development of Rashad Territory from the beginning, and they've been good to the Gnomes, so it was apparently also meant as a thank you. But…
"…You tried to hand them out casually and got scolded by their guild masters, didn't you?"
"Ugh, how did you know…"
"It's a good thing they were sensible adults. If you had carelessly scattered them around, a bunch of beggars would have swarmed you, you know? And they told you to consult [Silver Manor], right?"
"…Are you my wife?"
"Stop it."
It gives me the shivers in various ways, so please stop. Well, this isn't the first time something like this has happened, and thanks to Nat's personality, he's never gotten involved with strange people. Still, it's an MMO, after all.
"I'll talk to Miki (Seth) when I get home, so just lie low until you hear from her, okay?"
"Please do!"
"And, well… You don't have club activities on Sunday, right?"
"Yeah, unless there's a tournament. Want to go hang out somewhere for the first time in a while?"
Well, that's fine, but I want to talk to Nat about Mion. It's not so much "consulting" as it is, I just want him to listen and give me an objective opinion. Of course, I can't talk to Mion, and it's not something I should be discussing with a woman anyway…
*
"Has it been like that since way back?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Lunch was, well, yeah. Nat didn't exactly get scolded by Iincho, but she was exasperated with him, which is the usual pattern. I don't know Seth's in-game schedule for today, but Polly-san (Iincho) also offered to pass on the message.
"It's baffling."
"Hmm, well, that's just Nat and Iincho's usual thing."
I kind of feel like they should sort things out with each other soon, but it sounds like that might boomerang back at me, so I'll stay quiet…
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Yo."
"Hello."
Just as Buchou appeared, I told her about Nat's consultation. Honestly, for this matter, I'm not even sure if the existence of the title was necessary.
"Understood. I'm relieved to know they're being found elsewhere too. So, what color were the Dragon Coins?"
"Huh, color? Oh, I see! My apologies, I forgot to ask…"
That's right. The one I got from Argenta-san was a Silver Dragon Coin, so if there are other colors, it means there are dragons of those colors, right?
"You don't need to worry about it that much. We'll know by tonight."
"Exactly."
"No, if anything, I feel stupid for not realizing it. If Dragon Coins of colors other than silver are found, it'll probably cause quite a stir."
I think there's a Scarlet Dragon, right? If so, would it be called a Scarlet Dragon Coin? As for other colors like blue or green… I have a feeling the White Dragon Princess's White Dragon Coin would be the most valuable.
"Yes, we received Silver Dragon Coins from Argenta-san, the Silver Dragon, but don't you think the color of the Dragon Coins might change depending on the nation or region?"
"Would the Scarlet Dragon be in the Empire?"
"Most likely. After consulting Seth-chan, I think it would be good to first leak information to the Empire so that those interacting with the Giantkin can receive Dragon Coins."
"I see. From there, it would naturally spread to the Principality, then the Republic…"
The Principality helped the NPC elves, so I feel like they might reach Dragon Coins surprisingly smoothly. That leaves the Republic as the problem… Leaving the fairies alone in that situation where Sweee had taken me was out of the question, so… it can't be helped.
*
Since Bell-buchou immediately went to report, we also logged into IRO.
"In the end, it's a shame we couldn't find any Bluegaris yesterday…"
"Should we search other places?"
"Yeah, I'm thinking of looking for it on the south side from the Observation Deck tonight. I also want to meet the Drab Wolves on that side."
"Sounds good."
Among the 'sa-shi-su-se-so' of cooking seasonings, soy sauce and miso require Haku (rice), so they're on hold for now. As for sugar, I really want to secure some Bluegaris, but I couldn't find any in the southwest forest or the dense forest in the southeast. However,
"Well, I guess it was lucky that I found this?"
[Leppelin Fruit]
"The fruit of the Leppelin. Its processing method differs before and after ripening, but in both cases, it becomes a spicy seasoning. Material Processing: Becomes a raw material for spices."
Right, right, I remember now, pepper is a vine-like plant. I just happened to find some red berries and Appraised them, and it was a hit. I wonder if not noticing them before has something to do with the Botany Skill.
"I can't believe this turns into pepper."
"I know, right?"
I found it just before I had to log off yesterday, so I only gathered enough for a test run. And I didn't understand the "processing method differs" part, so I ended up researching it in real life after logging out…
"For now, I can easily make black pepper."
This was easy, and I knew how.
I selected only the green berries, and then,
"
And they turned into the familiar black grains.
"It's pepper!"
"I know, right? Humans have really discovered amazing things, seriously."
Crushing this completes the black pepper, but since I went through the trouble, I'll use it for dinner.
Today's in-game meal is Purpigeon Karaage. I added a little wine, kneaded it, lightly sprinkled salt and black pepper, then coated it with potato starch. Then, sizzle in Perilsense sesame oil.
"Lupi, can I put Greenberry on this?"
"Woof."
Apparently, putting lemon on karaage without asking can start a war, so I asked properly first.
When I squeezed it, an irresistibly appetizing aroma wafted out…
"Let's eat."
"Woof."
I took the thigh meat, and Lupi got the breast meat and wing tips—I removed the bones because they're dangerous. It's a bit tougher than real-life karaage? But the way the umami just oozes out with every bite is irresistible.
"It looks delicious…"
"Yeah, it's really delicious."
"Woof!"
"Uuuu…"
Oh no, oh no, if I overdo it, I'll probably get scolded.
"What about the remaining red, ripe berries?"
"Ah, for these, you soak them in water to let the pulp rot away."
"Huh?"
Yeah. I looked it up and also went, "Huh?" Apparently, because odors can cling during that rotting process, white pepper can be hit or miss. I hope I can somehow manage it with my Material Processing Skill level…