Chapter 269 - Chapter 238: None of This Concerns the Island
"Starting on the uninhabited island was the right choice, really..."
"That's true..."
What I heard from Bell was... well, how should I put it... it was just "hmm..."
At the entrance to the Jet Black Forest in the northeast of the Empire, there's a large defensive wall. Apparently, it costs 10,000 Iris just to pass through it once.
From there, a shared carriage to the frontline base made where you can see the Necropolis costs 3,000 Iris one way.
If that were all, I guess you could just stay for a while and earn that much, but the prices at that frontline base are apparently ridiculously high.
Things like Heal Potions cost about five times the normal price, and meals and temporary lodging cost three times as much—prices that really make you not want to buy anything...
The cause of this price inflation at the frontline base is said to be a large guild called "Future Dominion" that belongs to the Empire.
According to their explanation, it seems they're trying to recoup the construction and maintenance costs for the base and the road leading to it.
"I didn't help build it, and I suppose paying some usage fee is unavoidable, but..."
Bell was being vague about it, but she seemed quite furious on the inside.
At least the "Silver Manor" and the guilds connected to it set prices that don't force newcomers into unreasonable situations.
"Does that mean we have to bring everything we need with us?"
"Yes. We'll just have to pay for lodging and bring the essentials with us. Still, there's a limit to what we can carry, so it's not exactly easy..."
she said.
By the way, if you join that Dominion guild, they apparently provide accommodation and supplies at normal prices.
However, you need to be at least character level 15, and joining costs 500,000 Iris. How absurd...
"Shou-kun. Can you check the progress of the World Quest?"
"Oh, right. That's unrelated, but I should check it..."
From the menu, I checked the quest details...
【World Quest: Necropolis: Part Two "Liberation"】
"The ruins found deep in the Jet Black Forest. That city, occupied by undead, was the epicenter of the catastrophe caused by the Ancient Magic Civilization.
Those who have gained the trust of the Dragonkin are gathering, and the full-scale investigation of the Necropolis is about to begin.
However, to proceed with the investigation, rampaging undead must be driven out, and sections must be purified with the goddess's divine light.
Objective: Drive out all undead in the Necropolis and liberate all areas. Achievement rate: 2%"
"It's only progressed 1%..."
"I wonder what will happen?"
"Hmm, if the progress is this slow, the World Quest might fail..."
Well, Part Two only started last night, so it's unclear whether 1% is large or small.
At this rate, it would take over three months to reach 100%, greatly exceeding the two months or so that the developers mentioned.
＜It's almost time＞
"Ah, yes!"
"Alright"
Well, none of this concerns the island, so I should focus on the livestream now.
＜10 seconds... 5, 4...＞
"Welcome everyone to Mion and Shou's Relaxed Showtime!
I'm Mion, your livestream host. Please take care of me!"
【Shakeena】"Here I come♪───Ｏ（≧∇≦）Ｏ────♪"
【Nonnonno】"The overalls are cute!"
【Daytron】"＜New outfit cost: 5,000 yen＞"
【Marsern】"You're the administrator of the Ancient Ruins, huh?"
etcetc...
The new outfit seems to be well-received, which is a relief.
I find myself thinking about what kind of outfit to do next... but I'm conflicted about doing too much of it.
"Thank you all. This outfit was decided with Shou-kun"
It seems I'll have to explode a few more times with that line.
As expected, I can see comments about the Ancient Ruins administrator appearing here and there...
"Alright, let's hand it over to Shou-kun now. Shou-kun, Lupi-chan, Sweee-chan"
"Welcome, Mion"
"Wah~"
"~~~♪"
As usual, I'm greeted in the rest space behind the church next to the Grapeful tree, with Lupi in my lap and Sweee on my left shoulder.
The fairies are doing various things like they're on free time—eating Grapeful fruits or flying around flowers.
"Shou-kun, could you tell us about today's livestream content?"
"Yeah. Um, before that, about the Ancient Ruins administrator thing—it's me, just as everyone imagined."
【Kusacolo】"Congratulations!"
【Daytron】"＜Congratulations on becoming Administrator!: 5,000 yen＞"
【Mii】"I thought so, but I'm still surprised."
【Nantsuu】"You're one step closer to becoming the island's ruler!"
etcetc...
"Anyway, a bunch of coincidences lined up, so I don't really understand it all yet. I plan to talk about it in Saturday's livestream, but I probably won't be able to share that much information."
I'll decide how much information to disclose by consulting with Argenta and the White Dragon Princess before Saturday.
I had promised them to keep the method of becoming an administrator, especially about the ring, a secret, so apart from that...
【Minamiruge】"It's all good, ya know~"
【DonDen】"It concerns the island, after all"
【Fel】"You're the one getting ahead of endgame content, w"
【Bearmen】"It's fine to take it easy~♪(^^)"
etcetc...
Huh? The reaction is... somehow more relaxed than I expected?
I thought there would be more pursuit...
"Um, so today I'm thinking of doing some farm work and maybe making a wheelbarrow"
【Natai】"Cats are nice!"
【Wizin】"Wooden? Iron?"
【Kyota】"Wheelbarrows are good. I use one too"
【Jonto】"What's the food porn today?"
etcetc...
I'm glad many people understood it was about the wheelbarrow for transport. The only question is whether I can make it properly.
"Will there be a treat today?"
"It's not quite a treat, but I plan to serve a new sweet after I finish up today's work"
Those words sent the comment section into an uproar.
"~~~♪"
"Wah..."
Sweee, whose heart is already on sweets and whose mouth is watering... Lupi is exasperated with her queen...
【Marusan】"You've got such a nice face, w"
【Traile】"Is it the queen's favorite sweet!?"
【Shirin】"Damn, what could it be..."
【Lucol】"Lupi-chan looks so exasperated, lol"
etcetc...
Somehow, the bar has been raised needlessly.
What I'm planning to serve today is warabi mochi, but I'm worried people might be disappointed...