Chapter 294 - Chapter 260: Important Consultation
"I see. So by infusing `Mana`, it became a `Jade Goddess Statue`…"
"Yes, I think I wrote in the letter about somehow defeating a `Maroon Wraith`, and that's when it happened."
I guided Argenta-san to the resting area, and retrieved the unfinished wooden statue and tools into my inventory.
Once we were both seated, I had to ask her real purpose.
"Uhm, why did you come today?"
"Yes. To inform you that the retrieval of the `Transfer Magic Circle` will take longer than expected.
Also, I was hoping you might know some way to deal with the aforementioned problem…"
Hmm, should I tell Argenta-san this? Or rather, she seems to have noticed, so there's no point in hiding it now…
No, for that matter, couldn't the `holy domain` created by the `Goddess Statue` be used with `Holy Magic`?
"Can't the `Dragonfolk Priests` use `holy domain` magic?"
"There are quite a few high-ranking `priests` who can use `holy domain`. After we secured the area, we maintained a `holy domain` to keep the `undead` away, but at night, we absolutely must rest…"
"Ah, it's impossible to maintain a `holy domain` without sleep."
"Yes. Even if done in shifts, it cannot cover the entire area, and they judged it would only lead to repeated attrition."
I think that's the correct conclusion. In that case, they probably want me to use that `Goddess Statue` after all.
If I infuse it with MP, the `holy domain` should remain even if I'm gone. In fact, I left it there earlier, and the `holy domain` seemed to be maintained.
If a player like me uses it, it might disappear upon logging out, though.
"Uhm, I don't think this is a surefire method, but…"
I placed the `Jade Goddess Statue` that was on the edge of the stone table in the center.
"It seems that if you infuse this with MP… `Mana`, it will maintain a `holy domain` even without using `Holy Magic`. I don't know how long it lasts, though."
"I see."
Argenta-san stared intently at the `Goddess Statue` with its active `holy domain`. Was she appraising it?
"If you explore the `Necropolis` and find a `Nameless Goddess Statue`…"
"And transform it into one of the `Goddess Statues`, you can maintain a `holy domain` without relying on `priests`."
"Exactly. It's a pretty rough guess, though…"
Honestly, I couldn't deny that it was a somewhat cynical "Isn't that just how it works in games?" kind of outlook.
After all, it seemed like an item that would naturally be found if one entered the `Necropolis` and exterminated the `undead`.
Even the `Appraisal` mentioned "for every household," so I felt like it could be found by searching inside buildings.
"No, thank you. Currently, we had no clear plan, but we will try that approach first."
"Yes. Oh, by the way, which `Goddess` do the `Dragonfolk` worship?"
"In the `White Dragon Mountain Range`, under the protection of the `Dragonkin`, are the `Dragonfolk`, `Giantkin`, `Beastkin`, and `Winged Folk`. The `Dragonfolk` and `Beastkin` worship the `Jade Goddess`. The `Giantkin` worship the `Scarlet Goddess`. And the `Winged Folk` worship the `Blue Sky Goddess`."
They're surprisingly split up. And also,
"Are there no races that worship the `Moon White Goddess`?"
"It's not that there are none. The `Moon White Goddess` is above each of the other `Goddesses`, so one could say she is worshipped as the chief deity."
"I see."
"Would the `Jade Goddess`'s statue be preferable?" Argenta-san asked.
"Ah, no, no, that's just how mine happened to be. It was more of a coincidence.
However, I'm not sure if it can transform into other `Goddess Statues`…"
Could it become a statue of the `Scarlet Goddess`, `Blue Sky Goddess`, or `Moon White Goddess`? No, it must, right?
Otherwise, they would have just made it into that specific `Goddess`'s statue from the start.
"Understood. And you mentioned that the duration of the `holy domain` is unknown…"
"I don't really know about that. I'm sorry."
"No, no. If you discover anything, could you please contact me?"
"Yes. I think I'll find out if I leave it like this, so I'll let you know by letter again."
"Thank you."
Argenta-san's expression relaxed, but then she looked a bit troubled.
Is there something else?
"Uhm? Anything else?"
"Yes, this isn't an urgent matter, but…"
Argenta-san awkwardly brought up a consultation about how to transport large quantities of `Warabi Mochi`…
………
……
…
""Bow.""
"""~~~♪"""
"I'm home."
After seeing Argenta-san off at the `Large Transfer Room` with Lupi, Leda, Roy, Sweee, and the `Fairies` greeted me upon my return.
I was flustered by Argenta-san's sudden visit, but I'd given her all the information I had, so now I just had to leave it to them.
Shou-kun, good work.
"Mion, thanks for the backup. I hope Argenta-san and her group succeed…"
I have a slight feeling that Argenta-san and the other NPCs might not be able to transform the `Nameless Goddess Statue`.
If that's the case, the only method I can think of is for me to temporarily take it and transform it into a `Jade Goddess Statue`, resulting in Mion's statues being placed all over the areas secured by the `Dragonfolk`…
Shou-kun, what about the thank-you gift from the Dragons?
"What should I do? The first thing that comes to mind is a portable `Transfer Magic Circle`, but they're trying to secure that right now, so if you ask me for something else…"
Argenta-san knew about the `Ancient Magic Storage` and apparently the `Dragonkin` used similar ones, so it was decided to use an extra one to exchange items in the `Large Transfer Room`.
This meant more items to send over, but when asked what I wanted as payment or reward for that, I was at a loss again.
"Mion, do you have any ideas?"
Hmm… how about receiving something that even the Dragons don't know how to use, like that `Goddess Statue`?
"Ah, that might be good. Argenta-san and her group seem to appraise things, but there must be items they don't know how to use."
Receiving items with strong skill or stat bonuses would feel a bit… off.
Ah, Shou-kun, it's almost 11 o'clock.
"Roger. Well, it's more interesting not knowing what will be sent, right?"
Indeed.
Now, I need to check if the `holy domain` disappears when I log out, and how long it lasts.
I have a feeling it might last for about a day, but… I wonder?