Chapter 305 - Chapter 269 Strengths and Weaknesses
"Hmm~, I'd like to fish in this sea too."
For the night segment, I went to the southwestern beach for the first time in a while. It felt nostalgic, chasing the [Red Armor Bear] and leaping into the sea.
Can't True-kun and the others come here?
"I wonder? Their habitat seems to be on the eastern side of the island, and I don't want to force them to come here."
That's true.
The area where the Selkies live is probably safe for them, but this side might not be. We walked around leisurely, gathering anything that caught our eye. The basket traps I had set in the river, which I'd rebuilt and upsized the other day, had caught five [Flower Trout]. I might take today's catch to True and the Selkies. Freshwater fish aren't out of the question for them, I imagine.
"Alright, I'm going to hole up in the workshop for a bit, so Lupi and the others, you can do what you like. But be careful, okay?"
"Woofn."
Lupi replied, and the sight of her and Sweee discussing, "What shall we play?" was endearing. I, on the other hand, had some things to do.
Are you making some tools?
"Yeah. First, I need copper pieces, so I'll make those roughly, then I plan to make needles and scissors out of [Mithril]."
Ah! [Sewing] tools, right?
"Exactly. It'd be best if I could make ones with [Sewing] +1, but even without the bonus, I need needles and scissors."
I used an iron [Small Knife] to cut robes, boots, gloves, and other leather products, but for cutting cloth, I definitely needed tailor's shears. Needles, too, I thought they might be difficult before, but I should be able to make good ones now.
Um, what will you use the copper pieces for?
"Well, I need chemicals for dyeing…"
To dye fabric, first you wash it clean, then soak it in a mixture of water and soy milk. After it dries, you put it in dye and boil it for a while. Once it's dyed nicely, you soak it in a mordant solution for a bit, and it should be finished.
"That mordant solution can be made by soaking copper in vinegar, so that's what it's for. The shape doesn't really matter."
That's amazing! Did your grandfather teach you that too, Shou-kun?
"No, that's Grandma's hobby."
There are also iron and aluminum mordants, but I remember Grandma saying something like, "If you want to dye green, use copper mordant." Well, mordant solutions don't get ready quickly, and I have to make soy milk too, so I'll take my time.
………
……
…
"Alright, done."
The copper pieces weren't much of a [Blacksmithing] task, but the needles and tailor's shears took quite a bit of time. For needles, thick leather needles were fine, but for thin fabric needles… I wonder if [Crafting] skill is needed too?
[Highest Quality Cutting Scissors]
Scissors used for cutting fabric and leather. Made of [Mithril] and of the highest quality.
Sewing +1
That's amazing!
"Hahaha…"
My [Sewing] skill was 7, so even using these, I wouldn't break the cap. I'd like the reward for the first cap breakthrough, but it's not something I'd force myself to get. I talked about making [Mithril] tools on yesterday's live stream, so anyone who watched it probably caught on and started moving.
"Has anyone broken the cap for [Sewing] yet?"
Shall I go check?
"Ah, no, it's fine. It's past 10 PM, right?"
Yes. It's almost 10:30.
"Got it. Then I'll go back and just make soy milk."
I have a lot of soybeans left, so I think I can make quite a bit, but the problem is still preservation…
………
……
…
"Oh, a message came."
Isn't it a thank you for yesterday?
"True. Argenta-san is always so polite."
When I returned to the [Mountain Cabin], the [Magic Transfer Box] was glowing, so I put away my [Sewing] tools for now. I remember Grandma getting angry when I left needles and scissors lying around…
"Alright, then…"
The contents of the box, when opened, were, as usual, a letter and… Ehhhhh…
A transverse flute? Or maybe a piccolo, since it's small.
I'd heard the names flute and piccolo, but I always imagined them as metal, so the wooden one I held felt very different. According to Mion, a piccolo is shorter than a flute and produces higher notes. Both are classified as woodwind instruments.
Well, that aside,
"Hmm, I'm really bad at music."
Eh, really?
"Ah, I mean, I am. I like listening, but playing is absolutely impossible…"
Music classes in elementary and junior high school were just depressing for me. I don't think I'm tone-deaf, but even that feels questionable…
Um, Shou-kun. Just appraise it for now.
"Ah, yeah."
[Ancient Kagurabue Flute]
A transverse flute used for playing Kagura offered in rituals.
Holy Magic +1
"Wow, this is quite an item too, isn't it? Is it really okay for me to have this…"
Just looking at the appraisal results, it seems Japanese, but essentially it's an instrument for performances at goddess festivals, right?
Is anything written in the letter?
"Ah, that's right, um…"
I opened the letter and checked the contents.
*Dear Shou-sama,
I apologize for the other day.
Normally, I would inquire about your schedule beforehand, but as I was absent, the Princess ([Hii-sama]) visited without confirmation. Despite this, I cannot express my gratitude enough for your handling of the goddess statue and your kind hospitality.
By showing your subordinates the statue that Shou-sama transformed into the Jade Goddess, the Dragonfolk can now also change goddess statues and create sanctuaries using them.
I once again offer my sincere thanks.
The flute I have sent to you this time was found in the same temple as the [Nameless Goddess Statue] I previously sent.
Though it is an item that the Dragonfolk are unable to handle, you expressed a desire for such things, so I have sent it.
Furthermore, I expect to have a larger [Magic Storage Box] prepared soon, which I will deliver within a few days.
Please continue to specify any items you require, and I will procure them for you. Thank you for your continued cooperation.*
Ah, so they can make goddess statues on their end now too. That's good… That aside,
"I was the one who said to send items they didn't use…"
Hehe, that's right.
I never thought the first item they'd send would be something I was bad at, but it seems dragons are bad at instruments too. I feel a bit of kinship…
"Mion, can you play a transverse flute?"
Um, I think I'd be okay with a little practice.
"Oh, wow…"
She is the daughter of the entertainment agency president, after all. Could she perhaps play the piano? I'll casually ask her sometime…