Chapter 327 - Chapter 288: The Queen on Stage
Wednesday
"Alright, let's head out~"
"Wuff~"
"~~~♪"
After school, we quickly prepared and set off. Dinner was postponed until the live stream.
Yesterday, after that, I wrote a reply to Argenta-san. I wrote about how delicious the [Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit] made by the [Beastkin] was, and compiled recipes for other dishes and sweets. I also asked if she could tell me how to make [Mana Transmission Line], which even Nina didn't know, hoping she might have some clues or books. And I included some [Grapeful Wine] decanted into a small bottle. I hope Argenta-san likes it... If she replies, it'd be tonight? I also told her that we plan to spend today at the port and return tomorrow after school.
It's good that the weather cleared up.
"Yeah. If the sea gets rough, it's no joke..."
As we approached the stairs, I did a quick check.
"Nina. Anything unusual?"
"[No. There are no abnormalities.]"
"Got it. Well, there's nothing inside anymore, right?"
That's right. Shouldn't we let the Selkies and Urisks go inside too?
"I see..."
I thought it would be a good idea for them to take refuge in the [Ancient Ruins] if anything dangerous happened outside, but Mion seemed to mean it for everyday use.
In other words,
"Like, exchanging things between the area behind the church and the port?"
Exactly.
The [Selkies] probably can't stray too far from the sea, but the [Urisks] could.
But it's quite a distance...
"Hmm, let's put that on hold. I don't really want them to travel too far, and if I can get a [Transfer Magic Circle], I can just go back and forth quickly myself."
Understood.
Actually, it doesn't have to be teleportation; transfer would work too.
I should have acquired the coordinates with [Positioning Magic] from [Spatial Magic], right? So, if I could just transfer items there, that would be enough.
"~~~♪"
After passing through the [Transfer Elevator] and opening the door to the [Observation Deck], Sweee and the [Fairies] darted out to look for flowers to offer.
"Lupi, your turn."
"WaaOOOOOOW!"
"OOOOOON!"
Following Lupi, [Leda] and [Roy] howled. Their howls echoed, and soon, the [Drab Wolf] families arrived at the [Observation Deck].
"Wuff."
As if Lupi had given permission, [Leda] and [Roy] went to their respective parents and siblings, looking joyful. Lupi looked a little lonely...
"Lupi."
"Wuff~"
I guess I'm similar...
Come to think of it, where did Lupi's father end up going?
"~~~?"
Shou-kun?
"Ah, sorry. Thank you."
Sweee and the [Fairies] had placed their flower offerings, so we all prayed together.
Oh, right...
"Hope I can play it well."
You'll be fine.
Even if I make a few mistakes, it's the thought that counts for these things.
I turned on "Performance Assist" and waited for a moment.
Ancient Hymn
I've gotten a bit used to it, and it's good it wasn't too difficult a song.
The [Fairies] were listening intently to the serene melody, but then...
"~~~♪"
"~~~♪"
They joined in with a beautiful, clear chorus. And then, the chorus? Sweee sang the solo part.
I don't really understand, but I can tell she's an incredibly good singer...
"Phew."
"[Performance Skill level increased!]"
That was wonderful!
Mion's applause and words made me genuinely happy.
It was mostly thanks to Sweee and the Fairies, but I didn't mess up, so it's fine.
"Sweee, you're too good at singing, you know?"
"~~~♪"
Sweee's shy smile, rather than her usual smug look, was rare. Lupi and the [Drab Wolves] also looked happy, which was the most important thing.
Let's perform it during today's live stream!
"Please spare me that, it's too embarrassing..."
...
"Well, see ya!"
"Bow!"
We said goodbye to the [Drab Wolves] who had accompanied us to a spot overlooking the port. Since we still had plenty of time, we leisurely walked down the slope and saw smoke rising from the direction of the [Storage].
"Oh? Looks like True and the others are using the [Smoking Room]?"
It seems so.
On the way, the [Fairies] wanted to go to the [Camlus] field, so I asked [Leda] and [Roy] to escort them, while Lupi, Sweee, and I headed to the tavern.
"Kyuu~♪"
It's True-kun!
"True! Glad to see you're doing well!"
I caught the running True and was surprised by how light he was.
I worry if he's eating properly, but maybe it's just because my [STR] is high.
Lupi has also gotten bigger, but I don't feel her weight at all.
"Kyukyu!"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it."
He pulled my hand, leading us towards the [Storage].
They're probably making dried or smoked fish, the other Selkies.
"Kyuu~"
"Kyuu~"
"Oh!"
The [Selkies] turned at True's call, noticed us, and greeted us. They were filleting fish and making smoked products, their movements skilled and practiced. Just as I was thinking there wasn't much need to help,
"Kyukyu!"
"Huh?"
What is it?
As we went further into the [Storage], there was the wooden box I used before when I handed over various items, and its contents were...
"Huh, this is—"
"[Olive Fruit]"
The fruit of the olive tree. A fruit rich in oil, primarily used for extracting edible oil.
[Material Processing]: Can be processed into [Olive Oil]. Can also be processed into pickled or oil-preserved forms.
That's amazing!
"Wow, thank you! I'm really happy!"
"Kyuu~♪"
But where did they gather these?
The only place around here where olive trees might grow is near where the [Camlus] was? Did I overlook them?
"Sweee, could you ask True where these olives were gathered?"
When I asked her, the question was relayed from Sweee to True, and then,
"Kyukyu."
True pulled my hand, and we went outside the [Storage].
"Kyuu~"
The direction he pointed with his right hand (fin?) was probably beyond the reefs where True and the others said they lived.
"Ah, so there's something beyond there. Come to think of it, I haven't been there yet."
It's the east side of the island.
"Yeah. I thought it was just continuous cliffs, but if there are olives, I'm curious if there's anything else there..."
I'd like to go there, but while I can swim, the question is whether I can take Lupi and Sweee with me.
Should I prepare something like a tub boat? It feels pretty silly, but...
Ah, Shou-kun. We should start preparing the [Papu Fruit] soon, or we'll run out of time.
"Ah, crap. True, I'm just going to put some stuff down."
"Kyuu~♪"
Papu vinegar? Papu wine? No, it wouldn't turn into Papu wine first...