Chapter 338 - Calm Before the Storm?
*“Everyone, welcome to Mion and Shou’s Relaxed Showtime!
I’m Mion, your host. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”*
[Magna] “My reason for living.”
[Galeso] “It’s started!”
[Shakeena] “Relaxed again today~♪”
[Mushinko] “Does 'explorer's outfit' mean...?”
etc.etc...
As I watched greetings scroll rapidly through the comment section, I stroked Lupi, who was nestled in my lap.
Today’s stream started from the grass patch at the southwest exit of the Ancient Ruins. Sweee wasn't on my left shoulder; she was fluttering around the Coputi flowers with the Fairies.
“Well then, I’ll connect to the island. Shou-kun, Lupi-chan, Sweee-chan~”
“Welcome, Mion.”
“Woof~”
“Oh? Where’s Sweee-chan?”
“She’s fluttering over there. Sweee?”
When I called out, she seemed to realize, then zipped over and settled in her usual spot. Her mouth was glistening; I wonder if she was eating Fairy Honey?
[Fel] “Queen, there’s something on your mouth (lol)!”
[Satena] “She was eating something sweet again~♪”
[Grand] “Spoiling her, huh (lol)!”
[Mii] “Don’t Fairies get fat?”
etc.etc...
“Yes. Today we’re starting from the southwest grass patch.”
“Yeah. Today, I’ll be circling the south side, pretty much showcasing the routine I do on Tuesdays.”
“I see.”
“I usually take about two hours, but today I plan to get through it in about an hour. So, I’m heading out now.”
“Yes!”
“~~~♪” “~~~♪” “~~~♪”
“Thanks.”
The Fairies collected Leppelin (pepper) fruits, put them in a small leather pouch, and handed it to me. I took it, transferred them to a slightly larger pouch, and when I returned the empty pouch, they went back to gathering again.
Meanwhile, Sweee simply sat on my left shoulder, nodding in satisfaction.
[Kusacoro] “Amazing...”
[Karin] “So efficient!”
[Lucol] “Fairies are cute~”
[Storay] “I always thought it would be tough to gather a lot alone, but this makes sense.”
etc.etc...
“Having the Fairies help out is incredibly helpful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, truly. That’s why I don’t mind giving them as many sweets as they want. Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit can be made quickly.”
In addition, it’s reassuring that Lupi and the others are guarding me. We’re still in an alliance with Sweee and the Fairies, so we’ve avoided the worst-case scenarios, but I still don’t want them to have scary experiences.
“Bow!”
“Woof!”
At Lupi and the others’ barks, the Fairies instantly returned to me and hid behind my back. What triggered [Presence Detection] was... a Ranziboa.
Leda and Roy cut off its escape route and were luring it towards me. Perfect timing, I’ll unveil my Mithril Round Shield.
“Protection!”
“Fugo~o~o~!”
Crack!
The Mithril Round Shield and the Ranziboa’s tusks collided, producing a hard, ringing sound. It was a large one, so I barely managed to hold my ground, nearly being blown away.
Leda and Roy then leaped onto its hind legs, pinning it down. As the Ranziboa struggled, annoyed by this,
“Bow!”
Lupi’s [Crash Claw], a single flash! The Ranziboa, its neck twisted in an unnatural direction, collapsed with a thud.
“Phew.”
“Amazing!”
[TS] “Seriously! So cool!”
[Charinbow] “Lupi-chan, too strong!!”
[Napalm] “This is crazy, man...”
[Gafugafu] “Perfect party play!”
etc.etc...
“Thanks, thanks.”
First, I quickly dismantled the Ranziboa and gave treats to Lupi and the others. For a short break, I gave Dried Grapeful to Sweee and the Fairies. I planned another snack time later.
“Lupi-chan’s last move was an Art, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right. It’s called [Crash Claw], and it feels like a limb-destroying attack. So, it snapped its neck bone...”
The comments section erupted at that explanation. Just to clarify, Leda and Roy create that situation, making it possible for Lupi to target the neck with certainty. It’s true that Lupi, being a Managarm, a phantom beast, is strong, but I think her ability to skillfully command her subordinates, Leda and Roy, is what makes her truly powerful.
[Premal] “As expected of the Wolf King!”
[Nasigoreng] “If she gets more subordinates, wouldn’t she be top-tier?”
[Rakan] “The Round Shield looks insane?!”
[Masheri] “Please keep the cuteness as is♪”
etc.etc...
“You replaced the Round Shield, right?”
“That’s right, this is all Mithril.”
When I displayed the appraisal results, the comments section accelerated even more. Personally, I’m a bit unsatisfied that it wasn’t highest quality... Maybe it’s because my Shield skill is still only 5, which is mediocre.
“Woof!”
““Bow!””
“Alright. Let’s end the break and move on.”
When crossing the beach, we played with a Flying Disc. I usually do this while waiting for salt to be made, but not today.
In the dense forest to the southeast, Lupi, Leda, and Roy maintained their formation to ensure safety, while the Fairies gathered Papu Fruit within their perimeter. Occasionally, South Snakes would hide in the trees, but since [Presence Detection] allowed us to preempt them, I dealt with them using [Knife Throwing] Arts.
“South Snake meat is used in the Flower Trout basket traps, for example.”
“But you ate it at first, right?”
“Yeah, just once. It was bland, so I haven’t since...”
Now with salt, pepper, and sauces... could I manage it?
[Subrock] “Snake meat...”
[Reaper] “It’s pretty basic in survival, you know.”
[Puree] “Looks scary with parasites or something!”
[Linley] “No snake dishes, please!”
etc.etc...
It seems unpopular, so I guess I’ll pass. If I had sake, soy sauce, and mirin, I think teriyaki or kabayaki would be quite good, though.
I went down to the riverbed from in front of the Goblin cave and checked the basket traps. I had bypassed them during the day, so... alright, got 6 fish!
“It’s good that there are a lot of big ones today.”
“Are you going to cook them right away?”
“No, these will probably be smoked later. Today’s more about dessert or snacks.”
The comments section is super excited, but today's new item isn’t really that kind of thing. Well, it is delicious, though.