Chapter 351 - What Comes After Appraisal
"Shou-sama."
"Ah, hello."
Returning to the tower where the Transfer Magic Circle was, Argenta-san was waiting at the entrance.
The Dragonfolk-san in the church must have gone to inform her before I left. It feels like I'm causing trouble by having a herald, or something.
"How is the captured demon? Have you learned anything?"
"Azure is interrogating him now. We should soon know their objective for coming here."
"Oh, really…"
He was ushered into the room where they had previously held their meeting and took a seat.
Lupi and he made eye contact, so he pulled his chair back a little and let her sit on his lap.
"I heard you defeated another demon just now. By the way, Vermilion doesn't seem to be here…"
"Ah, well, um, a lot of things happened, so…"
Since it was Shou who had requested to act separately from Vermilion-san, it wouldn't do for Argenta-san to get angry about it.
Just as he finished briefly explaining about the area beyond the church basement, what seemed to be a Control Room, and what happened there, Vermilion-san returned.
After looking relieved to see Shou, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, apparently not intending to sit.
"It seems many demons were defeated, but did you find out how many of them there are?"
"Azure is extracting that information now," Argenta-san replied, placing three books on the table.
All of them looked old, but the bindings were completely different.
"First, these are books related to magic tools, which you inquired about before. As for Mana Transmission Lines, Azure, who will arrive shortly, is an expert, so please ask him."
"Ah, yes."
"And these are books related to music. We are not well-versed in that field, so we cannot say if they are what you requested."
Is that so?
Well, if someone isn't interested, they'd probably react the same way to ancient civilization music.
"Finally, this is a book on attire. When we Dragon race take human form, we transform our scales into clothing, and we primarily refer to this book."
I see. I wondered how they got clothes when they changed from dragon to human form, but they transform their scales into clothes.
In that sense, Sweee, True, Pan, and the Fairies probably do the same.
I still haven't decided what to do about Mion's goddess dress, but if it's going to be a hassle, I'll just make a different outfit listed in this book.
"Thank you. I'll borrow them."
"No, those are for you to keep."
"Eh?"
"There's no problem. They are not the only copies in the world."
Well, I suppose that's fine, then.
Eventually, people on the mainland will also have the opportunity to acquire the same books.
"Argenta, can I come in~?"
A knock came at the door, and a light voice was heard from beyond, but the door opened without waiting for a reply.
A boy with blue hair, slightly shorter than Shou? …Is this Azure?
"Well, well, you must be Shou-kun."
He was asked for a handshake with a friendly smile, so he accepted it, but…
"Hmm, hmm. You're quite favored by Fairies, aren't you?"
"Eh?"
Did he just see my stats with that handshake?
I wonder if titles like 'Guardian' show up when appraised?
"Be careful, Shou. Azure looks like a kid, but he's older than us."
"Huh?"
At those words, Shou instinctively looked at Azure-san, who remained smiling.
And Argenta-san let out a deep sigh…
"So, how was the demon?"
"There are 13 titled demons here. One Baron-class and the rest are Viscount-class, apparently."
He perched himself on an empty chair, swinging his legs, which made him look even more childish.
He really doesn't look older than the two of them…
"So, what's their objective?"
"They came to investigate whether a calamity could be recreated."
Saying that, he took a small sip of the tea in front of him.
This was in stark contrast to Vermilion-san, who clicked his tongue loudly.
"It seems 11 titled demons have already been repelled, so two remain. It's likely the Viscount-class is among those remaining."
"If we deal with the demons, will the problem be solved?"
"Probably. But I don't know what the Human and Demonkind will do."
"It seems the Demonkind are also pursuing the demons. Like us, they knew they couldn't open the doors alone, so they hired humans."
Oh, really…
Shou-kun. Shouldn't you mention your sister-in-law?
Ah, that would be Marie-nee and Season-san!
That means they've been searching for demons ever since they came to the Necropolis.
"Shou?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. Earlier, when we defeated the demon, there was a woman fighting in close combat, right? She was with the Demonkind, so I think it might be her."
He hadn't explained it to Azure-san, so he briefly recounted what happened beyond the church basement when they defeated the demon.
"Ohh, so you and those people saw through the demon's disguise?"
"Ah, yes. It was just by chance because they were acquaintances. Their aura was clearly different from usual, so I was sure."
"I see, so you don't have Discernment. Hmm…"
Is the 'Discernment' Azure-san mentioned a skill?
If I had it, I'm sure I could see through disguises like that, and it seems like a very convenient skill.
"Argenta. If I give this to Shou-kun, will the Princess get angry?"
"There should be no problem. In fact, she would praise you."
"Oh! Alright! Here, you can have this."
He was casually handed what looked like a small brooch.
A blue metal fragment with a pattern. The edging seemed to be Mithril.
[Appraisal skill level cap has been broken!]
[World's First Skill Level Cap Breakthrough (Appraisal): Acquired 3 SP]
[Discernment skill is now acquirable!]
"Eh? Wha—what!?"
Shou-kun. Appraise it.
[Azure Dragon Scale Ornament]
An ornament made from the scales of the Azure Dragon. It can see through hidden aspects of things.
Appraisal +1. Trap Detection +1.
Whoa, I feel like this is the first time for a plus modifier for the Appraisal skill.
"Is this something I'm allowed to receive?"
"It's fine, it's fine~ It's something I can make right away. Originally, it's for someone who ran errands for me, but the sweets you sent greatly improved the Princess's condition, so consider it a thank-you."
I see. So, eventually, quests like running errands for Azure-san will appear. Well, if it's like that, then it's fine…
"Shou-sama, could you please teach me how to make that Camlus Compote? Ever since the Princess ate it, her condition has improved considerably."
"Ah, yes. I'll send you the recipe when I get back. But, I think a large part of it is thanks to the Fairies."
My Fairies are just too good, it's a problem…