Chapter 390 - Episode 344: Construction Complete Notification
First, I meticulously checked the strength of the target area and its surroundings.
Blue sky was visible from the small hole in the ceiling of the collapsed area, so there seemed to be nothing above it.
However, if a large rock were to roll down, it wouldn't be a laughing matter, so…
"Alright, alright, step back a little further!"
"Kyuu~." "Ryuu~."
True and Pan had come to help, but I couldn't let them get into danger. Actually, since they were leaders of their respective races, I wanted them to be even further back.
"~~~!"
Sweee, being quite sensible, made them step back a few more paces.
And Lupi, ever vigilant, checked on them.
"Woofn."
"Mmm. Alright, I'm going to start."
Shou-kun, please be careful too, okay?
I nodded at Mion's words, then—
"[Excavation]!"
I excavated the upper part of the collapsed section, right at the edge of what I could control.
As the earth and sand slid down to my feet, it still felt quite scary.
I used a makeshift rake made of leftover wood to gather the debris, and True and the others behind me carried it out.
Does it seem okay?
"Yeah, so far so good. I think I can collapse the dangerous parts from above and leave the stable ones."
Considering MP recovery, there was no point rushing. I'd carefully proceed, thoroughly checking the structural integrity…
………
……
…
"Let's go outside for a short break."
"Woofn." "Kyuu~ ♪" "Ryuu~ ♪"
I'd been at it for about 30 minutes, and moved forward just over 5 meters, I think?
It's tough not knowing how much further to go…
"""Kyuu~ ♪"""
"Whoa, thank you!"
As I exited the cave, the Selkies handed me [Rumorella Fruit].
I was thirsty, so I was genuinely grateful.
Do you think you'll finish today?
"I wonder? If not, I can just continue tomorrow."
After school, I'd been logging out while lying at the base of the Divine Tree, which recovered my MP. So, there was no need to return to the Mountain Cabin via the Divine Tree.
"""Grrr~ ♪"""
The Carbunkles were eating… wait, sweet potatoes?!
Raz jumped onto my lap, so I used [Appraisal] on what she was holding.
[Mauvepra]
*A perennial plant with small purple flowers. Its large tuberous roots are edible.
Cuisine: The tuberous roots can be used as ingredients in various dishes.*
"Ah, it's a sweet potato."
Did you find it deep in the forest?
"Are these found in the forest?"
"Kyukyu."
True nodded, indicating it wasn't particularly rare. Or rather, the Selkies don't eat them?
When I asked about it, it seemed they only ate them roasted. Doesn't sound like stone-baked sweet potatoes, though?
Speaking of delicious sweet potato dishes…
"The first thing that comes to mind is sweet potato. I have sugar, eggs, and butter, so I think I can make it right away."
"~~~…"
"Sweee, wipe your drool."
Seriously, our Queen has such a sweet tooth.
For now, I'll get some seed potatoes and plant them behind the church, I guess?
………
……
…
"Phew, I should be able to see the other side soon, I think…"
It was past 10 PM, roughly.
I took another break, but I think I dug another 15 meters.
I really wanted to see the other side soon. Or rather, I was getting bored…
But it's good it's not raining.
"You're right. A fair stretch of the ceiling is open, and I'd like to put a temporary roof over it today, but…"
I pushed the earth and sand at my feet backwards, then checked my next target.
I wanted to excavate a huge chunk all at once, but I resisted and excavated within a manageable range.
"Hmm?"
Ah, is that the other side?
"I think so, but…"
Even standing on my toes, I couldn't quite see. Or rather, the cave seemed to continue on the other side.
I'd excavate a bit more here, at least until I could see clearly.
"Strength check, okay. [Excavation]!"
As I dug further down with [Excavation]…
"I did it! I can see light!"
You did it!
"Kyuu~!" "Ryuu~!"
I instinctively high-fived True and Pan.
Seeing the end in sight, my motivation suddenly surged back.
"Alright, just a little more. Let's do this!"
"Kyu!" "Ryu!"
I swiftly scooped out the earth and sent it back. True and Pan packed it into wooden boxes and sent it further back.
From there, other Selkies and Urisk carried it out, and the empty boxes returned.
I repeated checking, excavating, and scooping, and once it was almost entirely open, I installed the shoring.
"Kyu?"
"Just a little more. I'm doing a final check."
I thoroughly scanned the worked area… Is it okay?
"Alright, finished!"
"Kyuu~ ♪" "Ryuu~ ♪" "~~~ ♪"
[Applied Earth Magic skill level has increased!]
[Civil Engineering skill level has increased!]
Oh, nice!
Congratulations!
"Thanks."
With this, I could now use [Crystallization] and [Granulation], the [Applied Earth Magic] spells I wanted.
[Granulation] turns stone into sand, and [Crystallization] turns sand into stone. Both seem to have great potential for various applications.
"Now I just need to make a roof. Do we still have time?"
It's almost 10:30 now.
"Roger. I'll just do as much as I can for now."
As I was about to carry the remaining debris, I found a fist-sized stone.
This is definitely something I have to try.
"[Granulation]!"
The stone easily crumbled into sand. And it was fine, powdery sand too.
However, the drawback was that it consumed significantly more MP than [Excavation]. It probably depends on the size of the target, but it's consuming not just double, but about five times as much.
Is that a new spell?
"Yeah, a spell that turns stone into sand. It's kind of… mundane."
Honestly, I'm not sure why it's a Level 7 spell. [Excavation] seems like it would be just as good…
Shou-kun. Before putting a roof over the ceiling, why don't we check what the exit looks like?
"Oh, right. We can see the sky, so maybe it's on a high ground?"
The ceiling was a little less than 3 meters high, so I might be able to climb it if I made a foothold.
No, the cave width is a bit tricky…
"Ryu!"
"Ah, Pan could climb this wall, couldn't he?"
But I'm scared of what might happen, so maybe I should have him take a rope.
If he ties it to a suitable rock or tree, I might be able to get up too.
"Could you do that for me?"
"Ryu!"