Chapter 391 - Episode 345: Fishing for Cuteness
"Ryu!"
Pan climbed up nimbly, stepping on tiny protrusions on the cave wall. What kind of physical abilities or laws of physics is this… though it is a game.
He held the end of the rope I'd handed him. Just in case, if there was a rock or tree at the top, he was supposed to tie it there.
"Ryuu~?"
Having reached the top, Pan looked around. I'd been worried about monsters, but it seemed okay?
"~~~?"
"It's fine, but don't get blown away by the wind, okay?"
Sweee also wanted to see the top, so I gave her the okay after a warning.
She floated up, just her head emerging from the ceiling… and after looking around curiously—
"~~~ ♪"
"Ryu."
It seemed he'd found something to tie the rope to, and Pan disappeared in the direction Sweee pointed.
"Kyuu~…"
"It's alright."
I stroked True's head, who was looking up worriedly. So fluffy.
Pan and the Urisk seemed fine with heights, and he was holding the rope securely, so it was okay.
"Ryu!"
"Oh, thanks."
Pan returned, holding the rope that had been wrapped around something Sweee had indicated, and handed it to me.
I pulled both ends tight, testing the tension, and confirmed it seemed strong enough to bear my weight.
Please be careful, okay?
"Yeah. Heave-ho!"
As I pulled myself up, I thought how easy it would be if I could lighten my body with [Gravity Magic] in situations like this. Once my upper body was out, the rest was easy.
"I see. He ran the rope through that rock."
The rope was wrapped twice around a rock about the size of a [Red Armor Bear], so it seemed perfectly secure. Actually, there was nothing else prominent around; it was almost completely flat.
…Is this an artificially created place?
To the north, the port and lighthouse were visible; to the south, the olive forest and cliffs beyond. To the east, of course, the sea could be seen, and to the west, the island's central volcano was beautifully visible—a place with a spectacular view.
"Woof!"
"Kyuu~?"
"Sorry, sorry. Just a moment. True, you first."
I handed the rope, and True grasped it tightly with his… flipper-like hand.
It was a mystery, but I'd experienced many times how strong he was, so it should be fine.
"Here we go. One, two…!"
"Kyuu~ ♪"
So light!
I was more concerned than I expected about how light he was, but I successfully pulled him up.
Next was Lupi, but… what should I do?
"Woof~."
"~~~ ♪"
Sweee let the rope hang down again…
Huh? Lupi's going to grab it with her hand… forepaw? Then she bit into it with a chomp.
Eh…
"I see, Lupi would be fine with that."
Still, I didn't want her hanging for too long, so I pulled the rope up at a steady speed, trying not to apply too much sudden load.
"Woof!"
"Good girl~."
Lupi-chan, you're amazing!
She's strong enough to bite and pull down a Greydeer bigger than herself, after all.
It's probably natural, but I really have to praise her intelligence for thinking of biting the rope and having me pull her up.
"Alright then…"
I pulled them up because they wanted to come, but there wasn't really anything up here.
Well, the view is nice, so that's something.
"Ryuu~."
Pan beckoned me over to the big rock where the rope was wrapped. …Is there something on the other side?
"Hmm, nothing in particular… Oh, no, I see."
Shou-kun?
"No, it looks like I can go down this ledge and further to that rock over there."
And from that rock to the next rock… it wasn't a proper path, so it must lead to a dead end somewhere, right? It makes me curious, so maybe I should go…
Will the roof be put off?
"Ah, that's right! Sorry, let's come here another day. For now, I need to make sure the rain doesn't blow in."
"Woof." "Ryuu~." "Kyuu~."
Lupi, Pan, and True responded with understanding.
Only Sweee had her hand on her chin, deep in thought… which made me curious again.
"Sweee, we need to get the sweet potatoes and go home."
"~~~!"
Suddenly, with a face like "That's right!", Sweee returned to my hood.
Besides the roof, I also needed to check the newly opened area on the other side.
………
……
…
"I'm home."
Thanks to Sweee, we easily returned to the basin via the Divine Tree.
The temporary roof for the cave was a simple one made by spanning stone walls across the open sections of the shoring. I made it reasonably thick, so it should be fine unless a typhoon hits.
I did tell True and the others to be careful on windy days, just in case.
And the other side of the landslide was an exit about 10 meters ahead, indeed the place visible from the [Camlus Tree] area.
It was overgrown with weeds, but I left it to the Selkies to clean up.
Now True and the others could eat [Camlus Fruit] anytime, and more importantly, travel became easier, which was great.
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
"~~~ ♪" """~~~ ♪"""
Since it was past 11 PM, I dashed back to the Mountain Cabin.
"Woof."
""Bow!""
Leda and Roy headed to the Storage.
I really want to do something for the two of them, always living in the Storage…
Ah, Shou-kun. You have a letter…
"Whoa. Sorry, just a little more time, okay?"
Yes. It's fine.
I wanted to avoid staying up late on a Monday, but if there was a letter, I wouldn't be able to rest until I read it.
I opened the [Magic Transfer Box], and there was only a letter inside, which made me a little relieved.
Lord Argenta's deliveries can be pretty dangerous…
*Lord Shou,
Thank you for taking care of Lord Azure yesterday.
New ancient ruins have been discovered on the mainland, and after gathering information here, it appears to be an island southwest of the Demon Kingdom.
It doesn't seem to be a place accessible from the [Transfer Magic Circles] held by the Dragonkin, and its details remain unknown.
We believe it has no relation to the island where you reside, Lord Shou, but please be cautious regarding [Transfer Magic Circles].
Also, Lord Azure has informed me about the [Small Magic Boat].
It can be delivered at any time, so please let us know a convenient date and time.*
Ehhhhh…
I didn't really need it right away…
"Hmm, what should I do?"
Why don't you use it to play with True-kun and the others, without overthinking it?
"Ah, I see. I could go out to sea a bit and fish, couldn't I?"
Oh, but if I go too far out, monsters appear, right? Is it safe within the bay?