Chapter 401 - Episode 354: So That's How It Is
"I'm not really looking forward to it, but… I'll investigate it before sealing it."
You don't have to force yourself to do it now…
"Well, that's true, but I also don't want to think 'if only I had investigated it back then' later."
It was night.
In-game, the sky was cloudy but the rain had stopped, so I intended to clean around the mansion I had investigated yesterday. I was hoping Pan and the others would help.
Only Lupi, Sweee, and I had descended to the underground [Large Transfer Room]. The Fairies, Leda, Roy, and Raz had already gone to the church backyard.
"Around here should be fine."
I got off the transfer elevator, went past the [Transfer Magic Circle] to the Necropolis on the left—which was sealed with a [Stone Wall]—and moved to the corner of the room.
"Speaking of which, Nina. About the [Transfer Magic Circle], does your system identify it by [Individual ID Number]? Can you read that long number?"
[Yes, I can. If you place the [Transfer Magic Circle] within the facility, I will inquire about its transfer destination.]
"Ohh, as expected!"
Shou-kun. I'm curious, where is Nina-san inquiring?
Indeed. Where? And how?
"Nina, where and how are you inquiring?"
[I am inquiring with the [Central Positioning Information Integration Core]. The method is a function I possess, so an explanation is not possible.]
I don't really understand…
"Mmm."
I didn't understand at all either, so I decided to ignore it. It's probably just a game setting.
Anyway, if I could just place it and leave the rest to Nina, I could quickly… no, I should be a little cautious.
"Nina. Is it okay to inquire even if there's an obstacle on top?"
[Yes. There is no problem.]
"Alright. Then, first… [Stone Wall]!"
Shou-kun?
"No, I just thought it would be a problem if someone transferred in the moment I took it out of my inventory. Bell-buchou also said that a [Transfer Magic Circle] was found in the southern part of the Necropolis."
That's right!
It would be no laughing matter if someone transferred in while Nina was inquiring, just because I placed it down carelessly. Someone might be waiting for the moment they could transfer here…
After preparing a lid made of [Stone Wall] that could be immediately placed over it,
"One, two, three!"
I took out the [Transfer Magic Circle] and immediately covered it. Good, good.
"~~~…"
"Woof?"
Sweee's judging gaze and Lupi's pure eyes felt painful.
But I wanted to be this cautious…
"Nina. Can you investigate its transfer destination?"
[Yes. Querying positioning information… Query complete. The transfer destination is the [Southern Ocean Seabed Resource Mining Facility]. The coordinate information is…]
…Huh?
Is it another island south of this one?
"Could be. Nina. Where is that mining facility? South of this island?"
[Yes. To be precise, it is an island 498.7 km to the southeast.]
Are you serious? So, the management intended for players to first come from the Necropolis to this island, then investigate that mansion, and from there go to another island, something like that?
Hmm…
Shou-kun. Is there anyone on that island?
"I wonder? Can Nina tell? Do you know if anyone is on that island?"
[No. I currently have no information about other facilities.]
I thought so.
In that case, it would be a matter of asking Lord Argenta or Lord Azure…
"No. There's no need to rush now, and I have a lot of other things piled up that I need to do first."
Ah, that's right.
First, I needed to properly set up the safe zone around the church and the mansion.
………
……
…
"""Ryu-ryu~ ♪"""
The Urisk were happily singing as they pulled weeds.
The Fairies were gathering small flowers mixed in with the weeds. They planned to replant them once the backyard was clean.
As for me, I was patrolling the perimeter of the safe zone with Lupi, Leda, and Roy. Sweee and Raz were also on my shoulder.
"This [Marone Tree] is also within the safe zone, huh."
That's good.
We were checking the safe zone clockwise from the west side. We had reached the [Marone Tree] where the Carbunkles used to live.
"Grrr~ ♪"
Raz jumped from my shoulder, transferred to the tree, and climbed up.
And then, [Marone Fruit] started falling… dangerous.
"Raz~, that's enough!"
My [Red Armor Bear] gloves were excellent, so the [Marone] thorns wouldn't pierce me, but collecting would have to wait for today.
As we continued deeper, we exited the safe zone and encountered a small, but quite well-maintained, river.
"Is this really a river, or more like an irrigation canal?"
A waterway?
"Yeah. Up to this point were wheat and Kohaku fields, so it might have been an irrigation canal for agriculture."
There was a possibility of monsters on the other side, so I had Lupi and the others on high alert. However, visibility wasn't very good due to the immediate forest.
"Nat said before that building a wall expands the safe zone, didn't he?"
Ah! Will you build a wall here?
"Yeah. I think it would be safer to build a stone wall along the river."
Chatting like that, we proceeded north—upstream—along the waterway.
Eventually, it turned right—eastward—and went beyond a rocky mountain.
"This far, huh."
It's quite wide.
"That's what I thought. Well, maybe the island is special…"
But Shou-kun, you also have the title [Apostle of the Jade Goddess], don't you?
"Oh, that's it…"
Or rather, if I had placed the life-sized [Nameless Goddess Statue] that was originally underground in the church, this safe zone might have extended all the way to this river, or even further?
But it was too late to ask for it back now.
"Oh well. If I build stone walls along this cliff edge and river, the safe zone will reach the river."
Will you start right away?
"Yeah. I'll probably consult Pan and the others first, though."
Also, for a field this size, Fairies' help alone probably wouldn't be enough.
If we were going to use river water for farming, it might be better to create smaller waterways and prepare reservoirs.
"Ah, that's right. I'll make a watermill."
That sounds good!
Grinding flour by hand with a stone mill was fine, but if I wanted to produce large quantities, I'd want to automate it.
If I just taught Pan and the others how to use it, they'd probably use it not just for Kohaku, but for Regucorn and other grains too.
"Alright! Let's go back for now."
"Woof!"
………
……
…
"I'm home, and…"
You have a reply.
Today, before building the wall, I consulted with Pan, decided on the location for a reservoir, and by the time I finished making that, it was time.
I returned to the Mountain Cabin, intending to log out, but there was an incoming message in the [Magic Transfer Box].
"I hope it's a reply from Seth and the others saying the date and time are okay."
I quickly opened it and checked the contents. It was just a letter, which was a relief.
Uh, let's see,
*Lord Shou,
I acknowledge the two representatives and the matter of the date and time.
I hope to meet the two of them myself on the day of the event.
Please have them bring their respective [Dragon Coins] and tell the Dragonfolk, 'I have come by introduction of the White Dragon Princess's brother, friend of the Silver Dragon.'
I apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your cooperation.
P.S.
Please tell Vermilion not to drink too much wine.*
…When did I become a dragon?