Chapter 407 - Chapter 360: A Safe Haven
"Well then, see you later!"
"Woof!"
It was past 10:30 AM, so we began to wrap things up.
Behind the church, I parted ways with Pan and the Carbuncles.
Only Raz remained tucked inside my hood, and we continued on to the Divine Tree where Sweee and the other fairies were.
I wonder if it’s okay for her to be separated from her companions, but maybe it’s because I tamed her.
"~~~♪"
"Kururu~♪"
Sweee, sitting backward on my left shoulder—her usual spot—chatted happily with Raz.
Ocher Nuts and Marone were delicious, weren't they?
"I wonder? Even if my ability to communicate is thanks to the [Apostle of the Jade Goddess] title, maybe I also need the guardian title for each specific race?"
"Ah, that's right."
President Bell and her group seemed to be trying to communicate with the Cait Sith, slowly grasping the situation through the Gnomes.
The Cait Sith had apparently fled from their homes and somehow ended up at the church on the south side of the Necropolis. Then they were drawn in by delicious smells… or so it seemed.
Where they came from, and what they fled from, remained unknown.
"~~~?"
"Tomorrow? Tomorrow, I'm thinking of visiting True and heading past the highlands."
"~~~♪"
Will I log in from the Mion household at noon?
Speaking of which, I wonder how Mion's work for the Demon Kingdom update is progressing.
"Okay, see you tomorrow then."
"~~~♪" "Kururu~♪" "~~~♪"
After exiting the basin, I bid farewell to Sweee, Raz, and the Fairies, and headed to the mountain cabin.
I still needed to lay down the Mana Transmission Line, but I could do that during the test period.
"Are President Bell and her group still playing IRO?"
"Yes."
IRO’s streaming options were public, group-only, and private.
President Bell didn't stream when she wasn't live, but she was streaming today's exchange event privately to the Cybernetics Club group so we could watch it later.
"Shou-kun, why don't you come to the studio?"
"Roger. I'll log out and head over there."
Kumano-sensei is still here. Is she worried… or just finds it interesting?
…
…
…
"W-welcome back."
"Ah, yeah. I'm home."
Her real-life "welcome home" made my heart skip a beat, and then she led me by the hand to the sofa.
Kumano-sensei sat opposite, her gaze fixed on President Bell's stream.
I thought we could've just stayed in the club room, but this sofa is more comfortable, isn't it?
The Virtual Club Room, styled like an RPG tavern, focused on atmosphere, so its seating wasn't very comfortable.
"Ah, can they hear our conversation over there?"
"No, we've set it so our voices don't carry."
Then it should be fine.
If we were to interject into President Bell's stream, and Nat or Polly, who were in their party, heard us, they'd realize. Though I have a feeling they already know anyway.
"Will there be some kind of signal if they're really in trouble?"
"I think so. I expect a stream notification from Seth-chan."
I have a feeling that's true.
Looking at the screen, it was President Bell, Seth, Nat, Polly, and two Gnomes, making six people.
They were going around, talking to the Cait Sith after they had finished eating and settled down.
"Besides the Cait Sith situation, is the exchange event going okay?"
"Yes. It seems the Revanderi members and those who joined later are enjoying themselves."
"I see. Also… I wonder if Argenta-san and the White Dragon Princess realized she slipped away? And I hope Vermilion-san isn't drunk and causing trouble."
President Bell's stream focused mainly on her interactions with the Cait Sith, so I was curious about what was happening on the other side.
"Hm?"
"Seth-chan has left the party."
That means… a stream notification popped up. Yes, it was Seth.
I opened it and placed it beside President Bell's live screen.
"Good work. I'm watching."
"Mm-hmm. I thought you, Brother, would be logging out around now."
"Yeah, I just logged out a moment ago. I heard a lot from Mion and Kumano-sensei, and I understand the Cait Sith's story, but is the exchange event alright?"
"There's no need to worry. Or so I'd like to say, but I've been preoccupied with the Cait Sith matter. I'm heading to Master Chef-dono's place now."
With that, she walked towards what looked like the main venue of the exchange event.
It wasn't quite stalls, but tables were lined up, and people of various races—including Dragonfolk, of course—were sampling the dishes on them.
As she moved further in, it opened up into a small plaza…
"Whoa, whoa…"
"Amazing!"
Leona-sama and my sister, Marie, were sparring with Vermilion-san.
Of course, Vermilion-san was in his human form, and he was using a long staff to spar, as if to hold back.
"It's just a small diversion. Top players other than my sister and her group are also participating."
I see.
Vermilion-san seemed to be enjoying himself, so it was fine. This way, he probably wouldn't get drunk and rampage.
Seth walked past the plaza towards a large tent. Then,
"Excuse me. Master Chef-dono, may I have a moment?"
"Ah, Seth-chan. Is something the matter?"
"No, I was just preoccupied with the Cait Sith matter. I assume there have been no other particular issues?"
Seth received a rough explanation of the exchange event, and it seemed there were no problems other than the Cait Sith's unexpected appearance.
Ah, come to think of it…
"Seth. The White Dragon Princess was on the island."
"Indeed, the White Dragon Princess was said to be on the island, but what of that matter to the other party?"
"Yeah, I told Argenta-san. She was surprised, but said it wouldn't be a problem on Shou-kun's island, and that another dragon would pick her up… I wonder who that could be?"
"Ho ho!"
Both of them seemed amused.
Well, it can't be helped. It's bound to come out eventually.
"That's about it, I suppose. I plan to log off around midnight, but will the exchange event continue?"
"It's the night session, so probably until around 3 AM. However, there's a problem, or rather… what do you plan to do about the Cait Sith?
"I'm all for protecting them, of course, but we can't stay in this world forever, you know. Today's still Saturday, so it's fine, but…"
"Hmm. Indeed…"
Oh, right.
We didn't know where they came from, and it didn't seem like they could return anytime soon. That meant they'd be staying here for a while, but…
"The Dragonfolk will be here permanently, so should I ask them?"
Logging back in, sending Argenta-san a letter… A little difficult, maybe?
"How about asking if the Dragonfolk could look after the Cait Sith in the Dragonfolk Quarter?"
"Ah, that's a good idea. Alright. We can provide food support, so shall we go talk to them now?"
"Yes!"