Chapter 421 - Precious One
From the spot where we emerged, we headed west, towards the center of the island.
The plateau-like cliff top was quite wide, but the edges were so scary I didn't even want to get close…
"Ryuu♪"
"Kyuu~"
In places like this, Pan was incredibly active, moving swiftly ahead, accustomed to the terrain.
True followed Pan, and then Lupi and I came after, while
"~~~♪"
"Krr-lulu~♪"
Sweee and Raz peeked their heads out of my hood, seemingly enjoying the scenery.
Still, though…
Doesn't it feel like there used to be a path here?
"You're right."
It didn't look like that where we first came out, but as we moved from one rock to the next, the ground beneath our feet felt more and more like a path, and there were even stairs leading to the next rock…
"Ryuu-ryuu!"
"Oh?"
As Pan climbed onto the next, slightly higher rock, he seemed to have found something.
Following True, I reached the top of the stone stairs, and beyond, I saw the entrance to a cave, just wide enough for one person.
It looks like it continues.
"I thought it was a dead end, but if there's been something like a path all the way here, it must connect from somewhere."
Ah, that's right.
Where this cave leads to…
My gut feeling is somewhere along the path from Nina's observation deck towards the port?
"What time is it now?"
It's almost 9:30.
"Thanks. Alright, let's go. Oh, but before that, let's change our formation."
I didn't know what might be ahead, and it would be no laughing matter if centipedes appeared again.
Lupi led the way, followed by me, then True, and finally Pan.
"~~~♪"
"Oh, that always helps."
The light Sweee requested from the light spirit moved into the cave, illuminating its interior. At first glance, it looked like a normal cave…
"Woof!"
It might collapse, so please be careful.
"Roger. I'll proceed while checking everything."
[Civil Engineering skill] came in handy at times like these.
I checked the strength of the cave floor, walls, and ceiling, and proceeded only after confirming there were no problems.
After walking straight for a while, it wasn't a dead end… or was it?
"Woof?"
"Hmm, which way?"
We came out into a round small room that looked like an empty floor, but at the far end, there was a spiral staircase going both up and down.
The ground, walls, and ceiling were all perfectly shaped, clearly indicating this was a man-made place.
"~~~♪"
"Up? Well, starting from the top might be better."
Sweee insisted on going up, so we ascended the stairs. As I carefully checked for any signs of collapse, eventually, sunlight streamed in, and then,
"Oh?"
As I poked my head out, I saw a colorful array of flowers blooming.
Lupi leaped out and thoroughly checked the surroundings.
"Wow, this is amazing!"
"Ryuu~♪" "Kyuu~♪" "Krr-lulu~♪"
It's beautiful!
Was this once a manicured garden, like a hanging garden?
There was a proper wall around the perimeter here, and if I looked closely at my feet, there was a stone-paved path, wide enough for one person, hidden beneath.
"~~~♪"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Sweee beckoned towards the exact center of this area.
I wondered if there was a fountain, and approached…
It's an egg, isn't it…
"It's an egg…"
A pure white eggshell, big enough to overflow both hands. Only the shell, that is.
I have a bad feeling I've stumbled upon something dangerous again… For now, [Appraisal].
[Vesturfernil Eggshell]
The eggshell of the [Phantom Bird Vesturfernil].
[Crafting]: Can be used for ornaments and other items.
Since I didn't understand at all, I selected it again.
[Vesturfernil]
Phantom Bird Vesturfernil. A hawk with pure white fur.
Said to be a phantom bird that controls wind, and due to its free-spirited nature, it is said never to become attached to humans.
If it won't become attached… I guess it's fine as long as it's safe?
Even if it claims this island as its territory, it probably wouldn't become a troublesome presence.
It would be nice to see it flying, though.
"Should we just observe this?"
What about that shell?
"Hmm, what should I do?"
Since it was abandoned, it seemed okay to take it home, but then, wouldn't it be suspicious if it came back and found it gone?
"~~~♪"
"It's okay? Then, I'll take it home."
Sweee suggested taking it, so I put it in my inventory.
I'd check the encyclopedia later, or consult with Azure-san or someone.
"Going down now~?"
"Woof-n!" "~~~♪" "Ryuu!" "Kyuu~" "Krr-lulu~"
………
……
…
Going down, we spiraled around a staircase between thick pillars and walls.
After going so far that I lost track of direction,
"Hm?"
It looks like light is reflecting off something…
I heard Nat talking about Crystal Ore the other day, so maybe there's something like that?
"Oooh?"
The area at the bottom of the stairs was a circular floor, and on the right side, densely packed ores glittered and reflected light.
It's amazing…
"Ryuu~!" "Kyuu~!"
"Ah, be careful."
I hastily chased after Pan and True, who ran towards the ore.
It looked similar to the Crystal Ore Nat mentioned, but it was a [Opal Ore Mining Point].
"Oh~, opals, huh? Mion, do you know what kind of gem they are?"
I've seen my mother with opal jewelry. Apparently, the more 'play-of-color' it has, the more valuable it is.
Oh, as expected of a young lady. Or rather, Shizuku-san is a CEO, so she probably has many occasions where she needs to wear such things.
"Alright, let's try mining one…"
"Krr-lulu~"
"Hm?"
Raz, who had been peeking over my shoulder from inside my hood, jumped out and stopped my hand.
Does he mean I shouldn't dig?
"Krr~♪"
He then ran off… and seemed to be calling me.
Ah, is there a particular stone to mine?
Did Raz-kun choose which stone to dig?
"I think so. Is this the right stone?"
"Krr-lulu~♪"
When I mined the ore Raz pointed to with my pickaxe,
[Rare Raw Opal]
Raw opal that can be processed into a gem. Rare due to its abundant play-of-color.
[Stonemasonry]: Can be processed into opal gems.
"Oh, is this 'play-of-color' what you meant by the sparkling part, Mion?"
Ah, that's it!
"I see. Thanks, Raz."
I took an Ocher Nut from my inventory and gave it to Raz as a reward.
"Krr~♪"
If I polish this raw opal and combine it with the eggshell from earlier, maybe I can make something like a brooch?
It might be a good idea to make it for Mion when she can visit the island…