Chapter 422 - With a Big Bonus
I continued along the path stretching straight from the opal mining area.
I felt like we should be outside by now, but…
"Hm? What's this?"
Are those like tree roots?
"Ah, I see."
I thought the path was blocked by something, but it just seemed to be full of tree roots that had encroached from outside.
"Ryuu-ryuu!"
"Yeah, please. Oh, just enough space for one person to pass through is fine."
Pan, holding a scythe, offered to clear a path, so I left it to him.
True, seeing this, looked downcast, wanting to help, so I instinctively stroked his head.
"True, you always catch so many fish for us."
"Kyuu~"
He seemed convinced, but still, hmm…
Speaking of which,
"Don't Selkies use tools?"
"Kyuu-kyuu~"
True spread his arms wide… Hmm, hmm.
It's like a jab… Oh, a trident after all! No, a spear?
"Ah, it's also to fight against sea monsters."
"Kyuu!"
True firmly put his arms in position. He thinks he looks cool, but he's just adorable.
And he used to use one, but stopped after it broke.
Shou-kun, for True-kun and the others…
"Yeah. I think I can make one, so can you show me the one you used to use later?"
"Kyuu~!"
While I was talking to True, Pan was steadily clearing a path.
He collected the cleared roots? Branches? into his inventory so they wouldn't get in the way.
"Ryuu!"
"Oh, is that outside? Pan, be careful."
"Ryuu~"
There was a possibility of something immediately outside… but there wasn't.
It seemed we'd emerged into a small hollow in the mountains, but the weeds were terribly overgrown.
Pan quickly cut down the surrounding weeds, but it seemed endless…
"Woof!"
"Eh? Wait! Oh, no, it's not that."
Eh? Ehh?
Mion was flustered, but I didn't think there was any need to worry. Why? Because,
"Bow!"
Ah!
The family of Leda, the Drab Wolf living on the east side of the observation deck, had arrived.
The location makes sense, but I wonder how they knew we were here? Or perhaps they have someone keeping watch from a spot where this area is visible?
"Sorry for the sudden visit. I was exploring and just happened to come out here…"
They must know this area better than us, so I'd ask them to guide us to a familiar spot.
"Woof!"
"Bow!"
Following the Drab Wolves for a while, the scenery started to look familiar.
This is near the cliff overlooking the port, isn't it?
"That's what I thought, too."
The cliff visible through a break in the trees on the right must be it.
Continuing straight, we came out a little before the ascent to the cliff.
"I see, so it connects here. Thanks."
"Bow~"
I gave the Drab Wolves a good pat, and then…
"What time is it now?"
It's past 10 o'clock.
"Then, I guess we should head back to the port."
If we head back, rejoin the remaining fairies, Selkies, and Urisk, and log out behind the tavern, it should be about 11 o'clock.
"Kyuu?"
"Ryuu-ryuu~"
True and Pan were doing something… Ah, they're making sure they know the way to that entrance.
"Pan, leave it to me."
I asked him to move aside a bit and scraped away the cleared ground with [Excavation Magic]. Then, I used [Stone Wall] to pave the excavated area with stone pavement.
"Yay~!" "Ryuu~!" "Kyuu~!"
We high-fived, the three of us.
"Alright, let's head back!"
"Woof~" "~~~♪" "Krr-lulu~♪"
………
……
…
"Huh?"
It seems everyone has gathered…
"What happened? Let's hurry!"
"Woof!"
With Lupi leading, we ran at full speed to the port!
As we raced down the slope, we saw Selkies, Cait Sith, and Urisk all gathered together.
Ah, they're small, so I couldn't see them, but the fairies are there too. Wait, where are Leda and Roy?
"Bow!"
Roy's voice came from deep within the crowd, and all the gathered fairies turned towards us at once, waving excitedly.
"At least nothing serious seems to have happened…"
Relieved, I slowed down.
Lupi went ahead, but I turned around and caught Pan and True!
"Kyuu~" "Ryuu~"
Then, when I turned back again, the fairies had parted, creating a path for us.
And at the end of that path was…
"Sorry for showing up so suddenly again~"
"Nyaa~…"
Azure-san and the Boss Cat were on a boat that looked like a hovercraft.
That must be…
Is that a magic boat?
"I think so."
I jogged over, and sure enough, it was floating on the water… but I had no idea how it worked.
Well, it's a magic tool, so… some kind of gravity magic?
"Um, is that the Small Magic Boat you mentioned?"
"That's right, that's right. Pretty cool, isn't it?"
"It's bigger than I imagined, I'm surprised…"
I had vaguely imagined it to be a bit bigger than a rubber dinghy, but the one in front of me was about the size of a small fishing boat.
"Really? But since it's going into the ancient ruins' port, it has to be about this size~"
"When you put it that way, I guess so… No, that's beside the point, why did you bring the Boss Cat?"
The Boss Cat was next to Azure-san, clutching the gunwale and trembling.
He must be afraid of the sea, or maybe dislikes water?
"He was worried about the ones he left behind, and he hadn't repaid his debt of gratitude, something like that? It seems he left the Necropolis to the Vice-Commander, and he plans to become an island resident?"
"Ah, I see."
According to Azure-san, there was another Vice-Commander besides the one who went to the original island (Ramune-san's island), and the Boss Cat had left things to that one, even handing over the commander's seat.
"Nyaa~!"
Shou-kun, can you accept him?
"Yes, of course I'll accept him. Azure-san, why don't we get off the boat and talk on land?"
"That's fine, but since we're here, I thought I'd explain how to operate the boat."
He had apparently arrived about 15 minutes ago, and seeing Leda and Roy, he assumed I'd be there too, but when he came to the shore… he was surrounded by fairies.
"Um, alright, let's head to the port then."
"No, come on. Shou-kun, try riding it for a bit. It's easy to move."
"Ah, yes. But please, get the Boss Cat onto land first…"