Chapter 469 - Chapter 417 Boy Meets Girl
We advanced through the faintly, gently lit passage of the Ancient Ruins. We went straight from the room with the transfer magic circle, turned 45 degrees left, and then straight again. Further ahead,
"Is this a transfer elevator?"
"It looks similar to the one Buchou went to before, in the Mage's Tower."
"Ah, indeed."
And to its left and right,
"These look like emergency stairs."
"They do."
The right side went up, the left side down. Looking up the ascending stairs, they continued for a while before turning left, so it was probably a spiral staircase circling around this transfer elevator.
"There's no need to go up the stairs deliberately."
Assuming the elevator is working, but the ceiling lights are on, so I think it's usable.
"Shou-kun. Can you tell what floor we're on now?"
"Hmm… A normal elevator usually has the floor number written above the door, but…" I think we're probably underground right now.
The tower (mining facility?) I saw in Mion's stream had a concrete-like whiteness.
"~~~?"
"Sorry, sorry. For now, let's just get on this. We might find out the floor numbers from the buttons."
"Ah, you're right."
There were up and down triangle buttons on the right side of the door, so I pressed the up one and waited a moment. Ching~ Pshoooo… A familiar sound, and the door slid open to reveal… yep, it was empty.
"Get in, everyone."
I called out to them, and when we stepped inside, there were indeed buttons on the right side of the door. Just as I thought, This is definitely a transfer elevator,
[Thank you for using. Please press your destination floor button.]
"This is the same as what Buchou heard, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Maybe it's a fixed phrase." The buttons were lined up with floor numbers, the top one being '△10' and the bottom '▽30'. The one currently lit was '▽10', so that meant basement 10th floor? And presumably, the ground floor entrance was '△01', Japanese style…
"Alright, let's go to the 1st floor."
After carefully confirming everyone was aboard, I pressed the button marked '△01'. The door slowly closed, and just as my body felt a momentary lift, a ching sound indicated we had arrived. With a pshoo sound, the door opened, revealing a short corridor. The door visible at the end of it probably led outside.
"I'm pretty sure, in fact, I'm certain, that we've arrived on Mion's island."
"Eh?"
"No, because there was no World Announcement for Ancient Ruins Discovery or Uninhabited Island Discovery."
"Ah!"
The Uninhabited Island Discovery might still be a possibility since I haven't seen the island itself yet, but I'll know for sure once we go outside and take another look. This door also required authority. Thinking it might continue further inside, I answered "Yes" and pushed it open with both hands.
"Whoa, there's a wind."
The air, unmistakably that of a southern island, greeted us. We were supposedly on the 1st floor, but it felt like a slightly elevated spot. A wide, stone-paved road, wide enough for two lanes, stretched ahead, with only the island's trees visible beyond.
"Woof!" ""Bow!""
"Be careful!"
For now, we had no choice but to go straight, but where could Mion's cottage-like starting point be? I followed Lupi and the others, and after a short distance, I looked back.
"Yeah. There's no mistaking this, right?"
"Yes!"
It was the tower I'd seen in Mion's stream. Up close, it was enormous. Looking up, it was supposed to be 10 stories above ground, but the very top was incredibly high, so perhaps each floor had a very high ceiling.
"Woof!"
"Hm?"
I noticed something just before catching up to Lupi and the others. The end of the road continued down a long staircase, and what I saw beyond it was the cluster of water cottages where Mion was supposed to be.
………
……
…
"Kururu?"
"Hm? Wait a little longer. The goddess is coming."
I sat on a lower step of the staircase, waiting for Mion. The cottages lined the northern beachfront, but they all looked identical, making it impossible to distinguish them.
"~~~♪" "Ryuryu!" "Nyanya!"
"No, no, exploring this island can wait until next time."
There was a small potted plant beside the cottages, with tiny white flowers blooming. It seemed to have been left untended, but being a seaside flower, it must have strong self-propagating abilities. "Woof!" Lupi stood up sharply and turned to the right. Beyond her, I saw…
"Mion!"
"Shou-kun!"
I caught Mion as she ran towards me and hugged her. No, well, it's a bit embarrassing…
"Phew, I'm glad."
"Yes."
"Um, can I introduce you to everyone?"
If I didn't let go soon, everyone's stares would hurt. Lupi and the others were sitting, tails wagging, full of curiosity. Sweee was so surprised she was dumbfounded. Pan and Shal were prostrating themselves… Huh? Where's Raz?
"Kururu~♪"
Raz had moved to Mion's shoulder and was rubbing her cheek.
"~~~!?"
"Yes. She's the Jade Goddess."
"Ah…"
She's officially recognized as a goddess, so I'm not wrong, right? Though Mion herself, who is here now, would be treated separately.
"I mean, Pan and Shal, lift your heads."
The two finally looked up when told. When Mion knelt and stroked their heads, they looked incredibly happy. Is it because she looks just like the Jade Goddess? Seeing that, Lupi, Leda, and Roy lined up next to her… Are they waiting their turn?
"For now, let's sit down."
"Yes."
Then we started eating the snacks I'd brought. It was still before 10 PM, so we had time to relax a bit here.
"Ryu?" "Nyafu?"
"Hm? Of course, Mion will come to the island with us. I plan for her to help with a lot of things from now on."
"Mmm. I-I'll do my best."
I think 'not overdoing it' is good enough.
I had no intention of making her do strenuous combat. Instead, I thought about the skills I'd neglected…
"Speaking of which, have you acquired any skills yet?"
"Yes. I waited to consult you before doing so."
"Okay. I think you should generally pick what you're interested in, but…" Should I still have her acquire [Holy Magic]? Go to the church, in front of the goddess statue that looks like her?