Chapter 482 - Beyond the Water Channel, Deep in the Forest
Thursday
"It's a bit early today, but let's stop here."
"Oh, okay."
"I think that's fine~."
Yata-sensei gave her approval, so no problems.
Both Mion and I could finish our summer homework with just one more hour of work today, but I thought it would be better to have some leeway tomorrow.
As for Bell-buchou,
"Don't worry about me."
She waved her hand dismissively. Well, she was currently making up for the time she'd slacked off, under Yata-sensei's supervision.
Miki was also visiting Nao-chan's place today, so she didn't seem to have any urgent plans.
I wanted to discuss coordinating with our guild's branch office, but… I guess it could wait.
"Alright, let's go."
"Yes!"
………
……
…
"Yo, good morning."
"G-good morning."
"Woof!" "Kuru-ru~"
The new bed in the mansion's bedroom was a king-size, almost square.
I had tried to prepare separate beds for Mion and me, but,
"Wouldn't it look strange if two beds were shown during the live stream? I think one bed is fine."
She pointed that out with a smile.
That's true, but… After much deliberation, we decided to get a bed large enough for Lupi and Raz to sleep with us.
Well, in reality, Lupi and Raz were indeed sleeping between us, so, yeah…
"""~~~♪"""
Sweee and the Fairies were sleeping in a large wicker basket lined with Amama Fabric.
Everyone except Sweee was properly awake and greeted us, but the Queen was still in dreamland.
"What do you want to do today?"
"I'll check the location for the Watermill Hut, and then we'll go look at the downstream of the water channel. It should connect to the sea, so I'll confirm that. Mion, are you coming too?"
"Yes!"
Then, I suppose I'll have Leda and Roy escort us.
And I'll ask Lupi to fetch Pan. We should be able to see the area below the cliff of the Urisk settlement, and he might know something.
"Lupi. Could I ask you for a favor?"
"Woof-woof."
Incidentally, Leda and Roy had moved into the space that used to be the bar.
Removing the bar counter created a surprisingly large space. This should be enough for their siblings, who were still with their families, to come.
"Woof!" ""Bow!""
As I opened the front door, Lupi's group bounded out.
My equipment was fine for now, but Mion was still in her beginner gear.
"Speaking of which, can you equip Holy Magic books?"
"Ah, yes. It seems good to have it, but it ties up your hands."
"Hmm, that's something to think about too."
Mion probably wouldn't fight with a weapon, but if not, I felt it would be better for her to carry a wand or something.
Oh, right, I could make an accessory that gives a +1 bonus to Holy Magic using the Crystal and Mithril from Nat's place, right?
Ah, I could issue that as a guild request too.
"~~~…"
"Sweee-chan, good morning."
Sweee, flying over groggily, settled on Mion's left shoulder.
She munched on the Dried Grapeful Mion handed her. I told her today's plan, and she nodded vaguely, so she must intend to come along.
"Woof."
"Ryuu~" "Meow~"
"Oh, Pan and Shal too. We're heading further down the water channel now, so would you like to come with us?"
"Ryuu!" "Meow!"
Pan thumped his chest, and Shal saluted. This time, just the party should be fine.
"Alright, let's go."
"Yes."
………
……
…
The planned site for the Watermill Hut was a little upstream from where we had crossed earlier.
Pan's group had already finished weeding, leaving it ready for construction.
"Ryuu?"
"That's right. After we gather wood and build the hut, we'll make the waterwheel."
I wanted to finish this before summer vacation ended.
"Okay. Let's head downstream then."
"Yes."
Proceeding downstream along the mansion side would lead to a dead end, so we first crossed to the other side, the Ghillie Dhu's forest side.
"Shall we call Kuro-chan and the others?"
"Hmm, well, maybe if we get stuck?"
If this forest extended all the way to the river mouth, we might have things to ask them.
For now, I wanted to get a grasp of the terrain.
"Leda, Roy. Please stay alert, just in case."
""Bow!""
I sent Leda ahead and Roy to the rear.
Visibility was good along the riverbank, so we moved quickly.
"It's getting a little cloudy."
"It might rain tonight. Well, Azure-san said he was coming today."
"Oh, that's right."
Until he arrived, I could try making a wooden statue of Lupi, as suggested during the live stream.
Mion also said she wanted to raise her Sewing skill, so I hoped I could support her.
"Whoa, they're joining up ahead."
"Does it connect directly to the sea?"
"Probably."
The one we came from was a tributary.
The main stream, I felt, probably also received water from the spring in the basin where the Mountain Cabin was.
"Is the area below Pan's cliff somewhere around over there?"
"Ryuu."
It seemed I was right.
He said he had seen several monsters from above.
"The area seems to be separate, though."
"Shall we cross over?"
"No, I'll just observe for today. Let's head out to the sea first."
"Okay!"
We walked west along the widened riverbank.
The river grew even wider, and visibility improved on both banks.
"Oh, the sea!"
"It's beautiful…"
Unlike the sea to the south, this one felt a bit lonely, but then again, today's weather wasn't great.
We could go a little further to the coast, but,
"We need time to get back, so should we head home now?"
"Yes. The weather also…"
Mion looked up at the sky.
The clouds had thickened even more since we left, so it might start raining soon.
"Bow."
"Hm? Roy? Wait, when did you get there…?"
"Ato-chan."
Standing beside Roy, unnoticed until now, was Ato, the youngest of the Ghillie Dhu sisters… apparently.
She responded to Mion's call, approached, and bowed her head politely.
"What happened?"
"~~~?"
"Ugh ugh, ugh ugh?"
"They're asking, 'We've processed the Ecryu wool you gave us the other day, so what kind of clothes would you like?'"
Mion looked surprised, and I was also surprised at how quickly they'd finished.
"Um, how about we talk about it tonight?"
"Oh, that's a good idea."
I hoped they'd feel free to visit anytime from now on, and it would also be an opportunity for the other Ghillie Dhu to meet Mion.
And, while we're at it, I'll ask them more about the depths of the forest…