Chapter 500 - Chapter 444: Everyone Gathers!
“Yes, that might be better.”
“Hmm. If Yata-sensei is agreeable, I have no objections.”
“It’s fine~.”
We had seen the beautiful sea, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and after coming out of the bath, the ladies seemed to be discussing something.
“What’s wrong?”
“Hm.”
Mion showed me her VR HMD. And then,
“They asked me to switch rooms with you. Sensei also agreed, so…”
“Hey, wait! That’s not okay!”
“Only during Full-Dive VR~.”
Haa, that startled me. Bell-buchou and Miki were laughing, but Mion, please don’t look so displeased? There were two rooms, and it had been decided that I would share with Miki, and Mion with Bell-buchou. It felt bad that Yata-sensei was in the living room on a cot, but she said she preferred it.
“Well~, I’ll probably be drinking with Yuuki-san here~, so everyone, please enjoy yourselves~.”
…Yata-sensei isn’t thinking that the living room is fine because she can just lie down right away if she gets drunk, is she?
“Log out by 11 PM. Then gather here. Understood?”
“Mhm.”
“Roger that.”
“Okay.”
We were scheduled to have a meeting to ensure it truly felt like a training camp. It would probably just be casual chat, or rather, talk about IRO.
“Enjoy yourselves~.”
Yata-sensei sent us off cheerfully, and we moved to our respective rooms. Each room had two PCs, and there was one in the living room too, so everyone could use them as they pleased.
“That’s Miki’s bed.”
“Okay.”
I put on the VR HMD that was on the bed closest to me and lay down. I glanced at Mion on the next bed, and our eyes met. She smiled… Oh no. I should log in quickly…
…
…
…
“Morning.”
“Uh, yeah. Morning.”
When Mion, who was lying next to me, spoke, it still made my heart skip a beat. When I woke up in my usual bedroom, Lupi, who had been waiting, jumped on me.
“Woof!”
“Morning, Lupi. Can you call Leda and Roy?”
“Woof-n.”
“I’ll go call Sweee-chan and Raz-kun.”
“Okay.”
We had talked about it last night, so we should be all set. Well, in Sweee and Raz’s case, I don’t think there’s any “preparation” to be done. In the meantime, I need to contact Azure-san.
“Azure-san. Are you free right now?”
“Oh, Shou-kun, I’ve been waiting for you! You’re going, right?”
“Yes, sorry to keep you waiting. In a little while, the two people I mentioned before will be coming. I think the Transfer Magic Circle will be opened in about 30 minutes, so I’ll contact you again then.”
“Roger that~.”
Contact confirmed. Mion and I are ready to go to the Southern Island. Shal and Pan are scheduled to meet at the church, so…
“~~~♪” “Kuruuru~♪”
“Okay. Alright, let’s go.”
…
…
…
“Nina. I’ll be away for a while, so please set it to not let any unknown people through, as usual.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Now, I haven’t forgotten anything, have I? I put the Transfer Magic Circle connected to the Necropolis into my inventory. I removed the lid of the Transfer Magic Circle connected to the Southern Island, and preparations for departure were complete.
“Alright, everyone, get on.”
“Okay.”
“Woof!” ““Bow!”” “Kuruuru~” “~~~♪” “Ryu!” “Nya!”
The Transfer Magic Circle was small, so everyone crammed in. I felt Mion was a bit too close, but I decided to just transfer quickly. As I poured MP into it, a faint light overflowed from beneath our feet, eventually enveloping all of us…
“Alright.”
“Woof!” ““Bow!””
Lupi and the others immediately went on alert. Come to think of it, have the golems beyond the door respawned? They weren’t there when we left last time, but it’s been a while since then.
“Mion, please.”
“Yes. A blessing.”
“Thanks. Pan, next to me. Shal, please look after Mion and Sweee.”
“Ryu!” “Nya!”
Pan’s Mithril Hoe was super effective against golems, so if a fight broke out, I’d have him cover me. After confirming everyone was in position, I opened the door…
“Ah, they weren’t there.”
“That’s good.”
Nonetheless, caution was key, so we proceeded forward, remaining vigilant. In the end, we reached the Transfer Elevator without encountering any enemies.
“Do they not appear once you defeat them? Does that mean it’s not an instance dungeon?”
“Ah.”
“Well, it’s easier that way, I guess.”
While discussing this, everyone boarded, and we went down to the first floor. We proceeded cautiously on the first floor as well, but we exited without encountering any enemies.
“Shou-kun. Where will you place the magic circle?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but for now, I thought I’d put it in the plaza right outside here.”
We’re talking about the Southern Island, so it seems easy to explain various things. Lupi and the others scattered in all directions to scout, and it doesn’t seem like monsters will appear here.
“Mion. This area is fine, so just pick a spot to place it.”
“Okay.”
I left that to her and prepared my Guild Card. I opened the menu. It had only been about 20 minutes since I contacted them before leaving, so I’d let them take their time choosing.
“Woof!” ““Bow!””
“Thanks. This area seems safe, so Leda and Roy, you don’t have to be so tense.”
While petting Lupi and the others in turn, I watched Mion and Sweee. After a while, they waved me over, so we all moved towards them.
“Is here good?”
“Yes. The view from there is beautiful.”
“Oh? Ohh, amazing!”
On the east side of the island, specifically the part corresponding to the right side of the “C” shape, the tropical sea stretched out to the distant horizon.
…I feel like I just saw this in real life today, but let’s treat that as a separate matter.
“This should be fine.”
“Yes.”
I wondered what would happen if it rained, but for future operations, I could just leave that to Bell-buchou and Seth. I set up the Transfer Magic Circle and waited a little distance away. I figured anyone appearing right in front of it would be startled. Then, I made the call…
“Azure-san?”
“Oh! Can we come over now?!”
“Yes. It’s set up.”
“Alright, we’re coming!”
How excited was he?… Also, did Bell-buchou and Seth manage to meet up? As I was thinking that, the Transfer Magic Circle immediately began to glow, and Azure-san and Bell-buchou appeared.
“Hello, Shou-kun! Thank you for inviting me!”
“No, no. I should be the one apologizing for being late.”
While we exchanged such pleasantries (?), Mion and Bell-buchou were also holding hands and celebrating.
“Seth-chan isn’t coming?”
“She’ll be here soon. Seth-chan has a greatshield, and she can only use the Transfer Magic Circle by herself with it.”
Ah, I see. If she put it in her inventory, she’d have fewer potions or other items she could bring.