Chapter 510 - 454. Everyone Shares Delicious Food
"They're not chasing us, are they?"
"Doesn't look like it."
We made it back up the stairs, safely to the 10th underground floor.
That Black Digapuant, it won't chase us into brighter areas? No, more to the point, we wouldn't survive that breath attack.
Still,
"Seth. Can you defeat those ants?"
"A few might be manageable, but it would take time. If we come again, we should bring maces, not swords."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"If Leona-san were here, she'd cut their joints, but even then, with so many of them, her stamina might not hold out."
"Ah, speaking of which, are those ants found on the mainland?"
"We've fought Digapuant in the Dwarf Dungeon in Amiera Territory. I've also heard they're in a dungeon south of the Principality, but..."
"But?"
"The ones we fought were, at most, puppy-sized."
Seth was careful not to create any openings, so it seems I was the only one who could use [Appraisal] on them.
So,
"My [Appraisal] results said they were a mutated species of Digapuant. Named Black Digapuant, they became gigantic and ferocious due to some unknown cause."
"Hmm, hmm. That 'unknown cause,' could it be a meteorite underground?"
Azure-san asked.
"I see."
"It's a cliché for things to mutate due to meteorite influence, isn't it?"
Speaking of mutated species, there's the Red Armor Bear, but I managed to defeat that one mostly by exploiting a weakness. This time, it feels a bit tougher.
Of course, if I relied on Azure-san, we'd probably manage, but that's a bit...
"Shou-kun. Is your arm alright now?"
"Oh, yeah, totally fine. Thanks for the healing."
Waiting for our conversation to settle, Mion looked concerned.
Her healing seemed to have taken care of the acid (formic acid?) the ants spat, which had splattered on Roy and possibly Lupi too.
Then,
"Woof~"
"Cooro~" "Nya~" "Ryuu~"
Lupi, having been saved, looked a bit dejected, while Raz, Shal, and Pan comforted her.
Was Leda praising Roy for protecting her well? It's good that they all get along.
"Lupi. Let's get our revenge next time we meet them."
"Woof!"
I thoroughly petted Lupi.
It was our first encounter with them, and they were a mutated species, so it was hard to react immediately. It couldn't be helped.
"Let's call it a day today. I suppose we'll take a day off tomorrow, and then the day after?"
"Yes. More importantly, would it be alright if we explored the upper floors first...?"
"I think that's fine. Also, about the Ancient Ruins' disconnected functions..."
Azure-san prefaced it with, "This is just a guess," but suggested it might be due to those mutated ants.
Even the original Digapuant could break through hard rock to build their nests, so it's possible the mutated species have now broken through the ruins' walls and made their homes there.
In any case, it doesn't seem like an opponent we can deal with right away, so we'll get to it eventually...
*
"Oh, good evening."
"Oh, done with the game already?"
"Yes."
Mion and I returned to the living room to find Yata-sensei and the landlady having a drink.
It was about the same time as yesterday, but...
"Yuuki-san said it'll probably rain tomorrow..."
"It'll probably pour, won't it? Well, my husband will drive, so you can go souvenir shopping."
As they chatted, Bell and Seth also arrived, and the landlady stood up.
"Oh, please don't mind us and continue."
"Ahaha, I don't intend to stop. I'll just make some late-night snacks, so wait a bit. Suzune-chan, come help."
"Coming!"
Late-night snacks...
Now that you mention it, I do feel a little hungry. I'm happy, but it's rare for Bell to offer to help.
"By the way, Brother. We have a live show tomorrow, what about you?"
"We... haven't really decided anything. Hmm, maybe just check out the parts of the Southern Island outside the Ancient Ruins."
Sweee and the others, especially Pan, probably want to find new vegetables and things.
We probably can't go too far, but for now, I want to gather the coconuts I saw near the waterfront cottages.
"Ah, um, Shou-kun. Is it okay if True-kun and his companions come along?"
"Oh! I think that's a great idea. Let's invite them tomorrow."
This sea, at least within the cove, seems safe, and True and the others would probably be thrilled to come along.
"Hmm, I'd like to come too, but..."
Both Seth and Bell have the problem that if they're not on the mainland much, people will find it strange.
Their base is in Amiera Territory in the Kingdom, and staying in the Necropolis forever would also be weird.
"When are they planning to announce that the Transfer Magic Circle is connected to the Southern Island~?"
Yata-sensei, whose speech was slightly slurred, asked.
I was thinking the same thing, so I looked at Miki.
"The official announcement will be around after summer vacation, I believe. Of course, I intend to get Brother's permission, so there's no need to worry about that."
She said.
I wondered what Mion thought, and she gave a small smile, so I guess she's leaving it all to me.
"Alright, then that's fine. Well, as for us... Ah!"
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, I forgot to ask them to unfix the Transfer Magic Circle on the 10th underground floor..."
Since Bell became the manager, she should be able to undo the fixation on that Transfer Magic Circle.
Once this rough survey is over, I'll have her unfix it and ask Azure-san to transport it to the island.
"It's ready."
"There's more, too. And eat as many pickles as you like."
"Looks delicious~"
The awamori bottles and glasses were cleared, and placed on the table for everyone to easily reach were grilled onigiri with an appetizing aroma.
And some pickled rakkyō, I think. Served with katsuobushi, it looked incredibly delicious too...
"Those are lightly pickled island rakkyō. They're a bit spicy, so it's best to try a small one first."
Following her advice, I took a small one, added some katsuobushi, drizzled a little soy sauce, and...
"Mmm, delicious."
Mion and Miki, who had been watching me, tasted it after seeing my reaction.
Mion seemed fine with spicy food, but for Miki...
"Gah!"
"Ahaha! You hit a spicy one, didn't you? Here, have some tea."
No, I think she'd react that way even to the one I ate.
I averted my gaze from Miki, who was glaring at me with teary eyes, to see Yata-sensei had somehow grabbed a glass and taken a big bite.
"Mmm, this is exactly what I needed~"
...