Chapter 512 - 455. Let's Go See Various Seas
Wednesday
Day three of the training camp.
Rain was falling intermittently, giving the scene a certain charm.
After breakfast, we were driven to the city by the owner.
"So this is what the sea looks like when it rains."
"It's mysterious."
He had chosen a coastal route, making it a bit of a detour to the city.
The sea, which had shimmered blue yesterday, was now dyed gray, evoking a sense of melancholy.
"Shou-kun, what do you do on your island when it rains?"
"Uh, I usually make something at the mansion or in the Ancient Ruins' forge. Speaking of which, what do you do when it rains on the mainland?"
"Well, when we're diving into dungeons, the weather doesn't really matter, does it?"
"That's right. Outdoor quests become harder to accept, but with Lady Emily's tutoring, we're never short on things to do."
Apparently, outdoor monster subjugation quests are less popular when it rains because everyone gets covered in mud.
However, if the rain continues, the rewards are slightly increased, making the effort worthwhile.
As we chatted, we entered the city.
"This is the best souvenir shop. Well, it's an Island Station, so it's a safe bet, too."
The car turned left into the parking lot.
"Ah, it's an 'Island Station,' not a 'roadside station.'"
The atmosphere was similar to the roadside stations I passed on the way to my grandpa's house.
It was the kind with not only souvenir shops but also a food court and a direct sales outlet for vegetables.
"Well then, let's just browse around for a bit~"
"I'll be waiting in the food court, so take your time and look around."
The owner said, heading towards the food court.
Yata-sensei, meanwhile, left us to ourselves and headed straight for the alcohol aisle...
"It was like this last year too. Let's just browse without worrying."
"Ah, yes."
So, first, we did a full lap.
I wanted to buy shikuwasa juice and pickled island rakkyō, so I checked if they were available.
There were quite a lot of other things I wanted too, like salt, brown sugar, and various jams...
"Souvenirs can be accounted for as entertainment expenses, so I'll handle Seth-chan's share, and Mion-san, please take care of Shou-kun's."
"Yes."
"Is that really allowed?"
Tsubaki-san had also told me, "Please get a receipt if you buy anything," but apparently, souvenirs were fine too.
In that case, I decided to buy whatever I wanted without hesitation.
Somehow, Miki and Bell were discussing Ryukyu glass straps? Or keychains? And whether they suited their character images. I wonder if that's really important...
*
We had planned to go sightseeing if the weather cleared up, but the rain intensified, so it was postponed until tomorrow.
Since we spent a long time looking around the Island Station, we had lunch at the food court and returned straight to the villa.
The sōki soba was delicious, so I'll try making it at home. I already bought the noodles.
"I'm going to go ask True for a bit."
"Yes."
The plan was for Lupi, Sweee, and me to go to the Selkie village via the Divine Tree and ask True if he wanted to visit the Southern Island.
If he said yes, I'd contact Mion with my Guild Card. We'd meet at the Large Transfer Room and head to the Southern Island.
Mion wanted to go give an update to the Ghillie Dhu sisters, Kuro, Rake, and Ato, whom she hadn't seen in a while, so Leda, Roy, and Shal would accompany her as guards.
"Alright, I'm off."
"See you later."
This kind of entryway exchange is normal, isn't it?
...
...
...
"Heave-ho!"
I emerged from the Divine Tree's hollow and straightened myself. Lupi, who went out first, was checking if any Selkies were nearby, but it didn't seem like it.
"Woof?"
"Let's go to the cave. We'll probably meet someone along the way."
"~ ~ ~ ♪"
As we leisurely walked among the olive trees, we, as expected, encountered Selkies who were harvesting.
They told us that True and the others were out fishing, so we walked straight through the cave to the port.
"Oh, is that them? Hey!"
"Waooooon~"
My call was a bit weak, but Lupi's howl was clearly heard, and the Selkies floating on the waves noticed us.
"Ohhh, they're fast..."
The sight of the Selkies swimming en masse towards the shore was quite spectacular.
And at the forefront was True, holding the trident I had given him.
"Kyuu~♪"
"Sorry it's been so long."
Patting True's head as he jumped at me, I waited for the other Selkies to catch up.
Some of them were even carrying fish, making me feel a little guilty.
"Uh, let's calm down a bit. I have something to talk about."
"Kyuu~"
I asked all but True and two elders to return to their fishing, and we sat on the shore.
First, I told them about the Southern Island, the one I had asked True to confirm the direction of before. I should have told Mion when she visited, but at that time, Mion was the Jade Goddess-sama, so things got chaotic.
"There's a beautiful sea there too, would you all like to go, True?"
"Kyu!?"
Well, yeah, I guess that would be surprising.
After waiting for them to calm down, I explained how we would get there.
Sweee's follow-up explanations were very helpful.
"Kyukyu?"
"Hmm, taking everyone might be a bit much? It'll be a new place, so I think it'd be best if True and two guards came."
""Kyukyu!""
The two nodded deeply at the suggestion.
I did tell them that even the Southern Island might not be a place they could always go to in the future.
I plan to retrieve the Transfer Magic Circle on the 10th underground floor before Bell announces it, and it will take me a while longer to be able to use Transfer Magic...
"~ ~ ~ ♪"
"Ah, I see. It's not impossible if we find the Divine Tree."
It would be a path where we could go from here, but they couldn't come from there, wouldn't it?
Sweee is the only high-ranking fairy (and True too?), and it's not like they can normally reach the island's Divine Tree.
"Woof."
"That's right. First, a call. Mion?"
"Yes. Shall we go?"
It's a relief she's so quick on the uptake.
She seemed to have just returned and was about to contact me.
"Alright, let's go right away."
"Kyuu~♪" ""Kyukyu!""