Chapter 519 - 462. Old Type in Real Life
Thursday
"Ohhh!"
Thursday, a clear, sunny day. We went sightseeing around the island in the owner's car.
First, we went to a major spot, looking at the neighboring island from the western tip of our own.
That neighboring island was connected by a large bridge, but the entire island was a joint Self-Defense Force and U.S. military base, so entry was forbidden. Occasionally, military aircraft would fly by...
"Here's a question~. When did the entire neighboring island become a base~?"
"Um..."
I felt like we were having a surprisingly normal conversation, but Miki would just answer even the most difficult questions.
I wondered what kind of brain she had, but then again, Mom's like that too...
Next, we went to the lighthouse on the north side of the island and saw a mysterious rock on the beach.
Yata-sensei kept taking pictures of everything; it really felt like a tourist trip now.
After lunch, we headed to the south side of the island.
I thought we'd see another lighthouse, but instead,
"A limestone cave?"
"Ah, last year there was a typhoon, so we couldn't go. It's good the weather is nice this year."
"Last year was mostly typhoons, wasn't it~?"
And their gazes fell on Bell.
Bell was casually accused of being a 'rain woman,' but if that's the case, isn't Yata-sensei too?
After paying the entrance fee, we proceeded deeper, and a plain cave entrance came into view.
"The ground's slippery, so be careful."
"Ah, yes."
"Brother. Here, Mion too."
"Yes."
Mion took my right hand, and Miki took my left.
Well, that's fine, but,
"Two beauties on each arm~"
"Is that supposed to be a dig at me?"
"Don't say anything more than that~"
...The atmosphere behind us was getting unsettling, so I quickly went inside.
The entrance wasn't very visible from outside, but once inside, indirect lighting was perfectly placed, creating a mysterious atmosphere illuminated by dim light.
"Ohhh..."
"It's amazing..."
The cave itself seemed to extend quite far, but we could only go about 20 meters. Beyond that was supposedly sacred ground.
"Does IRO have limestone caves?"
"I hear there's one south of Cleene."
Where's Cleene? I've heard that name before, but...
"For fishing, the fishing village's..."
"Ah, the place where all the fishermen gather, you mean?"
Apparently, while searching along the coast for good fishing spots, they found a cave, which turned out to be a limestone cave.
It wasn't part of any Ancient Ruins and could be explored quite deeply. Sludge Bats, which I had fought before, apparently appear there.
"That bat, huh..."
"Speaking of which, Brother, aren't you going to that cave at the northern tip?"
"No, I am, I'm just preparing, you know."
If I'm going there, I need to explore the northern part of the island first, before it.
Perhaps the area deep in the Ghillie Dhu forest, where the lake and Divine Tree are rumored to be, should come first? After that, I want to explore beyond the grassland where I found cotton, around where I saw horse-like animals.
"Whoops, this is the end here."
The path continuing deeper was narrow, and the ceiling was low, making it inherently dangerous.
According to the owner, there's a small shrine far ahead.
"I feel like something always happens when Shou-kun is around."
"Please spare me in real life."
I'm just a normal high school student...
*
"I'm going to go get some Mithril ingots."
"Yes. We'll plant the Armra saplings, then go around the south side."
"Roger."
It was past 3 PM.
We returned from sightseeing, and since we had time before dinner, I wanted to take care of various things before I forgot.
I plan to turn the Purple Steel Ore I received into ingots and finish the brooch for Mion.
The brooch is a secret, by the way...
"Ryuu~" """Ryuu~""
The Urisks were carrying the five saplings.
With Pan there, I wasn't worried about planting the saplings, and Lupi and the others were guarding them, so it should be fine.
By the way, Sweee and Shal had requested Silver Cat Delivery.
I wanted to deliver True's dried fish and the leftover wine to Azure-san and Geira-san's Dragonfolk Tribe.
"Alright, Lupi. I'm counting on you to guard Mion."
"Woof!" ""Bow!""
...
...
...
While waiting for the Purple Steel Ore to turn into ingots in the Ancient Magic Furnace, I made the brooch for Mion.
I diligently polished a large opal and set it into a frame made from Vesturfernil eggshell, using Mithril to hold it securely...
"Refining in the Ancient Magic Furnace is complete."
"Phew."
The third batch of refining was done, with two boxes remaining.
Each box takes 15 minutes, same as iron or copper, so it should have been almost an hour already.
Which means, it's about time,
"Woof~"
"Welcome back."
Lupi burst in from the north door, and seeing I was working, she obediently sat down and waited.
I had told her not to come close when I was hammering away at the hearth, as it was dangerous.
"Shou-kun. I'm back."
"Welcome back. Just a moment. I'll be done soon."
"Yes."
Mion, who arrived a little late, sat a bit away. As I listened to her report, I put the finishing touches on my work.
After planting the Armra saplings, they went south along the sandy beach to the southwest forest.
Pan and the others were good at finding Chagatake, Sabumaro, and Hermit Bamboo Shoots, and apparently gathered a lot.
"So, you brought those?"
"Yes."
Speaking of which, if Chagatake is shiitake, it should be possible to cultivate it if we choose the right spot, so maybe I should try with Pan and the others.
Oh, and I might consult the Ghillie Dhu too.
"What are you making, Shou-kun?"
"Hm, I'm almost done, so..."
[Crafting Skill level increased!]
[Crafting Skill base value reached maximum. No SP refunded.]
Finally, the base value of my [Crafting Skill] reached max level.
"My [Crafting Skill] is maxed out."
"Congratulations. Can you break the limit?"
"Yeah. This Mithril chisel gives +1 to Crafting, so..."
[Crafting Skill level cap broken!]
[Crafting (Fine Craftsmanship) Skill can now be acquired!]
"Done. I guess I'll take [Crafting (Fine Craftsmanship)] too."
"Amazing!"
And so, I immediately acquired [Crafting (Fine Craftsmanship)]!
The brooch was finished, but I needed to properly engrave it...
[Crafting (Fine Craftsmanship) Skill level increased!]
Alright! Now, what about the crucial result?
[(Temporary) Magic Falcon Eggshell and Play-of-Color Opal Brooch]
A brooch made of Mithril, Vesturfernil eggshell, and a rare opal with play-of-color. It excels in Mana retention and is imbued with divinity.
MP +175. Holy Magic +2.
Creator: Shou
Oh, I might have messed up...