Chapter 527 - Chapter 469: Southern Island Tour - A Stormy Beginning?
"It seems we've become quite a large group, huh?"
"Indeed."
It was me and Mion, plus Lupi, Leda, Roy, and Raz from the phantom beast group, making six. Then there were the fairies: Sweee and eleven Fairies, True and six Selkies, Pan and six Urisks, Shal and eight Cait Sith, and Ato and six Ghillie Dhu...
"Nya nya!"
"Yeah. I'm counting on you."
Shal and the Cait Sith promised to properly guard the fairies, so I'll trust them with that. Besides, we weren't planning on going anywhere dangerous today.
"Alright, Lupi and I will go ahead, then."
"Yes."
It was impossible for everyone to go at once, so we had to split into several groups. Though it's unlikely monsters will appear right in front of us after teleporting, Lupi and the phantom beast group went first as a precaution.
Shal's group, Pan's group, True's group, Ato's group, and finally Mion, Sweee, and the Fairies.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine, it's fine. Shall we go?"
Lupi and the others had already scouted ahead to the Transfer Elevator. We let Shal's group bring up the rear and proceeded, reaching the 1st floor above ground via the Transfer Elevator without incident.
"Uu~?"
"~~~♪"
Ato and her group seemed a little nervous, perhaps because it was their first time. True and Pan, being used to it, were chattering as they followed along.
"Alright, opening it now."
"Kyuu~!" "Ryuu~!"
Come to think of it, I didn't even consider the weather when bringing everyone here. Wondering what we'd do if it was a storm, I opened the door to find...
"Wafu!" ""Bow!""
"The weather is lovely, isn't it?"
"Good. If it had rained, everyone would have been disappointed."
After confirming everyone was outside, I closed the door. True and her group ran straight to the stairs, then one after another, plunged into the sea.
"Ah!"
"It's alright, it's alright."
I realized when I dove with True's group before that there don't seem to be any monsters in this inner sea. Well, monsters probably don't appear immediately in the nearby sea when you start on an Uninhabited Island. It was the same on my island.
"Alright, let's head to the Armra Forest."
"Yes."
If we can meet the Kijimunaa successfully, perhaps we can explore the area afterwards? I hope we find some new ingredients...
"Kyuu~♪"
"Ryuu~♪"
As we proceeded along the cottages to the west, True and her group swam alongside us. They were maintaining a solid formation around True, so it seems the older Selkies are being careful.
"Hey, we're going further in!"
"Kyuu~!"
When we reached the very edge, they jumped from the water. Hmm, it's always amazing to see, but I guess only Selkies can do that.
"Kyukyu?"
"Uu~"
"~~~♪"
This is True's first time meeting Ato's group, isn't it? Ato's group was clinging to Mion, looking a little shy, but they seemed to be communicating, so it should be fine.
"Ryu?"
"Are they there? Well, Mion's here, so I think they'll come quickly if they notice us."
"The Kijimunaa-chan?"
"Yeah. They came last time too, when we were all eating, didn't they?"
"Yes."
Following the small path leading northwest, we saw the Armra Forest. Lupi and her group quickly spread out, and Shal and her group confirmed the surroundings were safe.
"Ryu. Ryuryu."
"Kyukyu."
"""Ryuu~!""" """Kyuu~!"""
At Pan's and True's command, the Urisks and Selkies began gathering Armra Fruit. They seemed serious, carefully selecting only the ripe ones.
"Mion, you too."
"Yes. Ato-chan, everyone else too."
"~~~♪"
"Uu~" """Uu~""
It should be fine with Mion here. Sweee and her group are here too. Now, what should I do? If I make some noise around here, I think the Kijimunaa will notice me...
"Hmm, I'm going out with Lupi for a bit."
"Ah, yes."
I informed Shal, Leda, and Roy, and headed in the direction the Kijimunaa came from—southwest from the Armra Forest, from the west side of the island. After returning from the training camp, I researched Kijimunaa lore a bit. Apparently, they're fairies that live in banyan trees on Southern Islands. They're said to live by eating fish, so I feel like they'd get along well with True and her group.
"Wafu."
"Hmm."
Lupi seemed to remember the Kijimunaa's scent, sniffing the ground and weaving through the trees. Looking closely, the weeds were sparser compared to the surroundings. Is this a path the Kijimunaa use?
"Wafu!"
"Eh!?"
Lupi noticed something and darted off, and I hastily chased after her. What immediately got caught in my Shared Presence Detection was...
"Mion! The Kijimunaa are fighting monsters!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Lupi and I are going to provide backup! Everyone, come on!"
"~~~!"
I heard Sweee's command, so they should hurry. I felt like Lupi was getting too far ahead of me, so I sped up and re-checked my Shared Presence Detection... It looks like a group battle!?
"Lupi! Don't overdo it, just support the Kijimunaa!"
"Wafun!"
Lupi answered sharply and accelerated further, moving out of range of my Shared Presence Detection. But I could already hear the sounds of the group battle and the monsters' cries.
"WoOOOOooN!"
Lupi let out a loud howl at the forest exit and then burst forward. After seeing her off, I activated my Stealth Skill. Hiding among the trees, I moved to flank the enemies, and saw monsters in a slightly open, hollow-like area.
Two-legged dog-like creatures with bloodshot eyes and drooling mouths, labeled as [Kobold] with red nameplates. There were easily over 30 of them, attacking what looked like the Kijimunaa's fort.
"Ugh-gah!!"
"Juju!"
The Kobolds, attacking with stone axes to break the wooden fence, were met with stone spears from the Kijimunaa. In one spot, the fence was broken, and a Kobold that had pushed through was sent flying by Lupi's Crush Claw. The Kijimunaa cheered loudly at this, met by annoyed growls from the Kobolds.
"Shou-kun. Leda-chan's group is going ahead."
"Roger. I'll take out the boss with Stealth, so Mion and your group, don't push yourselves."
"Yes."
Now, where's the Kobold boss...?