Chapter 532 - Chapter 473: Shou-kun is a Worrier
Sunday
Sunday.
Naturally, visiting Mion's house was out today. We also had preparations for going back to our hometown tomorrow.
"Tomorrow will be like a school day. At the usual time at the station, okay?"
"Yes. I'm really looking forward to it."
"Um, it's really rural and there's nothing there, so don't expect too much..."
There are only mountains, rivers, and fields, so I wonder if it'll be alright. Well, for a two-night, three-day stay, Mashiro-nee and Miki will be there, so maybe even just looking around nearby will be fun.
That aside,
"Is everyone here?"
"Wafu" ""Bow"" "Kururu~"
"~~~♪" """~~~♪"""
I'd already told Sweee's group that I wouldn't be able to log in or come here for a while starting tomorrow. During that time, Sweee would be the leader, and Lupi's group and Raz, along with Shal's group, would go check on the Southern Island.
Pan and True's groups could go if they wanted, and Ato's Ghillie Dhu group would stay in the forest if Mion wasn't around.
"Alright, let's meet up with Shal's group first."
"Yes."
...
...
...
"~~~♪"
"Juju!"
Emerging from the Kouyouju Divine Tree's hollow, the Kijimunaa seemed surprised. From the looks of it, they had come to pray to the wooden statue of the Jade Goddess displayed above the tree hollow, so...
"""Juju~!"""
"Augh..."
Mion was surrounded by Kijimunaa. It felt like everyone was thinking, "The Goddess is here!"
"Shal, Leda, Roy. I'm leaving Mion's group to you."
"Nya!" ""Bow!""
"Lupi and I are going to pick up Azure-san and Bell-bucho."
"Y-Yes."
I hadn't been able to talk properly last night, so I explained everything to Miki and then to Mashiro-nee during lunch today.
"As expected of my brother!"
"Hmm, you're doing something interesting, aren't you?"
The Southern Island story would eventually be made public anyway, and if I kept it from Mashiro-nee, she'd find out through Season-san anyway.
"Mashiro-nee, are you coming?"
"No, I have other plans."
She said with a grin. Apparently, she and Season-san were going back to the elf-inhabited forest south of the Mage's Tower, so she went straight to IRO after lunch. We explained to Bell-bucho in the Virtual Club Room. She didn't freeze up, but there was the usual exchange of "screw-ups" and "amazing," and we arranged for her to come with Azure-san first.
"Wafu~"
Lupi ran lightly through the Armra Forest. The Kobolds didn't seem to come this way. Is it because there's a church further in, or because the area around the cottages is a Safe Zone?
"Time to contact them, I guess. Um, Azure-san, are you free right now?"
"Oh, Shou-kun! I've heard the story, and I'm coming now!"
"Ah, yes. Please do..."
It was helpful not to have to explain, but I was getting worried about how much the story had been exaggerated. Oops, Lupi's looking at me impatiently.
"Sorry, sorry. Alright, let's race to the ruins!"
"Wafu!"
There was no way I could beat Lupi when she was serious, but I still ran at full speed! On the straight stretch by the cottages, the gap widened rapidly, but it felt like Lupi was still holding back.
"Wafu~"
We arrived at the stairs leading to the Ancient Ruins. I praised and petted Lupi, who had reached the goal first with a smug look, when...
"Hey, long time no see. Well, not that long, I guess?"
"Ah, hello."
Azure-san was as easygoing as ever. Behind her, Bell-bucho and Seth slowly walked up. Bell-bucho seemed to have explained what happened yesterday, and Azure-san naturally wanted to support the Kijimunaa. However,
"We Dragonkin can't directly intervene in this matter. I'm sorry."
"Ah, I kind of understand..."
It's probably different if it's a race the Dragonkin directly protect. If they didn't draw a line somewhere, they'd become a being constantly asked for help.
"Could you introduce us to the Kijimunaa-chan first?"
"Roger. Let's walk and talk."
We headed west from the cottages towards the Kijimunaa settlement. Along the way, we passed through the Armra Forest, and I gathered some Armra Fruits as souvenirs for the White Dragon Princess-sama and handed them to Azure-san.
"Wafu."
"Here it is. Beyond this fort is the Kijimunaa settlement."
"Hmm. Is the wooden fort a Kijimunaa policy?"
"Hmm, I wonder. The other parts besides this fort seem to have stone walls, so I don't think they're that particular."
For that matter, there's a possibility the Kijimunaa didn't even build the stone walls. I haven't told them that yet, but I need to.
"Kururu~♪"
"Yeah, I'm home."
As we approached the fort entrance, Raz ran up, scampered up my body, and settled into my hood.
"Juju~. Juju?"
"Thanks. Oh, these are guests. They're not bad people."
"Juju!"
Was it a mistake to suddenly bring strangers?
"Shou-kun, welcome back."
"Yeah, I'm back. Azure-san and the others are... oh?"
I turned around to see Azure-san surrounded by Kijimunaa, like she was at a handshake event. Why? Do they know she's a dragon?
"Juju~"
"Gaju, nice to see you again. Oh, let me just check something."
I remembered I hadn't appraised Gaju, so after getting his permission,
[Kijimunaa (Chief): Gaju: Respect]
The chief of the Kijimunaa fairies. He has inherited the chieftainship for generations.
Gaju is the chief, then. And once more, at the Kijimunaa's location,
[Kijimunaa]
Fairies of the Kouyouju. They have the ability to discern good and evil, and are said to bring happiness to the good and retribution to the wicked.
This ability to discern good and evil, is that True Appraisal?
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, yeah. I'll tell you later."
Anyway, I should introduce Bell-bucho and Seth first. If I tell Gaju, he'll relay it to everyone else.
"I understand the situation. Just to confirm again, it's alright to invite the core members of Silver Manor to this island, correct?"
"Yes. I think it'll be fine with Lupi's group around, but I'm still worried."
Mion nodded at my words. Seth, Mion, and I won't be able to log in until Wednesday night, after all...