Chapter 534 - Chapter 475: The Importance of a Good Distance
A lively, slightly early dinner.
"This is the last one."
"Alright. Miki, are you done?"
"Hmph."
Since we were going to my grandpa's house tomorrow, we were finishing off what was in the fridge with Okonomiyaki. Eggs, pork, and cabbage were normal, but Chinese chives, napa cabbage, and green bell peppers felt like unusual additions, probably.
The last, less-than-half-sized piece ended up in Mashiro-nee's stomach.
"Tea is fine, right? I have orange juice, but we're having bread for breakfast tomorrow."
"Alright."
"Hmph, hmph."
I brewed three cups of tea and finally relaxed. It was just past 7 PM. We'd rest a bit after eating, then IRO.
"Speaking of which, Mashiro-nee. You told Season-san about tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah. I heard she had another commitment in the game around that time."
Ah, right. Season-san is a core member of Silver Manor, so of course, Bell-bucho must have invited her to the Southern Island.
"Um, Miki?"
"Hmph. I shall explain. It concerns the Southern Island we spoke of before..."
Miki did a good job explaining what had happened. It was helpful that Miki's explanation was more concise and Mashiro-nee listened more seriously than when I explained it.
"Hmm, sounds interesting."
"Mashiro-nee, are you coming when we get back?"
"Is Mio-chan going to be there?"
"She is. But we're going to keep Mion playing the game a secret from anyone outside our inner circle for a while."
"In that case, I'll pretend I know nothing."
Mashiro-nee backed down surprisingly easily. I thought that was unusual, but then...
"Huh? What's that look for?"
"No, I just thought it was rare. You usually demand to be included."
"It wouldn't be right for me to go and play with you and Miki while Mio-chan is left alone. Think about your priorities properly."
"Hmph, hmph."
Again, I was surprised by a more sensible reason than I expected. No, ever since we were little, she was always strict about leaving people out, wasn't she?
"I'll think about a way for us all to play together, including Mion, once things calm down a bit."
"Alright. Well, I'm looking forward to it."
Has Mashiro-nee changed a bit? I need to thank Season-san...
...
...
...
"Shou-kun, Seth-chan."
"You're here."
When Seth and I entered the Virtual Club Room, Mion and Bell-bucho were waiting for us. Bell-bucho was about to do a live stream, and Seth was also scheduled to appear, albeit as the Guild Master of Silver Manor.
"I'm so sorry. I meant to ask but forgot, and I apologize, but would it be alright to hold a concert on the repaired piano?"
"Eh? Oh, I'm perfectly fine with it... but?"
"Yes. Of course."
"That's wonderful. To prove it's properly fixed, I plan to have a few people whose Performance Skill has broken its level cap play it."
Bell-bucho's live stream today would focus on that. She had originally intended to discuss it sooner, but my helping the Kijimunaa was such a big deal that...
"Also, there's one more thing I'd like you two to consider."
"Um, what would that be?"
"?"
As we exchanged glances, Bell-bucho continued with a serious expression.
"Considering the Kijimunaa-chan, I'd like you to decide the activity range for players visiting the Southern Island."
"Eventually, the number of players visiting that island will increase, but it would be problematic if they could freely move about the Kijimunaa settlement, wouldn't it?"
"Ah, you're right..."
According to Seth, the Southern Island story would eventually be made public, and the number of visiting players would undoubtedly increase. Even if those players meant no harm, it would be better for contact with the Kijimunaa to be gradual.
Incidentally, Nat's guild, Fairy's Friend, prohibits entry to the cave where the Gnomes live, except in emergencies.
"Understood. I'll discuss that with Gaju as well."
"Hmph. Well then, shall we get going?"
"Yes, please do."
*
"Alright, let's talk with Gaju first."
"That's right."
We left the Kouyouju Divine Tree and headed to Gaju. That said, Gaju is the chief, so...
"Gaju, are you there~?"
"Juju~"
A voice came from above the Divine Tree. Apparently, successive chiefs live in this Divine Tree.
"Juju♪" "~~~♪" "Nya!" "Wafu~"
Since it was likely to be a complicated discussion, we all sat down in front of the Divine Tree. Today's members were me, Mion, Lupi, Sweee, and Shal.
Mion handed everyone cold Papu Leaf Tea. This water bottle, made at Mion's request so we could always have tea, was a luxury item made from leftover Magic Steel Ingots.
"Shou-kun."
"Thanks."
Once everyone had their tea,
"Gaju. I have something I'd like to discuss..."
I explained it as simply as possible. I told him that more people would eventually visit this island, and it would be problematic if too many people came to the Kijimunaa settlement. For my part, I also wanted to avoid an unspecified number of people visiting the Kouyouju Divine Tree.
Even without Sweee, the Fairy Path probably wouldn't be usable, but I don't want people seeing us coming and going. More importantly, Mion and I wanted to keep our presence on this island as quiet as possible.
"~~~♪"
"Juju."
"Nya~nya~"
It was a huge help that Sweee explained that part so well. Shal talked about our island and how they came to be with me.
"We only come to this island occasionally, and we don't really intend to meet other people."
"Juju. Juju-juju?"
"Ah~, the two who came the other day were special, I guess. And Azure-san is a dragon, after all."
"Juju~"
It sounded a bit like an excuse, but they seemed to accept it readily.
"Mion, do you have anything to add?"
"No, it's the same as Shou-kun. I'm not really comfortable meeting strangers..."
Besides Bell-bucho and Seth, it was only Marie-nee, Polly, and Nat, I suppose.
"Juju~juju?"
"Oh, yeah. No rush. I want you to discuss it with everyone and decide."
"Juju!"
Even if Gaju was the chief, he couldn't decide on his own. As the number of players increased, so too might the bad things, in equal measure to the good. I asked Sweee and Shal to help with the consultation on that matter.
"Alright, Mion and I will be gone for two or three days starting tomorrow, so can you decide by then?"
"Juju~"