Chapter 537 - Chapter 478: Silver Manor's Southern Island Tour
The core members of Silver Manor visited the tower in the Dragonkin district of the Necropolis. There were five of them: Majo Bell, Yuki, Zeld, Bacchus, and Season. Jinbee and Dimaria stayed behind in Amiera Territory to mind the base. Incidentally, Seth was back in her hometown, and Gold Onee-sama was absent due to real-life commitments.
"Lord Azure. Bell-dono and her party have arrived."
"Oh, they're here. Well, let's go right away, shall we?"
"Yes, please."
His easygoing demeanor was as present as ever, making one wonder where the Dragonkin's dignity had gone. Bell was used to it, but the other members, who had only recently met him, remained bewildered.
"Geira. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes, sir!"
Geira, representing the Dragonfolk here, straightened his back and responded. The party, in fact, thought this firmer demeanor was easier to deal with.
"Alright, alright, go ahead. I'll be last."
They were guided to a strictly guarded room in the tower, where a Transfer Magic Circle was placed in the center. This was said to be the Transfer Magic Circle received from Shou, the pioneer of Uninhabited Island Start, as a reward for piano repair.
"Alright, Yuki-san, Season-san, and I will go first."
"Oh, o-okay..."
The three women stepped onto the Transfer Magic Circle first, were enveloped in a faint light, and quickly disappeared. Zeld and Bacchus followed them onto the Transfer Magic Circle and disappeared shortly after.
"Am I really that frightening?"
"Haha, that would be normal, wouldn't it?"
"Shou-kun doesn't have any of that about him, though."
Geira could only offer a wry smile to the grumbling Azure. Even from Geira's perspective, Shou, who spoke normally with Azure and Argenta, was a mystery. Even stranger was that the White Dragon Princess-sama, whom they most revered, had grown fond of him.
...
...
...
"Ohhh!"
"No way..."
The men involuntarily exclaimed, while the women remained utterly calm. They calmly looked around and gazed up at the Ancient Ruins.
"I see, I see."
"This is amazing. I was surprised when I heard the Transfer Magic Circle was a reward, but to think it connected to this island!"
"Yes, it does."
Bell nodded at Season's words. This naturally raised the question of whether Shou, the previous owner of the Transfer Magic Circle, knew about this island's existence and made it a reward.
"What are we doing today?"
"Ah, yes. First, we plan to give you a brief tour of the island."
"Okay~."
Receiving Azure's easygoing reply, Bell and the women started walking towards the cottages. The men followed, and Azure came last.
"Hey, Bell-san. Shou-kun knows about this island, right?"
"It's better not to ask such things."
"I agree."
Season replied coldly to Bacchus's question, and Yuki concurred. Bell, looking troubled by this exchange, said,
"It would be helpful if you could do that."
"I found this island, you know?"
Azure added with a smiling face.
"Ah, ah, understood. No, I understood."
"Let's not fuss over the details. More importantly, what shall we do with this island in the future?"
The men also seemed convinced. Azure nodded in satisfaction at their reaction.
"This area around the cottages is already a Safe Zone."
"What happens if you log out here?"
"I'd like to try that."
While the women chatted about this and that, Zeld and Bacchus silently checked the strength and layout of the cottages. This was groundwork for building what would be necessary if this became their base in the future.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
Bell continued west from the cottages, then entered the Armra Forest from its edge. Seeing the red fruits there, Yuki and Season brightened.
"Mangoes, these are."
"I should have brought Dimaria-san too, perhaps."
Perhaps because Shou was involved, the two hesitated before the ripe fruits, but then,
"You can take plenty!"
Azure called out from the rear, and each of them picked what they thought was the most delicious Armra Fruit and put it into their inventory. They wanted to eat them right away, but restrained themselves, seeing Bell still proceeding forward.
"There's a church to the north of this forest, but we'll stop there on the way back."
""Understood (Roger).""
Bell stopped when we exited the forest to the southwest. The entrance to a mountain path leading to the Kijimunaa settlement was visible.
"Yuki-san. Kobolds might appear ahead."
"Then I'll take the lead. Zeld-san, Bacchus-san, please move in front of Bell-tasu."
""Alright.""
Zeld gripped a hammer, and Bacchus held an axe. Kobolds were no problem for this group, but they still changed formation without letting their guard down. After walking for a while, they emerged into an exposed dirt clearing.
"Where is this?"
"What in the world is that fort?"
"Beyond that fort lives a fairy called a Kijimunaa. We're going to greet them now."
At those words, even Yuki and the others could only express surprise.
◇◇◇
"~~~♪"
"""~~~♪"""
The mansion on Shou and Mion's island.
Sweee was sitting on a pillow on the king-sized bed.
"Nya."
Shal visited the room. Although Shou, the master of the island, and Mion, the Jade Goddess, were absent, Shal came to greet Sweee and Lupi, who were acting as temporary leaders and chaperones.
"Wafu."
""Bow.""
"~~~?"
"""~~~♪"""
Lupi's group was thinking of going for a walk, and the Fairies intended to follow. In that case, it was natural for Shal to accompany them.
"Nya-nya?"
"Wafu."
"~~~♪"
Shal planned to bring her subordinates along for the classic route of circling the southern side of the island. Securing food was a given, and joint hunting with Lupi's group would also serve as training for her subordinates.
"Wafu-wafu."
"~~~♪"
Lupi also invited Raz. Without Shou, he was living with his fellow Carbunkles and was currently at the Divine Tree in the Urisk village. They planned to ask Pan's group when they met them along the way. As for True's Selkies and Kuro, Rake, and Ato's Ghillie Dhu, they decided to bring them souvenirs later. And so, the island residents spent their time happily and leisurely, even without their master.