Chapter 542 - Chapter 483 Silver Manor: Encounter on the Southern Island
From Armra Forest to the front of the Kijimunaa settlement, what was once an animal path was being maintained and gradually becoming a footpath wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side.
"If we make it into stone pavement and add fences, it would make a nice walking path."
"Ideally, that's what we'd want to do."
"Well, that can wait for later. There's another place we need to work on, right?"
The place Bacchus referred to was the path leading from Armra Forest to the church.
Even though Shou's group had done some weeding, wild grass was overgrown, making it unsuitable to call an approach path.
The plan was to clean it up again and replace the broken stone pavement, but…
"Hasn't Bell-san arrived yet?"
"I think she should be here soon."
"Yuki-san is online, so she'll probably be here any minute."
Yuki and Bell were scheduled to meet at 9 PM, specifically in about 15 minutes.
"Shall we start ahead of time?"
"Yes, let's. I'd like to make sure the church is visible by the end of today."
As the three talked and headed north into Armra Forest,
"Everyone, can you hear me? Those who can, please provide an update on your progress."
"Yeah. The path to the Kijimunaa settlement is done for now. We're about to start on the approach path."
Bacchus replied to Yuki's progress check, and Dimaria followed up with a question.
"Is it alright if we start ahead of time here?"
"Yes, please do. Bell-taso says she'll be a little late."
The three nodded at this. Once decided, there was nothing left but to act.
They immediately set to work, believing it was best to start early and finish early.
◇◇◇
"Wafu."
Lupi returned to Sweee's group.
Sweee and her party had gone out to gather Armra Fruit, but there were already other occupants, so they had been observing the situation.
"Nyan?"
"~ ~ ~♪."
The previous occupants, Bacchus's group, had gone to the north side of Armra Forest, so they could finally proceed.
Lupi, Leda, and Roy went ahead, cautious of Bacchus's group returning.
Meanwhile, Sweee and the Fairies, Gaju and the Kijimunaa, harvested Armra Fruit, while Shal's group provided escort, just in case.
"Juju~."
"~ ~ ~♪."
The Fairies and Kijimunaa harvested ripe Armra Fruit into their wicker baskets.
Sweee looked like she wanted to eat it right then and there, but Warne stopped her.
Sweee endured, telling herself it would taste better the longer she waited, but then…
"Waaah!"
A loud shout and scream echoed from the north of their location.
It was the direction Bacchus's group had gone earlier.
"Wafu."
""Bau!""
Lupi immediately sent Leda and Roy to scout and then returned to Sweee's group.
She thought it best to consult with them to decide what to do next.
"Wafu?"
"~ ~ ~…"
Sweee pondered, arms crossed. What would Shou do in a situation like this?
"Juju!"
"~ ~ ~?"
"Juju~."
It was Gaju who spoke up, saying he wanted to help them.
He said they were kind, good people and he wanted to continue being friendly with them.
"~ ~ ~♪."
Sweee made up her mind.
Yes, Shou wouldn't refuse Gaju's request.
"~ ~ ~!"
"Wafu!" "Nyan!" "Juju!"
Tir na nOg Mobile Squad, move out!
◇◇◇
"Is this really the time for pathetic cries!"
"Well, it's surprising, isn't it!"
Bacchus and Zeld retorted, shielding Dimaria.
While weeding the approach path, they were surrounded by three Zackmantis that appeared from the cliff above.
"Gyuaaaa!"
"Argh, how annoying!"
Zeld parried a Zackmantis's scythe with the tip of his hoe.
If he had brought his usual War Hammer, Zackmantis would have been an easy opponent.
"Seriously. This is what happens if you let your guard down!"
Bacchus was also fighting back with a type of Bitchu hoe that had three prongs at the tip.
Again, if he had his War Axe, but he had been completely caught off guard since no monsters had appeared during the daytime work.
"Spirit of the tree, thorns…"
Dimaria's [Spirit Magic] activated, and thorny vines surged from the ground, entangling the Zackmantis's legs. However,
"Gishaaaa!"
"Kyaa!"
"Dimaria-san!"
The Zackmantis sliced through the vines with its scythe-like limbs, regaining its freedom.
It then lunged at Dimaria, but…
"Gau!"
"Nyan!"
It was hit by Lupi's [Crush Claw] and sent flying sideways, then both its scythes were cut off by Shal's rapier [Slash].
"~ ~ ~!"
"""~ ~ ~!"""
Next, [Light Arrow]s fired by the Fairies at Sweee's command pierced the Zackmantis in front of Bacchus and Zeld.
"Nyan~!"
"""Nyan Nyan~!""
The Cait Sith immediately charged!
Like Shal, they cut off the Zackmantis's scythes.
"Ah! H-hey!"
While Bacchus's group was still in shock, Leda and Roy launched a follow-up attack, and Gaju and the Kijimunaa delivered the finishing blows.
They wielded stone spears, precisely piercing the Zackmantis's torsos.
"Um, well…"
Dimaria's group already realized who they were, but they were too surprised to speak.
As the three watched, stunned, Shal finally confirmed the extermination was complete, and then,
"~ ~ ~!"
"Wafu!" "Nyan!" "Juju!"
At Sweee's command, Lupi's group withdrew, as if to say their job was done.
………
……
…
"Well, that's what happened, anyway…"
Bell-buchou and Yuki exchanged glances at Bacchus, who explained the situation with an embarrassed look.
Bell had heard that Lupi's group might come to this Southern Island, but she never expected them to venture outside the Kijimunaa settlement.
She had assumed Shou would have strictly told them not to be seen by other players.
Yuki, on the other hand, finally seemed to grasp the unexpected turn of events.
"Um, Bell-taso, we should keep this a secret, right?"
"Yes, that's right. I'll tell the two of them, but please ensure this absolutely doesn't happen again."
"Ah, sorry. I let my guard down…"
"Next time, I'll make sure to have proper combat gear…"
Zeld and Bacchus said, their shoulders slumping.
Unlike those two, Dimaria seemed to be worried about something else.
"Um, will Lupi-chan's group get scolded? We were at fault, so could you please ask Shou-kun not to scold them?"
"It's alright. He'll probably praise them, saying, 'Well done!'"
"Right, that's right."
With those words, she breathed a sigh of relief.
[Update History]
4/5 Chapter 480 Ise Family's Grave Visit ~ To this chapter
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