Chapter 543 - Chapter 484 The Island Master's Return
Wednesday
"Grandma…"
"Miki is still just a child, isn't she?"
Today was the last day of our visit home.
The Automated Tour Bus we had reserved had arrived, and Mashiro-nee and I were loading our luggage.
Miki, as always, was hugging grandma, reluctant to say goodbye.
"Shota. How does New Year's look?"
"Ah, well… it depends on Mom."
Mashiro-nee's expression clouded at my answer.
Mom's work should be off for the New Year's holidays, but it's uncertain if she'll come home.
Mashiro-nee tends to get tense when she sees Mom, so it's sometimes more peaceful when she doesn't come home.
But I feel like I really need to introduce Mion soon…
"You're welcome to come back here together again. Bring Mio-chan too."
Indeed, that might be easier.
"Mashiro!"
"Oh, okay…"
Mashiro-nee, called by grandma, embraced her.
She usually calls her 'old hag', but Mashiro-nee likes grandma, too.
"Mio-chan, come here too."
"Y-yes."
Ah… well, if she doesn't mind, it's fine.
Incidentally, I'm never called. Apparently, for grandma, no man other than grandpa is allowed.
"Alright, we're going."
"Yes, be careful."
Miki, Mion, Mashiro-nee got in, and I followed last.
And, as usual, we received our packed lunch.
"Take care of yourselves."
"You too, grandma, grandpa."
The door closed, and as grandpa and grandma moved away, the Automated Tour Bus slowly began to move.
Two nights and three days just flew by, didn't it?
………
……
…
We arrived home just before 3 PM.
Tsubaki-san, who had come to pick us up at the usual station, drove us home.
"You two, put your laundry out."
"Okay." "Understood."
Right, the fridge is empty, so I need to figure out dinner… I guess I'll have to go to the supermarket after all.
Well, there's no rush, so I'll make some tea and take a short break first.
"Shota. Make me some tea."
"Okay. I'll brew it now."
Mashiro-nee, who had returned first, headed to the living room.
I heard Miki's footsteps coming down the stairs, and…
"Brother. Bell-dono has contacted us, saying she has something to report."
"Huh? Really? I was thinking of going shopping for dinner after taking a breather."
"Since it was late last night, it doesn't seem to be urgent, though."
Hmm, I'm curious…
"Shota~, I'll go do the shopping for you."
"I shall go too!"
Since Mashiro-nee and Miki are offering to go shopping… It's a hassle anyway, so I guess ready-made food or something is fine.
Ah, since they're going, maybe I'll ask them to buy some fried food.
"Okay, then, fried food and vegetables for salad. Tonkatsu, minced cutlets, croquettes, whatever you like is fine."
"Okay!" "Understood!"
*
"'Sup~."
"Shou-kun."
"Sorry about this. You just got back today, didn't you?"
Mion and Bell-buchou were waiting in the Virtual Club Room.
And they seemed to be looking for some kind of video, or rather, an archive?
"Mion, have you already heard?"
"No."
"Mion-san just arrived a moment ago too. Please wait a little longer."
Mion, upon returning home, apparently noticed the message and quickly replied that she would head to the club room now.
"Um, this is an archive that Dimaria-san was streaming only to herself, so please watch it with that in mind."
"Ah, okay…"
She's one of the core members of the Silver Manor, right? The one who found a tree spirit by herself, and is into agriculture and gardening stuff.
Bell-buchou played the archive and skipped the first half.
She paused and checked it frequently, but it seemed like she was helping other core members build roads on the Southern Island.
"Here."
"Ah…"
"Oh! Over there are mantises!"
As the three began to maintain the approach path leading to the church, Mion and I recalled that fact.
More accurately, since we found the Nameless Goddess Statue at the church, I forgot to tell them about the mantises…
"!"
"Eh!? Why are there three of them!"
It wasn't just us, but three Zackmantis appeared simultaneously from the cliff above, surrounding Dimaria-san and her group.
Perhaps because they were there for weeding, they weren't armed for combat and were struggling immensely.
""Ah!""
Lupi, Sweee, Shal, and Gaju.
Of course, Leda and Roy, the Fairies, and the Cait Sith were there too, and then the Kijimunaa also appeared…
"And that's how it was."
They defeated the three Zackmantis and quickly withdrew.
"That's good…"
"Yeah. I'll have to praise them later."
I told them not to be seen by strangers, but I also told them they were free to do as they pleased, and more importantly, I think there was a proper reason.
"Fufu, I knew it."
""Eh?""
"Dimaria-san said, 'Lupi-chan's group seemed to be acting on their own, but please don't scold them.'"
"Hahahaha…"
Ultimately, it was my fault for forgetting to tell them about the Zackmantis appearing.
Dimaria-san, Bacchus-san, and Zeld-san apologized and, of course, promised to keep it a secret.
They said the stream was only for personal review, and all PV submissions were rejected.
Well, the Southern Island itself is top-secret information known only to a very select few…
*
"G'morning."
"Yeah, morning."
It feels like ages since I was here, even though it's only been two days.
"Wafu!"
"Lupi. Long time no see."
Lupi, who had leaped in, was clinging to me more than usual, but her momentum was incredible, probably because she'd grown larger. Leda and Roy also came over… Are they waiting their turn?
"~ ~ ~♪."
"Sweee-chan, long time no see."
Sweee settled into her current usual spot, Mion's left shoulder.
The Fairies also arrived, fluttering around Mion.
"Lupi, Sweee, thanks for watching the house. And I heard about what happened on the Southern Island."
"Wafun!"
"~ ~ ~!"
Lupi proudly acknowledged it, chest puffed out, while Sweee, unusually queen-like, claimed responsibility, saying she decided to help them.
"Shou-kun won't get angry."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Wafu~."
I stroked Lupi, then Leda and Roy.
Seeing this, Sweee sighed in relief.
"And Shal's group was there too, right?"
"~ ~ ~♪."
Sweee nodded enthusiastically.
Dinner should be ready soon, so I might be able to go to the church and see Shal and Pan. I'll visit True later tonight…
"Ah…"
"Huh, what's wrong?"
"Shou-kun. The Magic Transfer Box is receiving a call."
A message on the Magic Transfer Box, after a long time. That means it's from Argenta-san, right?
Ah, the Large Magic Shipyard, was it? It's probably about that…