Chapter 547 - Chapter 487 So Many Things to Find
Reporting to Bell-buchou and garden work were finally settled.
Since we helped the Silver Manor members the other day, we decided to head to the Southern Island.
Leading the way, as always, was Lupi, followed by me. Shal came next, and finally Mion and Sweee.
"Yo."
"Juju~♪."
"Gaju, you look well."
It wasn't just Gaju who greeted us; the nearby Kijimunaa also gathered. Actually…
"""Juju~♪"""
"Ah…"
It turned into "The Goddess has arrived!" again.
The Kijimunaa were swarming Mion, who came out later, but Sweee and Shal were properly managing the crowd.
"Um, I came today to thank you for the other day."
"Juju?"
"You helped the Silver Manor people who were here, right?"
"Juju."
Gaju acted as if to say, "Oh, that," as if it was no big deal.
Apparently, Bell-buchou had introduced them beforehand, and they met at the fort, and everyone was very kind.
"I see, I see. Still, thank you."
"Juju~."
I instinctively patted Gaju's head, just as I would True, Pan, or Shal, and it seemed he was happy about it, which was good.
Mashiro-nee occasionally pats my head when she praises me, and while I appreciate it, it always feels a little annoying…
"So, it's not exactly a reward, but I brought some souvenirs… Mion, are you okay?"
"Y-yes."
We sat in a circle a little distance from the Kouyouju Divine Tree.
The souvenirs were simple cookies made with Kohaku Flour (wheat), Sky Sugar, and Ecryu Milk. There were also some with Dried Grapeful and Rumorella Jam on top.
"I made a lot, so I think there's enough for everyone, just in case."
"Yes."
Mion and I each took out large wooden plates full of them.
"Juju! Juju~♪"
"""Juju~♪"""
The Kijimunaa who had come to see Mion each took a cookie.
And then they went to tell the other Kijimunaa that there were cookies.
"~ ~ ~♪."
For Sweee, there was a separate wooden plate prepared.
For Lupi and Shal, I gave them wild boar jerky made from Ranziboa meat, following grandma's recipe.
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Wafu!" "Nyan!"
I kept the salt low and seasoned it with herbs, as strong flavors might be bad for their health.
I tasted it myself, and it turned out pretty well, so I might distribute it to Argenta-san's group too. Maybe a richer flavor would be better for snacks, though.
"Shou-kun. About the future."
"Yeah. Have Gaju's group decided what to do next?"
"Juju!"
The basic policy was the same as I expected. No one except me, Mion, and the residents of our island would be allowed into the settlement.
However, there were Kijimunaa who wanted to interact with players, so it was decided that those children would do so outside the settlement.
"I see. For a while, the kind people I know will come, so I don't think there'll be any worries interacting with them. But as more people come… there might be some bad ones."
"Juju! Juju~."
"Ah, they say they can tell, so it's fine."
That's reassuring, but I'm a little worried they might overdo it.
If they see such people, they can always tell someone trustworthy.
"Juju?"
"Yeah. We want to keep it a secret that we can come here. So, Sweee's group, please don't go outside the island in the future. Preferably, not even near the fort."
"~ ~ ~!" "Nyan!"
Perhaps reflecting on the previous incident, the two immediately replied with an "Understood!"
Thanks to the thoroughly rebuilt fort, we can't peer into the Kijimunaa settlement, but there's a chance something might be glimpsed when the gate opens.
I need to tell True, Pan, and Rake about this too, but for now, it's probably best they don't come here unless they're with me.
"~ ~ ~?"
"Yeah. Can I ask Gaju's group for Armra and Alekesu fruits in the future?"
"Juju~."
For the island's ingredients, I'll rely on Gaju's group.
Fruits, herbs, and seafood that can only be found here will be exchanged for items available on our island. The types and amounts of goods will be decided through discussion among the Fairies.
………
……
…
"""Juju~"""
We returned to the island, seen off by Gaju's group.
The next visit is planned for around Sunday. By then, I need to make pots and pans and knives.
"Shou-kun. Shall we go see Kuro-chan's group tonight?"
"Roger. Now that you mention it, we've been relying on the Ghillie Dhu a lot, and they've always come to us."
"Yes."
Oh, right, there's a Divine Tree deep in their forest, isn't there? I think I heard there's a lake too…
It's about time to explore the northern side, and then,
"Tonight, let's have Kuro's group guide us to see the Divine Tree deep in the northern forest."
"~ ~ ~♪."
Sweee, perched on Mion's shoulder, patted her chest as if to say, "Leave the Divine Tree to me."
That's reassuring, but… aren't there too many Divine Trees on this island?
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, no, nothing. The area beyond that lake, the Ghillie Dhu don't know it either, right?"
"I believe so."
The ruins at the northern tip of the island are still on hold, and I'd like to reach them by land soon. No, before that, I'm curious about the forest where I saw the horses.
"Geographically, the area beyond that seems to continue all the way to where we saw the horses."
"Horses? Oh, you mean from when we went upstream with True-kun's group?"
"That's right. I want to explore that area too."
There are quite a few things I want to find, primarily Haku (rice), then cumin. And after that… maybe cows?
If they can be domesticated, I can get milk, and if they're monsters, I'll get beef.
I want to be able to make sukiyaki by winter…