Chapter 563 - (Temporary) Managarm Wooden Statue
"So that's the plan for tomorrow."
"Mm!"
"Heh, sounds good."
Miki and my sister Mashiro nodded, eating baked pudding for dessert after dinner.
Tomorrow morning, my sister Mashiro would return to her student dorm, then go for a meeting about her part-time job modeling kimono for Season-san's family.
"I thought my sister Mashiro could come too, but the timing was bad, sorry."
"Nah, don't worry about it. Miki, don't get in the way."
"I understand."
Even if it was a real-life recording, we'd only be watching from a separate room, so there wouldn't be anything to get in the way of.
More importantly,
"My sister Mashiro, you've been dragging Season-san around in IRO, but you're not forcing her, are you?"
"No way! That girl is the type who absolutely won't do anything she doesn't want to. It balances out since I'm offsetting it with the kimono modeling job, so it's fine."
"Ah."
"I see, I see."
Apparently, the amount of time my sister Marie was dragging Season-san around in IRO was being offset by her being dragged around in real life.
Well, my sister Mashiro doesn't dislike dressing up herself, after all.
"Speaking of which, was it south of the Principality? What you're doing there, is it still a secret?"
"Hmm, well, I guess I can reveal it soon."
"My sister. You don't have to force yourself to speak, you know?"
"No, I was planning to tell Bell-chan soon anyway, and it should be fine with you guys."
Miki (Seth) was the Guild Master of the Silver Manor, and I only had Mion to talk to about other things.
"Well, my explanation is vague, so you can ask Shizuru for details later."
"Got it." "Understood."
This was the story of when my sister Marie and Season-san went south of the Principality, to a pioneering settlement where Elves, displaced from their village by monsters, resided.
They had apparently ventured further into the Ancient Ruins (nicknamed 'Elf Ruins') where monsters had been popping up during the first World Quest.
"And well, there was another Elf settlement there."
"Hoh-hoh!"
"Ehh..."
They reportedly encountered Elves from this other settlement while bypassing the entrance to the Elf Ruins and proceeding along the canyon beyond it.
"By chance?"
"Yeah. A wild boar they were trying to hunt appeared. I inadvertently took it down, and it almost caused a conflict."
"Were they upset that you stole their prey?"
"Yeah. Well, that misunderstanding was quickly resolved, though."
After that, they went to that Elf village, deepened their interaction, and explained various things related to the World Quest. Season-san primarily did the explaining.
"Hmm. It's strange that such a village was not found until now, isn't it?"
"No. Most people in the nearby pioneering settlements already know about it."
"Eh?"
Players who were involved in the early pioneering days and were friendly with the runaway NPC Elves had apparently heard about the other Elf settlement my sister Marie and her group found.
However, individuals were reportedly keeping it quiet, and that seemed to have worked effectively.
"They already had interactions with the Elves who had originally fled. We talked about that, but we weren't sure what to do."
"Heh."
"Hmm. The fact that it's alright to tell President Bell and the others means they're starting interactions with the Principality and other nations, then?"
"Yeah. Well, we just made the connections."
So that's why they had been going back and forth.
Well, my sister Mashiro is also the type who can't refuse when someone in trouble asks for help.
*
"Then, will my sister-in-law also come to the Southern Island?"
"No, she's going to that Elf settlement again. She heard there are Ancient Ruins even deeper inside."
Is that so. I wanted to meet her at least once.
Ah, I also wished I could have met my sister Marie's character at least once. I'd met Seth and President Bell, after all.
While making small talk like that...
"I'm finished."
"Oh, that was fast."
Is it because she can read musical scores after all?
The Masterpiece Score Collection Vol. 2, which Argenta-san gave us, was a book with a decent number of songs, and there were several copies to be made, but Mion seemed to have finished copying them effortlessly.
Does the Writing Skill really have such an effect?
"I think I'll still take a bit longer."
Yes. I'll go make some tea.
"Thanks."
Perhaps sensing a snack, Sweee and the Fairies followed Mion.
There should be some leftover cookies, and maybe Rumorella Jam?
After a snack break, I resumed the finishing touches...
"Done."
[Your Crafting (Woodcraft) Skill has leveled up!]
[Your Crafting Skill has leveled up!]
The skill levels also rose steadily, to 6 and 5 respectively.
A 30cm tall wooden statue of Lupi sitting. Yep, it perfectly blends dignity and cuteness.
[(Temporary) Managarm Wooden Statue]
*A wooden statue of a Managarm. Made from Papu Tree wood.
(Explanation can be edited or added)
Title: (Undecided) Artist: Shou Creation Date: Tsukishiro Era 2466*
It's not good to leave the name as temporary. "Wooden Statue of Lupi" is too direct, so I need to think of something, but...
"How is it?"
It's amazing!
"Woof~!"
Mion and Lupi both seemed satisfied, which was great.
Now, I'll self-replicate this, give the replicated one to the person who requested it, and place the original next to Mion's... I mean, the Jade Goddess Statue in the church.
Shou-kun. How will you deliver this? It won't quite fit in the transfer box, will it?
"Oh, what should I do?"
I briefly considered having Gaju deliver it to the Silver Manor members on the Southern Island, but the source would be too unnatural. So, that meant...
"I still think it's better to have a Dragon-san come."
"You're right. Speaking of which, when will the White Dragon Princess come to visit?"
Shall we send a letter from here?
"Yeah, that's a good idea."
I could ask through the Guild Card, but they're probably busy, and a letter felt less intrusive.
And, since we're at it, I'll have Mion write it. Her handwriting is much neater than mine.
The request to transport the Wooden Statue of Lupi, and about when the White Dragon Princess might visit...
"Is there anything else on your end, Mion?"
Um, if Shou-kun doesn't mind, why don't we ask about rice?
"Ah, Haku..."
Haku, or rice, was necessary for making soy sauce and miso, but I hadn't been able to find any at all.
"Hmm, I'll investigate the upstream of the river during Wednesday's live stream. If I don't find it then, would it be okay to ask?"
Yes.
That area was the most likely place, so if I couldn't find it even after checking there, I could ask.
Oh, that's right!
"Ah, I should also write about the Ancient Ruins my sister Marie seems to be looking for, right?"
Ah...
Argenta-san and the others managed the Ancient Ruins, so I'd ask them to provide support if my sister Marie somehow messed up...