Chapter 602 - Welcome, Emerald Dragon-san
Sunday
"Are you alright?"
"Yes…"
Sunday afternoon.
After lunch at Mion's house, we were talking about going out to play, but Bell-senpai was looking utterly exhausted.
Mion, Miki, and I all knew Mion's mother, Shizuku-san, would be joining us, but Bell-senpai had no idea whatsoever.
Her encounter with Shizuku-san, who is also the CEO of the entertainment agency UZUME, seemed completely unexpected for her…
"Here's some tea."
Tsubaki-san left some stomach medicine along with the tea.
Well, nothing particularly bad happened. Shizuku-san had just told Bell-senpai something along the lines of, "If you ever have any trouble, UZUME will back you up anytime."
I'd thought she might try to recruit Bell-senpai into UZUME, since Bell-senpai is an independent streamer focused on live events, meaning she handles everything herself, which must be tough.
"I apologize. The meal felt incredibly delicious, but honestly, I don't remember much."
"No, it was just regular cold noodles."
It's a classic Ise Family dish for the last day of summer vacation every year. Like, cold noodles season is ending.
"Um, Club President. This."
"Eh? The World Quest page has been updated?"
"Eh?!" "Mm!"
Both Miki and I reacted to her words, so Mion projected the page largely onto the air display.
[World Quest: When the Devils Come]
Some of the devils that invaded the Demon Kingdom have been eliminated, but others are believed to still be lurking within the kingdom. Furthermore, traces have been found leading to the neighboring Marsis Republic and the Necropolis. What could their true objective be…
Objective: Exterminate invading devils and investigate their purpose: 7%
In addition to the World Quest information viewable in-game, there were now proper pages with X-marks indicating where devils had been eliminated.
Did this appear around lunchtime today? If it was morning, Miki would have noticed.
"Come to think of it, grandpa and grandma, they're around here, aren't they?"
"Indeed. I have heard as much."
The spot I pointed to was a small village in the northeastern Demon Kingdom, where they were playing a hunting and farming style.
What they're doing is no different from real life, but they seem to be enjoying themselves, so I guess it's fine…
"It seems we need to be cautious about them heading to the Necropolis as well."
"Hmm. I had anticipated it, but it would be wise to urge greater caution."
There's nothing we can do but leave that to them. I've already told Gaju and the others to be careful.
More importantly…
"So, about Emeraldia-san…"
"Mm."
Miki nodded, her face full of eager interest.
The letter I received from Argenta-san yesterday stated that Emeraldia-san was looking for the Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit I made.
I wondered why that would be, but Bell-senpai said she had a pretty good idea—a report had come in that clearly pointed to the reason.
"Remember when I gave out a bunch of things to our guild members? When we split it up, I gave the long-lasting dried fruits to Marie-san and Season-san."
"Huh. …Wait, what?"
"Ah." "Oh!"
The two of them nodded.
"Um, did Marie-nee and the others go to meet Emeraldia-san?"
"No, that's not it. Actually…"
Combining Bell-senpai's explanation and Seth's follow-up, it seemed that while Marie-nee and her party were exploring beyond the valley south of the Principality, Emeraldia-san spotted them eating it during a break.
Apparently, when Bell-senpai checked her guild communications before coming over today, that story had been reported.
"How did she even find it…?"
"Perhaps it's a dragon's sense of smell."
And so, when asked for some, the two of them innocently shared it.
Well, if Marie-nee was politely asked, she'd probably agree without hesitation.
"So that's how she found out I made it?"
"Season-san was careful to be vague, but Emeraldia apparently kept asking for it regularly, even prostrating herself. But since it came from a place that's not easily accessible…"
And then she figured it out. Was it that?
"Perhaps Althena-chan's letter?"
"Yeah, I thought that too."
Althena-chan's letter must have mentioned the Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit.
There was nothing I could do about that, but the problem was how to deliver it even if she wanted it.
It would be a hassle to have Marie-nee deliver it, so…
"Perhaps it's best if I visit the Dragon Capital once?"
"I think that's a good idea."
Since it was before I logged out yesterday, I hadn't even been able to reply to the letter.
Now that I understood the situation, talking seemed faster than writing.
"Hmm, should I hurry?"
"Indeed." "Yes."
And so, we all trooped to Mion's room. Of course, after getting her permission.
"You even have a PC set up for Shou-kun."
"Yes."
Mion replied happily, and Bell-senpai smiled.
How did it come to this… Anyway,
"Alright, I'll go make contact."
"Indeed. I can provide support while watching."
I quickly logged in and started a Mion-only stream as usual.
I'd let Bell-senpai and Seth watch the situation in real-view.
*
"Woof~"
"Sorry, Lupi. I'll be right back."
I sat on the bed, stroking Lupi, who lay beside me, and took out my Guild Card.
"Argenta-san, excuse me. It's Shou."
"Shou-sama. Did you see the letter?"
"Yes, about that…"
I explained that Marie-nee and Season-san had encountered Emeraldia-san and eaten the Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit I made, as Argenta-san was probably wondering why this conversation was happening out of the blue.
"The Princess's letter also mentioned the dried goods from this island. That's probably how she noticed it."
El-san chimed in, having apparently overheard, to provide context.
"I see. But what should we do…?"
"I don't mind preparing it at all, but transporting it is difficult, and she reportedly dislikes crowded places, so wouldn't it be better for her to come to the Dragon Capital?"
"Yes. However, the Princess…"
Ah, she did say to leave her alone.
"Argenta-sama. The Princess has just ordered me to 'summon her to the Dragon Capital, then bring her to this island'…"
Ah, well, yes.
Since Vermilion-san was here, it's not a big deal anymore…
Volume 5 book information has been released! (*゜▽゜)ノ
https://syosetu.com/syuppan/view/bookid/8121/