Chapter 603 - Dragonfolk's Advisor
"I'm home!"
"Phew, I'm home. Welcome back."
After that, I logged out immediately, saying I had errands, and went shopping with Mion, Bell-senpai, and Miki.
That part was planned, but still, being dragged along to pick out women's clothes is exhausting…
"It was a splendid last day of summer vacation!"
Miki was, naturally, still full of energy.
She was ecstatic, having bought new shoes with the allowance she got from Dad.
"Brother! Let us have supper!"
"Alright, alright."
Even though I said supper, it was an expensive Shokado Bento bought from the department store basement.
Miki's dislikes… probably just the carrots in the simmered dishes.
"Would you prefer warm tea?"
"Indeed!"
"I'll prepare it, so put your bags down and go change."
First, I washed my hands. …It's a bother, so pre-packaged tea will do.
While the water was boiling, I wiped the table and laid out the bento. I put away the disposable chopsticks and took out our usual ones. I should also prepare some small plates.
"I've kept you waiting!"
"Mm. Then…"
""Itadakimasu.""
………
……
…
For dessert after dinner, we had expensive brand ice cream, also from the department store basement.
This stuff costs about three times what we usually eat…
"Oh, I forgot to ask earlier, but how far has Mashiro-nee gotten?"
"Hmm? I hear the area beyond the valley has opened up quite extensively."
Apparently, it's a very wide grassland, so it's tough for just two of them to explore. So, they've shifted to narrowing down directions for their search.
"It seems like an interesting place, so [Silver Manor] would like to help, but…"
"The Southern Island's public opening was today, right?"
"Indeed."
Bell-senpai apparently declared its public opening on Witch Bell's Manor's broadcast today, and people who met the conditions are already heading to the Southern Island.
Will Gaju and the others be on the live stream today? I kind of want to see, but there's also the Emeraldia-san situation to consider.
"But still, how did Marie-nee find her in such a vast place? And you said she prostrated herself, but she was in human form, right?"
"Indeed. According to Season-dono… no, perhaps it's better to keep that a surprise until you meet her. You dislike spoilers, don't you, Brother?"
"Ugh. Well, alright."
Argenta-san, Azure-san, Vermilion-san were all handsome, and the White Dragon Princess will likely be a beauty in the future, so Emeraldia-san must be beautiful too.
For such a person to prostrate herself… What's so different about the Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit I made?
*
"What shall we do today?"
"Hmm… For now, I suppose we need to go gather Papu Fruit. Emeraldia-san might arrive soon, so could you please mind the house?"
"Yes."
When I gave [Silver Manor] some of our supplies previously, I temporarily emptied the large storage room.
Ultimately, Pan and Shal and others put meat and vegetables back in afterward, but the Papu Fruit should have been gone.
"Fooood~"
"Oh, hello, both of you."
The White Dragon Princess pounced on Mion.
First, we needed to eat, but what should I make today…
Oh, that's right! I have curry powder now, so I'll try making Tandoori Chicken.
"Alright. Mion, help me."
"Yes!"
………
……
…
Accompanied by Lupi, Leda, Roy, and Raz, we first headed to the stables.
"Brrrrooo"
"Woof~" "Chirp~♪"
After exchanging greetings, I stroked Rigel, who nuzzled my cheek, and Shal and the others, who had been cleaning the stables, gathered around.
"Thanks as always. I'm thinking of going to gather some Papu Fruit, so could you help me prepare?"
"Nya!" """Nya~""
So, Rigel had saddlebags attached to both sides.
Rigel is big enough for Mion and me to ride comfortably together, so I was happy that we could gather about two more wooden crates' worth than before.
"Thanks for today too."
"Brrrrooo~♪"
Once Shal and the others were ready, we all trooped to the church's backyard.
"Ryu~"
"Pan, thanks as always. We're going to gather Papu Fruit, wanna come?"
"Ryu ryu!"
They replied with an enthusiastic "Of course!" and gathered the ones who were free.
It ended up being a bigger group than I expected, but we hadn't really been active together lately, so it worked out well.
………
……
…
"Shou-kun. Is this a good time?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
Around us, Pan and the others were gathering Papu Fruit, and the saddlebags were almost full, so I was just thinking of heading back.
"Just now, a letter arrived. May I read it?"
"Yes. Please."
Did she manage to contact Emeraldia-san?
No, that can't be; we just talked about it at lunchtime.
"Ah, it's from Azure-san. Um… he says they've captured a demon!"
"What?!"
Apparently, among the people who tried to visit the publicly opened Southern Island, there was a demon disguised as a player.
Since it was the first day, Azure-san had been keeping a close watch, and the demon foolishly showed up…
"Hm? Oh, if they captured it, did they find out its objective?"
"No, they're about to interrogate it."
I see.
"Huh? Then, he just reported it to me?"
"Um, he wants your opinion on how to handle the information obtained from the interrogation."
"Eh?"
I don't understand why my opinion is needed… well, whatever. I'll just ask now.
I switched the guild call, which had been a one-on-one with Mion, to include everyone.
"Azure-san. It's Shou."
"Ah, Shou-kun. Thanks for the quick call."
"Shou-sama. We have also received the report, but could we ask for your opinion?"
Argenta-san was listening too. Of course.
That's fine, but…
"Um, first of all, is my opinion even necessary?"
"If you carelessly reveal it, it'll reach the disguised demons, too."
"We are still keeping the capture of the demon a secret from the members of [Silver Manor]. It could negatively impact the public opening of the Southern Island."
I see…
"Could you give me a little time? Also, is it alright if I consult with the people from [Silver Manor]?"
"Yes, that is no problem. Azure."
"Yeah. If we find anything during the interrogation, I'll contact Shou-kun."