Chapter 637 - Chapter 567: What's a Classic Tropical Fruit?
"Woof!"
""Woof!""
At Lupi's command, Leda and Roy chased after the fleeing Greydeer.
An arrow I'd shot was lodged in its neck, and its escape slowed more and more.
Before long,
[Bow Skill level increased!]
[Riding Skill level increased!]
Oh, my [Bow Skill] leveled up for the first time in a while.
I wonder if my [Riding Skill] increased because I shot the arrow while mounted on Rigel?
"Shall we go?"
"Rrrrumble."
When I slowly approached Lupi and the others, I found them sitting patiently, surrounding the Greydeer.
"Meow."
"Alright, go ahead."
Since Shal and the others swiftly [Dismantled] it for me, I gave Lupi and the others their reward.
Meanwhile, Pan and the others were [Gathering] Leppelin and Chagatake.
Looking at it this way, my life on the island is pretty heavily supported by the fairies, isn't it?
"Ryu-ryu."
"Oh, thanks."
I put the Chagatake I couldn't carry anymore into my pack.
With Rigel helping to carry things, I've been able to collect a lot more in a single hunting and [Gathering] trip.
And since Mion expanded the flower garden behind the mansion for the Fairies, we've been collecting a lot of fairy flower honey too.
"Hmm, would Pan and Shal be happier if more fairy companions joined us?"
"Ryu?" "Meow?"
The two tilted their heads at my question. Their puzzled expressions... seemed to indicate they didn't quite understand.
Well, I'll ask Sweee about it later...
"Woof!" "Rrrrumble."
"Alright, let's go."
We headed through the southwest forest to the coast. In between making salt, we played together.
Lupi, Leda, and Roy love the [Flying Disc], but this time, the Cait Siths also joined in as part of their training.
"Meow meow!"
"""Na~."""
As expected, Shal showed off her prowess, impressing the younger ones.
By the way, Pan and the others were much more interested in making salt than playing.
We continued along the south side, eventually arriving at the cave entrance.
Lupi and Rigel seemed satisfied after our long walk, the first in a while.
"This should be enough, right?"
"Ryu." "Meow~."
We'd hunted Greydeer, made salt, harvested [Papu Fruit], and caught [Flower Trout], so we should be good for ingredients for a while.
"Shou-kun, is this a good time?"
"Hm, what's up?"
"Emeraldia-san is about to arrive, apparently."
"Ah, shoot!"
I was supposed to have her transport the [Jade Goddess Statue]!
Also, it seems they've run out of [Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit] and want more. Well, I guess that's good timing.
It's past 9:30 PM. What should I do about preparing ingots and mining ore, which I was planning to do...?
"Mion. I'll be a little late, but Shal and the others will head back first with the [Papu Fruit]."
"Understood."
"Woof?"
"Shal, Pan. Sorry, but could you take the luggage and head back first? I'll come back after doing a bit of [Mining] and [Blacksmithing] prep."
"Meow!" "Ryu!"
"Lupi and Rigel, I'm counting on you too."
"Woof!" "Rrrrumble."
Leaving the rest to my incredibly capable companions, I'll start the ingots first.
If I mine for just under 30 minutes and return after 10 PM, I'll have plenty of time to make [Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit].
…
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
"Welcome back~." "~~~♪"
Behind Mion and the others, who had greeted me, stood El-san and Emeraldia-san.
It seems they came almost as fast as possible after getting the call via guild comms.
"Ah, sorry. I'll make it now, so could you wait a bit?"
"It's alright. I've already made some."
"Oh, thanks."
The ingredients are the same, so it should be fine if Mion made it, right?
Just in case, my [Material Processing] and [Cooking Mastery] skills are higher, and I have [Confectionery Mastery] too, so there might be a slight difference in taste.
"Althena-chan and Sweee-chan tasted it for me."
"I see. Was it good?"
"It was delicious~!" "~~~♪"
The [White Dragon Princess] and Sweee replied. Emeraldia-san also nodded silently in agreement.
There's a knack to drying it just right, but Mion picked it up quickly.
"By the way, are you having any trouble over there?"
"Eh? Ah, uh..."
Emeraldia-san seemed surprised by the sudden question, but she swallowed the cookie she was eating before replying.
"The Kijimunaa are all kind, so it's fine. The food is delicious, but there aren't many types of sweets, that's about it."
"Ah, true, it's pretty much just Armra Fruit. Alekesu Fruit also felt like watered-down sports drink if you didn't process it a bit."
"Can't you process them over there?"
"Maybe it'd be best to make a manual food processor. It'd be so much easier with one of those [Magic Food Processor] devices."
I wonder if I should try making a prototype. Oh, wait.
"There must be people making cooking utensils on the mainland, right?"
"Ah."
Maybe I'll ask during the next live stream.
Perhaps I should consult Bell-buchou first. I have a feeling she might even have one already.
"After that, I hope we can find some other fruits or something."
"Indeed. It would be nice to have bananas."
"Ah, bananas would be great. I could make so many different desserts."
Banana cake, banana omelets, caramel bananas.
Even just simple baked bananas would be good. If I had chocolate, I could make even more things...
"Hm?"
As I spoke, the gazes of Mion, the [White Dragon Princess], Sweee, and Emeraldia-san all converged on me...
"Uhm, has exploration not progressed much on that island?"
"Ah, I wonder about that?"
It's been about 10 days since the [Southern Island] was released, hasn't it?
Maybe everyone is still interacting with the Kijimunaa or heading to the [Ancient Ruins].
I'll have to ask Bell-buchou about that too.