Chapter 641 - Chapter 571: The First Step Towards the Remote Island Mutual Aid Association?
Tuesday
"Thanks for waiting."
"Hey there."
"Hello."
It was Tuesday, club activity time.
Yesterday, after Emeraldia-san told me about Haku, the rice, I was going to talk to Bell-bucho right away, but then,
"In our live stream today, we're planning to unveil the Jade Goddess wooden statue that Shou-kun made."
"Oh, right. Okay."
Apparently, they'd be unveiling the statue that Emeraldia-san transported for us on Sunday. It was fine that she'd transported it there, but what happened afterward was left up to them. It was a little embarrassing, but it wasn't something that could be done secretly anyway.
"Gaju-kun and the others are eager to transport the statue, so our guild and the regulars who come to our island have agreed to help with the installation…"
The schedule seemed mostly decided, and this was just a final confirmation for Mion and me. I had no objections, so I left it to them.
My only concern was whether the Safe Zone would expand properly, just like with the wooden statue we have on our island.
"That's good. I'm sorry it's so last minute. Dimaria-san hasn't been able to log in, so coordinating with Kijimunaa-kun and the others took a bit of effort."
"Ah, I see."
Iincho Polly would have been helpful, but she said she was busy with communications with Natto's group.
"Phew, that's all I have to tell you. So… something came up, didn't it?"
"Ah, yes."
It seemed like she wanted us to get straight to it, so she wouldn't freeze up and lose her train of thought after hearing our report.
"Um, it's about the possibility of acquiring Haku."
"What!"
Bell-bucho instinctively leaned forward.
I briefly explained everything that happened yesterday, starting with the increased MP recovery from the Anbutter Toast.
By the way, I had gotten permission to only discuss the White Dragon Princess's symptoms and their cause with Bell-bucho and Seth.
"I suggested that for Althena-chan's sake, it might be better for her to eat a more balanced variety of foods."
"So, the idea is to improve her diet, then."
"Yes. And well, Emeraldia-san seems to know a lot about it."
Apparently, she had found Haku when she went to Sabana-san's Island.
I wondered why others hadn't noticed, but it seemed to be Upland Rice. For Japanese people, rice is usually associated with paddy fields filled with water, so…
"Could you please convey this to Sabana-san, perhaps through Season-san? If they can cultivate it there, maybe we can exchange it for something from here."
"Is such a slow pace okay? I think it would be faster if you received the seed rice or seedlings directly."
"No, I feel like that would be... taking all the good parts, you know?"
It's not ideal to put it this way, but our island, the Southern Island, and Ramune-san's Island have all been developed to some extent, allowing for fair trade. However, Sabana-san's place still feels a bit behind. So, I'm not sure about just receiving Haku—which could become a specialty product—as seed rice or seedlings from them…
"Aren't you overthinking it?"
"I think so too…"
"Well, for now, just informing them that Haku exists would be enough. If it goes well there, an exchange for some seeds from here would be good, I think."
Sabana-san's response to the Remote Island Mutual Aid Association, which we discussed in a previous live stream, was also to wait until the current World Quest was over.
Since the White Dragon Princess's health is also gradually improving, she herself told me there's no need to force the issue.
"I understand. Season-san and Sabana-san might take some time to find Haku, after all."
"Huh? What?"
"Season-san, at least, doesn't have the [Botany Skill], does she? Probably Marie-san doesn't either. And it's not like they can appraise every single plant on the island, right?"
"Ah…"
"Oh…"
That's true, of course.
Incidentally, if you have the [Botany Skill], the probability of noticing something just by looking at it apparently increases. It seems I was able to find Leppelin (Pepper) and Bluegaris (Sugar Beet) thanks to my [Botany Skill] after all.
Anyway, leaving that aside,
"Then, I guess we have no choice but to have Emeraldia-san go…"
"Um, how about giving her a Plant Encyclopedia?"
"Ah, I see."
"That's a good idea."
Academic skills are always useful. If you have the book, you can acquire the skill when you want it.
Bell-bucho also has connections for other encyclopedias and books besides the Plant Encyclopedia, so we decided to ask through her for those.
Apparently, the actual time we can hand them over will be when we deliver the next supply drop.
"So, could you convey that to Season-san?"
"Yes, leave it to me."
*
"Ah, Emeraldia-san. Sorry for the trouble."
"Aye, aye."
Yesterday, after hearing the story, she had agreed to come back to our island once.
She was also very interested in the Anbutter Toast I had made.
"Shou-kun. My Plant Encyclopedia."
"Yeah, please."
Mion diligently acquired [Zoology Skill] and [Botany Skill] after getting [Farming Skill] and [Horticulture Skill]. Now her skill levels might even be higher than mine?
So, we asked Emeraldia-san to look at the Plant Encyclopedia and confirm Haku.
"Sweee-chan, you too, please."
"~~~♪"
Indeed, Sweee also seems knowledgeable. No, I feel like she's limited to fruits.
Then, I prepared some snacks. I quickly made the Anbutter Toast she seemed to be craving.
Since there was still Anko and butter left, all I had to do was prepare the Baguette.
"Nyafu."
"Ah, Shal. Thanks as always. Emeraldia-san is here today, so could you gather the items to send to Gaju-kun and the others?"
I asked Shal, who had brought Ambernault Milk.
"Nya?"
"No, you don't need to rush."
"Nya!"
Speaking of which, if we use the Dragon Basket, Shal and the others might be able to go back to their hometown.
Well, if we start traveling between here and Ramune-san's Island, I'll ask about it then.