Chapter 643 - Chapter 573: Divine Procession Festival on the Southern Island
Wednesday
"Gaju and the others are really going all out, aren't they?"
"It's a little embarrassing…"
After school. We were watching Bell-buchou's live stream from yesterday.
It was a festival—or perhaps a Shinto ritual?—to place the Wooden Statue of the Jade Goddess, which Emeraldia-san had transported, in the church on the Southern Island.
I'd been wondering how they'd transport it, but the Goddess Statue was placed on something like an Omikoshi, scaled to the Kijimunaa's size.
The route was decided beforehand, and they paraded along it, chanting 'wasshoi,' to incredible cheers from the players lining the streets.
"So many people gathered, huh?"
"Even this is less than we expected. A lot of people went to the World Quest."
"Seriously…?"
Apparently, the finale of the World Quest: When the Devils Come is set in the Ancient Ruins south of the Demon Kingdom, so combat-focused players have gone there.
"Are the people who came to watch mostly production-oriented players?"
"Yes. Especially many who have their home base in the Necropolis."
I heard some shop owners even closed for the day to come.
The Omikoshi left the Kijimunaa Village, passed through the town leading to the shrine, and entered Armra Forest. From there, it continued along the northern approach path.
"Oh!"
"Amazing!"
Was it a Flower Arch on the approach path carved out of the cliff face?
There were so many of them installed, it was incredible.
"Was it Dimaria-san who made these?"
"Dimaria-san and the players who enjoy gardening. The Gnome children helped too, so they said they were quite confident in their work."
""Ah!""
Just as I was thinking how amazing it was, Gnomes and Cait Sith emerged from behind the Flower Arches, joined the Omikoshi bearers, and, in an even more bustling state, arrived at the church.
"The area in front of the church looks incredibly beautiful too."
"It does. I'd like to go there once, but, hmm…"
It's probably already known that I can go to other islands, but deciding when is a dilemma.
After the Omikoshi was slowly lowered, the church doors opened.
The Wooden Statue of the Jade Goddess, carried by Fairies, slowly advanced and, once placed on the altar, a soft green light overflowed and spread.
"Ah, that's a relief…"
"It's good that it worked out."
I'd been worried it would be awkward if a Safe Zone was created at our island's church but not on the Southern Island.
Since I made it look exactly like Mion, I feel bad as it seems like I'm putting pressure on Mion too.
As I was thinking that, players holding instruments began to perform the IRO theme BGM.
"Hello there~"
Just as we were listening, Yata-sensei appeared. It seemed the staff meeting had ended early.
She put on her VR HMD and joined our viewing party.
"Is the church always open?"
"About that, the Cait Sith who came to this island have settled in, so it's become dependent on their mood."
Ah, so it's become like ours. I guess it's somehow easy for Cait Sith to live there.
Also, there's a fence set up around the installed wooden statue to keep people from approaching it, but…
"There's one issue, or rather, something I'd like to consult with you two about."
""?""
"I don't know who started it, but people who visit have begun leaving offerings."
Huh?! Offerings…?
As visitors left a single copper coin or so, a pile of coins formed, and they want to leave it up to us to decide what to do with it.
"That's so Japanese, isn't it~"
"But it's a church, not a shrine…"
If it's up to Mion and me to decide, then the church's maintenance costs are the only option, I guess. Things like the Flower Arches on the approach path will need proper upkeep too.
"That's fine, right?"
"Yes."
"It would probably be best to mention it during today's live stream~"
"Yes, could you please? If possible, it would be better to issue a request from the guild. It would be a problem if only we kept taking them on."
Besides, Silver Manor's home base is the Amiera Territory of the Kingdom, so they can't stay on the Southern Island forever.
For the time being, the volunteers (who love fairies) are happy to do it, but let's make it so they receive labor fees.
*
"Alright then, I'll be counting on you."
"Aight, aight."
The Dragon Basket was filled with many vegetables and various seasonings.
Emeraldia-san was to fly them to the Kijimunaa Village on the Southern Island, where they'd stay until the World Quest was over.
Emeraldia-san, back in her dragon form, firmly grasped the Dragon Basket and lightly floated upwards.
The bottles containing the seasonings were fragile, but they should be fine since they were tightly wrapped in cotton cloth to act as cushioning.
"Meow…"
"Yeah, I'm scared too."
Shal, who had been airlifted by Azure-san before. Like me, she seems to dislike high places.
After seeing Emeraldia-san off as she flew into the southern sky, it was time to prepare for today's live stream.
"Is the live stream today going to be in commentary style?"
"Yes."
Last time, Mion was beside me, doing an on-site report, but this time, it's planned to be a commentary style from the studio.
Basically, if I'm relaxing at the mansion or port, it'll be an on-site report, and if I go to undeveloped land, I intend to do a commentary style. But this time, it's just a test run.