Chapter 658 - Chapter 586: Intersecting Information Networks
Sunday
"Hey, how's this? Like it?"
"It's delicious!"
Sunday. Today we made pear compote for dessert.
It's become so normal to come over to Mion's house, but Miki isn't home either...
Last year, it was either Natto coming over to visit or me going to Natto's house, but this year we're both really into IRO, and I don't leave my island...
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I'll just put the leftovers in the freezer. If you eat it partially thawed, it becomes like a sorbet."
"Oh, really? I'll try it tonight or something."
Anyway, regarding that, I talked with Natto this morning. I asked him to look into the kobold situation on the southern island.
"Ah, Polly sent an invitation for a limited stream."
"Nice. Should we watch it?"
Polly (Iincho) already heard about it from Mion, and Natto said that if he heard about it, he'd definitely come with her.
"Um, Mion, can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can hear you fine."
"Oh! Shou's here too, right?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
Hmm, no matter how you look at it, those two are such a good match.
The place looks like the Necropolis, so they're probably about to head to the southern island now.
"About to cross over. Is there anything we should bring with us?"
"Hmm, can't think of anything specific. But I'm more curious about the little guy next to you. Is that a gnome?"
"Oh, that's Mog, who often hangs out with me."
"G~"
Mog, who seems happy having his head patted by both of them.
He's starting to look like their son or something, but if I said that, I'd probably get something back, so I'll keep quiet.
"Shall we go?"
"Right."
"G~"
After walking a bit through the Necropolis, a tower I recognized came into view.
Right before it was the dragon race's district, with a dragonfolk guard standing watch.
"Yo. Is it okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
As usual, Natto's so casual, and Mog is similar. In contrast, Polly gives a proper bow.
"You don't need dragon coins?"
"If you're with fairies, you don't need to show them anymore."
"Huh."
The three of them head toward the tower.
Along the way, they lightly greet parties with Cait Siths, creating quite a friendly atmosphere.
"There are quite a few players here."
"The people who come here are either heading to the southern island from the tower or visiting the Jade Goddess at the church."
"Pfft."
They're here to worship the Jade Goddess statue that I made to look just like Mion. Well, there's apparently some kind of buff you get from worshiping it at certain intervals.
In front of that church, a dragonfolk guard is sitting with a Cait Sith curled up at his feet. Such a peaceful scene...
"Well, that's where we're heading today."
They enter the tower with a transfer magic circle leading to the southern island, and I feel a sense of nostalgia.
Dragonfolk people are conducting island entrance inspections, showing guild cards and depositing dragon coins.
It seems quite a number of dragonfolk are involved, and further back, someone who looks like they're reading a grimoire—oh, that's Lord Azure.
I'm starting to feel like we should give them more rewards...
"Shall we go?"
"Right."
"G~"
They enter the room with the transfer magic circle, and the three of them transfer together.
The stream feed cuts to black, and in an instant, they're on the southern island.
"Jyu~♪"
"G~♪"
Oh, so Kijimuna are greeting them.
And there are dragonfolk here too, properly checking things.
As they pass through the cottage cluster and head to the town gate, they pass parties with Cait Siths and gnomes.
It's Sunday afternoon, so there are probably many players, but I hear it gets even more crowded at night.
Many people are mining mithril in the underground of the mining facility, while others come to gather Armra fruits or Alekesu fruits, and some come to meet the Kijimuna and Cait Siths.
"Has the exploration of the southern side progressed?"
"That's why I came to ask."
As they're talking, the two on screen arrive at the town gate and head south, where they see a wall made of stacked stone blocks.
"Whoa, something like this has been built too."
"Incredible."
"Oh, I know someone here, I'll go ask."
Natto approaches a man who isn't wearing any armor.
He only has a dagger at his waist—maybe he's a scout type? Or perhaps specializes in reconnaissance?
"Reaper."
"Oh, Natto! Come here on a date with your lady?"
"Wha, I mean, not really for that reason—Guha!"
Still an unfortunate guy. Wait, has Polly developed a habit of elbowing people?
"We're on good terms. So, what really brought you here?"
"I heard rumors that kobolds have been appearing more frequently in this area."
Natt starts talking about it as a request from the Silver Manor, properly hiding that I asked him to do it. Well, I suppose Polly instructed him to do so.
"Similar reasons, actually. I was also asked by the big boss. Want me to ask what I heard?"
"Please!"
According to Reaper, kobolds and Kijimuna have an antagonistic relationship.
Even before people came to this island, there were periodic raids, and each time the Kijimuna won, but this might be a precursor to another one of those.
Yeah, I know about that.
"Why not just go and defeat them from our side?"
"That's what I thought, but apparently this forest gets you completely lost if you go too deep. Apparently, several parties went on reconnaissance, but just walked in circles and came back."
Strange phenomena like getting separated seem to occur.
People who went there have also been saying things like "Is this area not implemented yet?"
"Hmm, has no one tried swimming around the sea?"
"I guess I could, but I don't want to."
He replies with a laugh, leaving Natt at a loss.
For now, it seems no players have gone that far yet.
"I guess we have no choice but to wait and defend?"
"Doesn't seem like we can do much right now. Well, I'll contact you again if I find out anything."
"Right."