Chapter 659 - Chapter 587: How to Clear the Forest of Confusion?
After hearing various stories from Reaper and others, Nut and the others headed back toward the cottages.
Several of the cottages were also being used as shops, and all of them seemed bustling.
They bought some Alekes (Coconut) juice and headed north.
After walking for a while, they reached the northern end. It was a cliff, but apparently there was a sandy beach below.
"Seems like we're in the right spot."
The three went down a rather steep slope.
The way Nut casually helped Poly and Mogu-kun with his hand showed how familiar they already were with each other.
"Groo!"
While watching Mogu-kun start playing at the water's edge, the two sat down on the beach.
Some people were searching for something at the narrow end of the small beach. It felt like they'd found a hidden spot, didn't it?
"What are those people looking for?"
"Heard there might be shrimp or crabs."
"No way. These must be different from what we catch on our island, right?"
"Seems like the tropical variety."
Even though it was a beach, it apparently got quite deep nearby, and some people had apparently tried free diving. With the [Diving] skill, you could stay underwater for quite a while.
"So, what do you think, Shou? You don't happen to have any ideas about that forest that makes you get lost when you enter it?"
"Ah... that's the one in the forest that makes you get lost when you enter, right?"
He was pretty sure that with the [True Appraisal] skill, you wouldn't get lost. And currently, he was probably the only one who had it. Bell and Seth had received [Azure Dragon Scale Ornament] from Azure, but he didn't think they had managed to break the [Appraisal] skill cap yet.
"Eh? Mine's still stuck at level 5 for Appraisal."
"If that's the condition for not getting lost, that's pretty strict."
The two of them smiled wryly, but—
"Um, wouldn't Gaju and the others know?"
"Oh, you mean using the Kijimunaa's eyes?"
The fact that they had been so motivated to fight the Kobolds was probably because of that, wasn't it? It seemed plausible that the gimmick required being with the Kijimunaa to proceed.
"By the way, has anyone gone into the forest with a Kijimunaa?"
"Nope, seems dangerous, doesn't it? These are the kind of people who can come to this island."
"I'm against it too."
Ouch, that makes sense.
But when he had spoken with Gaju before, he had been full of enthusiasm.
"Hmm, I wonder if we could invite Gaju and the others."
"That... I don't think they'd invite anyone without your permission, Shou-kun..."
"Huh?"
According to Mion, since Gaju and the Kijimunaa were residents of their island, they might need permission from him, the island owner.
"Seems plausible." "Does seem plausible."
"You serious? I should go ask Gaju, and if that's the case, give him permission."
"Nah, nah, you could just go with them."
"That's right. It's not good to leave it entirely to others, is it?"
Said Nut. Poly had thought Poly would object, but instead she was speaking perfect sense, and he had to agree.
"Besides, we were talking about exchanging materials between remote islands, and to make that happen, don't we need to at least show our faces once?"
"I think so too. If you think about the future, it'd be just right for you to appear on this island, Shou."
That was true.
In that sense, it might be better to decide to hold that meeting on this southern island.
"What do you think, Mion?"
"I think it's a good idea. But I..."
"Oh. Yeah. You'd be better off watching the stream, right?"
"Exactly." "That's right."
Nut and Poly seemed convinced.
Well, Mion probably had no intention of leaving the island anyway, and if she did, it would cause a big commotion.
"Obviously, I'm participating too!"
"Got it, got it. So when should we do it? Next Sunday maybe?"
"Tomorrow would be fine. It's a holiday, after all. I'll leave the choice between noon or night to you."
Decisive, as always. Nut, but there wasn't really anything special to wait for, so it was fine.
It might take time, so doing it during the day might be better? He'd go ask Gaju after this.
...
...
...
"Jyu~"
"Wah~" "~~♪"
After finishing their stream, they logged in right away. He asked Swie, and she brought him to the southern island via the Divine Tree.
Mion was staying with the White Dragon Princess and others, keeping them company and saying she'd be tidying up the backyard or making snacks.
Well, if anything happened, they could just contact him through guild chat.
"This is a souvenir."
"Jyujy?"
What he brought was Canina (Rosehip) that had been dried.
The Kijimunaa often drank Alekes (Coconut) juice, but according to Swie, Rosehip was perfectly fine too.
"I'll teach you how to brew it into a slightly sour and delicious tea."
"Jyujy~♪"
Leaving the Divine Tree, they headed to the back of the village.
When they got near the Kouyouju trees lined up along the river, the Kijimunaa happily came out to greet them.
"Jyu~♪" "Jyu~♪" "Jyu~♪"
"Yeah, yeah."
Shou shook hands with the Kijimunaa who came to greet them one after another.
He gathered the children who had assembled and taught them how to brew Canina tea, practicing with them.
"It's hot, so be careful."
Gaju went first, as planned...
"Jyujy!"
It seemed like it was his first time tasting something with a bit of sourness, but he was glad he said it was delicious.
Since they were at it, he might as well have them drink the cold version he'd cooled with magic. They might prefer that one.
"Also, everyone please eat these."
"Jyujy~"
He also shared the cookies made by Mion and El. Once they'd settled down, it was time to get to the main topic.
"Gaju. About that forest where the Kobolds are..."
"Jyu?"
When he told them about getting lost halfway through, Gaju nodded and explained with gestures.
It seemed some kind of evil spirit lived there and caused people to get lost because of it...
"Yeah, I figured as much."
If they were there, they wouldn't get lost, so they could leave it to them.
However, Gaju said that with just the Kijimunaa, it would be difficult to deal with both the evil spirit and the Kobolds.
"Okay. Then, I'm thinking of going with the people on the island tomorrow, but would you guys help us out?"
"Jyu! Jyujy?"
"Huh? The Cait Sith here also want to participate?"
Hmm, what should he do... He might need to consult with Shal after returning.
He had heard Shal had been a knight captain, and either way, he felt he should at least meet with Shal once.