Chapter 676 - Preparation for the Raid Complete!
"The mainland players are also struggling with the Architecture Skill."
I asked Miki during dessert after dinner, and it seemed mainland players hadn't been able to obtain the Architecture Skill, which was considered the high-tier version of Carpentry. Currently, my Carpentry skill had already broken its limit, and my Civil Engineering Skill was level 9. With the Azure Moon Ring, it had technically reached level MAX.
"Is there anyone whose Civil Engineering Skill has broken its limit?"
"I cannot say for certain, but I doubt it."
You couldn't get it without raising the prerequisite skills, and that included Applied Earth Magic. Or rather...
"Is the Azure Moon Ring I have the only item with a positive correction for the Civil Engineering Skill?"
"Indeed. It is proof that Brother's island is end-game content."
"Eh... is the Azure Moon Ring a world-unique item?"
The person who had that ring was supposed to be a former Managing Director named Theo-something. I didn't know the details, but...
"Well, there are usually multiple directors, aren't there?"
"In a typical organization, the order is Representative Director, Executive Director, then Managing Director. There is usually only one Representative and one Executive, but it would not be strange for there to be several Managing Directors."
According to Miki, there were likely even lower-ranked directors who might have held Azure Moon Rings. It was impossible for only one person in the world to have powerful management rights for the Ancient Ruins.
"I suspect it can be obtained by clearing the Necropolis instance to the lowest level. It seems likely, given the history of the place."
It certainly seemed possible that a director who failed to escape the disaster would be there as an undead boss... In that case, there was a chance others would get Azure Moon Rings in the future, so it wasn't exactly world-unique.
"Bell-bucho would probably want one for its performance, but is she not looking?"
"Bell-dono said the Azure Star Ring was sufficient for her."
"Eh?"
"Even if she were to break the limit right now, she mentioned she would not have enough SP to take the high-tier skill anyway."
Yeah, that was right...
...
I logged in after talking to Mion and Bell-bucho in the Virtual Club Room. I wanted to get going immediately, but Lupi and the others were waiting, so they were the priority.
"Shou-kun, you go ahead. I will call Pan-kun and the others."
"Sorry. Please do."
The White Dragon Princess was napping, so El-san was staying behind. Emeraldia-san hadn't returned from the Southern Island yet, but she was expected back soon.
"Hup."
"Woof!"
I stepped through the Transfer Magic Circle and into the half-finished rest area. I caught Lupi as she pounced on me, then stepped out of the magic circle.
"Brrr!" "Nya!"
"Rigel, Shal, thanks for watching the place."
Lupi, Leda, Roy, Rigel, and Shal's group had stayed behind. It didn't seem like anything had happened while they were watching, but...
"Nya-nya."
"Hmm?"
Following Shal's lead, I found a block of frozen Hogany Bull meat placed on top of a pile of leftover stone shingles.
"Oh, wow! Did you hunt another one?"
"Woof!" "Brrr!" "Nya!"
Lupi and Rigel could have taken down a Hogany Bull, and Shal's group probably did the butchering... but...
"Whose idea was it to freeze it?"
"Nya-nya."
"Ah, you learned that from El-san?"
Apparently, for the meat from Forebits and Greydeers they hunted while I wasn't around, Rigel would cool it down to carry it.
"Amazing, amazing. Thank you everyone."
I patted each of Lupi's group again. I gave jerky to Lupi's group, Carrotas to Rigel, and dried sardines to Shal's group as rewards.
Shou-kun. Emeraldia-san has returned, so I will join you once I have organized the luggage.
"Roger."
I temporarily stored the meat in my inventory. I spent some time fluffing Lupi and the others and brushing Rigel while I waited.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." "H-Hi..."
"Ryuu~" """Ryuu~"""
Mion, Emeraldia-san, and Pan's group appeared.
"Shou-kun, here."
"Hmm?"
Mion handed me a piece of dull paper. It was a delivery slip, listing the items received this time, with a note saying the missing cooking tools were still being made and would arrive later. Looking down the list, there was Worcestershire sauce, tonkatsu sauce, and even the Caracina I wanted.
"A Mincer and a Pasta Machine too. Now I can make pasta, and it'll be easier to make hamburgers."
A whisk, a slicer, a pepper mill, and more. There were also some names I didn't recognize. Was a meat hammer for tenderizing meat? What was a cherry strainer again?
"The items we received have been placed in the kitchen for now."
Mion had moved the seasonings to the storage, and Emeraldia-san had taken the cooking tools to the kitchen.
"Thanks. Thank you as well, Emeraldia-san."
"H-Hi..."
I wanted to go see them immediately, but first, I had to finish this. I figured I could be done if I worked hard for about an hour, so I decided to help out.
...
"Alright, finished!"
"Ryuu!" """Ryuu!"""
I laid the floor and walls and attached the doors. For now, it was done. I didn't want it to be just a hut, so I made the doors double-opening, giving it a garage-like feel where it could be fully opened. Inside, I placed the Transfer Magic Circle and the Jade Goddess Statue. Maybe I'd use it for temporary storage of spoils too?
"Good work. Is it finished now?"
"For the time being."
Since I hadn't added any windows, it was pitch black when the doors were closed. Ah, I had an extra Magic Nightlight, so I'd just leave one here.
"We still have a little time. What shall we do?"
"I'm going home today. I want to see the seasonings and tools that were sent."
"Yes."
I decided to make hamburgers for everyone tomorrow. If I could easily make ground meat, Keema curry would be an option too. Then, I'd enter the North Forest at night. The next stream would be on Mion's album release day, so maybe I'd wait until after that.