Chapter 74 - Chapter 66: Negotiation Results and Next Goals
Friday
“Morning.”
“Mornin’.”
At the station, [Mion] was waiting for me as usual, and we met up.
And, just as I expected, her gaze was fixed on me, still worried about yesterday’s events…
“Oh, it seems Bell-san and her group did well.”
“Oh, good…”
I’d been wondering too, so I’d sent [Miki] a message saying, “Let me know the results when you’re done.”
She told me how it went a little after 11 PM…
“Turns out [Seth (Miki)] is the guild master.”
“Eh?”
“Right?”
That was the only condition the Viscount gave to Bell-san, Gold-onee-sama, and [Seth] when they visited.
Apparently, if [Seth] was the guild master, he would provide full support, including the favored merchant whom [Seth] had previously helped.
“?”
“As for why the other two weren’t suitable… Gold-onee-sama is a priestess, but she’s that kind, and Bell-san has that incident with the stone wall in the city.”
“Ah…”
Both of them apparently had high reputations with the adventurer’s guild. But, they also had a few… issues.
They had apparently been researched beforehand. They weren't just showing up unannounced, and they must have known who was coming, so of course, they’d do some checking.
The train arrived, and we boarded.
It was crowded at the beginning of April, but now there was more room, and fewer people were standing.
“However, the development will be on the northwest side of the Capital, not towards the [Ancient Ruins]’ tower. Just coincidentally, or rather, [Viscount Edward Amiera] was entrusted with that side and seemed to be having trouble.”
[Mion] nodded repeatedly.
“They handed over the initial member roster, and once the background checks are done, the guild will finally be established.”
Well, I guess it’s good that our embarrassing meeting wasn’t for nothing…
*
“Shou-kun, Mion-san, do you know any [Elf] players?”
“Huh?”
During club activities.
Bell-san cut straight to the chase, barely greeting us, as we were checking comments on yesterday’s uploaded video.
“I want to confirm the light spirit matter, but I don’t know anyone who has the leisure to acquire [Spirit Magic]…”
“Why not just recruit on the live stream?”
“That would mean waiting until Sunday, and I don’t want people to think we’re using viewers as guinea pigs.”
I see…
So, they want to verify it as quickly as possible with an [Elf] character who already has [Spirit Magic].
“President, should we not talk about the light spirit on Shou-kun’s live stream?”
“No, you can talk about it. It would be hard to hide anyway, and they told us what was needed first.”
“No, I mean, I could hide it, couldn’t I?”
I could just avoid showing the light spirit when introducing my home.
In fact, having people see that messy space…
“Many people other than [Elf]s want to acquire [Spirit Magic], so I don’t think it’s good to hide it for profit.
Besides, it was the consensus of yesterday’s members that Shou-kun’s gameplay should not be restricted.”
“Why is that?”
“If we restrict your gameplay in strange ways, Shou-kun’s screw-ups… I mean, amazing ideas, might decrease.”
Bell-san corrected herself after [Mion] glared at her.
No, I’ve already given up on that, so you don’t have to glare that much, okay?
“Alright, I get it. We’ll just play as usual. And yes, I do know one [Elf] acquaintance.”
“Really?”
“[Kashima-san]?”
“Yeah. I’d been planning to have [Natto] and [Iincho] join [Seth] sometime.”
If [Seth]’s guild could issue subjugation and gathering quests for [Undeveloped Land] development, it wouldn’t be a bad hunting ground.
“Oh, your friend you mentioned before. Does she know [Seth]-chan?”
“Yes, if you want to keep [Majo Bell] hidden, you can just have [Seth] deal with them. Those two know [Miki].”
That would make me feel more at ease too.
Well, even if the [Majo Bell] matter somehow slipped out from [Seth], I think those two would be alright.
“Then, could you please ask them?”
“Roger that. After going home, I’ll get [Seth]’s approval, then contact [Natto], I guess? It’s iffy whether [Iincho] will be playing [IRO] today, though.”
“I’ll contact [Kashima-san] myself.”
“Oh, [Mion] can contact [Iincho]?”
“Yes. Um… she told me to contact her if Shou-kun does anything weird that causes trouble.”
…
*
“Um, if I’m causing trouble, please tell me before you contact [Iincho], okay?”
“It’s alright. You’re not causing any trouble.”
[Yata-sensei] also arrived at the club room, so we went to [IRO].
Yesterday, I finished making a small pickaxe, a hand axe, and a large [Chisel], and while there were still many tools I wanted to make, I decided to put them aside for now.
First, we were heading west to check the traps I’d set while the weather was good.
“Woof?”
“Hm, nothing.”
A pouch containing potions hung at my waist, a backpack on my back, and I also carried the hand axe I’d made.
Assuming it would be necessary, I acquired [Axe: Lv1] and [Logging: Lv1], each for 1 [SP]. That left me with only 12 [SP], but it couldn’t be helped.
[Crude One-Handed Axe]
*“A one-handed axe. The craftsmanship is mediocre. Attack Power +18.
[Axe]: One-handed weapon. [Logging]: Can cut down trees up to a certain size.”*
The beginner’s [Dagger] had an attack power of +5, so I was surprised that this one instantly boosted it by 13. And this is with mediocre craftsmanship; if I made a proper one, it might even get another +5.
“Alright, I guess I’ll try some logging.”
“Yes.”
To get from my current home cave to the west, I needed to go through the [Dense Forest] and then reach the southern coast once.
Since I’d be going back and forth frequently anyway, I might as well clear away the obstructive branches first…
“Heave-ho!”
When I swung the hand axe at a branch blocking my way, it fell off easily… which was a bit scary.
“It’s probably because it’s a game, but it feels like it cuts too well.”
“Perhaps it’s also due to the [Logging Skill]’s effect?”
“I see. You’re right, it felt quite different with and without it…”
I swiftly chopped and dropped branches.
I’d pick them up on the way back and use them as fuel for the stone kiln.
[Your Logging Skill has leveled up!]
“That was fast! Well, from 1 to 2, I guess this is normal?”
“[Blacksmithing Skill] also went up to 3 after making just three items, didn’t it?”
“I wonder if the people I met the other day have already maxed out their skill levels?”
“I wonder. They say it gets tough from level 6 onwards.”
Since I had the chance, I should have asked about their skill levels, huh? No, but it would have been weird to ask that on a first meeting…
“Woof!”
As we reached a spot where the sea was visible, [Lupi] dashed towards the shoreline.
Looking back, the path I’d cleared of branches now looked something like “Oh, I guess that’s a path?”
But, it’ll probably grow back in less than a day…
“If I want to make a proper path, I’ll need to pull out the tree roots, I guess?”
“In that case, you’d also need a shovel and a hoe.”
I suddenly had a feeling my house was going to be filled with tools…