Chapter 263

"Mm..."

Don't be conscious, just stretch naturally.... Hm, it's morning now.

It's swollen. The futon next to me.... You're sleeping. Are you tired or what?

It's already 7 o'clock, I'm sorry, I have to wake you up.

While gently tidying my hair, I crawled over to Uranus's side.

Uranus's hair is an explosion. Oh my, she looks like a little girl... somewhat like that.

Somehow, I touched that cherry-colored head and rubbed it gently.

"... Mm."

What?

What is love? Why have you been stroking me since the morning...?"

Uranus was flustered, while his eyes were worn out. Funny, funny.

"Did you have a good dream? I was wondering."

"What?

No, no, why are you bringing up that story again? I didn't see it this morning—ah."

"Mm.

I saw you yesterday morning."

"... Ahhhhh"

Uranus opened and closed his mouth. Phew, a series of funny things have been happening since the morning. This is why I can't stop staying overnight.

"Oh?

Meleoron, have you started using chopsticks?"

Just as the four of us were eating breakfast, Meleoron, who usually eats with a knife, fork, and spoon, picked up chopsticks dexterously with three fingers.

"The situation won't improve that quickly.

I found a book on how to hold chopsticks yesterday and brought it as a reference."

Hm. Does Meleoron care? There is a lot of food from Japan now, I wonder if he wants to eat with chopsticks.

"Ah, right, I just remembered.

Auntie. I forgot to watch the sequel to that movie."

"... Ah, I see.

I'm sorry. I will try my best not to forget it today."

"No. I forgot it too."

The movie... ah, the martial arts mentioned yesterday. Yesterday, not only Uranus, but both of us were completely out of strength.

I am also recovering, but it's not that I'm not tired. However, compared to these three, he is someone who can completely afford it.... I don't have Aura, so I can't do anything unreasonable.

After eating and drinking our fill, we left the inn.

I've already gotten used to taking walks in Otania, but I still like this atmosphere. The faint scent of ripe crops drifts through the air, making your nose itch. It makes you feel better in the morning.

Arrived at the entrance of Otania in Millennium City.

"Hm, somehow, I came here with the usual glue..."

Eh? Uranus, what are you doing? Can't you "drift" and fly like usual?

"The budget on hand is low right now, isn't it?

Depending on where you are going, you might run out of money, so you must first withdraw some money from Antokiba."

Ah, I see...

I didn't go to the Trade Shop in Masadora because I was embarrassed to run into Mr. Poohhat. First, secure the budget.

"For now, I think I will use 'Drift'.

After I fly with Mobile Magic for about a minute, will you three fly to Antokiba using 【Return】? I will fly to Antokiba at that time."

"I understand."

I see, this can save on "Return".

Yes... if this is the way to go, then coming to the entrance of Otania was meaningless. It's suitable for a walk after dinner.

Uranus flew away with "Drift", and about a minute later, the rest of us flew away with "Return".

After traveling by air, we arrived at the entrance of Antokiba.

Ah, Uranus hasn't come yet... is it too early?

Looking back at the city gate. The announcement for the lottery hasn't changed and has been posted in large numbers.

The curtains hanging on the trees on both sides of the street read: "Welcome to Antokiba!" features.

For some reason, I come here often. I wonder why I didn't come here last time. Even Uranus would be surprised.

The sound of flying descending from the sky.

Uranus landed gently. The main fluffy part was the hem of the skirt...

"Please wait a moment.

Let's go get some money first."

The four of us walked like that.

"Are there so few people here?"

Seam tilted his head and asked.... Hm, since you mentioned it, maybe it is few. But when I met Motarike-san, I thought it was about this much.

"The location of NPCs changes according to the time of day.

Not every character is the same every day, and characters that don't exist every day are sparse, so there will be some fluctuations."

Yes, Sufravi is like that too.... I don't know if there is anything there, so I went to look, but it was completely in vain...

Walking to the Trade Shop in Antokiba, Shim took out his savings.

Earned 200,000 and went outside the shop. Walked a short distance, stopping in an area with less foot traffic.

"Hmm, about where we are going today.

First, let me explain the three places I have been to before.

Enjoy summer all year round, hot heavy stomach summer summer stomach hot heavy Sorondo, the city of eternal summer.

Mysterio, a mysterious city that makes you wonder if you are the great detective and criminal den of the day.

Everyone and this guy, let's flirt, Love City love love."

"Do you hold a grudge against that city of love?"

"No, not really...

I just find it annoying."

Hmm. I sort of understand why, but it's a bit complicated.

"Think about it, you can go to all four seasons now."

"Yes.

Eryl in spring, Otania in autumn, Snowflake in winter, Sorondo in summer.

I can go anytime."

Listening to the conversation between Shim and Uranus, I remembered I wanted to go again. Anyway, I have to go there to get the Postcard to the Dead.

"The remaining 11 towns are ones I haven't been to since yesterday.

Castle city Rimero.

Handprint City.

Fishing village Sovrabi.

Sake brewery city Vulcan.

Illusion city Illusion City.

Gambling city Dorias.

City of gluttony Gursel.

Lakebed city Aquaria.

Fortified Garo City.

Snow City Snowflake.

Pastoral city High Loop.

──Now, where do you want to go?"

Too many choices... it's hard to narrow it down. This is the harmful effect of abusing "Drift".

"No matter where you want to go, isn't it too much?

If we had talked about it beforehand, I would understand, but even though I was chosen suddenly."

"There are 14 in total."

Uranus gave a "hmm" to the complaining siblings.

"Hmm...

I see. Sorry.

Even though I've never been there, it's hard to choose from so many places."

Well, they are all places I haven't been to. This doesn't help...

It seemed Shim had an idea; he held up a Finger.

"But can't we go soon?

Then you can plan where you want to go."

Hearing this, Uranus thought about it.

"... Sure.

So far, I have been to 8 cities.

If you want to go, you can go to 14 cities.

There are 25 towns in total, so if I can get 3 more Drift Cards, I can plan ahead."

Well, have you already gotten this far?... Today is the sixth day. Hmm. Even if the four of us move together, why is the capture speed like this? Besides, it's mainly used for tourism.

"Well, that's a story for tomorrow. Only today do I have to make a decision here.

Hmm, what should I do..."

Uranus rethought. I am also a bit confused. What should I do.

──In short, the problem is that there are too many choices, so we use a process of elimination.

This was Uranus's Suggestion, and for the time being, each of them listed the places they didn't want to go.

"I just don't like Sufravi."

"No..."

"How about not going to the wine country?"

"Hmm, I don't want to go either."

"Hmm.

"Wait, I don't object to Vulcan."

"Hmph. Then do you want to drink? Developing habits for minors."

"No... I didn't say anything about drinking..."

"Hmm..."

"It looks like we're drifting off course, so let's keep it this way, shall we?"

Erase Souflavi, Vulcan, and Gursel for now.

There are 11 left.

"Come to think of it, aren't the towns under the city boring?"

"Rimeiro. It's not that there's no entertainment, but I'm not sure if this member can enjoy it.

Alright, let's erase that one too."

"... Didn't you say there were dangerous towns?"

"Hmm. The first is Handprint, the second is Garo.

Handprint is much more dangerous."

"Even if we end up going, I want to wait until the two of us are stronger.

It's hard to say that I've finished honing my combat skills in this state."

"You, isn't this enough...?"

"Honestly, we still have a long way to go."

"Well, let's erase Handprint and Garo for now, shall we?

──After shaving it down like this, three options remain.

Gambling City Dorias. Lakebed City Aquaria. Eternal Summer City Sorondo."

"First of all, are you doing two today?

Or just one?"

Meleoron asked, and we fell silent.

I don't know how long it will take... I'll let Uran decide here.

"Hmm...

First is Dorias, but work there for half a day.

It's fine if it's just for fun, but aiming for the specified Pocket Card takes a lot of time."

"What about the other two?"

"Sorondo, let's go have lunch there now.

If we go to the next town from there, the Training time will decrease.

Unless you go there for a while, you won't know Aquaria...

If it rains, it takes time, but if it's sunny, it won't take that long."

Hmm. If that's the case...

"Don't overdo it, let's just do one place today.

It's no fun to go sightseeing in a rush."

"Yes.

Then it's Dorias or Sorondo."

"It's just sightseeing, wouldn't it be nice to have an endless summer?"

"Well, Sorondo is definitely a resort area, but..."

Uran frowned slightly and looked at us.

"..."

"First is Aisha and Shim. That bracket is no good."

"Eh!?"

What. Is there a dress code too?

"Seam is not that kind of ragged jumpsuit. The partial solution to the part destroyed by the Locust yesterday is hot. It is not a Suggestion to expose the hands, feet, and head directly to the strong sunlight.

Generally speaking, if you hide your arms and legs, you don't need to hide your whole body, right?"

"Uh..."

"But, is it okay not to cover my face...?"

"I'm a little worried too."

"Well, it's usually best to hide it.

However, in the next few hours, I'll be meeting a pursuer who I don't know if he'll come or not, isn't that highly unlikely?"

"Ah... if you put it that way..."

"No matter who sees the scales on his hands and feet, anyone can see them, but if someone who knows Shim's face appears, there will be a chance to beat him and catch him, right? I'm doing this, and if there's a strange person, I'll know immediately."

Hmm... I see. I have to hide the scales on my hands and feet, but other than that, I look like a normal child, Seam.

Of course, if the pursuers come, they will find out, but I will retaliate against them.... If only I had Uran's Aura.

"Hmm...

Well, if you say it's fine, I won't object..."

"What is Seam?"

"... Never mind, I have to change these clothes."

"Oh, it's decided."

Yes. Seam is fine.

"Does this outfit suit me?"

It's sportswear, it feels okay.

"In Aisha's case, the bottom is fine, but the top is a bit...

If you don't dress coolly, you'll sweat.

Do you have clothes suitable for summer?"

"Uh... yeah, I have some."

"Then go change your clothes, after I go over."

Hmm... is that so? Do I have to wear that? Phew... I really don't hate it.

"I believe you're fine with your current style, but what about me?"

"Excellently...

I have no choice but to endure the high heat as it is. Because if you don't keep it Hidden, it's not good."

"I know, but this makes me angry."

No way around it. Anyway, I'm not wearing anything underneath, so I think it's fine.

"Also...

I need to swim

Yes?"

"You have to swim. To obtain the designated pocket card.

... In that case, there are special clothes."

Oh, oh... so that's how it is.

That's it...

Water, put it on.... Must I wear it?

Meleoron couldn't take off his jumpsuit from the start.

If Seam hides his hands and feet, he can manage, but he lacks the ability to obtain cards. m.

Then it's me or Uranus who will swim.... I really don't want to.

Meleoron squinted at Uranus,

"You aren't going skinny-dipping, are you?"

"Don't even think about it, it's annoying even being confirmed."

Haha... as expected, Uranus wouldn't do that either.

"I know you don't want to wear underwear, but will you wear a swimsuit?"

"Teeth...

... I don't want to wear it."

"I'm surprised. Then what do you plan to do?"

Uranus is... yes. Very bad. No, I want you to wear it. Really. Even today.

Meleoron shifted his gaze from Uranus to me.

"What are you going to do? It seems there's only you here."

"Uh, that..."

No, but that's why I...

Uranus scratched his cheek,

"You don't like Aisha, do you? Swimming in a swimsuit."

"... If I can, I want to leave it to you."

"Sorry..."

I wouldn't have cared about it before, but now the election Poster has messed me up... swimwear is starting to give me trauma.

Maybe Uranus also cares about my Poster...

"Anyway, you can't avoid it.

There are many cards that cannot be obtained without swimming. Of course, the difficulty of the event will also increase."

"Is the swimming event really that bad?"

When Meleoron asked, Uranus and I looked at each other.

"Whether you swim or dive, you will lose a lot of strength in the water.

If the opponent is human, the conditions are the same, but if the opponent is a monster living in the water..."

"I have a problem when I can't speak.

There is one more thing that is troublesome."

We noticed Uranus raising his index finger.

"When you take something in the water.

Naturally, it is to turn the item into a card on the spot. That is why I need to put it into the Binder before 1 minute passes.

──But you cannot chant the 'Book' underwater."

"Ah."

In front of me, a Binder appeared with Uranus's voice.... No, that's not the point.

Eh? What do you plan to do?

Come out of the water in less than a minute with the card? I think you should do that even if you consider breathing, but do you come out of the water every time? If I take more than one, I might miss putting them into the Binder.

"That is why... you need to jump down with the Binder.

This is another Obstacle."

I understand, so that's how it is...

Swimming is difficult. Besides, have you fought monsters? Keep fighting.

"Can't you force yourself to say 'book' underwater?

Oh, how annoying. Book!"

Meleoron irritably wiped away the Binder that appeared. Uranus had an ugly face.

"Well, if it's just saying it out loud, I might be able to do it.

As long as the Ring can hear the sound, just put the Ring by your mouth.

Instead, I said goodbye to the air in my body."

That's correct. I would drown, yes.

No matter how strong your physical strength is, you cannot stop suffocating.

I understand, this is difficult. Unless it's a special ability...

"... Uranus, do you have an underwater Nen Ability?"

I wasn't expecting too much. I thought he said he didn't have underwater abilities.

Uranus wandered around with his gaze.

"..."

It's not that I don't have it, but"

"What?

Didn't you say you didn't?"

Correct. Huh, did I remember wrong? Meleoron said the same thing, right?

"No, it's about using it underwater.

I just said I didn't have a Nen Ability suitable for underwater combat. I can even fight underwater."

Wow, this is simply a tall tale.

I can't chant underwater, so it looks dangerous.... Ah, no. If I remember correctly, Uranus, can you give up the chant? In exchange for appropriate Aura consumption.

Yeah... otherwise, I couldn't have pushed myself so hard yesterday. Too dangerous.

"But it's not as convenient as it sounds.

Besides, I still need a little practice."

"How so?"

"... I will explain when to use it."

Hmm. That's fine. Exchanging abilities isn't too casual either. I feel numb.

"So, is Sorondo okay?

If it's Dorias, I don't mind."

"Okay, in Suolunde.

If you gamble with about 4 people, isn't your budget insufficient?"

"Ah, um... that is indeed the case.

Aisha, it seems.

If you two are fine, I'll go to Sorondo today."

"I don't mind."

I hesitated to answer.

... I might wear a swimsuit. Or rather, if you don't intend to wear it, that's not good. Hmm...

"Aisha.

Even if you don't force yourself..."

"Uranus... you're wearing a swimsuit, right?"

"Hmm?"

Yes? What kind of reaction is that? Did you really think you would leave it to me and not wear it yourself?

"Will you wear it?"

"Um, um.

I am the one who..."

"I'm wearing it, right?

You wear one, and I'll wear one. Yes, I will."

Uranus recoiled. This Exchange condition is fine for me personally. I wonder what he will do.

"I... is it okay?

Should I wear a swimsuit? Ah, even if I wear it.

In return, Aisha will definitely wear it too, right?"

Oh, are you serious? You hate wearing it, but you really will wear a swimsuit, right?

"It's a deal then.

Shall we go?"

"Yes, okay?"

"... Hmm. You guys."

I crossed my arms in surprise and looked at Meleoron.

"What are you two saying to each other with red faces?"