親子との別れとコンテストに向けて
訓練場にアルベルトを残し、談話室で待ち始めて暫く。
体から湯気を出した彼が戻ってきたのは、実に数十分後のことだった。
「すまない......年甲斐もなく取り乱してしまった」
俺が冷えた水を渡すと、礼を言って受け取り一気に飲み干す。
一瞬で湯気が収まり、汗もスッと引いていく。
この辺りはゲームらしい短絡的な処理でもって、アルベルトはようやく平静な状態を取り戻した。
深呼吸して、セレーネさんと俺を順番に見る。
「文句なし――いや、選ぶべき言葉が違うな。......最高の出来だ。感謝する!」
「アクートゥスグレートソード、及びアクートゥスフレイムアックス、確かにお渡ししました」
言いつつ、セレーネさんがほっとした様子で頭を下げた。
俺からは武器の性能に関して少しだけ言及しておく。
「質はどちらも極級+5で、お二人が持ち込んだドゥールス鉱石も合金素材として使用済みです」
フィリアちゃんが感心したような声を出す。
質が(セレーネさんにしては)そこそこなのは、単純に合金の扱いが難しかったためだ。
ゲーム的に装備の主流となる鍛冶は、やはり他の生産に比べ難易度が格段に高い。
「他のトップクラスの鍛冶師達と性能は同程度なのだな。やはり数値に表れない部分に何かあると......実に興味深い」
背中から剣を外し、アルベルトが手に持って眺めながらしみじみと呟く。
俺達の武器が他の職人のものと違う理由は未だ不明だが、気に入ってもらえたようで何より。
苦労が報われるというものだ。
その後は軽食とお茶をしつつ歓談、そして遂にアルベルト親子がサーラから発つということになった。
「ハインド......今度メール、する......」
「はいよ。待ってる」
「ハインドさん......」
「な、何だよリィズ? メールは別に良いだろ?」
フィリアちゃんから送られてくるであろうメールの内容が全く想像できないが......。
フレンド登録がまだだったギルドメンバーも全員二人とコードを交換し、そのままサーラの入口まで見送りに。
親子はグラドタークには及ばないまでも、かなり大型の馬を引いて厩舎から出てきた。
ここで買った一頭のラクダは置いていくようだ。
前に言った通り馬には二人乗りを行うようなのだが、長距離移動でアルベルトの重量を支え切れるのだろうか?
「武器だけでなく、滞在中は色々と世話になった」
「いえ、こちらも良い経験をさせて頂きました。ピラミッド探索も助かりましたし、ご一緒できて楽しかったです」
そのやり取りを皮切りに、口々に別れの言葉を交わす。
移動が不便でプレイヤー間で気軽に会えないのは、TBの欠点でもあるし
空を飛べる乗り物でも解禁されれば、また事情は変わってくるのだろうけれど。
「ではまた会おう、渡り鳥よ。――ハインド!」
「はい? ――うわっ!?」
彼は最後に俺の名を呼ぶと、何か袋のようなものを馬上から投げ渡してきた。
受け止めるとずっしり重く、中からはジャラジャラと金属が擦れ合うような音がしている。
顔を上げた時には、既に馬影は砂埃を伴って声の届かない距離まで離れていた。
一体何事かと全員が俺の手元を覗き込んでくるので、開いて中身を手に取ると......。
「金貨みたいだな......それも大量の」
「あ、手紙が入っているでござるよ。何々......約束の追加報酬だ。返却は受け付けない。次も宜しく頼む――だそうでござる。むむむ......」
「そういうことでしょうね、恐らく。ユーミルさんにしては鋭い考察だと思います。この走り書きの荒い字を見るに、地下訓練場で急遽用意したのでしょうか?」
「かもな。追加で100万Gポンとくれたぜ......」
「結果的に最初の提示額の倍になっちゃったね。これは確かに、普通に渡されたらちょっと遠慮しちゃう額だよ......」
アレンジ装備のフルオーダーとはいえ、受け取り済みの初期提示額100万Gはかなり高額な報酬だ。
アルベルトはそこから更に、こうしてもう100万Gを置いて行ったことになる。
受け取った金額は合計200万Gとなり、言うまでもなく破格の報酬である。
正直言って貰い過ぎだ、これは。
「兄貴カッケー! うひょぉぉぉぉっ!」
「お前はそれしか言えんのか? でも、今回は素直に同意するぜ。アルベルト格好いいなぁ......」
全員でうんうんと頷く。
傭兵としての料金が高いため、掲示板等ではケチであるというイメージが付いているが......。
そんな彼等の見送りを済ませた俺達は、ギルドホームに戻ってそれぞれの作業に戻ることにした。
アイテムコンテストの締め切りは近い。
まずはユーミルのアデニウムだが、これに関してはまだ苦戦中だ。
いくつかのアデニウムの色は赤から紫に近くなっているのだが、間に合うかどうかは微妙である。
品種改良の方法だが、森の多いルスト王国で採取可能な交配用の魔法の土。
その土が入った鉢植えに種類の違う植物を二つ植える。
すると魔法の土が遺伝子を運び、互いの植物に影響を与え合う状態になる......のだそうな。
ゲームらしいファンタスティックでとても都合の良い土である。
今俺が見ている鉢でアデニウムと一緒に植えてあるのはロベリアという花だ。
「こいつは何世代目だっけ?」
「四......だったか? 微妙な色だが、期日までには何とかなるだろう。多分な!」
「楽天的だな。確かに候補は多いし、どれか一つくらいは物になるかな......?」
ロベリア以外にも交配相手として試している花はあるしな。
色素の移動速度はまちまちで、中には色と関係なく毒草や薬草等の素材アイテムに化けてしまったものもある。
その反応の種類がまた複雑で、法則性を見つけるまでに酷く苦労しそうだ。
ユーミルはそれぞれどうなるのか読めなくて楽しいと言っているが、くじでも引いているような感覚なのだろう。
「ハインド、ハインド! 見ろ!」
ユーミルが俺に差し出した鉢の中には、一見普通のアデニウムが赤い花を付けて単品で植えてあった。
これの何を見せたいんだ? と思い、観察しているとミツバチらしき小さな虫が花の蜜に誘われて止まった。
刺されないように顔を遠ざけて観察していると、なんと蜂の止まっている花弁がゆっくりと閉じていく。
蜂は異変に気付いてもがき始めるが、足が何らかの要因で貼り付いているらしく逃げられない。
そのまま花弁は閉じ切り、蜂は永久に脱出不可能となった......。
「......お前、このアデニウム何と掛け合わせた?」
「食虫植物だぞ! 使い道は知らん!」
ホームに置いて虫除けに使うくらいしか、俺にだって用途が思い浮かばねえよ。
こんなものをコンテストに出すわけにはいかないし、残された時間はかなり少ないのだが。
俺がそれを伝えると、ユーミルは心外そうな顔をしてこう言った。
「だがこのアデニウム、とてもあの女王っぽいだろう? お前を食ってやるぞ! みたいな感じが。正直、会心の出来なのだが? これをコンテストに出品しよう!」
「怒られる......意図に気付かれたら絶対怒られるって......却下だよ、こんなもの!」
食ってやるぞ! の部分で俺に向かって両手を上げていたユーミルが、唇を尖らせつつ元の体勢に戻る。
その後は配合が上手くいかなかった物を選別して除外したり、結果の出た物の更なる植え替え等を二人で行っていく。
配合の結果に関しては逐一ゲーム内のメモ機能を使って記録を取り、残ったのは水をやったりの簡単な作業のみだ。
「んじゃユーミル。毒草と薬草になっちまった奴は持っていくな。後は任せた」
「うむ、任せろ! ――ほーれ、たんと水を浴びるがいい貴様ら!」
そんな訳で、水を撒き始めたユーミルを残し今度はリィズが作業中の調合室へ。
Chapter 114 - Parting With The Parent And Daughter And Towards The Contest.
We left Albert in the training room and waited for him in the lounge.
He returned about ten minutes later with steam coming off his body.
[I'm sorry...that was unbecoming of someone my age.] (Albert)
I gave him a cup of cool water and he thanked me while drinking it all in one go.
In an instant, the steam disappeared and the sweat was gone too.
This is one part where it is like a game and things are simplified. Albert had finally calmed down.
He took a deep breath and looked at Selene-san and me.
[I have no complaints...no, that's a poor choice of words.
[We have confirmed that we have delivered the Acutus Greatsword and the Acutus Flame Axe.] (Selene)
While saying that, Selene-san bowed her head with relief showing on her face.
I told them a bit about the performance of the weapons.
[Both are first rate + 5, we also used the Durus ore you brought as materials.] (Hind)
Philia-chan voiced her admiration.
The quality (for someone like Selene-san) was so-so, but it was because the alloy was hard to handle.
Compared to the equipment that was mainstream in the game currently, the degree of difficulty was vastly different.
[In terms of performance it's about the same as what other top class blacksmiths make. As expected, there has to be some numerical values that are not shown...I'm actually quite curious.] (Albert)
Taking out the sword from his back, Albert whispered that as he took it in his hand and looked at it.
It's still unknown what's the difference between our weapon and what others craft, however, I'm glad that he is satisfied with it.
It feels as if we have been rewarded for our troubles.
Then, we chatted for a while while having a snack and some tea. Finally, the Albert and daughter duo left Sala.
[Hind...next time, I'll send you an email...] (Philia)
[Sure thing, I'll be waiting.] (Hind)
[Hind-san...] (Riizu)
[W-What's wrong Riizu? An email should be fine, right?] (Hind)
Though I have no idea what the contents of the email from Philia-chan will be...
The members that still hadn't exchanged friend codes with them did so, and we tagged along with them until we reached the entrance of Sala.
Even though it couldn't be compared to the Grado Turks, the parent and child duo came out of the stable carrying a rather big horse.
It seems like they will be leaving the camel they bought here.
Looks like they will be riding a horse together like they mentioned before, however, will it be able to support Albert's weight in a long distance trip?
[Not only with our weapon, we've been in your care throughout our stay.] (Albert)
[Not at all, we have had a great experience too. You've saved us in the pyramid exploration and it was fun going together.] (Hind)
Having such words between us, we said our goodbyes.
Being inconvenient for players to travel around could be said to be one of the flaws of TB, though you could also say that it was their intent.
Though, things would definitely change if they released some means of transportation in the air.
[Well then, let us meet again, people of Migratory Bird.
[Yes? -Uwah!?] (Hind)
After I heard my name called at the end, it looked as if he had thrown something like a bag from the top of the horse.
Catching it, I felt its weight and from within, the sound of metal jingling could be heard.
When I raised my head, the horse had left behind a cloud of dust and was already at a distance where my voice wouldn't be able to reach them.
Wondering what was going on, the others peeked at what I had in my hands. I opened it and took the contents in my hand.
[Looks like they are gold coins...and a large amount at that.] (Hind)
[Ah, there's a letter inside. Let's see...it's the additional reward I promised. I won't accept any returns. I'll be counting on you next time...or so it says. Nununu...] (Tobi)
[That's probably the case. Quite the sharp deduction coming from Yumir-san. Considering how messy the writing is, he probably wrote it in a hurry while he was in the training room?] (Riizu)
[Most likely, he really gave us 1.000.000 G as a bonus...] (Hind)
[This is twice as much as what we agreed at the start. It's certainly true that if he had given us this much directly, we wouldn't have taken it...] (Selene)
Even if it was an order for fully arranged equipment, the initial price we had agreed on of 1.000.000 G was already quite high.
On top of that, Albert had given us another 1.000.000 G.
In total, we had received 2.000.000 G, it goes without saying that this was quite the amount.
Honestly speaking, we had received way too much.
[Aniki is so cool! Uhyoooooh!!] (Tobi)
[Is that the only thing you can say? However, this time I have to agree with you. Albert is so cool...] (Hind)
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It was probably because the fees for his mercenary work was high, though from what was posted in the BBS it gave the image that he was stingy...
After finishing sending them off, we returned to the guild home and returned to each one's work.
The deadline for the item contest is close.
First off are Yumir's Adeniums, regarding these, it'll be close.
We had quite a few Adeniums that ranged from red to violet, however, it's hard to say if we'll make it in time.
Regarding the selective breeding method, it's by crossbreeding using the magical soil found in the many forests of the Rust Kingdom.
We then use that soil to plant two different types of plants in a single pot.
Doing so, the magical soil will choose characteristics from both plants during the hereditary process...or something like that.
It's a fantastically convenient soil as you'd expect from a game.
The pot I'm looking at right now, is the one where we planted the Adenium with another flower called Lobelia.
[What generation is this one again?] (Hind)
[Fourth...maybe? The color is questionable, but it'll be fine by the time of the contest. Probably!] (Yumir)
[You sure are optimistic. Though it's true that we can pick from many, wonder which ones will be done...] (Hind)
Apart from the Lobelia ones, we have other flowers in the middle of crossbreeding after all.
The speed at which they change color differs from one to another. Within those, there are also cases where the Adeniums disregard color and turn into poisonous plants or medicinal herbs.
Why they react like that is still unknown and it would be hard to find those naturally in the wilderness.
Yumir says that it's fun to think about how each one will turn out, however, it feels as if we are drawing the lottery here.
[Hind, Hind! Look!] (Yumir)
Inside the pot that Yumir presented to me, there was a red flower the color of a normal Adenium.
What is she trying to show me with this? Just when I was thinking that, I observed it and noticed that a bug akin to a honey bee was lured by the flower's nectar and stopped inside it.
In order to not be stung by it, I took some distance from it and observed it. To my surprise, the petal the bee was on slowly closed.
The bee noticed the strange occurrence and it started to struggle, but it looked like its leg was stuck to something and it couldn't get away.
The petal closed like that and the bee was unable to escape for eternity...
[...You, what did you plant this Adenium with?] (Hind)
[An insectivore plant! Though I have no idea what to use it for!] (Yumir)
It can only be used as an insecticide inside our home, even I could not think of any other use for it.
Not like we could show this at the contest and there's not much time left.
When I told her that, Yumir looked upset and she said this.
[But this Adenium, doesn't it look just like the queen? "I'm going to eat you!", It gives that sort of feeling. Honestly, I'm quite satisfied with the result? Let's show this one in the contest!] (Yumir)
[She'll get mad...if she realizes what you mean by it, she'll definitely get mad...something like this is a no go!] (Hind)
"I'm going to eat you!". Yumir, who had raised both of her hands when saying that part, returned to her original position looking quite displeased.
After that, we took out the ones that didn't turn out well. Then, we planted the ones that showed promise in pairs again.
I noted down the results of each combination with the memo function inside the game and all that was left was the simple work of watering the plants.
[Well then, Yumir. I'm taking the medicinal herbs and the poisonous ones. I'll be leaving the rest to you.] (Hind)
[Umu, leave it to me! ...There, be bathed in plenty of water, you guys!] (Yumir)
With that, I left Yumir, who had started to water the plants and headed towards the compounding room where Riizu was currently working.
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都