Chapter 70: Let's Search for Trade Goods

Episode 70: Let’s Search for Trade Goods

By defeating Bahamut, the worry of food shortages that threatened the people of the Sky Island was gone. The Demon who was working behind the scenes was crushed by the other Bahamut, so I couldn’t get any information, but since the gate was also destroyed, the Sky Island probably won’t be targeted anymore.

As for the matter of sending Barn and the entire crew of the Good Loser back to the surface, I managed to find a solution by modifying the ship into an airship.

With this, all worries are gone and I’m relieved… is what I’d like to say, but there’s one worry left.

That is, is it okay to leave the people of the Sky Island as they are? After all, the people of this Sky Island are descendants of the common people who lived on the Sky Continent, so they have almost no technological accumulation.

Because they’ve built up their technology from zero, both their combat skills and magic skills are low. Thanks to the magic items for defense, they didn’t have to become desperate to survive, which is likely the reason their combat skills didn’t grow. Well, there are probably various other reasons too.

And because of that, they were completely helpless against an enemy with overwhelming strength like Bahamut this time. In the environment of a Sky Island with no escape, if Bahamut had recognized humans as food, the people of the Sky Island might have been annihilated by now.

Furthermore, it’s also bad that the magic items they relied on have deteriorated considerably. After all, they’ve been continuously overused for hundreds of years without any maintenance. I repaired them this time, but they will eventually break completely.

If the magic items break, not only will they be unable to fight monsters, but they will also be unable to go to the Forest Island to gather food. After all, they would become unable to fly.

The best thing would be to teach them flight magic, but it’s a bit difficult to say whether all the people of the Sky Island can learn it. There’s the problem of time, and there’s also the problem of age.

So I tried making a proposal to Karm and Barn.

“Migrate the residents of the Sky Island to the surface?”

“Yes, at this rate, the people of the Sky Island won’t be able to live when their magic items break. So why not let those who wish to migrate to the surface?”

Right now, we have the Good Loser, which has been reborn as an airship. While the crew is mastering the piloting of the airship, we’ll have the Sky King and the residents of the Sky Island recognize the current situation and think about whether to remain on the island or migrate to the surface.

“I see, certainly, considering the future of the people, the idea of migrating from the Sky Island is one option. The anxiety that the magic items might break someday was shared by us knights as well.”

Karm showed a favorable opinion towards the migration. It seems that anxiety had been among the knights of the Sky Island for some time.

“Hmm, however…”

And, Barn has a bit of a thoughtful look.

“Is there some problem?”

When I asked, the first officer answered instead.

“Well, if it’s just bringing the residents of the Sky Island down to the surface, it’s possible on our own discretion, but if it comes to migrating to our country, it’s difficult for us to decide alone. It means accepting immigrants from another country, you see.”

I see, so it’s a political problem.

“However…”

And, the first officer continues.

“If we show them the Good Loser that Lord Rex modified, it might be easier to persuade the higher-ups. After all, no one has ever seen a ship that flies in the sky.”

Eh? I think airships are pretty common, though?

“By the way Sir Rex, is it possible to mass-produce this ship?”

And, the first officer’s face as he asked was the face of a noble making a political judgment. It’s an expression I saw a lot in my previous, previous life, so this is definitely the face of someone thinking about whether it can be used for military purposes. But why would they want to mass-produce something like an airship? I don’t want it to be used for bad things, so I’ll just deceive them appropriately.

“No, the materials used in this airship are limited in number, so it’s impossible to prepare enough for use in war. They are quite rare materials now.”

The main material used for the modification is Gravium, which is contained in the soil and ores of the Sky Island. Now that the Sky Continent is gone, Gravium only exists on the remaining Sky Islands.

So I replied that mass production of magic items using Gravium is difficult. Simply put, flying magic items made with normal technology have better performance.

“Also, since the amount of material used is small, it can’t perform maneuvers that can withstand combat. If you push it, the flight function will break.”

“I-is that so, that is unfortunate.”

Whether he believed my words, the first officer backed down easily. Could it be that that country really doesn’t have airships? No, no, they probably just have few left because too many were destroyed in wars or something. In my previous, previous life, that was the reason I was told to mass-produce airships, even if their performance was just barely enough for transport.

“As for migration to our country, the judgment of the higher-ups is necessary. Therefore, how about we start with trade first?”

“From trade?”

“Yes, by presenting trade goods peculiar to the Sky Island, we show the higher-ups the merits of our country interacting with the Sky Island. Fortunately, we have that ship that has become able to fly.”

Saying so, the first officer looks at the Good Loser, which is continuing its flight training.

I see, rather than suddenly asking to let them migrate, trade, which also allows for food exchange, is easier for both sides. And if the countries become friendly, it might become possible to migrate in the future without trouble.

“What do you think Captain, Sir Karm? How about we first consider the exchange between both countries in the form of trade?”

“Hmm, it’s as the first officer says. I think trade is no problem either! And the only ship that can trade is our Good Loser! This means my time has come!”

Barn looks so happy.

“Therefore, Captain, please be careful not to have your ship taken away by political rivals.”

“Uhmm..”

He’s being curtly warned by the first officer.

“Hmm, certainly, increasing our food prospects is also a benefit for us.”

Karm also has a favorable reaction to trade. I can see a look of relief, knowing he doesn’t have to abandon his homeland.

“W-we can also provide abundant seafood from our country! We can provide many large fish from offshore!”

Oops, at this point, Mayleen and the people from the seaside country have also joined the trade negotiations. They’re desperate not to miss out on a profitable story.

“No, no, your country does not have an airship, does it? Besides, sea fish can also be caught in the inland sea.”

“Hahahaha, however, since the Demon that both our countries were supposed to manage escaped, we must have our country’s losses compensated. You did say that your country would take responsibility for transporting the Demon by ship, did you not?”

“Urgh…”

A fierce political battle is unfolding. Well, I’ll leave that area to the experts. It has nothing to do with a mere adventurer like me.

◆

“Is it not fine?”

The Sky King, who heard the circumstances from Karm, closes his eyes and sinks into thought.

By the way, for some reason, I’ve also been brought to the meeting place.

I thought my presence was unnecessary at a place for trade negotiations between nations, but since I’m deeply involved in the proposal for migration to the surface and the modification of the Good Loser, I was pleaded with to participate in the meeting. I don’t think it’s meaningful for me to be here though.

“I approve the matter of trade. And you may also tell the people about the matter of migration. That those who wish may migrate to the surface.”

“Are you certain, Your Majesty?”

Hesitantly, Karm confirms with the Sky King.

“It may be a good opportunity… In the past, our ancestors fled the collapse of the Sky Continent and moved to this Sky Island, barely escaping with their lives.”

The knights listen to the Sky King’s words with solemn faces.

“We protected ourselves from the attacks of monsters with the few magic items left in the fortress, and called ourselves a country to dispel the people’s anxiety. But we who lacked the power to escape to the surface, were exhausted, fearing the day of the end that would eventually come.”

The Sky King stands up from the throne and proclaims to the knights.

“We moved to this Sky Island seeking a place of peace. If so, there is no need to cling to a Sky Island with no future. Karm, first, prepare goods that can be used for trade. And the knights are to gather those who wish to migrate. However, you must also tell them that they will likely never be able to return to their homeland.”

“””Hah!!”””

Receiving the Sky King’s command, the knights began to move swiftly.

“Good grief, with this, I too can finally take off this heavy crown.”

The Sky King who muttered so, looked exhausted but also refreshed.

…In this narrow land with no escape, this person may have been desperate in his own way. His trying to capture us or kill us might also have been because of the king’s mask he kept wearing to protect his people who had no escape.

“This crown, it really makes my neck stiff.”

Oops, this old man might be surprisingly tough.

◆

“And so, I tried looking for things that could become trade goods, but…”

Karm, who was ordered to select goods for trade, had called the village chiefs from each village scattered across the Sky Island and was consulting with them about whether there were any goods that could become trade goods.

The crew of the Good Loser and the messengers from the seaside country are also participating in the selection of goods, and are evaluating the goods to see if there is anything that would bring profit to their own country.

“Uhmm, to be honest, they are somewhat lacking to be trade goods.”

“It is the same for our country.”

It seems there are no notable goods, and the negotiations are having difficulties.

“This is troubling. These are about all of our country’s notable specialties.”

Karm also holds his head, having no other goods to offer. The village chiefs from each village also look anxious that this potential business might come to nothing.

“Umm, in that case, why don’t we try exploring the Forest Island for any goods that might sell?”

“The Forest Island?”

“Yes, the Forest Island has been occupied by Bahamut until now, and people couldn’t get close. But now we can enter the Forest Island, and there might be medicinal herbs or something that are rare on the surface.”

“I see, certainly, the exploration of the Forest Island was originally essential work. Then we should take this opportunity to conduct a large-scale search.”

Karm, understanding that there is still hope, orders his subordinates to explore the Forest Island. Well, I hope there’s something on the Forest Island that could become a trade good.

◆

“We will now begin the exploration of the Forest Island. This time, finding goods that can become trade goods is the top priority, so keep combat with monsters to a minimum.”

“””Hah!”””

Receiving Karm’s instructions, the knights advance into the Forest Island.

“Well then, shall we go too?”

“Yes.”

“Kyuu!”

Liliera and Fluffy reply energetically.

“I didn’t get much of a turn with Bahamut and the Demon, so I have to do my best on this exploration.”

“Kyuu!”

They’re both full of motivation.

“Luckily, the forest is my specialty area, so you can expect great things from me!”

“Yes, I’m expecting them.”

Liliera was searching for rare medicinal herbs for everyone in her hometown, so she seems to have a wealth of knowledge about medicinal herbs that could make money.

“Kyuu!”

And Fluffy immediately jumped into the forest. It probably went to hunt monsters. Well, having fewer monsters is a good thing, and Fluffy can also use flight magic, so it will probably come back fine.

“Then let’s go too!”

“Yes!”

As the two of us walk through the forest, wild beasts such as deer and rabbits appear one after another.

“Surprisingly, normal beasts have survived. I thought they would have been devoured by monsters.”

“Probably, the monsters that eat beasts were Bahamut’s prey. And Bahamut overlooked the small beasts because they wouldn’t fill its stomach. Rather, I think they were left alone as bait to lure the monsters that would become its prey.”

“I see, when you think about it that way, they were coexisting well.”

However, it seems monsters have become more active since Bahamut disappeared, and occasionally we saw carcasses of beasts that seemed to have been ravaged by monsters. In addition, the deeper we went, monsters that mistook us for prey began to appear here and there.

“Leave this to me!”

Saying so, Liliera readies her spear and heads towards the monsters. Uun, she looks so lively, getting to fight just the right prey.

“Alright, then I guess I’ll search for medicinal herbs.”

While checking the status of Liliera and the surrounding monsters with detection magic, I search for medicinal herbs.

“As expected, since no one could enter for many years, medicinal herbs are overflowing everywhere. With this, we can gather medicinal herbs for a while without worrying about over-harvesting.”

Even if these medicinal herbs don’t become the main feature of the trade, it’s good because if the materials for medicine increase, it will be useful for the lives of the Sky Island people.

“But still, there are really a lot of medicinal herbs… Ah, in the past, I used this to make a lot of high potions.”

While beating down the attacking monsters, I find a nostalgic medicinal herb and immerse myself in memories of my previous life. It’s not a particularly rare medicinal herb, but it’s still a medicinal herb, so I guess I’ll take it.

Alright, I’ve gathered a decent variety of medicinal herbs. The Forest Island is a pretty big island, so as long as we don’t over-harvest, we can secure the amount needed for trade without problem.

“But… come to think of it, if we’re going to trade, we’ll need a lot of ships.”

I suddenly realize.

This place is called a Sky ‘Island’, but it’s quite vast. Frankly, it’s an island the size of a small country.

In that case, the volume of trade isn’t at the town level, but at the national level. If we’re going to trade on that scale, just one Good Loser is rather unreliable. In that case, I wonder if it’s better to increase the number of airships?

Ah, I see, that’s why the first officer asked if I could make more!

“Well then, shall I make them?”

I remember the transport airships I was forced to make by the higher-ups in my previous, previous life. Their performance is too low to withstand combat, but they can transport a small crew and cargo without any problem.

Luckily, Liliera and Fluffy are engrossed in monster hunting, so I’ll just quickly make them now. I use magic to create a work golem and order it to cut down a suitable nearby tree.

“Alright, let’s start work!”

Well, the catalyst… ah, come to think of a, the jewel I got from the Megalo Whale might be usable. I don’t really know what it is, but its magic power transmission efficiency seems good. I shave off just a little bit of the Megalo Whale’s raw gemstone and make it into airship material. With just this, I can probably still make several hundred more airships.

After that, I’ll just hunt the monsters around here appropriately and take out their magic cores. Also, it’s a pain to transport them to the Sky Island one by one, so I’ll make it so the other ships can be controlled from the fleet’s main ship.

Right, it feels just like a bit of weekend DIY!

◆

“Alright, I guess this is about it.”

The new airships are complete, so I guess it’s about time to go back.

“Liliera-sa~n, Fluffy~, it’s about time to go back~”

“Oka~y!”

“Kyuu~!”

Liliera and Fluffy return triumphantly with their prey.

“This place is great, I was able to hunt many B-rank class monsters I’ve never seen before… huh?”

And, Liliera’s movements, who had been reporting gleefully, stop.

“What’s wrong?”

“What is that?”

Liliera is dumbfounded, looking at the airships floating behind me.

“What do you mean, they’re airships. I thought just the Good Loser wouldn’t be enough carrying capacity to trade, so I made a few extra transport ships.”

“You thought it wouldn’t be enough so you made a few!?”

“Well then, let’s meet up with everyone and go back.”

“Uwaa, everyone is going to be surprised by this…”

Ahaha, there’s no way they’d be surprised by mere transport ships.

◆

“””We thought you went to gather medicinal herbs!?””””

When I showed them the airships, for some reason, they were surprised.