Chapter 72: The Eggshell and One More Product
It was good that the medicinal herbs would become a trade good, but I’m worried with just that.
If you only have one thing to sell, you’ll be in trouble if something happens and you can’t rely on it. In my previous life and previous, previous life, big problems occurred due to famine or depletion from over-harvesting.
It would be good if there was one more trade good that could become a specialty unique to the Sky Island. And so, I think I’ll try going to the Forest Island one more time.
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“As I thought, there’s nothing.”
I’ve had Barn and the crew of the Good Loser check the value of anything notable, so there’s nothing that would make them want it badly enough to trade for it.
“Hmm, what should I do.”
As I was strolling through the forest like that, I suddenly came out to a place I recognized.
“The ruins where the Demon’s gate was, huh.”
Even calling them ruins, they just feel like the remains of dwellings from the Sky Continent era, so for me, who knows that time, it’s not that rare.
“The gate is also thoroughly crushed.”
Yep, Bahamut’s full weight was on it, so this gate is useless now. Well, if it means the Demon can’t come to the Forest Island easily, that might be fine in its own way.
“Hey, Rex. What is that?”
And, at that time, Liliera pointed at something black and asked.
“That is… Bahamut’s eggshell.”
Yep, an eggshell. The chick has already hatched.
“Bahamut’s eggshell!?”
For some reason, Liliera’s eyes are wide with surprise.
“Is something wrong with that!?”
“But Bahamut is a monster said to be the S-rank among S-ranks, you know!? In that case, doesn’t its eggshell also have incredible value!?”
That’s ridiculous, an eggshell having such value, I almost said, but thinking about it carefully, even a Green Dragon’s fetched a considerable price, so Bahamut’s eggshell might have some unexpected demand. For example, as an ingredient for medicine I don’t know about.
“Hey, let’s collect it! I’m sure it will be good money!”
“That’s amazing.”
“Eh? What is?”
I was genuinely impressed by Liliera’s idea.
“Certainly, if Bahamut is an S-rank monster, it’s not strange for its eggshell to have value. Yes, let’s collect it!”
Well, in that case, maybe other Bahamut-derived materials could also become money? Thinking that, we collected the Bahamut eggshell, then looked around to check if there was anything else.
“Is that a scale that fell off Bahamut?”
“Isn’t this a fragment of a horn?”
When we searched, we found a surprising amount, so we gathered those items and returned to the Sky Island to have the people from the Good Loser appraise them.
“Whoops, we have to collect the older eggshell too.”
“To think we’d get our hands on Bahamut materials. If I get new equipment with this, won’t it be amazing?”
Liliera was in a good mood the entire way back.
◆
“T-this is Bahamut’s eggshell…”
“This is Bahamut’s scale.”
“This is a fragment of Bahamut’s horn!?”
We had Barn and the others immediately look at the Bahamut materials we brought back, but everyone is acting strange. They are all so excited, they’re acting suspiciously.
Well, Bahamut is a pretty good material, so I can understand being a little surprised if they got it easily, but I feel like they’re a bit too surprised.
“A-are there many such things on the Sky Island?”
“Well, there aren’t many, but if we search, there might be more.”
With a clatter, the crew of the Good Loser becomes restless. This feels like it could be worth money.
“What do you think, do the Bahamut materials seem like they’ll be worth money?”
“Well, yes. I am not an appraiser so I cannot say for certain, but this eggshell and such are hard, and light. Even when I try to cut it with a knife like this, not only does it not get scratched, but the knife’s blade chips. If so, it would likely have sufficient value not just for weapons, but also as material for armor.”
Good, this looks like it will be a good profit.
“To think the day would come when the materials of that abominable monster would become money…”
Sir Karm and the other Sky People seem to have mixed feelings, half-happy. Well, it’s an opponent they struggled against for many years.
“But if that’s the case, it might be unfortunate that Bahamut is gone. Since we can’t get new materials anymore.”
“Idiot!”
When one of the knights said such a thing, Sir Karm dropped his fist on him along with angry words.
“Ow…”
“Thanks to Lord Rex, our food shortage will be resolved from now on! Don’t say such things, even as a joke!”
“S-sorry…”
Sir Karm’s fist must have really hurt; the knight is teary-eyed. But, that’s true. It would certainly be best if we could continuously collect Bahamut materials.
In that case, it might be better to search for where Bahamut is.
“That might be a good idea.”
“Eh?”
If it’s raising its child in a place not so far away, if things go well, we might become able to collect materials from Bahamut’s nest over the long term.
“Alright, let’s search for Bahamut’s nest!”
“””Eh!?”””
◆
“Maybe I’ll try checking this way this time.”
Having decided to search for Bahamut’s nest, I was going around the surrounding sky islands searching for Bahamut’s nest. When I find a new sky island, I search for the presence of strong monsters with detection magic. After repeating that several times, I finally succeeded in capturing a large reaction.
“There it is, Bahamut.”
Alright, let’s go immediately.
“Um…”
And, as I was about to head to Bahamut’s nest, I heard a hesitant voice from behind.
“What is it, Sir Karm?”
The ones who called out were Sir Karm and the Sky Island knights who came with me.
“Um, are we really going to attack Bahamut’s nest?”
“No, no, we’re not doing that.”
“T-then why are we going to Bahamut’s nest? And now, while Bahamut is there.”
“No, I was wondering if I could train Bahamut and regularly collect materials from its nest.”
“””Hah!?”””
Sir Karm and the others look at me with faces of disbelief, but in my previous, previous life, the act of raising monsters and collecting only their materials was common.
“In short, it’s the same feeling as raising livestock.”
“””The scale of the feeling is too different!!”””
Eh? I don’t think that’s the case.
“Basically, animals submit to beings stronger than themselves. Monsters are animals too, so Bahamut will also listen if I persuade it a little.”
“That… is based on the premise that you can beat Bahamut, right?”
“Yes, of course!”
Getting materials from an opponent stronger than you while keeping them alive is pretty tough. That’s when you need the knowledge and experience of an expert. But with Bahamut, well, if I just put some spirit into it and beat it down, it’ll probably start to listen.
I used to help an acquaintance in my previous, previous life and often beat down monsters to make them understand the difference in power. The stronger the monster, the more intelligence it has to understand the difference in power. Well, some monsters have low intelligence and can’t understand it, but that’s an exception.
“Are you really planning to go? The opponent is Bahamut, you know? Aren’t we going to die…”
“The magic item that defeated Bahamut is broken too.”
“No, the opponent is Sir Rex, you know? I can’t imagine him challenging it without any plan. Doesn’t he have some strategy?”
“Certainly, for someone who not only possesses that much strength but also has deep knowledge of magic items, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have some kind of knowledge to subordinate Bahamut!”
No, it’s simply brute force.
“Then let’s go.”
“””Yes!”””
I take the knights, who seem to have accepted it, and head to Bahamut’s nest.
“Come to think of it, why is it necessary for us to accompany you? You’re the one who will subordinate Bahamut, Lord Rex, right?”
Oh, you noticed a good point.
“That’s because, from now on, going to Bahamut’s nest to collect materials will be your job. After all, I’ll be leaving the Sky Island eventually.”
“Ah, I see, that’s certainly… wha, Eeeeeeeeh!?”
Sir Karm and the others raise their voices in surprise.
“W-what an unreasonable thing!? It’s impossible for us to subordinate Bahamut!?”
“It’s okay. I’ll give it a good whack at the start and make it listen.”
“Make it listen, you say…”
“Kyuu!”
And, at this point, Fluffy, who was on my head, raises its voice. Fluffy is also a monster, so I brought it along thinking it might be useful in persuading Bahamut. Well, Fluffy is still an immature child, so I don’t know how useful it will be in persuading Bahamut.
“See, Fluffy says it’s okay too.”
“Haa…”
While we’re talking like that, we’ve come right up to Bahamut’s dwelling. Before our eyes, a nest made from whole trees, the same as the one on the Forest Island, towered.
Grrrrrrr…
I can hear Bahamut’s growl. A warning and caution, I suppose.
However, I puff out my chest and walk into Bahamut’s nest. I’m dealing with a wild beast, so I can’t show a timid attitude.
“Everyone, you too, puff out your chests and be dignified. Beasts see through timid opponents.”
“T-that’s unreasonable…”
It was at that moment. As if sensing the timidness of Sir Karm and the others, a black shadow rose up, spread its black wings, and covered the sky in an instant.
“Hii!?”
“U-uwaa!?”
Bahamut stood up. Just from that, the knights became restless. Well, they were originally refugees and had a long history of fate with Bahamut, so it can’t be helped.
“Bahamut, I have something I want to ask of you!”
I raise my voice and call out to Bahamut.
“I want you to give us the fallen scales and horn fragments scattered in your nest! As payment, we will offer you the meat of monsters we’ve hunted!”
Since we’re making a deal, payment is necessary. Even livestock need to be fed and have their bedding cleaned. And monster extermination is the knights’ job, so it’s efficient to provide the monster meat hunted in the subjugation to Bahamut.
Grrr…
Oh? It looks like Bahamut is thinking. Come to think of it, Bahamut also backed off when I defeated the Demon, so this Bahamut might be pretty smart.
Guooooooooooon!?
Huh? Somehow, Bahamut’s state seems strange… I mean, did Bahamut cry with this kind of intonation?
Hmm, Bahamut’s behavior is clearly strange. Could this be a breakdown in negotiations?
And, it was at that moment.
“Kyuu!”
Fluffy, who was on my head, gave a particularly loud cry, then landed in front of Bahamut. And it begins to raise its voice as if speaking something to Bahamut.
“Kyuu! Kyukyuu! Kyukyukyuu!”
Grrrrrr…
Bahamut also raises its voice, as if responding to Fluffy’s words.
“Is it… having a conversation?”
Sir Karm leaks such an impression.
“Probably. It’s probably persuading Bahamut for us.”
I’m surprised that Fluffy can actually converse with other species. And, perhaps the discussion ended, Fluffy turns towards me.
“Gyuu!!”
And it gave a particularly loud cry and jumped into my chest.
“Oof.”
Whoops, I caught it in a hurry, so I ended up grabbing its face.
Dribble dribble dribble…
Achaa, it seems I startled it by grabbing its face. Fluffy wet itself again. No really, sorry, sorry.
“Kyuukyuukyuu! Kyuu—!”
Then, suddenly, Fluffy in my hand started to cry out as if screaming.
G-Grrrrr…
I thought it was protesting to me, but for some reason, Bahamut replied to Fluffy’s cry. Was that cry a call to Bahamut?
And so, after continuing to converse with Fluffy for a while, Bahamut gathered up the scales and horn fragments in its nest and offered them to me.
Grrrrr…
Furthermore, just as I thought it lay down on the ground, it rolled over and showed its belly. Is it a sign of submission?
“B-Bahamut is showing its belly and wagging its tail!?”
“I-is it showing its submission to Sir Rex!?”
At any rate, considering that Bahamut gave us the materials, it seems the negotiations were successfully concluded. This is also thanks to Liliera suggesting that Bahamut’s materials could be turned into money!
“Good work, Fluffy.”
I pet Fluffy, who sealed the negotiations.
“Kyuun! Kyuun!”
Hahaha, wagging its tail, you’re really friendly.
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“※※※※※※※※※”
Gyaaaaaaaaaa! The human came again! Even though I moved my nest and was quietly raising my child, why, why! The human came again. I haven’t done anything wrong!?
“Well, do not be so frightened, monster of the sky.”
As I was trembling, the white monster riding on the human’s head spoke to me.
“I am the king of all monsters, your savior.”
Savior… you say? What in the world do you mean!? Are you saying you can defeat that human? You also seem to be a possessor of considerable power, but even so, I cannot think you can defeat the human before me.
“Fuh, it is true that in my current state, I cannot defeat that human. I will admit that.”
However, the white monster smiled fearlessly and said this.
“But that is story for if I fight alone. If you and I combine our power, it is a different story!”
W-what did you say!?
“How about it? Will you not defeat that human together with me? If we join hands, even that human will not stand a chance.”
Kuu… What to do? It is true that there is something in the power I feel from this monster that cannot be underestimated. But, behind me is my beloved child. Is it alright to take such a dangerous gamble…
“Do you have time to worry? You do not want to die either, do you? Including the child behind you.”
Kuh, it is as this monster says. No matter how much I worry, it does not change that our fate is held by this human. If so, then should I not carve out my own destiny with my own hands? Even if I cannot win, I should at least be able to buy time for my child to escape.
“It seems your resolve has hardened. Then follow me!”
The white monster leaps, as if to bite and tear off the human’s throat.
Grab!
Ah, its face was grabbed.
Dribble dribble dribble
And it leaked.
“I-if your life is dear to you… offer a part of your body to my Master!”
You’re terrible! Really, you’re terrible in so many ways! And why must I offer a part of my body!?
“Fuh, humans are creatures who wear parts of our bodies as trophies. Therefore, if you do not want to be killed, you will likely be spared if you offer the fallen parts of your body scattered around here! My Master is merciful, so I believe that as long as you offer tribute, even those who defied him will be spared their lives!”
No, the only one who defied him was you.
“Fuhahaha! Do you think my Master thinks so!? The moment you hesitated, you and I were already bound by the same fate!”
T-this guy is terrible! Truly terrible! But, in a way, this might have been good. The fact that this monster was captured so easily is nothing less than proof that even with the two of us, we could not have defeated this human. If so, I will cast aside my pride without hesitation to protect my child. I will confirm one last time, if I offer tribute, we will truly be spared?
“Umu, for my Master is merciful.”
I see, so that is why you are alive.
I resigned myself, offered the fallen scales and horn fragments scattered about to the human, and furthermore, lay down and showed my belly, demonstrating a posture of complete submission. I won’t think about bad influences on my child. I am empty. To live, I will become empty. Rather, I shall think that I was able to teach it how to get by when encountering an overwhelmingly strong person one cannot defeat no matter what.
“※※※※※※※※※”
Then, as if satisfied with that, the human took a part of my body and quietly left.
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“※※※※※※※※※”
The humans came again today. Recently, I have completely gotten used to humans entering the nest. My child is even eating the monster meat the humans brought, looking delicious. Honestly, I wish they would stop, as it makes it hard to focus on hunting practice. But, well. They clean the nest on their own, so it is very easy. I am grateful to be able to concentrate on raising my child. But my child, just do not become like that monster.
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Thus, by succeeding in negotiations with Bahamut, the Sky Island became a nation that could not only ship medicinal herbs, but also be the only one in the world to regularly ship Bahamut materials. Interacting with the surface nations will probably be variously difficult, but according to the first officer, they are trade goods that allow them to do business confidently, so if they handle it well, they should be able to build equal relationships with each country. Well, I’ll leave that area to the important people.
And about the airships I newly built, I decided to sell them in exchange for Bahamut materials, several medicinal herbs, and unneeded magic items from the Sky Castle. Using the airships I made privately for national trade seemed like it would become troublesome with various procedures and rights, so I figured it would be less hassle to just sell them.
I handed over a maintenance memo just in case they break, so they can probably repair them on their own, and if it’s absolutely impossible, I told them to go to the Adventurer’s Guild and put in a nomination request for me.
With this, all the problems of the Sky Island are finally resolved, so I can leave the island with peace of mind.
“Wait! My problem has not yet been resolved!”
We~ll, shall I go home then.
“I said wait!”
“What is it, Your Majesty the Sky King?”
Yep, the one who’s been talking to me for a while is the Sky King.
“I thought I had finally secured the safety of the people and could abdicate the throne, so why has my work increased!?”
“No~, even if you tell me that, the final decision-making authority regarding trade lies with Your Majesty the Sky King.”
Yep, trade is business conducted between nations. It’s only natural for the Sky King and the other nobles to work hard. Also, someone in power can’t just abandon their power so easily. Unfortunately, the Sky King being strangely serious also contributed to his misfortune.
“Well then, with that, please do your best on your last big job during your reign, King!”
“W-wait, you—!”
We shook off the Sky King chasing us from behind and left the Sky Island.
“Is it fine to just leave him?”
And, Liliera asks while holding Fluffy.
“We’ve finished everything we can do. After this, it’s the Sky King’s turn to do the cleaning up in order to abdicate the throne.”
A bird doesn’t foul the nest it leaves, you know.
“And so, shall we return to our nostalgic home!”
“Though we haven’t been away long enough for it to be nostalgic.”
Jairo and the others are probably back by now, so maybe it’ll be interesting to go out with everyone next time.
