CH 120

Chapter 120 – Business with Otherworlders

“I hadn’t expected these places to become like this.” (Bouchi)

Through the monitor, I could see Lake Biwa, which was located in the Shiga Prefecture. It was known as the largest lake in Japan.

There were many massive coral reefs climbing out of the surface of the lake, extending into the skies. They had been shaped and processed in such a way that people could live on top of them. Windows and doors had been installed throughout the structures, and there were non-Japanese people peeking out of them.

According to Izu, these processed coral reefs were the homes of garbels that lived at sea. There were police on standby near Lake Biwa to keep an eye on the mysterious humanoid creatures, presumably dubbed fishmen, who had suddenly appeared on the lake.

The fishmen also seemed bewildered by their sudden arrival in some strange, unfamiliar place. But the fishmen were clearly wary of the police, whose strict atmosphere seemed to give off a sense of hostility.

It seemed like they would clash with each other at the drop of a hat. There was a chance that a battle between the police and the fishman could ensue. They couldn’t communicate after all, so the police probably thought they were monsters, just judging by their appearances.

The police were naturally wary of them because they looked like anthropomorphic fish, but the fishmen were likewise ready to strike at any moment because the police looked exactly like hurons, who were also enemies to them.

As such, many Japanese people were suddenly forced to deal with the abrupt appearance of these otherworlders.

What would the government do in this situation? Well, there was no guarantee that they were still running in the first place.

With not only monsters, but also otherworlders to deal with now, it was hard to say if the government could even do anything about this situation.

“Sol, that’s enough for today. Come back at once.” (Bouchi)

“Yes, Master!” (Sol)

Finished with today’s recon, I called Sol back to the island, then put the monitor back into the <Box>.

“Sigh. At least the island is still relatively safe.” (Bouchi)

The Cloud Whale hadn’t been seen since its initial appearance. It must have flown away to another part of the skies. The surroundings of the island were also peaceful, as no otherworldly influences had appeared.

I stepped out of the house and made my way towards the lake. There, I saw Ior working with the plantmen.

“Ah, Hiro-sama!” (Ior)

Ior noticed me and began to quickly toddle over to me.

“Can I help you with anything, Hiro-sama?” (Ior)

“No, I was just wondering how things have been going since then… But it seems to be going well.” (Bouchi)

‘Since then’ referred to the time when Ior had summoned the plantmen and began working with them. The surrounding environs of the lake were being cultivated by them, and many budding plants were beginning to emerge.

“The flowers will be blooming in just a few more months.” (Ior)

“I see. I’m looking forward to it. You’ve been working hard as well.” (Bouchi)

I gave a headpat to Ior, who was still dressed in dirty work clothes.

“Mmnn… Thank you, Hiro-sama.” (Ior)

“Why are you thanking me?” (Bouchi)

“…Because… you gave us a place to belong.” (Ior)

Ior was usually rather expressionless, or rather, he wasn’t really the type to outwardly show his emotions. But right now, I had the feeling he was smiling a bit.

“And onee-chan… she seems happy. So… I’m happy too.” (Ior)

“I’m growing scytoliths in the water.” (Ior)

“What are those?” (Bouchi)

“Scytoliths… They make water clean. They kind of have a water purification power?” (Ior)

Hoh, so there are plants that can even purify water.

After that, he explained that just one scytolith could purify 100 liters of water. Hundreds of these plants were being grown at the bottom of the lake so the lake’s water could be drunk without any problems.

“As expected of the one I placed in charge of the plant life. With you here, we won’t have to worry about the crops or drinking water.” (Bouchi)

“Nnn, I’ll do my best.” (Ior)

I rewarded Ior for his work with some sweet milk chocolate. Ior let out a small smile and went back to work with renewed enthusiasm.

After that, I prepared some mashed potatoes for Sol to welcome her back to the island, and once that was over, I began to ponder deeply on how to move forward from here onwards.

The fields that were appearing throughout the world weren’t dungeons, so it wasn’t a matter of clearing it or anything like that. Fields weren’t places that would just disappear after doing something to it.

However, with the increase in the number of monsters, the requests for monster extermination would only continue to increase, so Torakado would never run out of work.

The other problem was how to deal with the otherworlders. I could talk to them, but other people were incapable of doing so, which would make it difficult for them to reach an understanding.

“Should I take on a line of business as an interpreter?” (Bouchi)

Perhaps the government would take the initiative to communicate with the otherworlders somehow. If they could do that, they might be able to establish friendly relations so they could work towards a solution with the otherworlders.

However, the problem with food would also be a big issue. After all, the population was growing by a lot all at once.

No… On that end, there are probably a lot of people being killed by monsters, so maybe there won’t be that big of a change.

From the time that the world had been transformed until now, presumably countless people had perished to monsters and dungeons. Hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions. Or more, even.

While the population was rapidly decreasing, otherworlders suddenly made an appearance in this world, one after another. Viewed from a different perspective, it was like they were replenishing the lost numbers in some sense.

Is the world trying to make the numbers add up? …No way, right?

If so, the world would be acting as it desired, eliminating unwanted people and welcoming in necessary beings from the other world to make up for it. Of course, that was assuming that the world had a will of its own…

“No, no, there’s no way. That would be way too ridiculous. Anyway, about business from here on…” (Bouchi)

One of the many things I was thinking about was starting to do business with the otherworlders. With all likelihood, they were confused and lost at being thrown so suddenly into a strange, unfamiliar world. They needed food and shelter, as well as information.

Some of them already had places to live, but food was more important than anything else for survival. If I could provide them with food, I could receive money and valuables in return.

“I could probably give an uninhabited island to people who desired a place to stay. But the only problem is if they would be able to pay for it…” (Bouchi)

As you could imagine, I wasn’t going to let every otherworlder who came to our world into Joysprout Island. I couldn’t do that, nor did I want to. The only people allowed on this island were those I could trust. I had no intention of taking in an unspecified number of strangers out of pure sympathy.

“That said, the first step is to make contact with them and figure out what they want. After that I’ll see what they can offer me in return.” (Bouchi)

However, I needed to choose my business partners carefully. I’d have to exercise even greater caution towards garbels in particular. After all, they didn’t see hurons—humans, in a quite so amiable light.

“Shiki, where is Yofel at the moment?” (Bouchi)

“At this time, this one would assume she is training with the Black Ogre.” (Shiki)

A little while ago, I saw her practicing martial arts with the A-Rank Black Ogre, leaving me astonished. But with the [Perfect Ring] and other enhancing items I had given her, along with Shiki’s training, it was possible for her to take the Black Ogre head on now.

“Can you go get her for me?” (Bouchi)

After Shiki left to do as requested, I used my <Shop> skill to purchase the items I would need.

A short while later, Shiki returned with Yofel.

“Master, did you summon me?” (Yofel)

“Yes, I’m about to go make contact with some otherworlders. I’d like you to accompany me.” (Bouchi)

“Yes, I understand.” (Yofel)

With an elf like her at my side, it would be easier to get information out of any otherworlders, and they wouldn’t be nearly as cautious.

“I should also create a new form for this, huh?” (Bouchi)

I took a [Shapeshifting Medicine] and decided on an appearance.

“….Oooh!” Yofel exclaimed, looking at my transformed appearance with a hint of admiration.

My new form had silver hair and animal ears sprouting from the top of my head. A number of tails grew out from the silver fur covering my rear-end.