here, then?

Yes . Cooks subordinates -Zazie, Lapwing, Bell and Shell- should be here . But this is . unexpected .

While heading toward Eltnia, Shin decided to stop by Barbatos because Shigureya, Rokuten member Cooks home, was located there . Apparently, it still functioned as a restaurant .

Four of Cooks subordinates, being long-lived races, were still active: the restaurant received guests from outside Barbatos too, or so said Aral .

Just as they had heard, Shins party found an incredibly long queue before them . People from all ages, genders, and species were neatly queued in one line .

It doesnt look like its just a one hour wait, huh .

I sent a message, so there should be some action soon .

Shin spoke while looking at the queue and Schnee replied to him .

After a while, two young girls ran out of the doors . They had very similar faces, horns on their heads, membranous wings on their backs, and scaly tails poking out from under their clothes .

These two girls were Bell and Shell . Both had eyes deep red in color, but Bells silver hair covered the right half of her face, while Shells black hair covered the left side of her face .

They look just the same, even now .

Shin referred to Bells kitchen frock and Shells maid uniform . Based on this, the remaining two of the four were likely wearing one a cooks uniform, the other a kimono .

Found Schnee!!

Found Filma!!

Bell and Shell pointed in the direction of Shins party and shouted cheerfully . They mentioned Schnees name, but as she was camouflaged, no one recognized her .

Found Shibaid!

Found Sh

Girls? Arent you a bit too noisy?

Schnee interrupted as they were about to shout Shins name . The girls instantly froze, just like frogs facing a snakes glare .

Shin and the others all thought the same thing: ah, shes angry .

My message to Lapwing clearly stated not to create a fuss, did it not?

I-Im sorry!!!

They probably ran out without listening until the end . The two apologized and quickly returned inside the store .

This sort of commotion feels nostalgic too

Though, having our names shouted like that in public is pretty troublesome .

Because of the exchange with Bell & Shell, Shins group had attracted some attention .

As they thought that it would probably be better to come back some other time, Schnee suggested entering the restaurant from the back door . Lapwing had replied to her message, apparently .

The group left the stores front and entered a backstreet that had little traffic . When they reached Shigureyas back door, they found a woman waiting .

She was Lapwing, who had been communicating with Schnee via message .

Black hair tied behind her head and a kimono designed with ease of movement in mind .

Her green eyes had a gentle light within them, just as Shin remembered .

I was waiting for you . I apologize for the trouble Bell and Shell caused .

Dont worry about it . Im glad to see that nothing seems to have changed .

Led by Lapwing, the group entered Shigureya and was led to a special private room .

The restaurant, having exhausted their ingredient stock for the day, had just closed . Only those customers who were still eating were inside .

Your meal will be ready soon, please wait .

After hearing that the group planned to eat lunch at Shigureya, Lapwing said leave it to us and accepted the request with enthusiasm . There were still ingredients left for the staff, apparently .

Here is your water .

Please use these handkerchiefs .

As Lapwing left, Bell and Shell appeared inside . Their movements indicated that they still felt guilty in front of Schnee, but when she forgave them, they smiled while announcing todays menu .

By the way, Zazies cooking, right?

Zazies focusing on cooking!!

When she gets like that nothing can stop her!

Bell and Shell replied to Shins question, their expressions suggesting Shes a helpless one, that girl!

Should I go call her?

No, I just wanted to say hi . Well probably meet her later anyway, its fine .

Shin shook his head to Bell and Shells simultaneous question . He didnt feel like interrupting her cooking just for a greeting . In the past, Shigureyas boss and thus the head chef, was naturally Cook .

Zazie and Lapwing were both vice-head chefs . Their cooking skills were on the same level . While in battle, Lapwing excelled in land combat and Zazie in sea encounters .

Bell and Shell, the waitresses, did not excel in cooking but in terms of fighting power were both above Zazie and Lapwing .

Thanks for the meal .

Zazie and Lapwing came after the party finished eating, as if they had been waiting for the right timing . Next to the kimono-clad Lapwing stood the slender yet muscular figure of Zazie, wearing her chefs frock . At first glance, it would be hard to tell that they worked in the same restaurant .

In contrast with Lapwings mellow, gentle manner, Zazie was the wild type, well fitting her short red hair . She looked much more like an adventurer than a cook .

Did you get even better at cooking?

If you truly think so, then my efforts have paid off .

Lapwing nodded with a smile .

So, what brought you here today?

Zazie finally spoke, with a low-pitched voice well fitting her appearance . Her brown eyes gave an intense look, just an inch short of glaring .

I thought of paying you a visit, since we were in the area and all . Sorry to have you set a private room for us .

No, it would not do to inconvenience a friend of lord Cook .

Despite her words, Zazies expression suggested that she found it all a pain in the butt .

If one didnt know that her sour expression was something she was born with, it would look like she was really irritated .

let me ask one thing . Mr . Shin, have you not come because of that rumor?

Zazie, please . Its lord Shin .

No, thats fine . Rather, whats this about a rumor?

Shin appeased Lapwing and asked for further details about the rumor .

In Barbatos seas, theres an area called Kuwain . A sailor claims to have seen a gigantic ship there . He is an elf, who knew what Celciutos looks like too .

You mean to say that the ship in question was Celciutos?

Yes .

Zazie looked at Shin with a sharp glare .

The light in her eyes came from the strong resolve of looking for and finding Celciutos the Guildhouse of her master, Cook .

Change of plans then . Tell us more about the current situation . If possible, well secure it .

The ghost ship mentioned by AralShin thought that it could be what they were looking for .

Apparently, the elf who had seen the mysterious ship was not in Barbatos anymore: he had come to report to Zazie and the others that he had seen Celciutos several years before .

Is that elf someones support character?

No, to put it in simple terms for you, hes just an NPC . He used to work in Erculus harbor and had the chance to see Celciutos several times, so he remembered its appearance .

Its true that it stopped a few times in Erculus . The probability that he had just made a mistake is pretty low then .

Erculus was a hometown that prospered as a port in the game era . Other than ships of all sizes, ship-shaped guildhouses could anchor there too .

Even without dropping anchor at a port, all Rokuten members could teleport directly from their guildhouses or homes . There also was a support character set exclusively to refill supplies, so no one else had to do that .

However, as it was a ship, they would occasionally use ports temporarily . One reason was to show off the grand, luxurious vessel that Celciutos was .

Where exactly is this Kuwain area?

According to fishermen and sailors of trade ships, its the area above Hinomoto when departing from Barbatos . Its not sealed, but its designated as a dangerous marine zone, so the guild forbids entering it .

Zazie answered with a grimace, which Lapwing explained to be due to the guilds refusal to allow them entry in the Kuwain area when they requested it .

What exactly does Dangerous Marine Zone mean?

The Kuwain area is surrounded by three powerful currents, as if forming a triangle . Each corner of this triangle has also become the home of monsters which protect their respective territories . Until a few years back, the monsters just scared away those who tried to enter their zone, but now people say that they started attacking and destroying ships: even in areas that were previously peaceful . Now there are frequent storms violent enough to overthrow even large-size ships .

Lapwing continued Zazies explanation, finishing by putting a hand to her cheek and sighing .

Storms alone would be enough of a problem, but with monsters involved too, it was not wrong for the guild to seal off the area to inspect it, or so Shin thought .

There were three monsters guarding the Kuwain area, called the Three Sea Beasts .

In the northwest, a giant squid with 20-mels limbs and magic-unleashing gems, Mascurda .

In the southeast, a shark with razor-sharp fins and poisonous needles growing all over its body, Eolios .

In the southwest, a sea snake with body hair and compound eyes as tough as steel and even crab-like pincers, Keseldran .

These three monsters, commanding their minions, constantly fought to expand their territories, so very few returned from the Kuwain area alive, added Lapwing .

The elf who had spotted Celciutos had nearly died there himself: his ship overthrown, he was carried by the currents and ended up inside the Kuwain area . He was prepared to meet his end, or so he said .

After spotting Celciutos, he exhausted his energy and sank beneath the waves, but when he woke up again he found himself floating near the Barbatos coast, hanging onto a wooden plank like a floating tube . A passing ship then rescued him, so he had barely survived .

Theres definitely something strange going on there .

Yes . Based on the sea environment, its probably Beasts, maybe mermen or fishmen .

Shin also agreed with Lapwings hypothesis .

In THE NEW GATE, human-like sea creatures were called Mermen, while the ones more similar to fish were called Fishmen . Both categories were variations of the Beast group, specialized in underwater combat: they could dive without limits and all their stats grew by 10% while underwater . In exchange, their stats decreased by 10% when on land .

Underwater, all obstacles to their movement disappeared, so they boasted peerless strength at sea .

Some players employed strategies such as using this unlimited diving ability to drown other players and win . Having unusual names and statuses, they had a unique position within the Beast category .

Based on what that elf said, even if entry is forbidden its not like there are walls or anything, right? Couldnt we just sneak in?

I think its possible, but to inspect the area wed need a ship of fairly large size, so it would be difficult to enter without the guilds permission, I suppose .

Lapwing and the others could not procure an inspection ship of sufficient size, so their request was refused .

In the game, Shin had experienced the sea during a storm . Waves large enough to knock over even large ships, unless they had magic enchantments to prevent it, were common in this world . Average ships wouldnt stand a chance .

I guess that means we should get permission first . Do you know what the conditions are?

To own a ship equal or superior to a certain size . The presence of an adventurer rank A or above . To have equipment suitable for fighting underwater . Those three should be all the conditions . Naturally, there isnt any compensation in case of death or injury . Going to that area is seen as having a death wish, after all .

Yeah, I can see that .

Shin agreed to Lapwings words . Even excluding the three Sea Beasts, the Kuwain zone was rife with monsters . Just by hearing what Zazie and Lapwing said, Shin could tell how troublesome the area could be .

Originally, sea monsters appeared in the ocean much more frequently than monsters did on land . Footing was not stable and attacks could come from any direction . Additionally, if the enemy is underwater attacking then options become limited .

In the game era, there were plenty of tales of players who had made a name for themselves on land, but then died as soon as they challenged the seas .

The three Sea Beasts were powerful monsters around level 800, so their minions would obviously be quite threatening as well . Zazie and her comrades had been raised focusing more on creation skills such as cooking rather than fighting, so it would have been difficult for them to return alive .

First of all, what we need is a ship .

Mr . Shin, do you have anything in mind?

Zazie looked at Shin with an expression full of anticipation .

Well actually, I have the parts . If I can have a place to put them together, I can make a ship .

Celciutos was extremely large and powerful even among all other magic-powered warships: in THE NEW GATE, it was one of the best super dreadnoughts existing . Its maintenance parts were in absurd quantities, most of them being made by the blacksmith, Shin . A large quantity of prototype and spare parts for ships thus rested in Shins item box .

Shin kept the parts in separate folders, according to the size of the ship they were for . He could exchange parts and customize ships, as long as the sizes were the same .

As expected of Lord Shin!! Let us make preparations right away!!

The overjoyed Lapwing was ready to burst out of the room .

Can you really have a place ready that easily? I cant just build it anywhere, you know?

In the game all one had to do was to go to the ports management office and register to build a ship, but in reality things could not surely be that easy .

We are having a ship built in an acquaintances shipyard . I feel bad for the carpenters, but we will borrow that space .

Is that alright? I mean, in terms of your relationship with them .

If there was a place available, they wanted to start right away, but saying that they didnt need the requested ship anymore could be a problem .

I think it will be alright . That carpenter wouldnt care about small things if it meant honing their techniques . Rather, Im sure he will look at the ship you make and try to steal your techniques .

Zazie added that the carpenter would probably want to watch as the ship was made in place of his .

Can you take me there right away, then? I want to make preparations and go to Kuwain as soon as possible .

The two girls nodded at Shins words and stood up . Having left the dishwashing to Bell and Shell, Zazie and Lapwing guided Shins group towards a large avenue . They had not changed before leaving, as their clothing had magic enchantments that kept them and their equipment clean at all times . It wasnt something useful in battle, but Cook stated that it was absolutely necessary . Shin reminisced about making them with Cashmere and Hecates help .