As a member of the Second Fleet who had managed to stand out among so many craftsmen, he was without doubt a top-tier artisan. Even if his focus was not on equipment forging, the nature of metals was still a field he was well-versed in.
Because of that Wyverian forging master, the smithing and smelting methods of the Old World were largely similar. Only metals unearthed from ancient ruins would show such great, such obvious differences.
The refinement of this metal and the way the materials were combined had already surpassed his own smelting level.
"So, the New World actually once had an ancient civilization as well?"
For the Research Commission, this was yet another major discovery!
After finishing his inspection of the metal, the artisan then turned his gaze to that bundle of white thread.
He pulled one strand, tugged it twice, and found that the thread didn't break. Its toughness and stickiness were entirely unlike the spider silk the Commission usually gathered during expeditions.
Just such a fine strand, and he had not been able to snap it at once!
"What an outrageous thread. This isn't something the silk of endemic life could achieve. From what powerful monster could this silk come? If this material could be gathered in large quantities, whether for construction or armor, it would be top-grade!"
Suppressing the shock in his heart, the artisan put down the silk bundle, then looked toward the four Cats in the camp and asked once again.
"Where did you all get these things from?"
"Oh, that, meow."
The other Cats all turned their heads in unison, their gazes landing on Spice, who was licking his paws at the side.
"Hm? Why are you all looking at me, meow?"
Spice stopped his action, puzzled as he looked back at his companions. Seeing they had no intention of speaking, he finally stood and answered the artisan's question.
"This was given by a friend, meow! What's wrong? Can't it be used, meow?"
"No, it's not a matter of whether it can be used. It's… forget it, let's just talk about this 'friend' instead."
Looking at Spice's innocent expression, the artisan suddenly didn't know what to ask. A Grimalkyne's "friend" was either another Grimalkyne or a monster of the New World—in any case, not someone the Commission could easily communicate with.
"Meow?"
Spice tilted his head, confused at the artisan's troubled look. He hadn't lied—this really was a gift from a friend! Other than that bundle of silk.
Still, thinking of that golden-shining friend's friendly demeanor, Spice guessed that even if the other party found out, they probably wouldn't mind.
Abandoning the idea of pressing further, the artisan instead asked Spice and the others to do their best to collect such metal and silk. However much they could gather, the more the better.
If possible, the artisan even hoped to arrange a trade for some of the silk.
To this, Steak did not immediately agree, intending to first report back to the clan before giving the artisan a reply.
That monster's Pressure had been simply too overwhelming. Without orders from the clan, Steak had no desire to have any more unnecessary dealings with it.
The artisan understood, and just then—
"Ohohoh, little Spice!!"
A familiar voice came from behind. Before he could escape, Spice was scooped up from behind by the Wyverian architect, who rubbed her cheek against him again and again.
"Waa-meow!! T-teacher-meow! Why are you here-meow!!"
Spice felt a bit of despair inside. He had never imagined that his own teacher would appear atop the Ancient Tree.
The Wyverian teacher was fine in every respect, except for one thing—she absolutely loved clever Cats. Whether Felyne or Grimalkyne, so long as a Cat showed some talent in architecture or engineering, she liked them.
And she was very fond of teaching!
Back when Spice had gone to study with the Research Commission, as soon as he revealed an interest in engineering, he had been snatched up by the Wyverian architect to serve as a Cat assistant.
And in her spare time outside of teaching and work, the Wyverian architect's favorite pastime was rubbing Cats!
This was the one thing the sociable Spice simply could not cope with.
It was just far too lacking in boundaries! Wyverians!
Ignoring Spice's pleading gaze for help, Steak glanced at the fervent Wyverian architect, his fur standing on end.
He shuddered, then immediately bid the artisan farewell.
Unable to escape the "teacher's" clutches, Spice could only watch as all his companions abandoned him, leaving the hunting camp without so much as a backward glance.
Left behind was only this pitiful, small, weak, helpless Cat, facing the Wyverian architect who kept letting out chilling "Jie-jie-jie" laughter.
"Nooo-meow!!"
Hearing Spice's "scream," Steak and the others instantly dropped from two legs to four and ran.
...
On the coast, at Astera.
From a distance, the guards on watch spotted a red figure soaring out of the forest.
Raising a monocular, they instantly saw the large basket clutched in the talons of that Rathalos. Without a moment's thought, they immediately shouted loudly toward the inside of the base.
"A Fire Wyvern from the Ancient Tree is coming over!"
It had to be said, this investigator's voice was truly loud—so much so that even Commander Carlos, who was on the first floor circulation area handling documents, heard it.
At the same time, Chameleos, who was wandering nearby, also stopped in his tracks and looked toward the other side of the mountain.
And atop its head, the little Chameleos curiously lifted its head, its large eyes staring unblinkingly in the direction of the ship Celestial Pursuit.
It was obvious that Chameleos was trying through this act to make some proper amends to its precarious parent-child bond.
There was nothing else for it. By now, the little Chameleos had already managed to take its first steps into blending with the Research Commission—especially after the Provisions Manager, repeatedly left somewhat dazed by sudden white mists, launched a secret investigation and discovered that Chameleos had actually been stealing its own child's food.
The Commission then enacted a series of measures to prevent the little Chameleos's food from being stolen.
And as the little Chameleos grew, its toxin organs began nearing maturity. Chameleos could no longer use those meager traces of dosage to daze the little one. Any larger amount would harm the Commission members.
Unable to keep taking the little Chameleos's "snacks" so roughly, Chameleos changed tactics, trying to cultivate what little parental bond remained, planning to carry out a more indirect offensive.
The results were gratifying. Whether the little Chameleos was simply too naïve or genuinely wished to learn Chameleos's unique toxin-crafting methods, from then on it would willingly present half of its secret medicine each day, in exchange for this kind of parent-child time.
...
As the Rathalos descended onto the platform the Commission had specially built for Fire Wyverns, the Cats in charge of reception immediately swarmed up.
Yet faced with such warm hospitality, for some reason the Rathalos did not feel discomfort—only the faint, lingering Elder Dragon Pressure on its back made it uneasy.
...
The Felynes of the Research Commission had all learned well from the Grimalkynes of the Ancient Tree Fire Wyvern group how to host Fire Wyverns, fully understanding their habits and taboos—especially since the Azure and Pink Fire Wyvern couple had once stayed here for quite a long time.
The Felynes had cared for that couple together with the Grimalkynes, so now, in receiving a Rathalos, they were completely at ease.
Very soon, the cat leapt down from the basket and immediately told the Grimalkyne acting as liaison in Astera of the purpose of this trip. Once they learned there were unhatched Fire Wyvern eggs in the basket, they quickly gathered helpers and carefully carried out those Fire Wyvern eggs, which already looked to be in very bad condition.
Up in the sky, the little Chameleos, flapping its small wings as quickly as a fly, looked at the Fire Wyvern eggs in the cats' paws, curiosity rising in its heart—would these things taste good?
...
In Astera, very few things remained secret, so the news that the Rathalos had arrived with several Fire Wyvern eggs soon spread everywhere.
The ones most affected were Sita, the head chef, and the scholars of the Ecological Research Center.
After all, Fire Wyvern eggs—such a rare delicacy!
So naturally Sita paid attention.
As for the scholars, they faintly felt it was once again time for them to step forward.
The Fire Wyverns of the Ancient Tree could not possibly send eggs and cats all the way from such a far place without reason. It had to be that this batch of eggs had problems, and that only under the Sunblaze Dragon's order would a Rathalos personally deliver them here.
From the years of analysis and investigation they had done on the Sunblaze Dragon, they knew his wisdom was absolutely capable of such a judgment.
Sure enough, very soon the Grimalkyne Quest Board, which had already grown cobwebs, was used for the first time.
A brand-new quest appeared upon it, drawing hunters over to see.
[From the Fire Wyvern Lords of the Ancient Tree
Quest Description: Roar, roar, roar!
(Grimalkyne translation: Something terrible has happened, meow! The Fire Wyvern Lords' eggs have run into a huge problem, meow! Only premature hatchlings can manage to be born, meow! According to the Fire Wyvern boss' initial judgment, it's very likely the nutrients inside the eggs are insufficient, meow! If anyone can solve this problem, that would be wonderful, meow! The Ancient Tree Fire Wyvern group will provide special materials as reward, meow!)
Reward Money: 38 000z
Research Points: 800 pts]
Once this quest appeared, aside from astonishment, the hunters all sighed.
Such a high reward had nothing to do with them; solving the nutrient problem inside eggs was something only scholars could hope to do.
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