The Teacher seems intent on joining our party.
And they’re more than eager to put their own abilities to work for the sake of our comrades.
But it doesn’t stop there. They’ve offered to take on the role of negotiation lead for our party, asking permission to handle trade deals with other parties.
”…So, if the Teacher mediates, you think it’ll work? I’m not sure that’s really that simple.”
Yume was skeptical.
“It depends on the terms of the transaction, doesn’t it?”
Roa seemed to be suggesting there was room for consideration.
“Luminus-nan. Your kid’s ‘Crafting ability’ is an unmatched cheat skill on this island. If it gets out, every student in the archipelago will swarm us, trying to share in the benefits.
I don’t want that,” Chiyu said, her tone resolute.
“Yes… I feel the same way about not wanting that. Even though we’re on the receiving end of the help too, I think it’s important that we remain people who can properly express their gratitude. And honestly, I’d rather have nothing to do with people who can’t manage that.”
Shion agreed with Chiyu.
“That is why the Teacher will step in as an intermediary. While we may have to disclose the very existence of the ‘Crafting ability,’ we will not reveal its owner’s identity. Furthermore, to prevent one-sided exploitation, all transactions will be executed only when both parties reach mutual agreement.”
There was a need to trust the Teacher, but admittedly, this could function as an effective mediation system.
For instance, if I simply offered crafted goods in exchange for harvested materials, someone would surely appear, angry and demanding we help them instead.
But with a teacher standing between us to explain that it was necessary for the mutual benefit of both sides, there might be far less backlash.
It is not something to underestimate just how much difference it makes when a third party is inserted into the equation.
Even with identical words, the impact differs entirely depending on whether they come from someone you dislike or someone you trust.
The question, however, is whether there is truly such a pressing need for us to engage in this trade……
“In this island, I believe ‘time’ holds immense value. While securing food and exploring the terrain are essential, the fact that no time passes in reality regardless of how long one stays on the island is what makes it so appealing.”
Survival activities are necessary, but investing that time in self-improvement will become a valuable asset when we return to Earth.
It’s something we ourselves had already realized.
“That’s true. In our party, Fukaho is indeed studying quite a bit.”
Since physical condition carries over upon return, training and dieting are also effective strategies.
“There are countless things this party can provide to the other students. Broadly speaking, we have clothing, tools, cooking skills, and housing. What I seek from the other students is ‘foraged materials’ and ‘information.’”
“If the deal is that the others handle the labor of foraging, and in exchange we provide generated items, then yes, it certainly has value.”
Of course, if we want specific items, we can always go out and gather them ourselves.
But the further the location, the longer the round trip takes, and frankly, saying we have collected all available materials right now would be an overstatement.
Gathering what items can be obtained in their respective environments from the students scattered across the island would lead to a significant reduction in search time.
“So, ‘information’ means maps, or the answers other parties have gathered independently from the unique blackboards?”
In response to Shinhou’s confirmation, the teacher nodded.
“Exactly. It may not amount to a full map, but don’t you think that information alone regarding what can be harvested where has sufficient value?”
“Mm-hm. And moreover, all the information gets consolidated to us. If only this party can grasp the island’s terrain and knows what is where, then a deal is on.”
Even if information sharing were to occur among parties other than ours, they likely wouldn’t reach our volume of data.
Without movement methods like Mashiro or Mikuron, coordinating with multiple other parties would be difficult.
In other words, not only would there be mutual benefit, but our party alone could take the lead in terms of information.
”…That sounds possible. Besides, ‘information’ isn’t a one-time thing; it doesn’t end after being shared once, so it doesn’t hurt them either. Value arises for the ‘information’ detailing where newly added items are placed each time something new appears.”
Yume-kyou also seemed convinced.
Yes. Given this island’s environment, trading materials will keep being generated.
We can obtain the latest island information without moving, and our partner gets the generated products.
And the more various items are gathered, the more things my [Craft Ability] will be able to generate.
“Master is effectively serving as both the island’s lord and a merchant. I think that is wonderful…!”
Loha, who had become even more deeply immersed in her role as a maid than when we first met, clapped her hands in delight.
She seemed genuinely pleased by the progress and rising status of this mansion she had chosen to serve, the party, and her master—me.
”…If everything goes according to plan, we might not even need to leave the barrier anymore. We could just spend our time on this island however we please.”
Shion spoke as if gazing into the future.
Put simply, the other parties were essentially doing odd jobs like gathering resources and mapping out areas.
In return for the things they sought, I would provide them with compensation.
This way, my power wouldn’t be one-sidedly exploited, allowing us all to enjoy the benefits of the arrangement while being satisfied with the terms.
If someone didn’t want any part of it or simply disliked the idea, we had no choice but to decline the deal.
Stubbornness was, after all, a choice in itself.
Now that fruit had been added to our supplies, at least we didn’t have to worry about starving to death.
“Honestly, I think it’s doable.”
Upon receiving such a positive response, Mr. Luminus’s face lit up with joy.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“However… considering the effort required to search for everyone, I believe we need to accept that it will take some time.”
“Well, that’s true. Even with Mashiro and Mikuron lending a hand, keeping them on the move all day would place an undue burden on this party. I’m hoping we can manage meetings of one or two teams per day.”
I was relieved to have a teacher who considered our circumstances and burdens.
“Oh right, I talked to Tamaki and Shousi, but since Seohou had already formed her team, wouldn’t it be easier if we could just deal with hers?”
Yume-gai added as if he’d just remembered.
“Ah, yeah, that’s what they said. Suzuka-chan was trying to gather the girls to form a party. I wonder how many she’s managed to collect so far.”
Seohou Suzuka was a central figure in the class, standing on equal footing with Shousi.
“Most of the other girls are probably under Seohou’s wing,” Yume-gai said.
There were twenty-four girls in total, including the teacher.
With Chiyu, Shousi, Shiin, Fukumitsu, Loar, Yume-gai, and Teacher Luminas present here, that made seven people.
Of the remaining seventeen, how many were currently with Seohou?
If there were ten, it would be a huge help to identify such a large group all at once.
“I see, Ms. Seohou is also leading a team. You mentioned ‘girls,’ but are there no boys?”
“Who knows? I haven’t seen them, so I can’t be sure, but every boy other than Tamaki is crazy. They’re all desperate and look like they’ve lost their minds.”
Those who hadn’t chosen useful abilities or couldn’t adapt to life on the desert island often ended up that way, so there was a certain logic to it, but…
“I-I see.”
“I find it difficult to trust any other men besides Sounosuke.”
Fuka had been targeted by two boys before reuniting with us, so her wariness was understandable.
“Someone even tried shooting me in the last event!”
At Shouko’s indignant outburst, Sensei’s eyes went wide.
“W-What?! Y-you’re saying…”
I could understand Masiro being shocked; even if one was in a desperate situation, firing at classmates without provocation was taking things too far.
The silver lining was that since the gun had been confiscated, an incident like that wouldn’t happen again.
“Given those circumstances, I’ll accompany Sensei during the negotiations.”
“I’m going too.”
“If Masiro is coming, I’m coming too.”
“Thank you.”
With a Phantom Beast, a Healer, and a Thermal Mage present, we shouldn’t have any trouble handling rough guys, and someone could be healed if anyone got injured.
“Then, let’s search for Sumire’s team in the morning.”
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