2-24 Damp Firewood
This is an irregular update since I might not be able to post this week.
"Maybe I should check out the slave merchant sometime."
"The slave merchant, you say?"
Sarsa caught my mutter and made a subtle face. Does she have reservations about slaves, or does she think I'm just planning to blow money again?
"No, I don't plan to add anyone right away. But finding someone who can frontline and meshes well with us won't be easy. It might be worth stopping by every time we hit a new town."
"...I suppose so."
Her agreement lacked any real emotion—it was kinda scary. Is she against it?
"If you have an opinion, speak freely."
"No, it's not really an opinion... sorry."
That's the most troublesome kind!
Well, expanding once we have the funds is already the plan, so I'll stick to it here. I don't know how far we can go, but it'd be nice to have someone like Elliott who can manage a base. Though we'd need a base first. Dreams are expanding.
"Setting my opinion aside for now, any requests if we add a new member? I shot down the idea before, but guys are fine too."
I'm trying to get Sarsa on board by incorporating her input.
Realistically, a male slave would be okay if they're useful in combat. It'd be scary if they got jealous watching me flirt with Sarsa, though. Kids or grizzled old vets could work too.
...But for kids or elders, a young woman might be better after all. Hmm.
"Well... someone too strong-willed might be a handful. Gender doesn't matter. An able-bodied young woman would be ideal, but that'd cost more than one or two gold coins..."
"Yeah, figured."
Sarsa had gone for over three gold. She had no combat experience or standout skills, and her somewhat plain face was off the bestseller list for slaves.
Still, as a woman of marriageable age, she fetched three gold. Add solid combat job skills, and who knows how high it'd climb.
Of course, prettier is better, but that'd send prices through the roof...
"A-anyway, let's check it out when the time's right. Compatibility with you is key, so speak up then."
"Yes."
Did that get her a bit more on board?
Frankly, for nighttime fun, I'm plenty satisfied with Sarsa, so if I focus purely on combat utility and compromise, I might snag a bargain for two gold.
I lost the mood and didn't actively scout slave merchants. I glanced around while walking, but saw none.
Taraleskind after we arrive works fine. Time to prep for travel now.
"Want to head out tomorrow. Anything else we need?"
"Well... food supplies."
"Got it."
Same as always. Sarsa handled the preserved rations and such, and we turned in early. Off to the capital at last.
I don the suspicious gasmask-style full-face helmet, strap on my worn leather armor. Curved longsword on my back, tent gear bundled and shouldered.
That's me.
Suspicious...! Way too suspicious!
Sarsa's big pack floats with Don inside, her lengthening hair tied back with a headband, leather armor, gloves, bow—the picture of a hunter.
Same armor, but she pulls off stylish somehow. Unfair.
"Alright, let's roll."
"Yes."
Sarsa glanced at my face—or rather, the shady helmet—then looked away. Huh? What's that about?
I channeled magic into the helmet's magitech and we set off.
This thing uses about 1 MP per hour. Pretty efficient.
Depending on the moment, I recover 2-3 MP per hour walking. Unless we're in combat, the helmet won't drain me dry.
Safe for daily use. The real question is its defense, but it'll beat my old cheap helmets. Optimism engaged.
If only it didn't look so goofy... nah, won't say it.
Half a day later, we reached the bridge over Kansen River. Same route as the Warrior Squad mission.
No monsters, peaceful trip.
"Finally crossing this river, huh~"
We've been near it plenty—north side, missions along the banks.
I'm about ready for a break from the Kansen.
Crossing shifts us into the West District.
Gentle plains open west of the river, great visibility. Though far left looms the Severance Mountains, right has the modest Saza Mountains—a monster spot they mentioned. Not endless flats.
Could head to Saza, but wanna hit the capital first, so straight on.
Saza's right-ahead now; from Taraleskind, it's northeast. It'll slide right and behind as we go. Highway's dead west, so its position tracks progress.
Afternoon: flat terrain, gentle road, half-day trek.
Passed an oncoming stagecoach, no incidents, dusk arrives.
Saza's shifted from right-ahead to just-rightish.
"Oh, that the campsite?"
Spotted a small pond and tents roadside.
Good camping spots are limited, daily distance fixed, so unofficial sites pop up naturally.
This one's organic.
"Hey bros, need firewood?"
Claiming an edge spot, unpacking tent gear, when a grubby-robed short guy approaches with bundled sticks.
"How much?"
"20 coppers'll do."
"Sold."
Could gather branches or use spares, but why not buy?
Dusk already, gathering's a pain anyway.
"Thanks much!"
Take the wood. Kinda damp... bad luck.
Campfires back home burned forever, but here branches fizzle quick. Teachers probably spiked 'em with accelerant. Damp ones die faster. Still beats field-picking—worth it.
Set up impromptu stove, dry with fire magic, ignite. Sarsa fetches water, pots it up.
Add foraged herbs, bought meat, cooking orb.
Cooking orbs are like instant soup stock.
Common everywhere; Sarsa grabs new flavors, comparing them.
Today's soup... miso-ish. Nice.
"Not bad."
"Yeah... Today felt peaceful, somehow."
"No monsters at all... Is this really Teba Region?"
"Yeah..."
Easy's nice, but I'm itching a bit.
Just walking tires without thrill. Occasional ambushes spice the journey. Or so I mused.
Cloudless sky, starry canopy.
No fences at a main-road site screams local peace.
"But days like this feel like a real trip sometimes."
"Real?"
Sarsa tilts her head.
Maybe "normal" trips here mean monster fights—no click.
"If you want low-monster travel, head north."
"North?"
"Yes. Fewer monsters north, more south. Same east-west."
"Huh."
"Capital's northeast. Danger grows farther out— that's what I was taught."
"Makes sense... Elliott's crew stuck north for that?"
"Monster jobs scarcer, but escorts pay... Northeast safe, but west-north ramps up."
"Oguri Kyuresu had few monsters. Close to capital, yeah."
"Precisely. Low monsters let northeast thrive—Kyures Kingdom expanded from there."
Got it. Capital Kyuresberuga's northeast-biased; wondered why.
But built around northeast—can't relocate.
"Why not expand centrally? Southwest territories seem a comms nightmare."
"No idea. Experts might know. Diplomacy, maybe?"
"Diplomacy?"
"North: old allies Swei Kingdom, Iiagea Kingdom—tiny, half Kyures combined. Winsnia Kingdom friendly too."
"Friendly north blocked south expansion?"
"Guess... South's Zureshion—er, Union Kingdom—war-prone, chaotic new state."
Propaganda much?
"Don't wanna get dragged into war. But monster-heavy south could mean good earnings."
"Indeed."
Not Teba-holy-land level, maybe.
West: monsters like south, no war.
We're east gate Tarstira → Cross Point → west to Taraleskind.
Traverse Teba westbound? Fun.
Staying Taraleskind awhile, though.
Leisurely evening, early bed.
Don handles watch.
Offer piyyuko nuts as tribute.
"Kyu kyu."
Thanks, buddy.
Mountains nearby add ups/downs, but road stretches west straight. No vast plains now; right side wooded, visibility down.
Just that change—passed oncoming parties, overtaken by wagons a few times. Peace persists.
Campsites sync travelers same direction. Ad-hoc alliances common.
Morning: watched other parties depart synced.
I delayed—hate groups.
Post-right curve, spotted the joint party ahead.
Surrounding horse-like beast, hyped up.
Keep distance; Sarsa scouts from afar.
"Back shimmering like fire... Flame Runner monster, probably."
"Knew it."
Matches Monster Strategy Guide.
Caught hour+ early starters—numbers slowed 'em, or sporadic ambushes.
"They winning?"
"Halted it, one-sided attacks. They'll win."
"Leave 'em then..."
But breezing past might piss 'em off.
Hide pre-curve, tree shade rest.
"Others scouted yesterday too... Our peace thanks to them?"
"Maybe."
Freeloading hyenas... Probably think that, too late.
Help if they struggle—policy set.
Reach tonight's site safe, night.
Sipping different-orb soup, chilling, when burly jacket-armored guy approaches.
"Oi, you lot."
"Hm? Us?"
"Who else? C'mere."
"..."
Recall mercenaries who groped Sarsa once.
Hate it, but gotta roll. Trump cards: other-space maggun, all magic... No face-recog, so unknown.
Issue: solo attack fine, but whole camp?
"Don't just stand there—say somethin'."
"State your business."
"Huh? You trailed us yesterday too, no watch, like hyenas."
Ah, that.
"Never invited to joint watch/party. Woulda considered if asked—weren't."
"Yet no watch from you. Freeloading off ours."
"Misunderstanding. Same as solo camping—more alert even."
"Wha? Nonsense."
His aggression amps my guard; then bangs-front robed hefty woman steps up behind.
"Zovi, ease up—can't talk like that."
"But..."
"Sigh, got your point. I'll handle; help with dinner."
"Tch, fine."
Guy retreats; hefty woman turns.
"Sorry 'bout the hothead. I'm Haru, Invisible Hand party—Monster Hunter Guild."
"Same here."
"...Names okay?"
"Nah, I'm wary—skip it."
"...Sigh. Zovi gripes about you freeloading watch, tailing easy. Called to chat."
"Got it."
"Too guarded for our tent. Here fine?"
"Sure, but touch us, I hit back."
Haru shrugs dramatically. They do that here too.
"Fair. Gripers say night-watch free-ride, tail too close—charge escort."
"Wrong. We watch solo; 'close' cuz catching up."
"Watch? Looked none."
"Not spilling secrets. But we sleep sound and secure. You're reasonable, so: no guarantee you won't rob it if shared."
"Hm, magitech maybe."
"Dunno. Anyway, no invite to joint watch. You deemed unnecessary? Why gripe after?"
"Get your side. Less alliance-wish, more hate free-ride results. Few complain now, but tomorrow same = trouble warning."
"Right. Suggestion, or just warn?"
"No pay? Act somehow. That's it."
"Vague... Tomorrow leave before you?"
"One way. Think yourself."
"..."
Trouble. Night watch... Don visible = mocked? Dilemma.
Me all-night now looks like day-1 slacking.
...One idea. Call back retreating Haru.
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"Bit annoying, but we'll camp elsewhere. Tell any gripers."
"Sure sure."
She waves lazily, gone.
Sigh, hassle.
Pack tent, gear; night travel.
Moonlit—visible awhile.
Screw it, push to Taraleskind sleepless.
"Master, night dangerous?"
"Yeah, but staying near = trouble likely."
"Okay?"
"Rare night hunt experience—test here."
"...Yes."
Lead uneasy Sarsa; instruct keep Don in pack; depart.
Far from site, loosen pack; Don peeks.
Don lively whole trip = fresh.
Usually wakes evening, peeks late.
Luckily, Taraleskind close. Crash hard on arrival.