98. Riverside Settlement and New Encounters
As evening drew near, a brick tower came into view along the riverbank.
Mountains rose behind it, their slopes dotted with houses.
The fleet steered toward the settlement's harbor. It was a small village, but it boasted impressive port facilities. A few small boats were moored there, though nothing like the large sailing ships we were on. According to Myra, the emperor had developed it directly under imperial control to support the river transport network.
A figure appeared atop the tower, waving a flag. One of our crew responded in kind from the bow.
"Settlements like this one dot the riverbanks, huh?"
Fam was peering out beside me, leaning forward like it was something rare and wondrous.
"Didn't you come this way in reverse?"
"Probably... but I was stuck in the hold the whole time."
I couldn't help worrying about the hygiene of cramming someone with a supposedly contagious illness into a cramped, stuffy room like that.
"If it's a painful memory, you don't have to answer, but do you remember any of the townscapes or anything?"
"Actually, not really. After some companions failed to escape in Heiron—where we're headed next—they wouldn't even let me see outside anymore."
Whenever she talked about her slave days, she tried to downplay it, speaking in a detached, matter-of-fact tone so I wouldn't feel sorry for her. That consideration hurt more than anything.
"Shu-sama doesn't need to trouble himself over my past."
She must have noticed my gloomy look.
"Sorry for asking about something unpleasant."
"I'm more scared of you losing interest in me..."
Fam leaned against me.
"The path I traveled was all gray to me before. But every view since meeting Shu-sama has sparkled. And it will keep sparkling from now on..."
As Fam spoke, cries of astonishment rose from the deck. The crew all looked up at the sky in unison.
A massive shadow soared overhead. Squinting, I made out a creature larger than our ship, flapping its wings with the build of a dinosaur. Its enormous wings suited its colossal frame as it glided effortlessly through the air. Scales like those of a reptile gleamed in the sunlight.
"A dragon. My aunt in Fulft said they live in the southern mountains."
Cecily rushed over, clutching her staff. Mizuki, Myra, and Ira gathered too, faces tense.
"Think it's gonna attack the fleet?"
Even if we geared up for battle, one dive from that beast could probably sink our ships.
"They show up along the river sometimes, apparently. Aunt said it just circles overhead and flies off without attacking people..."
"Some kind of show of force, maybe..."
Myra murmured in response to Cecily.
"If so, then this area around the southern mountains must be its hunting grounds."
The southern mountains—where Momoka and her crew had crossed to reach the sea, just for some takoyaki. Reckless idiots.
"They say it doesn't eat the same food we do."
"Really? Then what does it chow down on to get that huge?"
"I've heard they eat Crystal Cores, but no one really knows."
Maybe it absorbs mana into its body for energy.
The crew, who had been stunned at first, had already gone back to preparing for docking.
The dragon circled once before veering south. We relaxed too.
"Mizuki might be able to take it."
Her special skills let her dodge fatal blows and deal instant-kill strikes on a chance basis—and the more they trigger, the stronger they get. The tougher the enemy, the deadlier her hits become, so she scales right along with them.
"...No way."
She muttered while watching the dragon fly off.
The inn had no rooms for more than two, so we split into three groups.
I tried to take Fam with me, but Myra and Ira objected. Normally Cecily would take charge and voice an opinion, with Ira staying quiet, so this was unusual. That sparked a meeting to decide the order, and as usual, I had no vote and was sidelined. Today, they even kicked me out before I could listen in.
Dinner was with the crew at the campsite, so I headed there alone.
The settlement clung to the hillside in a labyrinthine layout.
Probably designed to buy time against pirate raids.
At the campsite, tents were going up and folks were settling in. A central cookfire was serving stew, and some were already eating.
"Didn't cross paths with the young miss?"
Mercedes called out.
"Nah, haven't seen her."
"...She might've been dragged into an alley and assaulted."
He said it deadpan with a straight face, but he seemed calm. Didn't look genuinely worried.
"..."
"Kidding. Aver's with her. Probably just a mix-up."
He checked my reaction before speaking. Still probing my feelings, huh.
"Claire's yours—no holding back. I won't give her back."
"If that's what Mash-sama desires, then fine by me."
Mercedes nodded, so I pulled the wine barrel from the noble in Fulft out of my Storage.
"Wanna treat everyone here to this."
Mercedes's eyes widened at the barrel's label.
"This is from the western kingdom. Not something to serve in a place like this. If you entrust it to us, I'll buy it for six large gold coins."
One large gold equaled ten regular golds.
"Can't buy a female warrior slave with that..."
"Western kingdom wine grows more valuable the farther east you go. If you'd prefer a slave trade, that's fine too. I'll arrange it in Heiron."
Myra had approved serving this to the crew too. Did she know its value? She could drink anyone under the table but never seemed picky about it, so I'd pegged her as indifferent to fine booze.
"...Damn, no—fine. But I get it now: it's too extravagant for one party to spring on everyone. Let's say it's on Mateo Company and us Levanté folks."
"Once the seal's broken, any leftovers lose most of their value. You sure?"
His confirmation made me waver, but I shook it off and nodded.
Thanks to the wine I provided, the campsite turned into a full-blown feast.
Fam and the others hadn't shown up yet. Neither had Aver, who'd gone with Claire.
I ate alone: hardtack, stew, and wine in a cup. No fancy glasses here—just whatever cups folks had.
A man and woman approached. The guy had tanned dark skin, wavy long black hair, and a short goatee. Nearly 180 cm tall, lean but muscled. Mid-thirties, maybe. The woman had long blonde hair, stood about 170 cm, and was built sturdy. Younger than him—Myra's age, around there.
"Heard you sprang for this booze."
The man grinned and stuck out his hand. I shook it.
"Joe, leader of the adventurer party Caribbean Pirates. This here's Becky. It's just us two, though."
Transferrees? I nearly reacted to "Caribbean Pirates," Joe, Becky—but held it in. Was he upfront or testing me?
"Mash from Levanté. Rest of the crew should be coming, but looks like they're still at the inn. Wine's from a noble in Fulft. Drink up, no holding back."
Joe's eyes lit up like he'd remembered something.
"You the one who rescued that noble's daughter from the wrecked ship?"
"Yeah."
I nodded.
"We usually operate outta Fulft or towns farther south. This wine's a step up from our usual swill—brings back memories of home..."
If he was a transferree, he might know about Mii or Izark. But if he was with them, this could turn ugly.
"It's from the western kingdom. Caribbean's out west too?"
Joe shook his head.
"Farther than that."
He poured some into his mouth, throat working.
"Heard a rumor in Rishel about some guy summoning a goddess. Same dude saved Niren by summoning her there too. Meanwhile, a party heading from Fulft to Niren vanished—except the werewolf guy, who came back with another group."
"You know about the Men in Black? They might've been executed already, but the ringleaders of the Niren mess are locked up. The werewolf was a slave, so a company bought him."
How much did they know about us? His sticky, probing stare grated. I glared back.
"Wait, hadn't heard that. Not here to pick a fight. We're tracking the goddess summoner."
Becky wedged between us. Joe scratched his head.
"You shared wine to get along with everyone here. I accepted it. Sorry, man."
Joe raised his cup and drank. They wore light gear with short swords—weapons that gave no clue to their jobs. Self-proclaimed pirates, and they kinda fit the bill.
"Yeah. If you know Men in Black, makes this easier. One of 'em, Izark, escaped. I'm guarding this caravan while hunting him down."
Joe and Becky exchanged glances.
"Nah, the Men in Black I knew were Mii, Kei, and two werewolves."
They didn't know about Doris, then. Come to think of it, no Fang or Doris—or Beers. Probably with Aver and Claire. What the hell were they up to?
Right then, Fam and the crew arrived. Claire, Aver, and the rest of Altail too.
"Anyway, we're heading to Niren to meet the goddess guy. Let's get along till then."
"...Niren's the opposite direction. We're going separate ways."
"...For real?"
I nodded at surprised Joe.
"See? Told ya north!"
Becky elbowed him.
"S-sorry. Geography's a total mystery, so I kept double-checking. You said leave it to me!"
They started bickering. Levanté members gathered.
"Something happen?"
Fam sidled up with her hardtack and stew. She seemed indifferent to Joe and crew—eyes locked on my wine.
Glancing at Mizuki, she clutched a full cup.
"W-what?!"
"...Didn't say a thing."
"It's fine today! Just one cup, and it's a day I finally got to do something I always wanted! Plus, Mercedes said it's super high-quality. Unfair if I'm the only one who can't have any!"
"Didn't say a thing."
Even mid-spat with Mizuki, Fam kept staring at my wine.
"Shu-sama, I heard today's wine is exceptional too. Just one sip, please?"
"..."
No choice—I handed over the cup. She took it reverently and gulped. A big one today.
"Shu-sama, this wine is so, so..."
"Hey, eat your dinner before the buzz hits!"
I snatched the cup back and gave her food. Why crave booze when you're such a lightweight?
During the fuss, I noticed Joe and Becky watching us.
I introduced them to Levanté. I'd worried Mizuki might react to "Caribbean Pirates," Joe, Becky—but she just frowned at "Joe."
"We've been a party two years. Wanna add a girl, but she says no."
Joe jerked a thumb at Becky.
"'Course not. You'd cheat!"
Our girls nodded for some reason.
"That's why guys."
"Oh, guys are a no-go!"
Joe floundered. I nodded supportively.
"You two a couple?"
Mizuki asked.
"W-well, yeah."
Joe nodded, scratching his cheek bashfully.
"Then team up with another couple?"
"...Huh. That could work."
Joe and Becky eyed each other and nodded. Seemed like a recipe for drama, but I kept quiet.
Thank you for reading.
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It motivates me. I'll keep at it.