Chapter 310: The Island Tour of Three
The first hurdle was the security at the pier. The inn, where you could stay cheaply, was attached to the security post around the pier. Anyone who smelled too bad would first have to undergo a thorough wash at this inn. We couldn’t have any strange diseases brought in.
“Fish! So pretty~!”
As we walked along the pier, Arina’s voice rang out in delight. She had been thrilled by the color and clarity of the sea since we boarded the small boat.
Naruadeid wasn’t dirty, but the visibility was low due to the sand being stirred up whenever a ship passed. It was simply deep. The two adults who had seen seas other than Naruadeid remained unresponsive.
Next, we came upon a place where houses had been repaired or torn down. A few homes had been built by those who wanted to live by the sea, along with the houses of those living along the beach, including the pier.
Once we passed through here, there was a brief stretch of cobblestone and a view of the sea.
I felt a little giddy seeing the sea from this open area, but the view didn’t seem to capture the attention of the three. They were a trio used to the sight of the ocean…!
As I walked, I listed the island’s precautions, which was originally the job of the pier’s tax collector.
First, do not pollute the waterways.
Second, do not enter restricted areas without permission.
Third, do not take anything home except stones, plants, or items you purchased.
That was about all I needed to announce; the rest was the same as general conduct in any town.
“There’s really a waterway here. To think such rich water would suddenly spring forth…”
Orlando muttered, lost in thought again.
At one point, there was a short staircase leading down to the waterway, and all three of them descended. Lunch was getting further away.
“It’s cold! Can we drink it?”
“You can. It’s water used by the houses along the coast, so don’t pollute it.”
This was Auro’s first checkpoint, and we were being watched by the guards.
“To think it’s not salty…”
“This water is free!?”
The old man and Orlando were astonished.
Apparently, there had been talk about wanting to buy water for sailing. However, Auro and Kiel had disliked the hassle of making trips back and forth in the small boat, especially with the increase of people who couldn’t be accounted for during those trips, so it fell through.
We resumed our short journey.
“Oranges.”
The old man stopped, pointing. Though still small, the orange trees planted on the slope had begun to bear fruit.
“Will they be ready for harvest soon?”
The oranges on the slope were a crossbreed from my orchard and the original ones that had grown here. I was looking forward to squeezing them for orange juice later.
The trees along the path were still weak, almost fragile enough to snap with a touch, but they should eventually provide some shade.
“I’ve never seen them on the tree before!”
Though oranges were also sold in Naruadeid, it was a fortified island with cobblestones, and while the climate was nearly the same, there were no fruit trees.
For the two who had moved from a colder place, it seemed a bit rare, and lunch was getting even further away. We hadn’t even entered the town yet…
“We can see them on the way back, so how about we eat lunch first and take our time sightseeing afterward?”
I urged them a bit, and they seemed to agree as they started walking again.
We passed under the gate draped with blue flags and entered the town—
“Oh, the cobblestone path is wonderful, but these gates and walls too! I can’t believe they were thrown together so hastily.”
“Is that the rumored dyeing place? The security seems well organized.”
“So beautiful!”
—only to find we couldn’t enter.
Indeed, the town had been built at a rapid pace, but the craftsmen hadn’t cut corners. Some areas had been leveled thanks to my sneaky efforts, and there were still places that weren’t fully completed.
“Alright, alright. Let’s move along.”
I urged them again as we entered the town.
“The guards at the pier and here are dressed quite unusually. The fabric is light and beautiful.”
“They say it’s cool and well-received. Though it doesn’t allow for weight gain.”
I hoped the island’s children would aspire to stand tall like the guards.
“The buildings are beautiful, and there’s no distortion.”
The old man looked around.
Many walls leaned at odd angles, and houses were built to fit the land, not just in Naruadeid but elsewhere too. Some houses shared walls for support.
Having lived in earthquake-prone Japan, I found it a bit frightening…! For that reason, the buildings in this town could stand independently even without neighboring structures. The arcade-style shops shared walls but stood straight.
“Lemons?”
“The waterway runs beneath the buildings?”
“Is there a path above too?”
“Are the residents growing flowers?”
“The water flow is amazing…”
With the trio eager to peek around, we finally arrived at the inn facing the square. We had long since missed lunchtime!