Chapter 467: Mail
On the fourth day of our journey, we finally have a day off. I think we’re about to reach the port town marked on the map, so it’s a good opportunity to gather some information while we take a break.
I’m mainly interested in the personalities of the locals—what they like, what they dislike, and what’s considered taboo. It’s much clearer to hear from someone who has actually been there than to sift through books, so here I am at the tavern in Naruadeid.
“Oh, those folks with the big black eyes? Well, it’s hard to say much since we can’t communicate,” grumbled a bearded old sailor who had just arrived in Naruadeid and rushed into the tavern.
There are sailors already drunk from drinking during the day, but I guess it’s a celebration after a long voyage, finally freed from the cramped quarters of their ship. It’s quite noisy, and I’m picking out a few tipsy sailors who seem like they might have something useful to share.
“You’re trading without understanding each other?”
“Well, yeah. We bring green gemstones, and they give us wheat. Apparently, it’s an ancient agreement.”
The old man sips the drink I bought him as he speaks.
“They’re a strange bunch, but if the magic stones are bigger than a thumb, they can fill ten ship’s holds. Well, it’s rare to find a large, clear green magic stone, but even regular gemstones or small bags full of magic stones are worth something. Besides, on the way there, we can carry other goods and sell them along the way!”
He seems to find this amusing and bursts into laughter.
“Ha ha ha! Those Mail folks? They’re not like us humans! Just a quick glance is a relief!”
“Pfft! They only give us green gemstones, after all!”
Lured by the laughter, other sailors join in the conversation, and before long, the talk shifts to drinks and women.
I only know the name of the place called Mail and how the trade works. If I just pocket some green magic stones, I should be able to manage, right?
Naruadeid is located in a large bay nestled between the continent with Nakahara and Kanum and the Dragon Continent with Es. To the east of the Es River, there’s a narrow strait that leads south and then east.
However, the entrance to the strait narrows after a short distance, widening again but becoming shallow due to sand accumulation. It seems that large ships trading with the north can’t navigate through there.
While the ships that travel the inland sea aren’t particularly small, they’re smaller than you’d expect given the distance they travel. It’s common to load something in Naruadeid and sell it in Es before heading into the strait.
Additionally, the strait is said to be just outside the territory of dragons, and demon beasts appear there, making it a dangerous but well-paying job. Yeah, I’m talking about the sea where I practiced with Iruka and a thousand strikes!
So here I am, in Mail.
Their pitch-black eyes take up about a third of their faces, and their heads are elongated. Both men and women wear long flowing garments, moving smoothly without any visible effort, gliding effortlessly. Their skin is blue.
Wait, what?
I didn’t really think they weren’t human. I mean, I figured there might be dwarves or maybe elves, but my understanding of this world was clearly too naive.
I, and the people around me, are a bit different from the “humans” of my original world. The colors of our eyes and hair vary, and there are deep facial features mixed with those who have cherubic faces like Japanese people.
To the north, there are muscular, nearly naked giants with deep features, standing at around two meters tall? The half-naked part is irrelevant, though. I just can’t quite grasp why someone would wear fur while being half-naked.
Speaking of which, I think I heard that to the north is Kokuzan, and to the east is the Demon Forest—meaning the only habitable land is right in the middle? Could it be that the other areas are towns inhabited by non-humans?
Are those houses made of sun-dried bricks? The roads and buildings are a yellowish ivory color. Compared to the houses in Kanum and Naruadeid, the colors are subdued, but the way they’re stacked and the patterns carved into the clay on the surface are beautiful.
Since they’re growing wheat, they must have some irrigation going on, and there’s plenty of greenery. Pomegranates are planted everywhere, along with flowers that resemble bougainvillea and tall trees blooming with pale purple flowers.
What should I do? The Mail people seem to either notice me or completely ignore me, bustling past without a glance. I should be able to understand their language, but it’s really hard to approach them.
Could it be that I won’t be recognized unless I enter through the port, or are they firmly rejecting any interaction? I do have some green magic stones with me, but should I just go to the port and show them somewhere?
I picked out the ones with deep colors and high transparency, both large and small.
“Whoa!”
Just as I was feeling a bit lost and glanced at the green magic stone in my hand, I suddenly found myself surrounded by Mail people! I didn’t sense them at all; this is terrifying!
Their eyes are pitch black, and I can’t tell where the pupils begin or end. Do they even have pupils, or is it all just one big pupil? They’re staring at me and the magic stone in my hand without blinking.
Let me say this again.
This is scary!!!!!!!!!!