Chapter 90: The Northern Lands
To the north of the sea, dark mountains loom ominously. This land, the northernmost limit where people reside, is half a world of black rock and white snow. The other areas are desolate, with only a scant amount of grass struggling to grow. The sunlight is weak during the day, and there are nights of perpetual twilight.
This country, located near the Northern Kokuzan, is a place where the light of the stars is revered more than the sun. While they engage in trade with other nations, they haven’t developed their maritime prowess like Naruadeid, which transports rare goods from afar to sell at high prices. Their true strength lies in hunting.
They hunt whales and walruses with narrow, swift ships, selling their meat, tusks, and bones as their livelihood. In reality, they operate in family or clan units, but for convenience, we refer to them as a nation.
There’s an island inhabited by a clan specialized in trade, where dealings with outsiders often take place. If one strays from the agreed-upon trade routes, the northern folk can quickly turn from merchants to pirates, so caution is advised. Well, it’s not just the northern people who can turn into pirates; that’s a common trait among merchants and navies everywhere.
There are many rare items here, and I’m curious to see them, but that can wait. It would be pointless to draw attention to myself by wandering around the same town in a black robe. But then again, maybe I could just shop in my black robe without getting into any fights?
The locals adorn thick fabrics and leathers with distinctive embroidery, and the wealthy wear fur cloaks. In short, my attire stands out like a sore thumb. By the time I arrived here, I had already drawn attention with my outfit, so even a simple shopping trip would likely spark conversations about me.
The demon beasts of the Northern Kokuzan are left undisturbed, separated by the sea. Occasionally, a fierce one may appear, but the northern people seem to believe that the Kokuzan is a place where such creatures exist, and that humans should not meddle there.
As for the demon beasts of the sea, they pose little threat to me without a ship, and even with one, it would still be difficult.
The people here are a warrior race, rejoicing in the bounty of the sea as they hunt the demon beasts that overflow from it. It seems I won’t have any role to play here!
So, I decided to shift my focus to shopping.
Walrus tusks, whale oil, and whiskers fetch high prices. There are many skilled metalworkers here, crafting exquisite gold and silver items like hairpins, obi clasps, and brooches to fasten cloaks. It’s said that multiple silver bracelets can even serve as currency.
And then there are the seafood delights: salmon, mussels, shrimp, crabs, and cod. They also handle plenty of salted and dried cod.
I certainly don’t plan to buy a lot in this outfit—just one salmon. I’ll also grab a jar of lingonberry jam and two loaves of black bread I’ve never seen before.
Enticed by the delicious aroma of butter sizzling, I purchased a round object that was being cooked. The appraisal revealed it to be a dish based on the white flesh of cod, with a texture reminiscent of a slightly firmer hanpen—a curious sensation.
There’s also a wide array of iron products.
As I moved through the market, I came across a section selling swords, shields, and chainmail. I need to find a blacksmith who works with magic iron, the one Ash gave me.
Next time, I’ll blend in by purchasing a full set of their cloaks and shoes. My physique is different, and even the shape of my skull varies, so merely changing clothes won’t make me look like one of them. But perhaps I’ll pass for someone who has drifted here from somewhere nearby. I’ve seen a few people who fit that description.
The men here sport thick beards and have a stocky, muscular build. The women, too, are impressively strong, even without trying. You can tell even through their heavy clothing.
I’m really glad I have the language skill as I finish my shopping.
To the south, dragons soar through the skies, leaving little room for humans. The demon beasts from the Land of Ruin to the west are dealt with by three heroes, so they should manage just fine on their own.
The spirits of the north have also asked for naming, and I’ve been diligently working on that. It’s said that the Kokuzan has many places where spirits and Yomono gather jewels brought from deep underground mines, and every year, a few young adventurers set sail in hopes of striking it rich. It’s a bit romantic, isn’t it?
There are rumors of magical beasts and Yomono appearing, and I’m a bit scared to fight them, so I think I’ll wait until I can summon more spirits to help me before I venture out.
The term Yomono seems to refer to a vague category of beings that use magic to cause trouble for humans, including those possessed by weak spirits, those descended from demon beasts, or even spirits that actively play tricks on humans.
Returning home, I take a bath. I knew it would be cold in the Northern Lands, so I made sure to prepare the bath before starting the spirit naming. As I soak in the hot water, I can feel the tension in my body melting away.
I’ll visit the northern lands in summer, definitely in summer.
I’ve completed all the necessary actions to guide Rosa and the others. Now, I just need to wait for them to return and pick up some rumors.
It might be a problem if the Gold Rank disappears too quickly, but I’ve already captured quite a few of the Black Ones around here, so I should be fine.
Still, I’m starting to want a haircut, but I really don’t want to go to a barbershop in a bathhouse. I wonder what Ash is doing? —He’s probably getting his hair cut by the butler.
After a long soak, I enjoy a glass of milk.
After petting Rishu and giving him plenty of attention, I settle down with a cup of coffee and a book. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about running out of reading material. While the stories may be few, learning new things is always enjoyable. I’d read anything in print.
Currently, I’m reading a book about various items favored by spirits. It mentions that if a person has more than one spirit attached to them, they often stay close for the same reason.
So, does that mean the fire lizard that was flitting around Dean’s shoulder is a fan of armpit scents…?