Chapter 184: Fairy Valley Gorge Town
“If we pass through here, we’ll reach Fairy Valley Gorge Town.”
“Oh, really…? We take a route like this?”
We found ourselves on a mountain path, having crossed the Empire to the east and ventured beyond the commercial nation into the rugged mountainous terrain. The group paused at the edge of a cliff.
“This place is incredible.”
Fairy Valley Gorge Town had been the subject of whispers in various villages and towns. Initially, I had no intention of visiting, especially after hearing it was nestled in such a treacherous mountain area.
“Hah… phew…”
Ivan was struggling to catch his breath as he climbed the steep path, indicating just how challenging the trail was. However—
“I’m really looking forward to the hot springs!”
Indeed, the town ahead was known for its hot springs!
“Haha, thanks to that, I never expected to have an S Rank Adventurer as my escort. I consider myself quite fortunate,” said Barmy, the merchant, from the coachman’s seat. He was a horseman with brown fur and horse ears, belonging to the horseman race. He was affiliated with the Rashiyu Trading Company and had helped me when I sold a refrigerator. I was quite pleased with the good price I received.
“Zzz…”
Phonia was clinging to Nil’s back, peacefully asleep. Only Ivan and I were trudging up the mountain path on foot. The coachman’s seat could only accommodate one person, and there was no space to sit in the loaded wagon. Instead of aimlessly searching for a town hidden in the gorge, we decided to rely on a guide.
“Shall we proceed?”
With that, Barmy urged the wagon into a tunnel that opened up in the cliffside. The ground was neatly leveled, and the ceiling was reinforced to prevent any collapses. The tunnel was wide enough for two wagons to pass comfortably, forming a solid roadway.
We took a break in a small clearing where a sliver of sky peeked through the gaps, and before sunset, we emerged on the other side of the tunnel.
“Oh…”
“How amazing!”
“What is this…?”
“Wow…!”
Before us lay a vast, lush gorge. We seemed to be positioned on the slope’s midsection, with a climbing path to the left and a descending path leading to the gorge’s bottom on the right. Across the way, we could see the opposite slope, and at this distance, the gorge appeared to be two or three kilometers wide—a truly grand sight.
“Haha, since this tunnel opened, it’s become relatively easy to travel here, but in the past, it was referred to as the Hidden Hot Springs,” Barmy explained.
“Really? That’s fascinating.”
“I’m so excited!”
We paid the toll at the town gate just after exiting the tunnel. It seemed the tunnel wasn’t free after all. As we descended toward the gorge’s bottom, the town began to bustle with life. Given its mountainous location, the town was close to mines, and the blacksmithing trade was thriving, with many skilled artisans present. I was genuinely relieved we hadn’t skipped this town.
“I’ll guide you to the inn once we reach the trading company,” Barmy said.
“Yes, please do.”
While the mid-slope wasn’t too complicated, the paths became increasingly intricate as we approached the gorge’s bottom. With the elevation changes, it seemed we might get lost. While navigating the skies would be straightforward, I decided to take advantage of Barmy’s kindness.
Before long, we arrived at our destination.
“This is the Fairy Valley branch of the Rashiyu Trading Company. Thank you for your escort along the way. If you need anything, please let me know.”
“Understood. If I come up with any ideas, I’ll reach out again.”
“Haha, I would appreciate it if you could do some shopping as well… If that happens, I look forward to your patronage.”
Oh right, typically, when it comes to a trading company, it’s the buyers who need something. I accepted the completion slip for the request along with Barmy’s wry smile.
“Now, let me show you to the inn.”
“Thank you.”
“Ah, finally, I can catch my breath…”
Ivan seemed utterly exhausted, while Phonia was curiously looking around, her eyes darting about. She had gotten off Nil’s back but would easily get lost if I took my eyes off her. She had already gotten lost a few times in the towns we passed through. However, being a fox, she had a keen sense of smell, and with her telepathic communication, she could reunite with us quickly.
“Phonia-chan, make sure you don’t get lost, okay?”
“…Huh? Yeah, I’m fine!”
“Does that mean you won’t get lost, or that it’s okay if you do?”
“Hmph… I won’t get lost!”
Phonia puffed out her cheeks in response to Ivan, who was furrowing his brow. Until recently, Phonia had been someone Ivan felt he needed to protect, so he tended to worry easily over little things.
We walked from the Rashiyu Trading Company, located on the slope, toward the town’s center at the gorge’s bottom. A clear stream flowed through the middle, and I had heard that the town’s finest inn was situated along this stream.
“This is the best inn in town, ‘Fairy Inn.'”
Barmy proudly pointed to a building that resembled a luxurious Japanese-style ryokan, a sight unlike anything I had seen in this world.
“Wow, I didn’t expect to find an inn like this here.”
With the smartphone I had acquired earlier, I had suspected there might be some similarities to our world, but I never imagined I would find something like this in such a place.
“…Another fancy inn.”
Ivan grimaced at the sight, but I thought he should be getting used to it by now.