Chapter 59: A Brief Interlude (The Guild Master, Part 6)
In the bustling Port Town of Terek, nestled within the Afrasia United Kingdom, a place that had become a beacon of life amidst the kingdom’s severe information blackout, the atmosphere thrived with energy.
Classified as a “town” by the Control AI of The Tree, Terek was nonetheless one of the most populous cities in the kingdom, ranking among the top few. The kingdom itself was in a state of decline, its condition dire.
“Has it finally started to recover…?”
The highest authority of Port Town Terek murmured as he gazed out from the office of the newly constructed mansion, designed to promote employment. Below him stretched a bustling main street, leading directly to the vast sea. A wide avenue ran straight from the port, culminating in a massive five-story mansion. Previously, constructing anything taller than three stories had been a challenge with their existing building techniques, but with the assistance of the Paraiso, they had achieved this groundbreaking height.
He recalled the image of the Paraiso, that beautifully polished white ship, as it had arrived over a year ago, yet the memory felt as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. The country had been ravaged by civil war, and the transport of goods had come to a standstill. Wealth was dwindling day by day, and bankruptcy loomed ominously close. The thought of seeking asylum abroad had crossed his mind as the situation had become increasingly desperate. It was the trading ship Paraiso that had turned everything around.
The ship’s gleaming white hull had flown an eye-catching crimson flag. He couldn’t quite grasp the mechanics behind it, but he would never forget the sight of it churning through the waves, smoke billowing as its paddle wheels turned. They had brought so much to Port Town Terek.
While Kuravia Terek recognized that this influx was a form of economic invasion, he had no intention of obstructing it. Of course, desperation played a part, but more importantly, the crew of the Paraiso had engaged with him sincerely. They understood his plight yet continued their trade without looking down on him. They extended a hand, but they also sought something in return. They likely understood that a transaction felt more reliable than mere charity. They consistently presented options and respected his opinions.
“Perhaps we should hold a festival…”
He pondered this idea. For instance, a festival to commemorate the arrival of the Paraiso. In just a few months, it would mark two years since their arrival. The townsfolk would surely have no objections. While he couldn’t predict their reactions, based on their previous interactions, it seemed unlikely they would refuse outright.
“We haven’t been able to celebrate the founding festival, harvest festival, or even the New Year festival…”
Until now, there had been no time for festivities. However, Port Town Terek was regaining its vibrancy, and Iron Town was stabilizing as well. The exchanges between the two had increased significantly, and it was now easy to travel back and forth with the help of freight wagons. Hosting a simultaneous festival in Port Town Terek and Iron Town to celebrate the arrival of the Paraiso seemed like a splendid idea. They had survived, and they would continue to develop further. It was time to share this with the residents. Although they lacked external communication routes, there were no immediate plans to negotiate with outsiders.
“First, I should check with a few people… and then ask the girls from the Paraiso as well.”
After all, a celebration without its main participants would lack excitement. He genuinely wanted them to join in. Perhaps they could even hold a parade. They were immensely popular and would surely add to the festivities.
“A festival, you say…”
As he broached the subject, he was surprised to see a rare expression of astonishment on her face.
“Ah. Thanks to you all, this town is brimming with life. It feels like a different place now compared to when you first arrived.”
Just then, a fleet led by Zwei had docked, prompting Kuravia Terek to introduce the idea of the Paraiso’s arrival festival. The result was the expression on her face before him. It seemed she had become much more expressive than before. Perhaps even someone who usually appeared calm and collected like her had felt nervous. While her angelic demeanor was admirable, the slightly relaxed version of her now was equally captivating.
However, Kuravia Terek was a married man and had no inclination towards any romantic notions regarding her.
“…”
For a moment, the Communicator Android, Zwei, fell silent.
Unbeknownst to her, during this pause, she had inquired via radio with Ringo about what a “town-wide festival” entailed, and Kuravia Terek enjoyed the rare sight of her momentary stillness.
By the way, the Communicator Android, which had been in use since the early days, had developed a degree of judgment ability, leading Ringo to operate with a more casual approach. There were times when it would autonomously function without any direct commands. In those instances, it often revealed vulnerabilities in its behavior, inadvertently boosting their popularity. The appeal of a gap between expectations and reality has always had a consistent demand throughout the ages, as Ringo understood.
“…Indeed. It might not be a bad idea. I believe it’s a fitting time for morale-boosting. Although, the fact that it’s a commemoration of our arrival is… a bit embarrassing.”
A slight delay occurred as she searched for words she didn’t often use, but Kuravia Terek interpreted her reaction as one of bashfulness. Finding the situation amusing, Ringo chose to observe quietly.
“It would be wonderful if we could have a grand parade as well. I would love for you all to participate.”
“Understood.”
Zwei’s Brain Unit accessed The Tree’s library to retrieve information about festivals and parades, calculating the potential effects. Although she had inquired with Ringo, only positive or mildly warm emotional responses had been returned, proving unhelpful. The Brain Unit, lacking a foundation for genuine emotions, continued its calculations diligently without the support of higher intelligence.
“As long as there are no issues, we will agree to participate in the parade. What are the details?”
“Ah, if you girls are willing to join, we can start serious discussions from here. I’ll keep you updated with reports and consultations as needed.”
“Understood. I will look forward to the festival…”
Choosing a safe response from her list, Zwei concluded the discussion about the festival.
“Well, let’s move on from this pleasant topic.”
Judging that the atmosphere had warmed up, Kuravia Terek decided to shift to the main subject.
“I wanted to revisit our previous discussion about East Gate City. Are you familiar with it, Zwei?”
“I am aware. I have also made inquiries regarding it.”
This concerned the confirmation of routes to East Gate City and the dispatch of personnel. Information about the surrounding situation and the safety of the journey had finally begun to come together.
“That’s good to hear. For now, we have a reasonable assurance of safety on the route. Though, it seems the area has become quite desolate, with reports of people having left.”
As the Guild Master of Port Town Terek began to share what he knew, he explained.
Currently, the southern regions of the Afrasia United Kingdom had become relatively stable in terms of security. However, this did not mean that the civil war had concluded; rather, it was the result of repeated conflicts, looting, and the rampant presence of bandits that had led to the abandonment of many small villages and towns. When people vanished, so did the bandits and thieves. What followed was a swift descent into ruin. Conversely, the area around the Five Great Lakes near East Gate City was overflowing with people, leading to a deterioration of security. Nevertheless, it was governed by powerful clans, allowing civilization to persist, albeit precariously. It was clear that danger still lurked, so it would be wise to avoid that area when heading to East Gate City.
“If we can utilize your wagons, travel will become significantly easier. Of course, we would need your permission for that.”
While the roads were not well-maintained, they were still passable for wagons. If they could use the wagons provided by the Paraiso, they believed the journey would be feasible. After all, both the axles and wheels were made of steel, equipped with a mechanism known as suspension, allowing them to traverse rough terrain with ease.
“Understood. I also wish to establish contact with the Forest Country. We are prepared to provide the necessary supplies.”
“…This may be a redundant question, but is there something specific regarding the Forest Country?”
“Regarding that…”
Zwei attempted to respond that she could not disclose information, but at that moment, the higher intelligence, Ringo, seized control.
“If possible, I would like to establish contact with their nation. Ideally, for trade.”