Part of the difficulties is the dialogue and how the characters should act.
It's hard to know what some of the characters were like when they were younger.
Chapter 4:
"You didn't answer my question last night." Said Adam, brooding in the far corner with a plate of corned beef hash, Croque madame, and a small cup of chocolate milk.
'Ah! You finally decided to speak again.' He's been silent since yesterday. Distrustful despite my good gestures.
"If I can remember, your last question is why am I helping you?" It was the correct guess, and I'm impressed by just how sharp Adam is. "Heh. Out of morality if you were to ask the nonbusiness side of me."
"What about the 'other side' of you?"
"Building connections, of course."
Adam looked puzzled by my answer. "What?"
"Every business needs a business connection. It's absolutely crucial for a small-time business like mines." Connections are very important. You won't be going very far without it.
"I don't understand..." The faunus sinks his fork into his meal and quietly munches away.
"Don't think too much into it. I don't even know how to explain it properly. If I were to put it in its simplistic term… Nah. Let's go with this. If I am a friend of a tribal leader, then the entire tribe would be more open and friendly to me. More willing to do business with me."
Adam remains silent and continues to eat his breakfast while listening to the gentle waves that splash against the side of the hull. We're currently sailing the ocean to Menagerie. The island that's comprised mainly of faunus and is considered the Australia of Remnant. Initially, I was worried that Adam would get seasick and it would be a huge pain to clean up the mess. Turns out I didn't even have to worry, whew.
And no, we're not driving across the sea in my RV like last time. I had to disembark the RV and pull up my miniature corvette ship to transport me and my passenger soundly across the sea.
Normally, I would have the ship sail at impossible speed but that's not feasible with Adam here. I'm not sure Adam will appreciate being on a ship that can break the sound barrier even if it'll get him to his destination quickly. So, here we are… Sailing through the sea at a reasonable speed, enjoying the environment.
[System Update Completed]
[Conditions integrated into current dimension]
[New payment method implemented: Customers can now pay in Dark Essence obtained from slaying the Creatures of Grimm]
[Dark Essence can be traded in for Lien or items]
'Finally, it's done.'
With this new update, I can do business with any Huntsman or Huntress regardless if they have any money or assets on them. You might be wondering why such a thing is occurring. Well, let me give you a rundown on the obscurity of commodities that one would not even think of.
The Creatures of Grimm are of divine origin. Constructs created by the God of Darkness. It doesn't matter if the essence is all dark, sinister, and destructive. What matters is that it's a divine substance. Such commodities are greatly sought after by powerful beings and Remnant certainly won't mind it missing from their world.
"Why me?"
"Hm?"
"What makes you think I would be a good connection?"
"Let's just say that I have a hunch." Something just crossed my mind. Adam was in the middle of the forest in Mistral and was hounded by Grimm. Unless my very presence in this world has screwed things up, Adam would have to somehow survive that ordeal without my intervention. "You wouldn't happen to have your semblance unlocked, have you, Mr. Taurus?"
"No… Just my aura."
"I see." I'm betting that if I didn't intervene last night, he would have unlocked his semblance and somehow turn the tide in his favor. 'Actions have consequences. I wonder what those consequences are.'
Adam puts down his fork with a light clink and pushes his empty plate.
"All done?" He nods and I snap my fingers, causing his plate to disappear. "How was it?"
"It was good." He raises his cup of warm chocolate milk and drank heartily.
"Glad to hear it." After finishing his drink, he regards me with a curious expression. Still cautious, but not overly so like last night. "Do you wish to ask me something?"
The faunus looks away and stares at the horizon of the blue sea.
'Guess not.'
After a brief period of verbal silence, he asks me another question.
"Why are you doing all of this? I don't have anything to give to you."
I laughed, "If you're worried about paying me, then you shouldn't worry. You're my VIP as of now, and everything I've done is just first-class service. I care for the well-being of my customers, you know. It doesn't even matter if they're good or evil. I don't discriminate who I conduct business with."
"…" Another bout of silence.
'Man. This kid asks a lot of questions then goes silent.'
It's my turn to ask Adam a question.
"What will you when we reach Menagerie?"
"I don't know." He said as he glances up at the clear blue sky with his remaining bright, blue eye. "Maybe join the White Fang."
An answer I expected from him. Time to press him a little bit more on that. "The White Fang. An organization that seeks to ensure peace and equality between humans and faunus. A noble cause, but that is the organization's goal. What is it that you're really seeking?"
Adam opens his mouth, but no words came out. He slowly closes it, pondering his response.
"I… Always wanted to find my place in the world. A place where I'll belong."
"And you'll find it. Very soon, I reckon." I got off the stern rails and walk over to Adam, handing him two items: A plain white mask that covers the upper face, and a blindfold that can be adjusted into an eyepatch. "Take these if you're feeling conscious about your eye. That mask is paintable by the way. If you're feeling creative. Since we have a few hours before we reach Menagerie, care to customize your weapon?"
/-/
Menagerie is a rather beautiful island, at least on the coast. As I said, Menagerie is the Australia of Remnant. No offense to any Australians.
The tropical trees are bright green and plentiful, and the markets situated on the docks are a perfect place for me to set up my shop. Outside of the established residential zones are mountains and drylands that aren't really suitable for any expansion.
The faunus here do regard me with some suspicion when I brought Adam to the island and even more so when I asked for permission to set up a temporary shop at the dock. The Menagerie Guards are the law enforcement for the island and I can already discern several plainclothes agents keeping an eye on me while their captain kindly took Adam in to ask a few questions.
In the meantime, I decided to switch my corvette ship to a wide festive platform boat earning me a few stares and whispers.
It didn't take long for the Captain of the Menagerie Guard, Saber Rodentia, to return along with Ghira Belladonna. Adam is nowhere to be seen though.
I straighten up and politely greeted the large faunus. "Mr. Belladonna. My name is Seth. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," Ghira replies kindly and shakes my hand. "I've heard from young Adam that you've rescued him from the forest and treated his injuries before taking him here. He asked me to thank you on his behalf."
'Totally forgot that the little guy didn't thank me.' I'm used to not being thanked, so there are no hurt feelings.
"Tell him I said 'you're welcome.' By the way, where is Adam anyway?"
"He's currently being shown around the town," Ghira assures me with a smile.
"I see. Onto business then?"
Ghira nods, "I was told that you are asking permission to set up a shop in Menagerie."
"A temporary one. I'll be gone by the early morning." I gesture to the platform floating in the water. "My abilities let me set up just about anywhere and anytime."
"Hmm… And what is it that you sell?"
"I'm glad you ask."
/-/
Adam sets his belongings down onto the floor of a bare minimal room that will serve as his living quarters in Menagerie. A bed, a small table, and a chair. It's a place he'll be calling home, and he's already anxious about fitting in with the rest of the faunus.
Carefully did Adam take out his sheathed fire Dust-infused sword that Seth generously modified for him. He was allowed to keep it as long as he obeys the rules in place regarding weapons. Next were his spare clothes and footwear, all gifts from Seth.
"Hey."
A voice suddenly called out to Adam, startling the bull faunus. He turns around and sees a dark-skinned feline faunus girl around the same age as him.
"Hi?"
"You're the one who just arrived on that ship. I'm Sienna. What's yours? Nice weapon and eyepatch, by the way."
Adam instinctively touched his left eye. "Thank you?"
"You're welcome." She proudly waltzes into his room and playfully spins on her heel, "You still didn't give me your name."
"Adam."
"Why do you cover your eye?"
The red-haired faunus bit his lips and looks away. "I don't want to talk about it."
Sienna looks at him and puts a hand on her hip, "Did that human hurt your eye?"
"No!" Adam composed himself and shakes his head. "No. He helped heal it."
"So, he's a good human."
His mind flickers back to Seth talking about how he doesn't discriminate, even if they're bad people. Anybody who knowingly helps bad people aren't exactly 'good' in a sense.
"I wouldn't say he's… Good."
He immediately regrets saying that out loud. Granted he doesn't exactly trust Seth, but he won't deny that the human teen had been nothing but kind to him. Human showing kindness to a faunus is something that he has never seen before, not without ulterior motive. And while Seth did admit that he had some ulterior motive, it sounds like he's honestly trying to establish a good relationship with him and the faunus.
Adam doesn't feel any sinister intention from Seth. It's just that he's sometimes… Slimy. Well, slimy isn't exactly the right term to describe Seth. More like someone who acts like he's detached from reality yet is sure of himself all while going along with whatever is happening in front of him.
Seth is just amoral.
"What do mean by that?" Sienna asks sharply.
"Uh… It's… Hard to explain."
"Then explain, or I'm telling the guards."
Adam swallows his saliva and nods. "W-well, Seth said that he doesn't discriminate."
"That's good then! What's wrong with that? Do you know how many humans discriminate against faunus?"
"But he also doesn't care if they're good or bad people."
Sienna went silent at that. "So, he doesn't care?" Even with her sharp ears, Sienna couldn't hear what Adam was mumbling as he turned away. "Say that again?"
"He even said that he would do business with a Grimm if they were capable of understanding him…"
The girl burst out laughing and kneels over on the ground. "That's so stupid! Did he really say that?!"
"Yes…" Adam felt somewhat embarrassed and looks away, tempted to pull his blindfold over his other eye. Maybe even wear that white mask he was given.
"I wanna meet him." Sienna suddenly declares, grabbing Adam by the arm. "Come on! You're already done unpacking."
There wasn't much to unpack, to be honest, leaving Adam no options but to be dragged away by the tiger faunus girl.
/-/
I hoist the stick containing three hung yellow pufferfish with both hands. Personally, I'm not much of a seafood lover. However, seafood is considered a luxury in some places. It's all about supply and demand and these pufferfish are costly. Rarity doesn't necessarily make it expensive. It's all about the demand that determines the price.
"The yellow-bellied Meleagris, or the yellow-bellied pufferfish. These are considered rare and exotic delicacies in other continents."
3x Yellow-bellied Meleagris
Sell Price: 15,000 Lien
Adjustable Tradeable Currency
"15,000 Lien? That's a lot for just these three!" A faunus, who is essentially a stereotypical merman, looked shocked at the amount he'll be receiving.
"Oh, yes. It's a niche market within the cities of Vale and Atlas, but a single one of these would fetch a high price than the common catch."
The faunus scratches his chin while his fishtail steady kept him afloat. "They're poisonous you know. Really deadly."
"The chefs often know how to prepare these. I reckon no one serves these pufferfish in Menagerie?" It doesn't seem like they have the knowledge to cut out the poisonous organs for safe consumption.
"No one is willing to risk preparing or eating these guys. I do know that the poison is used for hunting sometimes, but that's about it."
Transaction:
3x Yellow-bellied Meleagris SOLD FOR – 15,000 Lien
You Receive: 15,000 Lien
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Martin." I handed him the receipt. "The receipt is waterproof."
"You may keep that. There's been a slight issue with keeping the surrounding ocean clean and I rather not be a part of the trouble."
"Very well."
Not a problem. I keep all transactions on record for various reasons. It's all private which can only be accessed by me and those who partook in the transaction.
I waved the fisherman goodbye as he swam off. It's somewhat ironic and fitting that a fish faunus works as a fisherman. Anyway, back to business. It's a slow day for me meaning that there weren't many people stepping onto my water floating shop. I even took the effort to decorate the platform boat, but sometimes that effort is wasted.
It can't be helped, and hardly anybody's problem. Being the only human merchant on an island full of faunus, surrounded by familiar and established faunus merchants that are closer to the towns… It's a disadvantage for me, and that happens.
'Maybe I should have adjusted the layout. Make it more accessible.' My thoughts were cut short when the Captain of the Menagerie Guards walks aboard. He's flanked by two other guards wielding spears.
"Ah, Captain Saber. How may I help you?"
Saber Rodentia. Captain of the Menagerie Guard. He's a gerbil faunus and appears in volumes four and five if I can remember correctly. It's been a while since I've watched the RWBY series with all the dimensional hopping stuff going on.
"I'm here to check if everything is going well."
"I appreciate it, captain. Though I believe there's more to your visit?"
The man nods, "Chieftain Ghira has granted me permission to ascertain the quality of your wares. Particularly, Dust and weapons."
"Of course. Feel free to look around, captain. My discount offer still stands for the Menagerie Guards." I said with a smile and observe the other two Menagerie Guards. "Your colleagues too. I am here if you have any questions."
Supplies
Medical supplies, ammo, Dust crystals, utility devices, you name it!
Smithy
Buy, upgrade, or design your own weapon and armor!
Clothes and Accessories
Spare wear while being functionally fashionable!
Food & Drinks
Can't survive without a good meal and drink!
Sell
'What're ya selling?' Because everything has a price!
One of the Menagerie Guards surveys my stall and frowns.
"I'm not seeing…"
"Not everything is what it seems my friend."
I snap my finger, causing the plaque reading Smithy to lit up and generate a holographic screen in front of the guardsman.
"Whoa!" He nearly jumps back, but his discipline kept him from backing down.
"Whatever you have in mind, the selection can be made with just your mind only."
"Are you from Atlas?" The other Menagerie Guard, a woman, asks me.
"I am not, nor is this technology Atlesian in origin." I kicked back and recline in my chair, relishing the tropical atmosphere. "Haven't even been to Atlas yet. Physically, at least. That doesn't mean I don't know what goes on there. Especially the markets."
While I chatted with the Menagerie Guards, Saber continues to interacts with the holographic screen. Eventually, he found something that interests him and selects it, displaying all its properties including the discounted price.
.45 AP Multi-Dust Chambered Flintlock
Muzzle Velocity: 350 m/s
…
Price: 687 Lien
You know those old pistols that you need to reload through the muzzle, apply gunpowder, then fire? That's what this weapon looks like. A flintlock pistol, but it's much more superior than any old flintlock and can fire multiple times without reloading. It is to note that it fires condensed Dust rounds instead of solid projectiles.
"The .45 AP Multi-Dust Chambered Flintlock. Cheap, easy to maintain, and packs a nasty punch. Great for law enforcement and an excellent sidearm. Is it of interest to you?"
"Of sorts. I was wondering that since one of your services includes upgrading weaponry…"
"That I would be able to upgrade your current weapons to match the .45 AP flintlock?" I eyed a similar flintlock pistol that's holstered on Saber's belt.
Equipment [.33 Metz Dust Chambered Flintlock]
Grade: Common
Elemental Range DMG: 198 – 317
"Our current arms are sufficient to an extent. We're simply looking for more stopping power."
"That I can do. Shall I give you a tutorial of how the upgrade system works?"
[Testing Field Barrier has been constructed]
I gave them the rundown of the key features including the preview, test firing, components inclusion, and the fact that they can upgrade their weapons in bulk. It didn't take long for Saber and his colleagues to become somewhat engrossed in their discussion on how they should improve their weaponry. They don't want the upgrades to become too costly and hard to maintain.
Watching them chat about weaponry and upgrades brings me back to the previous worlds I've been to.
'You know… I kinda miss the old days in the Fire Emblem universe. How long did I remain in that world? I think I stayed through several generations…'
"Hey, minster!"
I was rudely pulled out of my memory lane by a dark-skinned tiger girl with amber eyes. Behind her, Adam was being dragged along.
'Well, well. If it isn't Sienna Khan.' The little tiger faunus is lacking her red stripes, but if I can recall those were tattoos.
"How may I help you, Miss Khan?"
Sienna was taken aback by my sudden knowledge of her surname, so much so that she looked like a deer in the headlights.
"I told you…" Adam mutters to himself.
That made me raise an eyebrow. What in the world were they discussing about me?
"You know my name," Sienna replies with a false haughty attitude. "If you know that, do you know what I'm here for?"
"I don't know everything, but if I were to guess why you're here…" I leaned back and hum to myself. It gets easier to read people and their intention when you've been in business for a long time. "You're here because you're curious about me, first and foremost. Second, and this is a guess… You have business with me."
Sienna let out a gasp and turns to Adam. "You didn't tell me he was a mind reader!"
"I didn't know he could read minds!"
I laughed at their childish outlook. It's a stark contrast to their older self in the RWBY series.
"No, no. I cannot read minds." I assured the two faunus children, "But I can read people's intention most of the time."
"Isn't that the same thing?" Sienna asked quizzically.
"Reading one's intention is different from reading one's mind. You might be thinking of something else while maintaining your intention."
"Then how did you know my name?"
"I'm afraid that's a trade secret."
Sienna puffs out her cheek and crossed her arms while watching the Menagerie Guards test-firing some weapons within the barrier I've constructed. The gunshots were heavily muffled by the barrier to prevent them from ringing out and possibly causing panic.
She then looks at the plaques that detailed my services.
Supplies
Medical supplies, ammo, Dust crystals, utility devices, you name it!
Smithy
Buy, upgrade, or design your own weapon and armor!
Clothes and Accessories
Spare wear while being functionally fashionable!
Food & Drinks
Can't survive without a good meal and drink!
Sell
'What're ya selling?' Because everything has a price!
"Hey, mister."
"Call me Seth, if you so wish."
"I have this small piece of ice Dust and metal. Make me a weapon that's like this." She holds up a leather rope that's tied to a quartz stone.
I've seen Sienna's weapon in the RWBY series. It's that chain whip with some sets of Dust infused daggers. It doesn't take long for me to figure out what she wants.
"You wish for me to create a rope dart?"
She looked confused, "Rope… Dart?"
"Something like this." I pulled up a screen displaying a variety of rope darts that I had come across throughout my travels.
Sienna eagerly nods upon seeing some of the designs. "Yes. I want a rope dart. Make it look something like that one!"
'I figured you would like that one.'
The design she pointed out is Cerberus Whip. Sienna Khan's very own weapon in the RWBY series. I've essentially created a stable paradox if that's how paradox works.
"Very well. May I see the materials?"
Sienna hands me a rugged piece of steel and a small shard of ice Dust. It's only enough to make one small dagger, but I don't mind sparing a few expenses for an investment.
"I got some Lien." Sienna holds up a single 200 Lien note. "How much more can I get with this?"
"Just this once, my service will free of charge for you. Don't tell anyone else about this." The materials in my hand vanished in a bright, light blue light.
[Blueprint selected: Cerberus Whip]
[Initiating forging…]
[Converting materials]
[Molding outline]
DING!
[Cerberus Whip: Completed]
I retrieved Sienna's weapon from the forge compartment and presented it to her. A six feet long chain ending in a single detachable Dust blade. Her original weapon had two more detachable blades, but I'm not that generous to give her the remaining two.
"Wooow." Sienna immediately snatched her weapon off the tray and did a few tricks with it.
"Hey!" Adam backs away and hisses at her, glancing worryingly at the Menagerie Guards who were preoccupied with optimizing their weapons. "We might get in trouble if they see you swinging a weapon around like that!"
She immediately stops and wraps the chain around her arm. "Oh yeah! They're really strict about weapons here. Let's get out of here before they see us. You won't tell them, right?"
I smiled, "I have no obligation to do so. Your secrets are safe with me."
"Good. Come on, Adam." Sienna pulls the faunus boy along with her. "Let me show you the White Fang headquarters!"
"Uh… Okay." Adam awkwardly waves me goodbye.
I waved him goodbye. "Take care you two."
'So, that's what Sienna and Adam are really like when they were kids. A pity most people grow out of their innocence, or lose them.'
/-/
My business dealing with the Menagerie Guards went smoothly. Except for the part where they had to gather all available weapons for the upgrades. I had to switch over to the trade-in format to make things easier for everyone.
Record Transaction:
119x Custom .45 Multi-Dust Chambered Flintlock – 45,339 Lien
82x Solid Cut Ice Dust – 8,939 Lien
75x Solid Cut Fire Dust – 7,541 Lien
…
Total: 218,503 Lien
'Hm. Not bad. Could have made more profit, but let's keep a working relationship with Menagerie.'
There are some exotic goods in Menagerie that you wouldn't find anywhere else on Remnant and I rather be on their good side to having access to those goods. It'll sell well and will offset any shortcomings. Gotta see the bigger picture here.
Night has begun to fall upon Menagerie and the town market has closed their business for the day leaving me the only business open through the night. With the market closed, barely anybody was around to do business with. I was tempted to pack up and go, but the Menagerie Guards who were finishing their shift begun to trickle in and bought food from my stall.
Transaction:
1x Honey Garlic Baked Pork Bites – 634 Lien
1x Summer Vegetable Skillet – 292 Lien
Total: 926 Lien
"Thank you for your patronage. Here are your receipt and utensils. Enjoy." I hand over a meal tray to a Menagerie Guard with rabbit ears.
"Good evening, Seth." Ghira steps onto the platform with his wife and daughter at his side, Kali and Blake Belladonna.
"Ah, Mr. Belladonna. A pleasure to see you this fine night, and I see you bought along with your family. How may I be of service to the Belladonna family?"
The large faunus chuckles and pats his daughter on the hand. "Please. Just call me Ghira. My family and I heard from our guards that the food you serve is good, so we've decided to come to visit and eat." He pats his daughter's head with his large hand. "Hopefully my little girl isn't too picky this time around. She has a fondness for tuna."
"I want tuna!" Blake pouts and flails around in Kali's arm.
She seems to be around the age of five, which confirms my suspicion that I am about twelve years back before the events of RWBY.
"Tuna, huh? I might have several good tuna recipes that I can serve. What's daughter's name?"
"Tuna!"
Kali giggles at her daughter's antics, "Her name is Blake. I'm Kali. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well, Ms. Belladonna."
"Doh, none of that. Just call me Kali."
Any conversation with the Belladonna family was unfortunately cut short due to Blake's insistence on eating tuna, so it was on to business.
Baked Tuna Steak
548 Lien
"Perhaps your daughter would like a Baked Tuna Steak? Served with teriyaki sauce, red peppers, olive oil, lemon, minced garlic cloves, and green vegetables of your choice."
"Now, Blake." Kali pokes her daughter's nose. "Remember to eat your vegetables, okay?" Blake absentmindedly nods while drooling at the image. "One Baked Tuna Steak with soft green lettuce. I'll have something light for the night. White Chicken Chili sounds good. What about you, dear?"
"Hmm… Garlic butter grilled steak & popcorn shrimp. Green beans and asparagus."
"Anything you would like to drink?"
"Just water."
"Alright. One Baked Tuna Steak, White Chicken Chili, and Garlic butter grilled steak & popcorn shrimp with green beans and asparagus coming right up."
Transaction:
1x Baked Tuna Steak – 548 Lien
1x White Chicken Chili – 395 Lien
1x Garlic Butter Grilled Steak & Popcorn Shrimp w/ Green beans & asparagus – 664 Lien
Total: 1607 Lien
I went to work, activating all the cooking appliances, and retrieved the ingredients from the system. Once I set up the cooking appliances and the parameters, I can let the system do the rest. I'm not lazy. It's just that cooking isn't exactly my forte.
"Here you go." I present them with a freshly cooked meal, still hot and steaming.
"That was very fast," Ghira noted.
I grinned, "The wonders of technology."
"I'm hungry!" Blake whines, hugging her father's leg with pleading eyes.
"Alright. Let's go find a seat."
The Belladonna family settled themselves on one of the tables and were soon captivated by their meal. Blake is of particular note, eyes brimming brightly and ears twitching with each bite.
'Another satisfied customer.' I thought to myself.
As the minutes dragged by, another familiar face made his appearance. Adam Taurus.
"Hello, Mr. Taurus." I greeted the faunus boy. "How is Menagerie?"
"It's… Peaceful here."
"And the White Fang?"
"I like what they're doing, fighting for faunus equality."
"Will you be joining them?"
Adam immediately answers with a solid, affirmative nod. "Yes. I will."
"Then I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now then. Onto business, yes?" Before Adam could order anything. Blake skips over with a cup asking for a refill. "A refill, Miss Belladonna?"
She nods and I complied with her request. Upon having her cup of water refilled, Blake turned too sharply and nearly fell over. Fortunately, she was caught by Adam.
"Be careful." He said to her.
"Mhm-hm! Thanks!" Blake happily skips off with a wave.
"She's the chieftain's daughter?"
"Indeed. His only daughter. Now then, where were we?"
/-/
I've made a decent amount of income at Menagerie. Not as much as I would expect, but there's always next time. Once it's well into the very early morning, I packed up and sailed out of Menagerie and followed wherever the coordinates are taking me.
'Total and conversion.'
[End-of-Day Sales Totals Report]
…
Sales Total: 548,509 Lien
Conversion Amount: 159,068
'Not a bad yield.'
I can't help but noticed that we're making a trip to the north of Menagerie and sailing Northeast. Taking the map into account, we're not heading to Atlas or Mantle yet, which leaves either Vacuo, Vale, and…
"Where are you taking me?" I asked the system, "Don't give me the coordinates. Pinpoint it on the map."
A wide map pops up near my face and a red dot blinks on a dragon-shaped landmass that lies north of the Sanus continent where the Kingdom of Vacuo and Vale is situated. It's a landmass that's never been mentioned in the RWBY series, much less acknowledged aside from some alleged coastal settlements.
'Isn't that the Land of Darkness?'
[Unknown. It is a place of interest]
'There shouldn't be any settlements that far in that area. It looks like I'll be meeting Salem very soon…'
I fell back onto my bed and grinned to myself.
"I wonder how this is going to turn out."