Chapter 39
[ Departure ]
The pontifex was up to something.
That was typical of her. A scheming woman, safe to say, though he didn't mean that in any way evil. She just struck him as that one kind of person who really loved doing things that, whether it was beneficial or not, it was very likely to confuse or annoy a lot of people. Not like he was upset or anything. He just felt weirded out by all these things.
In a good or bad weird? No one knew, let alone himself.
Regardless, when the meeting was over, Kirito couldn't help but let the anxious part of his brain do its job of overthinking about her intentions. Sending a bunch of teenagers and a single knight to some far-flung place to solve their issue was a recipe for disaster, but at least it was just culling monsters. Moreover, the fact that they had the permission of the pontifex to participate in the culling meant that they weren't going to be punished by the «Taboo Index».
That last bit was the most important thing to consider. Hunters and fishermen were the only jobs that permitted killing of another living thing for sustenance and selling, with nobles also granted the opportunity to participate in hunting. The only way a person could hunt safely is if they were granted permission by a hunter and accompanied by them to assist in the task. Otherwise, no one could kill another animal freely.
To this day, he wasn't sure why that was a rule. Maybe it was to prevent over-hunting of a species? It seemed logical. Those who would be granted the task of hunters and fishermen would have to study the occupation in detail, up to and including the laws of the job, which made it certain that they would be able to navigate their job with precision and integrity.
A tap on his shoulder drew him out of his thoughts, Eugeo's expression knowing. "You've got a lot in your mind."
"I sure do," he didn't even bother hiding it. While they hadn't reached the point of being able to read one another's minds (though one could argue that the ability to communicate telepathically was far more impressive), they were too close not to be able to tell if something was off about the other. Plus, Kirito had a feeling he had the look of a guy who was just told something as absurd as the idea that cows could fly.
"If it makes you feel any better, I find it pretty weird that the pontifex is fine with sending us. It would just be better to send Sir Bercouli alone, don't you think?"
"Exactly my thoughts," Kirito nodded. "While a culling mission isn't the most complicated thing in the world, I'm just surprised that she's okay with this in the first place."
"Maybe… she just wants us to go and settle our matters there? It'd be killing two birds with one stone; settle the overpopulation crisis and meet the person we wanted to find."
Right… They had told her about their request the one time. The intent to travel to Treitis Pass to meet Ophilia had been as clear as day, and she'd stated that she would consider their request at the time.
Was this her approval, then? If so, it was far more sudden than he would have liked, though he could see why it took this long. Perhaps the whole point of Scheta's assessment was for them to achieve a level of competence or power that would make it safe for them to travel outside of Centoria. And the fact that he'd unlocked his «Incarnation» might have been good enough of an incentive for her to finally give them the green light.
He hummed at the idea. It was feasible. He'd had a taste first-hand of just how powerful it was. Culling monsters shouldn't be too difficult, though between the three of them plus Bercouli, he doubted he even needed that power to begin with.
…Great. Now he was purposedly contradicting himself and running around in circles.
He opted to do himself the favour of shutting down that thought, instead pursuing another alternative, scratching his chin as he spoke. "Think it's a test of sorts?"
"Could be, though it would be a hassle if it was. On what basis would she even grade us on? It would be weird if it's something like how many we can kill. Doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"
"It would, yeah. Ultimately, I'm inclined to just believe her when she said she decided on a whim," and somehow, it just felt fitting of her. Was she just that lax when it came to them? Maybe. At this point, however, he was tired of overthinking things. "So all we can do is just do our job right."
Unlike his and Eugeo's apprehension, Medine was the one feeling most excited, bouncing in her seat with stars in her eyes.
"Exactly! It's our first ever mission, and that's something worth looking forward to!"
Try as he might, he couldn't help himself from smiling in the face of his younger friend's excitement, her genuine cheer effectively doing away with his anticipation. "Yeah? Looks like you're pumped up."
"Of course! I mean, if we succeed in this, we'd be helping a lot of people!"
Leave it to her to focus on the simplest, most pure intentions. He grinned wider, nodding. "Yeah. That's something worth fighting for."
And for someone in Medina's position, having grown up on the ideals of nobility through her parents' example, it would make sense that she would have such good intentions. The single want to help others made her worthy of her position.
A shame that a majority of the nobles didn't hold the same ideals as she did. The world would have been a better place if such were the case.
"So then, let's talk about preparations," he said, and the others nodded. It was weird to be discussing this in the mess hall, but there was no one else here, and it wasn't like this job was meant to be kept confidential. "If we're heading out tomorrow, we should probably find time after training today to buy some rations. Food, outdoor camping equipment, stuff like that…"
"Good idea. Even though we already have some equipment that we brought with us from Rulid, we might need to grab some other things like lighting kit and dried meats."
"How about water canteens?" Medina asked. "I noticed the ones you guys were carrying have shown signs of wearing, so maybe you could replace those."
"I suppose we could. Doesn't hurt to be overprepared rather than underprepared."
"True that. Once we're done with buying stuff, we should probably head on over to the library and look up Treitis Pass. We don't know much about it. Outside of it being located in Eastabarieth, that is."
And wasn't that an exciting prospect? They'd be travelling to another empire by tomorrow, which was as big of a deal as one could expect. Sure, it would be for the sake of a mission, but enjoying the journey and doing one's job didn't have to be mutually exclusive.
"Guess it's a plan, then. Let's meet up after we're done changing."
"Sure thing."
"Understood."
Centoria's business district was the only part of the city that he and his friends frequented. The other districts were mostly homes and belonging to the high-ranking nobles, so there was no point going there. Plus, it helped that there was plenty to see, so it was fun to come here.
The honey pies from the Jumping Deer Inn were especially worth the trip downtown. Who could say no to a good sweet treat after a hard day of training?
Today, however, they were gonna' have to skip the honey pies. Their main purpose here was to get camping equipment and rations, which wouldn't be too difficult of a job since they'd already marked down these shops the first time they arrived here.
It was in the sixth district that they found themselves standing outside of a modest shop building, with a green paint on the exterior and an assortment of outdoor gear like backpacks and tents displayed by the window. It was one they'd found earlier on while moving towards the cathedral, and they'd taken note of it on the off-chance that they would have to leave the cathedral at some point.
Kirito kept the doorway open for his friends before stepping inside after them. The interior wasn't spacious by any means, with a large tent set up in the middle of the room and a couple of display racks fitted with jackets, boots and lanterns. The crimson walls were charming enough to make it stand out compared to most other shops, and the use of traditional lanterns hoisted from the ceiling added a certain charm to it that he could appreciate.
He looked around, humming. There was only the three of them currently, so they were free to look around. They only needed enough equipment to last them for a couple of days on the road before they reach Treitis Pass, which shouldn't be too long. Then again, they would need to plan for the kind of equipment they'd need for Eastabarieth, having not read up on its climate and geography prior.
Thankfully, it was the store's owner approaching them that put that issue to rest, smiling kindly as he greeted them. "Good afternoon, children. Is there anything I can help you with?"
While Medina and Eugeo busied themselves looking around, Kirito supplied him with the story, as well as the name of their destination. He didn't mention Ophilia or Gabura, the latter for obvious reasons, let alone the pontifex deploying them there, though he did make mention of them having a job there. The man listened attentively, humming every now and then before finally speaking up once more.
"Treitis Pass, you say? Well, that's quite the far-flung destination you're heading to."
"Yeah. Is there anything you can tell us about it? My friends and I have never been outside of Norlangarth, and we've only ever been in Centoria this entire time. It'd be really helpful if there was anything you could tell us."
"Sure. I'm not a local, but I'd be happy to share what I know," the man said with a smile. Eugeo and Medina promptly returned to his side. "As you know, Treitis Pass is in Eastabarieth, in the southern part closer to the edge. The empire as a whole is relatively temperate, similar to what you're used to in Norlangarth, though you'll find a lot more gorges, valleys and mountains than you're used to. As such, one thing you'll come to realize is that many of the people typically live in such elevated environments, hence the need for a hike to reach settlements."
The shopkeeper produced a map of the Human Empire, which he then spread wide atop his counter, pointing out each landmark as he spoke. Sivilia Mountains, Sarole Mountains, Tannleni Gorge—he wasn't kidding. This empire boasted the highest amount of mountains, which made it a relief that it wasn't prone to being subjected to harsh weathers like storms or hail. He reckoned that would make hiking all the more dangerous, and the empire practically uninhabitable.
"Treitis Pass would be here," he pointed to an area of elevated land, close to a little lake surrounded by greenery. "It's closer to a village than it is a town, built onto the cliffside. Overall, it isn't a particularly important settlement in Eastabarieth, though as expected of thing being mountain land, the earth is rich with minerals such as orichalcum and silver, so expect to see an assortment of mines here and there. I suppose that's one thing that Eastabarieth bears as an advantage over all other empires; it is the primary exporter of minerals and crystals that you would find difficult to find elsewhere—"
"—If you're heading here, a trip on foot may take up to a week, so you would need to pack for that long of a trip. With the empires currently experiencing fall, I don't expect you to face much issue with the weather. You're bound to come upon some wild beasts, however. Firebreathing Lizards, Nightrobe Lynxes, Fanges Foxes… Like any wild animals, however, so long as you don't seek them out, they're more than happy to leave you be."
"Yeah, we're not looking for any trouble. Anything beyond self-defense is an obvious wrongdoing."
"Good lad. So long as you keep to that rule, you should be fine."
"Cool. Any other advice that you could give?"
"Well, since there isn't much of a main road to take like there is Norlangarth, I'd suggest sticking close to the rivers. Both for access to clean water, and because it'll lead you to Treitis Pass. When it forks, follow the eastern stream and take a mountain trail. You can reach Treitis Pass that way."
"I see. Doesn't sound too complicated," and, by all accounts, it should be an extremely safe trip. Bercouli and Charlotte would be there, and they wouldn't need to come face-to-face with enraged beasts beyond the ones bugging the people of Treitis Pass. They'd likely be holing up someplace nearby. "Alright then. Can we look around and pick out some stuff first? We'll need your help to tell us if there's anything we're lacking, sir."
"Hahaha… Of course, my child. It would be my pleasure."
Talk about friendly customer service. Kirito appreciated that. There was never knowing if lower-class citizens would ever be treated poorly by others, especially store owners who could either charge them extra or downright refuse them business. Thankfully, the people of the district business didn't hold that stigma, most of them just regular folks like him hoping to make an honest living. It was just the nobles that they needed to look out for, and one would be hard-pressed to find a noble working this kind of job.
After an hour of browsing or so, and with consultation from the kind shop owner, the trio were finally equipped suitably for a two week's trip, with an additional three days to account for a variety of scenarios, fit for six people. It never hurt to be extra prepared. The shopkeeper even helped them pick out cheap but efficient tools, which might not have left them with a lot of funds by the end of it, but at least they weren't completely broke.
Hoisting as much stuff as he could carry on his arms, he looked to the others. "Okay, let's think about rations this time. There's got to be a wet market somewhere, right?"
"I think there's one in the southern city. Let's go look!"
Now the market was much more alive. He spotted more housewives and maids wandering the street than anyone else, stalls erected with tents as butchers and fishmongers shouted out affordable prices and the freshness of their quarries. He didn't doubt them, not when the smell of blood was pretty strong, though nothing like the times when he had to help the elders slaughter bulls for festivities.
Medina was far more skilled at picking out the food they would bring with them, having picked up adequate culinary lessons and rationing from Charlotte. Most were dried meats intended to last weeks, fitting for their duration. Coupled with some salts, herbs and preserved fruits, and they were set for the trip.
Taking everything back to the cathedral, the cooks on the tenth floor were more than willing to store their bounty—though not without a promise to share some stories of their upcoming trip, something he agreed to with ease and laughter. There was bound to be much to be told, though he hoped most of it would be nothing troublesome or traumatic.
After a good dinner and a bath, they reunited in the library with Charlotte in tow, poring over books to learn a bit more about their destination. It was funny how he'd never thought to study the locale before this, but he'd admit that his interest was piqued ever since their visit to the store, and the opportunity to read more was always welcome.
And as they pulled out a variety of books—those giving general info of the empire, the more specific ones detailing the mining economy, an ecology-focused tome. Everything the shopkeeper from earlier had told him was true, though there'd been just a few bits and pieces of info that they found here that even he hadn't known of.
"So they're known to fashion gems and crystals into protective charms. Is there even proof of them being effective?"
"As you've already learn of the power of imagination, it most certainly holds weight," Charlotte answered. "After all, if a person's faith in one particular thing is firm, then it is very likely that the effects will certainly be just as effective."
"True. But it can never be anything that breaks the boundary of reality, right?"
"Correct," she nodded. "There are always going to be limitations to things. A person could dream of soaring the skies like a finch, but the subconscious will always recognize the impossibility of such a notion. That in itself will ground our expectations, and as such, these charms can only do so much—within reason, it could ward off sickness, boost one's positive emotions, grant better vigour to carry out gruelling work, and even hone one's focus."
Imagination. It sounded silly to link that to physical boons, but having tapped into its more explosive potential, he supposed something like good health wouldn't be as far-fetched as some might think it to be. So long as they believed in the charms, that is. Otherwise, it was just a piece of fancy rock.
"Ooh, this one is interesting," Eugeo piped in. "The people of Eastabarieth primarily worship Terraria. Since she's the goddess of the land who makes the lands fertile for agriculture and rich with minerals, the people of Eastabarieth especially benefit from her blessings. It's no surprise that she's their central deity."
That didn't mean they discounted the other deities; just that they prioritized her over the others. He supposed there was nothing wrong in that, so long as they didn't completely forget to worship the others.
Like he and Rulid, they were equal in their devotion to the goddesses, never showing favouritism towards one over the other. After all, where Stacia created life, and Solus gave them light, and Terraria blessed their soil, the combination of all their boons was what provided the people their bountiful crops and healthy livestock.
Even the lesser deities like Lunaria, Ignia and Aeria received their due respects. For peaceful dreams, for the flames that stoked a smith's furnace, and the winds that graced the land. There might even be more deities, though many of them were likely lost in the annals of history, just as Ignia and Aeria might have gone forgotten if not for the few people who still send their prayers to them.
Kirito looked back to the woman. "Hey, Charlotte. I didn't notice at first, but the pontifex had only ever mentioned the three of us and that old knight. You're coming too, right?"
"Without question," the three teenagers cheered. "While I trust Sir Bercouli to be responsible in looking after the three of you, my hair would go grey from how much I'd worry over all of your safeties. Especially Kirito's."
"Hey, I'm trustworthy."
"You are, but also not," he tried to argue that point, but it took only two seconds of considering her words before he found himself agreeing. Damn. "Besides, our situation has not changes; legally, both myself and Fanatio are your guardians, and it would be remiss of us to allow anything to happen to you two. Sister Azalia and Sulinea would not be pleased if that were the case."
"Pssh, we'll be fine. Together, there's nothing that could pose a danger to us!"
Boasting words they were, though confidence always did begin with false bravado sometimes. And if all it took for something to be true was to believe in it wholeheartedly, then Kirito was determined to do just that, even if people called him a lunatic.
Charlotte sighed. "I really do hope you don't let that thought get to your head. Nevertheless, I suppose we can end it for today. The three of you have worked so hard to make your preparations. I think we are more than prepared for the journey."
"Let's hope so. And if we're lucky, we won't be coming across any monsters before we get to Treitis Pass," Kirito shrugged one shoulder, snickering. "I'd love to use this opportunity to take in the new sights. Ain't gonna' get this sort of opportunity again for a very long time, yeah?"
"True. It's uncharted territory for almost all of us. We'd never have gotten to visit Eastabarieth otherwise."
The Gigas Cedar would have made certain of that. Just thinking back on his old calling almost made him chuckle. Had he and Eugeo never succeeded in felling the demonic tree, then it was completely possible that he and Eugeo would just be chained to the village for eternity, trying futilely to carry on their predecessors' job.
It was all a stroke of luck and fate; a dance of two ethereal powers that thrust him and Eugeo onto this fantastical road that, under any other circumstances, they would have never experienced. Meeting Charlotte, slaying the Million-Eyed, finding Medina, becoming knighted.
None of those things could not, and should not, have been possible. Yet here they were.
Ultimately, as they settled in for the night, his head on his pillow as he stared up at the ceiling, Eugeo long having conked out, he let his thoughts break away like the current. There was never any use for those kinds of thoughts beyond just being mental exercises. Tomorrow, they were finally heading to Treitis Pass, and he was more ready than ever to finally settle things. As long as the peace would last, then there was nothing else to be asked for.