Chapter 70 – Great Farm Country Nadar
After deciding to head to the Vala forest, the three followed Mr. Wal’s guidance and went down the road.
The road branched out, and they entered farmlands. There were fields of wheat and rice. Menew thought that this country must be rich with food resources. He could also see scattered settlements.
“Our country…the farming country neighboring Kokirus. Nadar. As Kokirus does the processing, they have a good relationship, regardless of the size of the country.”
“I see. So I am in a foreign country for the first time…!”
Totto jumped happily at Ralph’s explanation.
There had been something a little disorderly about the place, which Menew thought was because it was a big country. But it was more to do with Kokirus having higher technical ability.
As they continued along, a vast forest came into view. It was so large that you could not see where it ended. It was like an ocean.
“That is the Vala forest.”
Mr. Wal said gravely. And then Menew grabbed the stuffed animal by the head.
“Hey, how is this a one day journey!?”
As he had said that it was unexplored by humans, it must be deep within this sea of trees. This was not what they had discussed.
Without proper preparations, they would never reach their destination.
“Wa-wait. Calm down. There is a village in front of the forest.”
Mr. Wal said with a contorted face. And so Menew looked where he was pointing.
Indeed, there was a large village there. It was surrounded by high walls.
“We can prepare over there. Besides, it shouldn’t be any trouble with your powers, master.”
“?”
Menew wasn’t really sure what he meant, but he let go for now.
They had just rested for lunch earlier. And so the party continued to walk, hoping to reach the village before sundown.
Totto would pick herbs from the side of the road and put them into Mr. Wal’s mouth.
Menew wondered how it was different from food, and decided to ask.
“What goes into my mouth, carves its information into me, and is converted. And you need it, the information if able to restore it in this world. In other words, as long as the information is not too dense, you can duplicate things.”
A chill went down his spine.
He had wondered if he could hide in Mr. Wal’s stomach in an emergency. But he did not want to be taken apart and then put back together again. He did not know how accurate it would be.
Menew’s level was rising steadily. But in the end, it was just experience and power turned to numbers.
Could all of that be restored? Did memories equal real experience? He did now know.
“So that’s why Mr. Wal did not want to put gold inside…”
Menew muttered, and Mr. Wal nodded.
“Mmm. It would be mixing wood with gold. That is poison for me. Well, some alchemy tools would be fine.”
As they talked, they eventually arrived at the village.
They told the gatekeeper that they had business in the forest, and wished to stock up on supplies and prepare for the journey. The gatekeeper gave them a sympathetic look.
“We don’t mind you staying one night, and we have tools and food, if you are willing to pay, but… That forest changed some time ago.”
Yes, they knew that.
“The dragon there angered the gold dragon. And now it is a horrible place of unknown monsters. We used to be able to go near the edge and pick herbs.”
Indeed.
Menew and Ralph looked at Mr. Wal, but he was pretending to be nothing but a stuffed animal. Totto chuckled and looked away.
“Well, we cannot get Dryad flowers anymore, so the prices have gone up. If you find any, please share them with us. We will pay, of course.”
Totto was about to take some out of his bag, but Menew stopped him.
And then he smiled and agreed to the conditions. And they were allowed to enter the village.
Inside, there were rows of wooden houses. It seemed a little dangerous, since monsters appeared in the area. As they wondered about this, their guide explained.
Apparently, the walls also acted as a barrier, which made it so that monsters could not come inside.
The only reason that Kanon, Mr. Wal, and Stan were able to come inside, was because they were much stronger.
“The old barrier master is also the chief. It’s because of him that this village exists.”
And so they were told to go and meet him. Apparently, he was a lively and adventurous man, in spite of his age.
“Huh. How old is he?”
“Who knows? I think he is over 120.”
Ralph and Totto froze. Menew looked excited.
In this world, the average lifespan was about 60. It was little wonder, since medical technology was not very advanced.
And yet he was living twice as long.
(Not another strange one…)
Ralph said with a sigh.
“That is quite old…!”
“Indeed. I wonder what his secret is? I want to meet him now.”
Totto was amazed, and Menew was curious. Their guide laughed.
“Well, it’s late today. But I will guide you tomorrow. After all, you will need to prepare carefully if you mean to go deep into the forest. So you should rest for today.”
They were taken to an inn that was practically empty after the forest changed. And so the innkeeper was overjoyed.
They used to have Adventurers coming in all of the time. But that had stopped once it became too dangerous.
Even the carriages, which used to travel regularly between this village and the next town, had stopped coming.
The kindly innkeeper, who was also a farmer, gave them room and dinner, and the three all rested.
Totto had a room with Stan. Ralph was with Kanon, and Mr. Wal shared Menew’s room.
“Mr. Wal. How do you feel about being close to home?”
“…The smell of metal is so thick that it tickles my nose.”
He said with distaste.
Menew did not ask any more questions.
After preparing for bed, he wondered if he should talk with Seker. But he decided against it.
He had to focus on Mr. Wal for now.
(…Apep.)
God of chaos. Born before there was order. The same body as Menew. But with much more power.
(…What is this book of the dead… I suppose I should ask Kanon. But Seker probably knows more.)
No matter how strong Kanon was, he was a being of this world. Seker saw all from above. He had more information.
As there was no point in considering it further, Menew closed his eyes.