Volume 4, Chapter 1 – Sakimori Port Town

The day after Shizuku-san left behind a letter that read like a suicide note, we hurried after her.

After asking around, we discovered that Shizuku-san had traveled downstream by boat, so we attempted to do the same.

However, unlike when we used a boat from Klaubretz in the Blue Star Republic, the current here was visibly violent.

Seeing as it was obvious that Chris-san and Lu-chan would end up in a groggy state from seasickness, we opted for the land route instead.

Unfortunately, this choice backfired. We were quickly distanced from Shizuku-san, and by the time we reached Nanhai—the gateway to the Red Sky Empire—a gap of about a week had opened up between us.

Furthermore, due to the schedule of the regular ships, we were stranded in Nanhai for three days.

By the time we finally arrived at Sakimori Port, the gateway to the Golden Sun Miko Nation, that gap had widened to ten days.

Regardless, we finally set foot upon the soil of the Golden Sun Miko Nation, Shizuku-san’s homeland.

“So this is Sakimori Port Town?”

The townscape had an incredibly Japanese atmosphere. With the wooden buildings, plaster-coated walls, and tiled or thatched roofs, I felt as if I had wandered into the world of a period drama.

I wonder if “Sakimori” really does mean “Guardian ¹ Sakimori (防人) literally translates to “defender” or “protector” in Japanese. Historically, the term refers to the ancient conscripted soldiers and frontier guards stationed at strategic outposts in Kyushu and the Tsushima Islands to protect Japan from foreign invasions. “?

Given its position as the gateway to the Red Sky Empire, perhaps there were wars here in the past.

“Ah, finally… the ground isn’t shaking…”

“I feel like there are lots of delicious things here!”

For the record, Chris-san was in a groggy state from seasickness again, just like last time, but Lu-chan only suffered a bit and didn’t get as bad.

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The Seasickness Resistance Skill from the Fisher Sub-Class she acquired in Shiltsa Village must have worked.

Which means, I guess the reason I don’t get seasick is probably because my Status Resistance is MAX.

“Ah! I’m sorry. Shizuku-san should come first right now…”

“No, it’s fine. Rushing doesn’t lead to anything good. I think staying as we usually are will bring better results. So, Lu-chan, please don’t worry so much and just act like yourself.”

“Onee-sama…”

Lu-chan said that out of consideration for me, but I felt that I was the one in the wrong here.

I had been far too impatient when we were passing through the Red Sky Empire. I think the atmosphere had become tense, and despite my efforts to catch up, I ended up getting nowhere, and we were left far behind.

“Haste makes waste,” as they say. Now that we’ve made it to the Golden Sun Miko Nation, all that’s left is to carefully search for where Shizuku-san went. And then, find out the truth of the matter. That’s all.

“The sun is setting, so let’s find an inn first. We can think about the rest after that.”

“”Yes.””

◇ ◇ ◇

“A tall woman who is a samurai, you say?”

“Yes. Her name is Mieshiro Shizuku-san. Would you happen to know her?”

After securing a room at a ryokan ² Ryokan (旅館) is a traditional Japanese inn. , we asked the landlady for information.

“I have heard talk that a dignified female swordsman arrived in Sakimori about ten days ago. There were rumors in town that she was a very tall lady.”

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In this country, where the general impression is that people are rather small, a tall woman like Shizuku-san seems to be a rarity.

Well, even so, everyone here still seems taller than me.

Gnuuu.

By the way, almost everyone in this town has black eyes and black hair, with only the occasional person having dark brown hair.

Consequently, we stand out tremendously.

With our silver, gold, and green hair, we are incredibly colorful, and I feel more eyes on us as we walk through town than ever before.

“Do you know where she went? We have something important to return to her.”

This wasn’t exactly a lie, but it was the answer we had agreed upon beforehand.

The reasoning was that if we said we were “chasing” her, the other person might become wary, but if the setup was that we were returning an important blade to a dear friend, Shizuku-san, we figured it wouldn’t be an issue.

“I am afraid I do not know that much. However, given the circumstances, I believe I can look into it for you. It will take some time, so if you could stay for another night, I shall do so.”

“I understand. Please do.”

I asked the landlady to investigate. I felt this would be more reliable than searching blindly.

“Very well. Now, dinner is served at 6:00 PM and breakfast at 7:00 AM in the dining hall. To get there, walk straight down this hallway; it is at the end on your left.”

“Understood. Thank you very much.”

“Now, I shall show you to your room.”

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The landlady then guided us to our quarters.

“This is the Asagiri Room, your room for the stay. Please leave your key at the front desk when you go out.”

“Understood.”

“Also, please remove your footwear here.”

“Here?”

Chris-san, who was about to enter the room with her shoes on, was cautioned by the landlady.

“Yes, that is correct. Is this your first time in the Miko Nation?”

“Ah.”

“I see. In the Miko Nation, it is customary to remove one’s footwear at the entrance so as not to bring the impurities of the outside into the home. We also have various unique cultures, such as having no beds and instead laying futons on the floor to sleep. Please, enjoy your stay.”

It seems this is truly authentic Japanese style. I wonder if they have soy sauce or sashimi?

“Now, please make yourselves at home and relax.”

After explaining the facilities and serving some tea, the landlady exited.

“What on earth is this pale green floor?”

“Onee-sama, it looks like it’s made from some kind of plant.”

Chris-san and Lu-chan were fascinated by the tatami.

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“That is tatami. If I remember correctly, it’s a kind of carpet made from a special grass.”

“Oh, I see.”

Chris-san poked the tatami with her finger, looking curious.

“Onee-sama! The sliding door is made of paper. There’s even a picture on it!”

“That is a fusuma.”

“Amazing, Onee-sama knows so much!”

“No, I just happened to know.”

In the first place, I’m not that knowledgeable about architecture, so I wouldn’t know if they asked me for more details.

Even so, I feel like the facilities of this ryokan are quite lavish for the price.

The three of us are sharing one room, but the room is excessively spacious, and there’s another section partitioned off by a sudare screen ³ Sudare are traditional Japanese screens or blinds made of horizontal slats of natural materials like bamboo, reeds, or wood, woven together with string or yarn. .

Furthermore, the tokonoma ⁴ tokonoma (床の間) is a slightly elevated, recessed alcove found in traditional Japanese reception rooms (washitsu). alcove is decorated with a hanging scroll, a folding screen, and arranged flowers, adding color to the room.

There is even an engawa veranda ⁵ An engawa (縁側) is a narrow, covered wooden veranda or corridor that wraps around the outside of a traditional Japanese home. , with a beautiful, purely Japanese-style garden spreading out before us.

Am I the only one who thinks one gold coin per night for three people is incredibly reasonable?

I thought this to myself while watching the two of them look around the room with wonder.