Published: August 2, 2025
“If you go straight ahead from here, you’ll soon reach the shore of Lake Latoin. Once you hit the end, turn left, and you should arrive at Shikum. Even if you’re wrong, once you get to the lake shore, you should be able to see some village. If you reach a village, you can travel by boat. It might take some time, but you won’t fail to get there.”
“Thank you for all your help up to now.”
“Nah, we’re all in this together when we’re in trouble. I don’t think you’ll get lost, but be careful.”
“Yes! You too, please take care!”
About two weeks have passed since I contracted with the genius chicken and secured a source of eggs.
For my training, I was now heading toward Lake Latoin, the habitat of the mud salamander.
“…Well then, I should get going.”
After seeing off the merchant who had kindly guided me this far, I headed toward the path he told me about. But calling it a path was a stretch—it was more like a narrow animal trail. It might be more accurate to say I was passing through the forest rather than walking along a road.
Once I actually stepped in, the path became even harder to discern, with tree roots sprawling freely in all directions.
Underfoot was mostly mud and roots, with stones only occasionally. It reminded me a lot of the mangrove virgin forests I once saw in Okinawa.
Small steps. Firmly planting my toes first. Avoiding missteps.
Though my goal this time was the mud salamander, moving through this difficult terrain was also part of the training for venturing into the Shurus Great Tree Sea.
What concerned me was estimating the arrival time.
The merchant earlier said it was just a short walk straight ahead, but yesterday, he had said we were almost at the campsite, and we kept moving for another two hours. I guess out here, neighbors are kilometers apart, like in the countryside.
I figured it would take about two hours to get through the forest…
And then, about four hours later.
After twice the expected time, I finally saw the beautiful lake and the entrance to a village by its shore.
Around the entrance… there were probably mangrove-like trees growing nearby. They had sharpened logs set upright in the ground, lined up to form a protective barrier, guarding the village. A guard was standing watch.
I approached, walking along the log wall toward the village entrance.
There stood a man in his fifties, absentmindedly puffing on a cigarette.
“Excuse me—”
“Hm? Don’t recognize you. And you’re alone, kid?”
“Yes. My name is Ryoma. I’m an adventurer aiming for the fishing village of Shikum. Is this the right village?”
“Shikum is indeed here… Ah, I remember now. I heard Kai-bou and his group were coming to the village soon. Are you that kid?”
“If you mean Mr. Kai from the adventurer party ‘sikumu’s pier,’ then yes, that’s me.”
“I see! Then wait here a moment.”
The man grabbed a wooden mallet hanging by the village entrance and struck a metal plate several times.
Soon, a young woman came running from inside the village.
“Uncle Manda, what’s going on?”
“Mei-chan, just in time. A guest of Kai-bou’s has arrived.”
“Oh! That rumor? Where is he… Oh, it’s you? You’re pretty young — more like a child.”
“My name is Ryoma Takebayashi. Nice to meet you.”
The woman spoke her thoughts plainly upon seeing me.
Considering her name and that of Kai, she must be part of his family.
“Thanks for being so polite. I’m Mei, the older sister of Kai and Kei. I heard your brothers have been taking care of you.”
“You just got here, so you probably don’t know much yet. I’ll show you around.”
“Understood. I’ll take you to the house first. I think one of the two brothers is probably there. Come along!”
“Yes! Thank you very much! Mr. Manda, the guard?”
“Yeah! Take care now.”
Bidding farewell to the guard, I hurried after the woman leading the way.
Along the way, children were happily running about on the firmer ground inside the village.
The madams were gathered around the well, having genuine neighborhood chats.