Published: August 25, 2025
“Old Man Stem, do you know about it?”
“Ah, it’s been so long that I can’t even remember when I first heard it... Just wait a moment.”
The old man, addressed as Old Man Stem by the soldier, said this and headed toward a nearby table. For a moment, the thick magical beast leather of his clothes looked like armor, but he was actually wearing an apron. Seeing him handing a beer mug to some adventurers, it seemed he was one of the servers at this tavern.
“That man was an adventurer active in the Tree Sea when he was young, and even after retiring, he runs this tavern like that. There’s no one more knowledgeable about the Tree Sea than him.”
“Though it’s just because he’s been here a long time.”
Stem-san set down the beer mug and came over, grabbing a small backless chair nearby with one hand. With the other hand, he pulled out a kiseru (smoking pipe) from the front pocket of his apron. After sitting down between me and the guard, he lit his pipe and began to speak.
“So, you wanted to hear about Korumi Village, right?”
“Yeah, but I’ve never heard of it.”
“Probably not. I don't remember the details either, but Korumi Village was swallowed by the Tree Sea about 40 years ago.”
“Forty years ago? So that means it’s beyond the ‘frontline’!?”
My voice unintentionally rose, and the mention of the ‘frontline’ instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby. I guessed it referred to the base at the very heart of the Tree Sea.
If Korumi Village lies beyond that, then I’m about to step into an area with no human living space at all — a dangerous and remote land even to the inhabitants of the Tree Sea. No wonder everyone was staring.
“That’s right. I was born in a village beyond there, and I even lived in Korumi Village for a while, so I know its location.”
“You lived in Korumi Village?”
“That was about fifty years ago... At that time, right after the king ascended the throne, he suddenly announced plans to develop the Tree Sea. The military rampaged through the area, and in no time, my hometown — which was closest to the Tree Sea then — was exposed to its fierce power. We evacuated before it was completely swallowed.”
“So, what brings you to such a place?”
“To pay respects at the graves and sort through belongings.”
When I gave the usual explanation, the guard’s eyes widened again.
“You said this is your first time coming here, didn’t you?”
“That means it’s my first time using this base or other bases within the Tree Sea. The Tree Sea itself is not new to me.”
“That’s not what most would assume. By the way, is it even possible to live there?”
“I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.”
It was natural for him to doubt, but I was more surprised that Stem-san said that.
“It’s surprising there are any survivors, but back then, it was like this place is now — a trading base with the outside world. Korumi Village had nearly ten years before the Tree Sea swallowed it. It started as a normal farming village but then built sturdy walls around it and wide, deep moats. They were already preparing for defense before being swallowed.”
“The lord’s manor was built, the territorial army and national army were stationed... Eventually the village was abandoned, but there were plans to expand it into a fortress city for Tree Sea development and national defense.”
“So, there was enough space for people to live?”
“At least they had the basic infrastructure, and up until it was abandoned, construction and fortification continued. Plus, for about ten years after it was swallowed — roughly from forty to thirty years ago — it wasn’t unusual for people to come and go. Besides trading Tree Sea materials, the government paid ‘support funds’ as compensation, and I think they even started some industries.”
“Could that be pepper? I wasn’t involved, but I heard it was cultivated in Korumi Village.”
“Yes, that’s right. After being swallowed by the Tree Sea, the climate changed and made spice cultivation possible. The old Korumi Village was prosperous. Where money flows, people gather and a strong defense can be maintained. To some extent, safety could be bought with money.”