Chapter 219
'Secret City of the Mist-Weeping Princess' appears to be the name of this city, including the Black Wall. No matter how I look at it, the name suggests a melancholy backstory. I can at least infer that someone called the Mist-Weeping Princess was involved and that she deliberately created the fog to conceal the city. I have no idea why she hid it, though.
Now then, I discovered a new area and obtained SP for the first time in a while, but for now, I should go help Shiitake and the others, who are struggling with the wall climb. Karu and the rest of us who could fly could have taken turns carrying them, but I didn't have the courage to suggest that in front of Iris, who had excitedly brought out the climbing equipment. I'm sure everyone else felt the same.
"First one here... It's creepy, but it's a city!"
"Damn it! I lost!"
In the meantime, Shifune reached the top of the Black Wall first, and Jigoro followed close behind in second place. For Shifune, in spider form, climbing a vertical wall, let alone walking across a ceiling, was child's play.
Ruby and Sei were also capable of quickly climbing vertical walls, but each had their own reasons for taking it slow. Ruby was keeping watch over her grandfather, Genzuro, while Sei was taking care of a tamed monster. It was nice to see how close both pairs were.
"You're climbing a vertical wall bare-handed at almost the same speed as a spider, you know? Aren't you too fast?"
"Let's not apply common sense to Jigoro. More importantly, let's go help Shiitake and the others. Wool and Raga don't have any equipment to begin with."
Leaving Shifune gazing at the cityscape and Jigoro lamenting his defeat, we descended from the Black Wall once more for the sake of the two who could only move on four legs. Nanakou and I carried Wool, while I asked Karu to transport Raga. Shio, Mots-san, and Mikero were climbing alongside the others to assist them in case anything happened.
"Huff... huff..."
"Even in a game, you're out of breath..."
"Just thinking about moving my body makes me tired!"
Iris's equipment was sturdy enough to support Eiji's massive body without budging. Thus, although there were differences in climbing speed, everyone successfully reached the top without any breakage or accidents. Our safety measures had not been needed, but that was obviously for the best. Safety came first.
Only one person was complaining, but I decided not to pay attention. It took us more than ten minutes to cross the Black Wall and descend into the city, but we somehow managed to get inside. However, our impressions differed between looking down from above and actually setting foot inside.
"The houses aren't functioning as houses at all."
"To put it mildly, they're ruins. To put it harshly, they're just props."
The fog had made it difficult to see, but every building was merely a pile of stones arranged to look like a building. The Black Wall had been full of gaps, but these were even worse. This was not a place where people lived. It looked more like a huge stone kiln.
When we entered a house without even a door, we found no sign that anyone had ever lived there, just as expected. There were no floorboards, nor even stones; the entire floor was packed earth, and the dark space was empty except for drifting dust. Perhaps only the buildings near the Black Wall were like this, but even so, it was shocking.
"Oh, it looks like we can set up a tent here. We should be able to log out safely too."
"There don't seem to be any enemies approaching. There aren't even any traces of monsters, so this seems to be an area they avoid."
"Then let's use a building large enough for Karu to fit inside as our base. It's already late today, so let's begin our full exploration tomorrow."
"Agreed... I'm exhausted..."
Since Ruby had guaranteed our safety, we decided to end today's exploration here. We had also endured a large-scale battle that lasted a long time, so everyone besides Shiitake must have been tired as well. Tomorrow was a holiday, and none of us had any other plans, so we intended to continue exploring. This was a good stopping point for today.
After spreading out our tents inside a larger building and securing our safety, we logged out. In the end, all we did today was travel. But tomorrow, we would conquer this place!
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The next day, when I logged in, several people were gathered together and talking about something. I decided to join them.
"Oh, it's Izaam."
"Good evening. What were you talking about?"
"The event. You know, it starts the day after tomorrow, right? The final pre-event information is out."
"Oh, really? I hadn't noticed. Let's see..."
After Shio pointed it out, I finally realized that information about the event had arrived. Notifications were nothing but a nuisance during battle, so I turned them off while fighting, but apparently I had forgotten to turn them back on.
The event called 'Verdant Mountains, Azure Sea' primarily involved activities on an uninhabited island, just as the previous information had stated. As with the war event, it did not seem to use an event-exclusive field, so it would be possible to return there from the continent if we wanted to.
There were some elements that existed only during the event, however. Several fixed Dungeons would apparently be generated for each appropriate level range, and the island had been adjusted so that more of the materials normally rare even there could be obtained.
There seemed to be limits, of course, but consideration had been given to making the event enjoyable for both veteran and new players. Some clans would probably recruit new or unaffiliated players, while others might form around this event.
In addition, event-exclusive Titles were available for clearing Dungeons and for activities on the island. Apparently, some Titles with lasting effects could be obtained based on the number of Dungeons cleared and the number of gathering activities performed during the event.
Some Titles apparently only had an effect during the event, while others had no effect at all, but they might make nice mementos. New players also seemed to have slightly higher drop rates and experience gains, so there was hardly any reason not to participate.
Furthermore, points could be earned during the event through various activities, including clearing Dungeons. During and after the event, those points could apparently be exchanged for items and other things. The points earned by individuals and clans would be displayed in rankings on the event menu. It also said that special items would be awarded to those who placed highly.
"Clearing Dungeons sounds fun, and there are a few useful-looking items that can be exchanged for points. However, I doubt I'll stay in the event area the whole time."
"You're not interested in the rankings?"
"As a working adult, I don't think I can beat students and no-lifers. Especially not in the clan rankings."
"Ah, I see."
Depending on what the Dungeons contained, I was interested in the materials that could be obtained there. I felt I might be satisfied after collecting a full set of materials and then meeting Usba and the others again after a long time.
As for clans, ours did not have many members, but I had no intention of increasing its size any further. Why? Whether I asked people to come all the way here or brought them here myself, it would take an absurd amount of time.
Besides, if our numbers grew too large, interpersonal conflicts could arise. Mediating them would probably become my responsibility, but I had no confidence that I could handle them well. So although I might register monster players as friends during the event, I probably would not invite them to join the clan.
The same went for the points rankings. If we wanted to aim for the top, we would have to set quotas, but that sort of rigid approach did not suit us. I disliked it myself, and some people might leave if they were forced to follow it. Everyone should enjoy themselves however they wanted.
"Shii-chan and I might be going quite often. We found out today that we have a friend among the human players."
"Oh? Is that so? Have fun."
After that, I killed time until everyone had gathered. I petted Karu and polished his scales, but partway through I was also made to spar with Jigoro. Thanks to that, I had become considerably better at handling my tail and sickle, but I was exhausted before we had even left!
"Brother... Why don't you switch to the front line, even now?"
"I'm not doing it! Absolutely not!"
"Now, now, no forcing him. Besides, there is no doubt that Izaam is better suited to the rear guard."
According to Genzuro, thanks to the two of them giving me lessons repeatedly, I was one of the better front-line fighters for a rear-guard class. However, there was no way I could win a fistfight against a front-line player, so I would never become overconfident. Besides, supporting everyone by switching between different kinds of magic suited me better.
If I switched to the front line, it was obvious that I would be made to spar with him almost every day. Fending off your punches and kicks is hard enough! Give me a break!
"I'm learning a lot."
"So that's how you move your tail!"
"You really go through with it. I wonder if I'll be made to spar him someday too..."
"Ha-ha, then do your best when that happens."
"I'll cheer you on."
"You're treating this like it has nothing to do with you..."
"Your sickle work is masterful as well, Your Highness."
The men watching had apparently been impressed by my fighting. I would have loved for someone to take over, but Eiji and Sei often sparred with Jigoro, so I could not rely on them. Nanakou had only just begun using a sword and was currently receiving instruction from Genzuro. I could hardly make him spar with Jigoro right now.
The other three who could fight to some degree were Mots-san, Mikero, and Nenashi, but all three were unavailable at the moment. Mikero could not spar unless he used his Evil Eye, but if he did, it would become a real battle rather than sparring. Mots-san and Nenashi fought with their bare bodies, so suffering a serious injury would affect our future exploration. That was why they had not been chosen.
"Oh my, it looks like fun."
"Izaam-san is awfully accommodating, isn't he? Don't you ever refuse him?"
"I think so too, but... doesn't it ultimately mean he's good at looking after people? It's not like he's weak-willed."
"Otherwise, he couldn't control that rampaging troublemaker. Come on, stop talking and let's get going."
The women, meanwhile, merely watched us with fond amusement. They seemed to be saying something, but they were too far away for me to hear. I would be sad if they were laughing at how pathetic I looked.
In any case, we began our exploration. The black buildings and roads, along with the fog drifting through them, gave the entire city a gloomy atmosphere. The buildings were terribly underwhelming, but they reminded me of the London where Sherlock Holmes lived... or was that just me?
"Not a soul in sight."
"The city seems fairly large, but it truly is a Ghost Town."
We were heading toward the enormous fog-spewing gray oak in the center of the city, but we did not meet anyone. Considering how much more intense I had expected the battles to be, it was anticlimactic.
Still, this could easily be the calm before the storm. We needed to stay alert in case a stronger enemy appeared...
"Hmm... Oh, there's something ahead, though it's still a ways off. Stay alert!"
"Got it. How many?"
"Two. Can you see them, Shii-chan?"
"I can only make them out vaguely because of the fog, but there seems to be something like a gate farther ahead."
A gate. If there were two figures near it, they were probably gatekeepers. What, exactly, would we be made to fight? I moved forward with excitement nearly matching my tension.