Chapter 665: Journey to the West
Meanwhile, in the southwest corner of the Shouro Empire, in the town of Ismaru. It’s November 24th, the morning when Jin developed the “Jet Thruster,” a jet propulsion device.
“Ah, is that John’s horse?”
The merchant, Oliver, and the hired magical engineer, John Dini, were preparing to embark on their journey. It’s been ten days since the two were hired, and during this time, it seems that John had been crafting this golem horse.
Of course, it was Jin who made it, and the Old Man implemented a program to reduce its performance. If necessary, it could immediately demonstrate its original capabilities.
“You can put luggage in here, making it quite convenient.”
John opens the storage s.p.a.ce in the torso. Oliver is quite impressed.
“Mr. John, you’re an exceptional magical engineer! I’m truly fortunate to have met you.”
“No, no, I’m still learning.”
As they exchanged words, Oliver loaded their luggage onto the horse.
This journey seems to involve only Oliver and John. It seems they don’t want to bring too many people. Instead, Oliver has prepared two horses. One for himself to ride, and the other for luggage.
Their luggage primarily consisted of merchandise for business purposes. John speculated whether it was intended for bartering, as trading with the common currency of small-group nations might be impractical when dealing with individuals from a different ethnic group.
Additional supplies included four days’ worth of food and water. However, water can be replenished along the way, and what they have is enough for a day. Nevertheless, being an automata, John doesn’t require food or water.
Among the goods were a modest quant.i.ty of salt and magic crystals, along with several small magical lamps. Additionally, there was around 50 kilograms of wheat. Given it was an individual transaction, it appeared to be the typical a.s.sortment.
“Well then, let’s get going.”
Wearing wide-brimmed hats for sun protection, the two set out. The time was 8 a.m. They walked around the southern edge of the Hari-Hari Desert.
It didn’t seem particularly unusual, and they attracted no special attention. John considered that in this town, such travel attire might not stand out.
(However, it doesn’t look like they’re deliberately avoiding trade with different ethnic groups…)
John decided to refrain from speculating further without sufficient information, antic.i.p.ating that things would become clearer once they reached their destination.
The Hari-Hari Desert’s southern edge is close to Ismaru. To the south, there are moderately elevated mountains. The flat terrain between the desert and the mountains was the route taken by the two horses and the golem horse.
“There are quite a few rocks in this area.”
Observing the barren stretch extending to his right, John muttered.
Contrary to popular perception a.s.sociating deserts with sandy wastelands, the reality often features rocky deserts. Vast sandy expanses are known as sand deserts, and the central part of the Hari-Hari Desert is an example of this.
At this southern edge, rocks and gravel were more prominent than sand. Being closer to the Tropic of Cancer, this area inclined more toward the sea compared to the central part of the desert, resulting in increased precipitation. However, it’s not sufficient for lush vegetation, and what can be seen are plants resembling cacti and succulents.
“We’ve already crossed the border around here.”
Oliver mentioned.
Since there wasn’t anything particularly indicating the border, John concluded that they must be using the ridgeline of the mountains to the south as the border line. Before 4 p.m., a structure resembling a rest shelter made of stacked rocks came into view.
“That’s our lodging for tonight.”
Oliver stated while leading the way and glancing back.
Upon closer examination, it proved to be st.u.r.dier than John had initially thought. It wasn’t just a pile of rocks; there was skilled craftsmanship involved, with consistent sizing and consideration for gravity apparent.
“Quite impressive, don’t you think?”
Oliver remarked as he secured the horses. Then, he shared something even more surprising.
“It appears this has been here since ancient times.”
John examined the stonework. Indeed, judging by the weathering on the surface, it seemed to have been here for over 500 years. It might even be close to 1000 years. The structure was s.p.a.cious enough to shelter horses inside.
“There’s a spring at the back here. It’s just a trickle, though.”
John was also astonished by those words. Looking at the surrounding terrain, it didn’t seem like a place where water would spring naturally. Wondering if it was a man-made well, John approached the water source.
“This is…”
While Oliver allowed the horse to drink from the water source, John discreetly inspected it with his ‘Acoustic Detection Sonar.’ It was undoubtedly a ‘water channel.’
Of course, with moss growing and debris acc.u.mulating, the flow was not smooth, but it was undeniably an artificial water channel.
“A water channel from a thousand years ago…”
John Dini, or rather the Old Man, hypothesized that this might have been made by different ethnic groups for invading the east.
Compared to crossing the desert, the path John and the others followed was relatively easy. Especially with the presence of a water channel…
“Now, John, let’s grab a meal.”
At that moment, Oliver called out to John. He decided to stop thinking and play his part. In other words, to have a meal and pretend to be human.
The following day started with an early departure.
“We should reach our destination by evening.”
With Oliver’s words, John felt a sense of excitement. Naturally, because it appeared he would have a productive report to present to his master, Jin.
The surrounding scenery had changed a bit. The Hari-Hari Desert was receding, and there was a slight increase in greenery.
However, in general, numerous wastelands still prevailed. One could argue that the climate had shifted from a desert environment to a steppe climate.
“It turns into a green gra.s.sland from spring to summer.”
Even with Oliver’s explanation, it was evident that this area was close to a steppe climate.
During the break, the horses grazed along the roadside, while John and Oliver drank the water they had brought.
As Oliver had mentioned, when the short late autumn day began to transition into evening, a small settlement came into view.
“That’s our destination.”
Observing the scene, there were several houses made of stone and clay, and some people waved at Oliver.
However, they all appeared to share Oliver’s race and didn’t seem to be from a different ethnic group.
Perhaps sensing those glances,
“This is the ‘Kari’ settlement, and it’s not inhabited by different ethnic groups,” Oliver explained.
“It’s a community established by individuals expelled from small-group nations or descendants of fugitives.”
As they don’t belong to a different ethnic group, engaging in trade with them is not considered a criminal act. It appears to be a secure haven for those in search of refuge.
“Oliver!”
The voice calling out belonged to a young woman. The Old Man, who controls John, noticed, with her dark complexion, that her skin tone wasn’t sunburned black but rather resembled the servant race in the distinct ethnic group… the demon race territory. It’s possible that her grandparents or so might be from a different ethnic group.
“Hey, Maya.”
Oliver addressed the woman as Maya. She was in her early twenties, with a slightly tanned complexion, dark brown hair, and bright brown eyes. She had a moderate build, and her figure was attractive.
“We brought a magical engineer with us.”
“As promised, huh? That’s a relief.”
Slightly accented words. John wondered if this was a characteristic of a different ethnic group as he continued to gather information through his ears.
“Nice to meet you, I’m John Dini.”
“I’m Maya, nice to meet ya.”
“Yes, nice to meet you too.”
After exchanging greetings, Oliver asked Maya a question.
“Do you have an immediate request for him?”
“Yeah, I do. Besides the usual, there are a few things that even that guy Tenkunhan couldn’t handle a while ago.”
John, alias the Old Man, remembered the name Tenkunhan.
(If I recall correctly, during the journey of his master Mylord towards the Shouro Empire…)
It was the name of the magical engineer who created some inexplicable avant-garde sculptures in the town of Hatata.
“Um, is there something you want me to repair?”
John asked Maya politely.
“I’ve gathered all the things that need fixing. If you can, just repair what you can and line them up here for me.”
Maya led John to one of the huts.
“All these inside are tools that are broken or malfunctioned. Repair what you can and line them up over here, okay?”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and of course, you can take your time until tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Even though the actual work would begin tomorrow, John was curious about what kind of items needed fixing. These tools often acted as indicators of the local culture.
“Hmm, a pot with no bottom, a frying pan with a missing handle, and a kettle with a hole in it.”
This seemed to be the usual a.s.sortment around here. John pondered whether there were no professionals like foundry workers, but the holes might be too big for conventional repairs.
There were also various other small household items.
“The rest is in the back… What’s that!?”
In the rear of the hut, undeniably, two objects resembling bicycles were placed.