Volume 6 Chapter 33-3 The Mystery Of The Disappeared Gold
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After confirming the area was clear of people, I took out the hover shield from my magic bag. With my presence concealed, even if someone did catch a glimpse, they’d probably assume it was just a regular mithril shield. Still, I’m a bit clumsy, so being overly cautious suits me just fine.
I soared through the empty forest on the hover shield. Maybe it was the sensation of floating, but everything felt faster than it actually was—and honestly, it was kind of fun. The forest’s sparse underbrush made it perfect terrain for this kind of travel.
As I flew, I scanned the area with Radar Scan while simultaneously updating my map using the editor skill. With the hover shield moving at speed, it kept me busy. Multitasking like this might be reckless, but stopping to update everything each time would slow me down way too much.
Just as I thought the tree roots ahead might be a problem, the shield jerked unexpectedly, and I was thrown into the air. I instinctively tucked into a roll to break the fall. Turns out, being tossed around by Uno and Mr. Escalion wasn’t just for show. Luckily, the ground was soft with fallen leaves, so I wasn’t hurt. Still, it was definitely my own mistake—and yeah, I’m pretty embarrassed. I knew this could happen, and I still screwed up. Multitasking really isn’t for me.
Refocusing, I decided to pilot the hover shield more carefully. There were small settlements in every valley, and I could work on the map once I reached those on foot.
After crossing a minor mountain ridge, I spotted a valley dotted with a few clustered houses. The buildings and roads had a familiar design, so much so that it felt like I was walking in circles. If I hadn’t been making a map, I probably would’ve gotten completely lost.
But something was off—it was strangely quiet. No villagers in sight. Was it just nap time?
Around this time of day, it’s normal for little kids to be sleeping at home. Many adults without work also rest in the afternoon, and some couples take the chance for a little private time. In the countryside, where entertainment is scarce, daytime affection isn’t unusual. Lighting oil lamps costs money, so nights tend to be dark and quiet… though that doesn’t stop everyone.
Women in this world don’t get pregnant easily, so there’s a cultural sense of duty about keeping the population going. Back before wall barley was introduced, having ten siblings wasn’t uncommon. Maybe that change in diet affected birth rates. In times when food was limited, it made sense to have many children to ensure survival. Apparently, contraception isn’t even a concept here. Having kids just isn’t viewed as a problem. It’s a cultural thing.
Still, this doesn’t feel like people quietly relaxing in their homes. When I focused my senses, I realized people of all ages were lying still—completely motionless. And now that I think of it, I couldn’t smell any bread baking either. Could they be starving?
Wall barley grows well around here, and it’s the season when the ears start to show. I’m not sure what happened, but I hope they can hang in there just a bit longer.
I haven’t seen many quails nearby, but I did spot wild rabbits a few times. In the mountains, there should be deer, boars, and wild pigs. Not to mention seasonal vegetables and fruits. Compared to Toyata Village, this area should be much better off.
As I approached the capital of Kasgar, the only path left was the main road. The rest was blocked off by sheer cliffs and rugged mountains.
The steep terrain reminded me of the Hakone Mountains—only more intense. It was like “Super Hakone.” Wouldn’t surprise me if someone dropped dead running a relay race here.
I noticed a few travelers along the road and decided to land. Better to walk than risk an accident. I could use Stealth to go invisible, but it’s best not to tempt fate.
As I climbed the heart-pounding slope, the silhouette of Kasgar Castle came into view. Its majestic form slowly emerged from the mountain’s shadow. It reminded me of places like Tibet’s Potala Palace or Kasugayama Castle—though to be honest, I’ve only ever seen them in games.
Building a settlement at this elevation should’ve made water a problem, but oddly enough, there was a natural spring just below the summit. That’s probably why the castle was built here to begin with.
It’s still a mystery where that underground water comes from. Rain could collect near the peak and filter through geological layers, but can that really sustain an entire city?
Looking over the capital, I saw smaller castle walls built along various ridges. They’d blocked off every climbable path—it reeked of defensive paranoia. But with so many barriers, their military strength looked serious.
That said, the actual town beneath the castle—the so-called city area—was surprisingly small. It was maybe three times the size of Toyata Village, at best. Honestly, it didn’t even compare to the rapid growth happening in the Sabroa Dukedom.
Entry checks were stricter than even the royal capital. Every gate had guards and required guild card verification.
Since I was traveling incognito, I presented the Justice card I’d acquired earlier. It worked fine, but even then, I had to wait forever for the procedures. Seems like paying a little under the table gets you through faster, no matter where you are.
Between the frequent checkpoints and the long waits, I ended up spending a lot just getting inside. Merchants must really struggle here—no wonder commerce is stagnant.
As expected, even the main street only had a handful of shops. The variety was lacking, and without price tags, it was clearly a seller’s market. Everything was probably overpriced.
Duke Mineley’s domain is said to be rich in minerals, some of the best in the Holy Kingdom. But this place doesn’t reflect that at all.
Then again, maybe I’m just biased from seeing how fast the Sabroa Dukedom is advancing. The upper ranks of the Merchant Guild used to say, “Money attracts more money,” though lately, it’s starting to feel like a bubble waiting to burst.
In the end, it’s more profitable to move goods between regions than to mine them directly.
Without decent infrastructure, towns can’t thrive. These harsh mountain roads and excessive checkpoints probably kill most of the economic activity. Maybe it’s intentional—to prioritize defense. And it’s true: if a large army attacked, they’d have a hard time getting through.
But I wonder… if a small elite force infiltrated and slowly took over the forts one by one, wouldn’t that be even more dangerous?
Notes:
• Escalion – Male. An old swordsman who claims to be the ‘true Hero.’ He is Mia’s lover and appears to be a human from the same world. Despite his shabby appearance, he is incredibly strong and has a frightening presence. He dislikes humans and has a complicated history with them, including an experiment involving a fox.
• Justice – The four who enter the valley of trial. A knightly character who attempts to enslave the protagonist using a subjugation skill orb.
• Holy Kingdom – Located on the east of the continent.
• Mone – Earth’s spirit, the security guard, the one who allow Saburou to enter the Lady Uno’s realm, expresses interest in being a wife, specifically called “Earth’s Mone.”
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply