Boundary Labyrinth and the Foreign Magician

If we eventually go north on the land we see, that's where we're going.

There are ghosts living in the mountains, and people build some settlements in the plains out of the ghosts' dominion, where they live.

What we're looking at is a relatively large, northeasterly settlement.

There seems to be a few dots in the countryside, but if you're headed to the mountains where the ghosts live, that's the last base. If we get out of there, there will be no people or nothing later. Only through the grassy wilderness to the mountains of the ghosts.

I guess this means... development is not progressing because residents are afraid of ghosts and demons on the mountain side. So if you're going to come along the road and head to the mountains where the ghosts live, that means you're likely to stop by this settlement before you do. Because we can do things like replenish, rest, gather information, etc.

But well, it's a long idle landscape. With gentle river streams and fields and thatched roof houses built... it is a scenic view to view from the sky.

"I wonder if it seems peaceful from above"

I could see the smoke from the cooking, and I could see the people working in the field.

"I don't think the Ayatsuji brothers and sisters are here yet. If you're acting inconspicuously to alert yourself to predictions or gather information about the ghosts, that's not the case."

Rosemary says. Right. It doesn't mean they haven't come yet because it seems peaceful.

For what it's worth, it's a thankful story. Though it is estimated that he would not do anything to break out orbitlessly or unplanned while going because of his seemingly prudent personality.

"Well, I'm going to make sure of that."

says the disguised Ichiemon. I dress up as a grey-haired drug dealer. I show my face but I guess it's not the same as my face. I have the impression that people sell medicines that are discreet, have no distinctive characteristics, but seem good to people.

"Well, thank you for the Valor. Valor builds scaffolding at times, so you can fly at high speeds."

"I understand. Okay, I'll take care of it."

and Ichiemon went down from the Sirius as a drug dealer with Valor.

First we did an undercover investigation in that settlement to see if any travellers had come recently from the margins, and if they were, how was that breakdown? If it was a man or woman, it would be such a face, and so on, and we would take steps to listen.

Conversely... if they've already come this far, things need to be urgent. It will take the form of an effort to build a situation that can be fully fought.

For example, you can monitor trends and set them up on the way to the mountain of ghosts, or you can chase them to the mountain and find them and set them up while warning the ghosts?

Ichiemon, who went down to the settlement while doing so, had been in contact with the villagers and had started sales talks for drug sales.

"It's rare to sell drugs to a country like this."

"No, no, business flourishes instead. I'm going to let you go around a few houses after this..."

From a job-like sales talk about how wound and gastrointestinal drugs worked in such a way as this, he mixed it with public stories and expanded to talk about whether the merchants would come to this area as well, naturally connecting to the topic of whether the leftovers hadn't come recently.

... around here is the arrangement of boulders or what. If you know what's going on in Hitaca, then so be it.

As for the key listening results - whatever the neighborhood settlement people are, it is rare in itself for people to come from outside... apparently the Ayatsuji brothers and sisters haven't shown up yet. I went around some houses and Ichiemon handed it over to the drug dealer to keep listening, but the results felt the same.

When that happens, will it be necessary later to place seekers and hiders along the road to monitor people's movements, while gaining geographical advantages by grasping detailed terrain around the perimeter or looking at places that do not involve the perimeter for interception?

"I'm going to take a little look around the village. The village doesn't seem to have a problem for now. If you fake it with light magic, you can look down discreetly. For once, I'm going to take Seeker."

"Okay. We're talking about monsters being near people, too, and be very careful."

"Yeah. I'm coming"

So...... in everyone's drop-off, camouflaged with light magic, flying in the form of a seeker on his shoulder.

Hmm. Looks like there's a grove near the village. I don't know what's going on from above for now, so why don't we move around for it?

Let the levitation be propelled by wind magic and descend into the wooden stands.

There are trails in the groves, with beautiful streams flowing along the road. The air is clear and the water flows comfortably.... If it's a relaxing situation now, I'd say it's a good atmosphere for a walk.

I try to walk down the trail that leads to the back of the tree tower as I relay the footage to the side of the Sirius on the Seeker.

Even from among the trees, the village looks far away. I can't even manpower this place... but I want to avoid situations like fighting in the village.

Then this trail. Where is it going?

Walking down the road thinking about that, I somehow went out to a place where the creek was getting deeper. Fresh, clear water, and the aquatic plants are shaking loosely in the water.

And there was a creature swimming somewhat slowly through the abyss.

Oh, this is... a river boy. I didn't think I would normally encounter anywhere near people like this, even though I was traveling in hiding.

... I'm talking about the monsters that go out near people around here being out-of-the-box friendly, and if I can, if I can get in touch with them, I think.

Can't we talk to other monsters or something? If we can create a situation where the Sirius can be put on standby near the wilderness of the mountain hem, we can deal with it even if the Ayatsuji brothers and sisters didn't come along the road.

After a few thoughts, I decided to undo the disguise and try to talk to him again. Well, and. Take one deep breath and then speak as calmly as possible.

"- Uh, hello? I need to talk to you for a second, can I ask you something?"

"What? Huh?

The river boy turns this way, leaves a water noise and disappears under the water when he raises his voice like a distraction.

I don't know if it was possible, I was wondering - from a little further away I just let it out of the water again above my mouth and looked around. When I find out I'm alone, I come up to my neck.

"What... don't be surprised. If a child comes here alone, it's dangerous. We're gonna eat big eyeballs for grownups."

And the river boy says. I've been preached normally.

Hmm. My hair is blackened, and my outfit is Japanese. Though I have the impression that I am not very alert.

"No, I'm not actually a kid in this village. I need to talk to you for a second."

That's what I say and I sit back in the abyss. The river boy was leaning his neck to deserve this one, but eventually he opens his mouth.

"Hmm. I don't know, the little ones made it so busy that I felt strangely good too... now I get it. Because you're here, aren't you? Some godsend or something?

Do you mean the spirits, the little ones? The protection of Tierra and the Spirit King seems to affect the spirits and demons of Hitaca as well.

"Mmm. I didn't send you here... well, I know you. I'm not here to tell you anything bad."

When answered, the river child nods and approaches to a reasonable distance.

"Your liver's sitting there, you are. Don't you know we pull people into the water?

"If you do that, you won't be worried because you're a kid from the beginning."

The river boy laughs at my words less than full. I laughed and then shook my shoulder with pleasure.

"Well... I used to give a little bit to humans. One time, a little samurai threw me away, and instead of letting me miss it, I promised not to be evil anymore."

... I see. Discipline. When the river boy comes up from the abyss to land, he sits next to me.

"Talk to me, what? If it's not troublesome, I'll just ask."

"It's not that hard. If I knew someone like you among the monsters who live near people, would you introduce me? As a matter of fact...... in a few moments a man of bad nature who did evil in the capital will come for the mountain where the ghosts live. We'll deal with them, so we want to talk to the monsters and gods of the land in advance."

The river boy... had blinked his eyes several times at my words like that.