Vermillion

- "Northland".

The northern land is a generic term for a region located in the northern part of the "Principality of the Union of Akland".

The enormity of this and the political reasons described below make it extremely difficult to define a geopolitically clear area, but in general the buffer city "Dylannylen" is effectively controlled by the people of the North and Snowfields as a border, and the areas beyond the control of the Principality of the Union of Akrand are often defined as the "North Land".

The entity should also be referred to as a "national community", with no definitive royal authority, and a simulated system of council whereby representatives of the main clans meet together to determine the overall policy when things happen. It is to be said that in some cases a resolution may be reached by duel between representatives, whose political form is extremely savage and primitive. In addition, although each clan claims possession of the land, the lineage varies from clan to clan, so it is the current situation that skirmishes between clans over water sources and mineral veins persist.

The largest city on the northern earth is the Bronze Ring (Bronze Wicolizo), located on the shores of Lake Silveria. This is a city headed by the eight largest of the people of the snowfields (Willaf, Myasoedov, Nesterov, Zivag, Pasternak, Hitrovaux, Griboede and Dolgif), where almost all the representatives of the clans hold their halls, and can be considered the political hub of the northern earth.

It is also undoubtedly a major shock from the point of view of traffic, given the scattering of major large-scale settlements and the maintenance of direct streets to the buffer city of Dylannylen via the southern city of "Beryansk" (by the way, the land reclamation technology in the north is very immature compared to that of the Principality, with a limited number of streets accessible by carriage).

Further north from the Bronze Ring (Bronze Wicolizzo), it hits the "White Plains (Vielabninen)". Snow falls in all seasons and a white snowfield with nothing until the end of the horizon, he said, continues as the icy winds that cut him loose. Several adventurers once attempted to explore, but many did not return, and none eventually reached its end. For the record, there are also rumours that the White Plains are inhabited by man-eater demons because the rate of return is too low in view of the harshness of the environment.

The western part of the northern earth faces the "Aldeira Sea" as does the Principality. Fishing harbours flourish along the coast of the Aldeira Sea, and the climate is warm in the north. The west is known as a habitable land for the people of the snowfields who have adapted to harsh environments.

In one commentary, it is believed that during the same period that the people of the plains visited the land of "Relais" over "Forant" (around P.K.400), the people of the snowfields also drifted across the Aldeira Sea to the northern lands, but their exact origin is currently unknown because the records of that time have been lost (see the section "People of the Snowfields" for more details).

In the eastern part of the country, the abundant water resources brought about by the white plains (Vieirabninen) expand the forest area. There are many coniferous plants adapted to the cold climate, and a unique and interesting ecosystem is constructed, such as plants that blossom in the middle of winter and native humanoid organisms whose whole bodies are covered in body hair.

Related to this is the legacy of the Devil's Forest, famous for its northern lands. This is the southeastern part of the eastern forest area, which is relatively close to people, and inexplicably the area has dense fog all year round.

- "Demon Forest" (the North).

"Oh, it's a deep, scary (and probably) throat that springs from the confines of a frozen rock.

Avoid the sunshine falling from far altitudes and the winds blowing in competition.

It's like everything, you're afraid of being drawn in - '

From the Northern Chronicle, author Hercules-Elkin.

"Demon Forest", also known as "Sage's Safe House" and "Demon-dwelling Forest", is the name of an area that extends to the northeast of the northern earth.

Originally, the eastern part of the northern earth was spreading with a sea of trees using the white plain (Vieirabninen) as a source of water, of which the fog was always present, especially in the northeast, regardless of weather conditions.

The forest is regarded by the local inhabitants as a demonic realm, or some kind of sanctuary. "The fog that could stand in the woods was too thick, as if a giant wall were standing in front of us," writes traveler Hercules-Elkin, author of the aforementioned "Northern Chronicle". During his four days in the nearby village, the Hercules took him to the forest entrance several times, but he was not able to step inside after being overwhelmed by its unusual atmosphere.

As if to make up for it, the Hercules gave vigorous listening to local residents and endeavoured to gather information. A shadow of a man swooping in the mist and huge enough to look up. Screams and countless footsteps similar to the screams of a woman I hear from time to time. I don't have time (or time) to list the mysterious stories about this forest, such as the fire that drifts there at night (see the Northern Chronicle section for more details).

Of particular interest, however, is the anecdote of a wise man who houses a hall on the other side of the fog, which also originated from the alias "Sage's Safe House". It is a "forest of demons" that is said to have no life if you step in even a few steps, and if you get lost, but there are rarely those who come back with sanity.

Their mouth tells the story of a misplaced and luxurious museum nestled in the misty forest. There, a wise man dressed in a bizarre red coat, says he lives surrounded by countless books. Those who wandered through the woods and were lucky enough to reach the hall were sent by the wise men to the entrance to the woods to survive safely. At that time, he said that he was given special effects of all diseases and precious magic secrets, but not so certain as to be true or false.

Either way, it is true that there are a certain number of people who claim to have strayed into the "Devil's Forest" and met the wise man in red. Studies have shown that the "Demon Forest" stretches strong enough junctions to inhibit the activity of lower spirits, and it has been established that there is at least "something" in the forest that builds such a magical area.

However, details remain to be found in the wake of the deterioration of relations with the Principality due to the "battle" of P.K. 742 and the termination of the investigation of the Magic Division.

†††

Mojo, and a sign that something is moving next door.

In the dim, Kay woke up blurred. A room in an inn. Beams of ceiling wood, lamps hanging from chains. Looking to the side, Irene was just rubbing her eyes as she raised her voice.

Tits and blue eyes that capture Kay. Sleeping with each other's eyes, they stare at each other often.

"……… Hello, Kay."

"Morning, Eileen."

When I stroked my head, um, Irene laughed, waking up her torso and stretching her back like a cat. The sheets fall off, because they are white, but they become dew.

Raise your hands and admire it from a diagonal angle, exposed at all costs just in the form of a hail. It is somewhat prudent to describe it as coming out of the mold, but it is not valuable in its size. Right chest, white skin, little scar.

"……… Mm."

And Irene, who noticed her gaze, rolls up Kay's sheet with a tingle.

"-He's fine!"

Kay wakes herself up, letting Eileen, who laughs at her niggles, sneer "um" hard. It was the mountains that wanted to leave themselves to youth, but then the day would become useless. It's not too late to flirt after dark.

"Now, get up."

"Right."

And then Irene starts wearing underwear that was undressed and scattered at her feet. Kay, who got it out of bed on his ass, opened the rain door wide open.

Clear with no clouds. Running his gaze into the morning burning sky, Kay nodded contentedly, making sure there were no stars and anomalies.

A refreshing morning. Even today, it will be the usual day.

It's been two weeks since Kay and the others started entering and leaving the Metropolitan Library.

As always, Kays take their rooms to the "HangedBug" pavilion, but the routine is becoming more patterned here.

After I wake up in the morning and wash my face, it's a light stretch in the courtyard. Of course I'm not a nasty person when it comes to stretching. Beginning with flexion and Achilles tendons, flexible gymnastics relaxes the body.

He is a former gymnast, and Irene, who seems to be soft because of her physical appearance, seems odd to see her legs open 180 degrees to Kay. Every time the guests came out to wash their faces in the courtyard, they saw Kay sticking his legs out on the ground, he looked a little.

By the way, the softness of Kay's body (avatar) is not something that has just begun. [DEMONDAL] The avatar joints were set softer in the game, so in real life, no matter how hard the player was, he could easily show flexibility like a gymnast. In that regard, Kay, whose life was about to become a bone, could only be sarcastic -

For the record, some players tried to open their legs 180 degrees in real life while staying in the game's nori, and got a tight hips.

"Well, that's how flexible it is…………………"

"Whoa, you want to do it? All right, call me!

Cockroaching and neck bones Kay, Irene bending her fingers provocatively quickie.

Flexible gymnastics (warm-up) is followed by working with Eileen. Of course, I'm not a nasty person when it comes to combing hands. It's a melee review so you don't lose your arm.

Two relative in the courtyard, approximating the curious gaze of the other guests. Kay is in a fighting pose, and Eileen is smiling invincibly, as she is in nature. It's dangerous for boulders to be serious and mate, so we're doing each other bare hands just in case, but - where Kay was seriously slashed with a sword, I doubt Eileen would let us get hurt.

One breath. A few steps away, capture Eileen, who lies softly in sight.

"…… Let's go."

Gun.

stepped in. Conscious of minimal movement, releases palm bottom.

Aim for the torso. Emphasis on speed over power, knocking in without hesitation.

There's no harm done there. There is no forgiveness.

Eileen is not an easy opponent.

Flesh thin. Rapid approaching, the illusion that Eileen's face would be a big picture.

An invincible, funny smile strikes me.

Moment after moment, the golden colour spread.

It's like a white snake all the while.

tangle remove.Kay's right arm. Twisting track.

An awesome load hits my shoulder and I can't stop posturing.

And my legs were paid off so I could clearly aim, and I wondered if my vision was going around, and when I realized it, I had my buttocks on.

The spectators who were about to enter a halt to the quarrel opened their mouths and stiffened, as if they had been distracted. What is flattering is that Kay was the same. I don't know what happened.

Pep, he made a slight noise, and the back of his neck was slapped.

"It's not good if you get the momentum, Kay."

Looking back, Eileen is putting her hand on her hips and peeking into Kay's face.

"…… even if you say so."

Kay, pointing at her lips, stood up with a troubled face.

"Now, how did you do that?

"I don't know... I'm gonna jump back and pay my feet while I pull my right hand like this."

"Ooh..."

I know what you're saying, but I can't imagine where you're actually doing it.

"Every time I say it, Kay's offense is too honest."

"But I know the feint that I can put on……………………"

"Ya, not feints or anything like that"

- There are many gaps after the attack.

- Preliminary operation is easy to understand.

- Slow recovery since they fought back.

Eileen cites Kay's weaknesses one after the other. Kay has a sinister face to harshly point out.

Basically, Kay can't beat a rare opponent when it comes to power comparisons, but as the phrase "control the rigid softly" goes, he's not compatible with a warrior as skilled as Eileen. Although it is the bow's arm that is out of its head, it is impossible to move out of the basics during melee combat, so it is as if a warrior above a certain line has no teeth.

Incidentally, Kay's relative strength in the game was inferred, as the upper ranks in the game had a gobble of Irene's cohort of warriors.

"- So be careful around there and try again."

"I don't think I can…………………"

Eileen with no heart or a teacher-like tone, Kay in early giving up mode. It has been obvious since the game days, but Kay has no sense of white soldier warfare.

Afterwards, Irene excelled or threw me a joint for about half an hour before sparring the blow at the end and the morning exercise was over.

While the two of us were working together, did the morning crowd time pass or the dining room was quite empty?

"Oh, good morning, you two. How are you today, training in the morning?"

As the Kays enter the dining room, Jamie, who was busy serving Tray with one hand, laughs lovingly.

"Hey, good morning. If you don't do it, your body will be dull."

"So, breakfast?

"Yeah, do as you always do."

"Okay, wait a minute."

Jamie pulls into the back of the kitchen. Kay and Eileen were damaged every time they appeared together for the time being, but now they look fine if they are used to boulders already.

Meanwhile, Eileen beside Kay, without looking at Jamie, looks at the other guests' plates and whines, "Is it a hot sandwich today..." etc. Since the Games launch, Eileen has not actively tried to talk to Jamie, nor has Jamie tried to keep an eye on Eileen. Kay felt the woman's obsession was a bin, but he has tried to decide on this matter to pretend not to notice. It was more obvious than seeing the fire that it would not be Loc when I touched it.

"So, what do we do today?

Irene inquired as she graciously took her seat.

"Whatever you do or do, … you always do."

"Yes, sir."

Eileen pokes herself at the table in response to Kay, who has no taste for it. Kay also sighs one, cheeks with a distant eye.

For the past two weeks, the Kays have been reading and pickling from morning to evening, except for Sunday when the library is closed.

The Encyclopedia (Encyclopedia) examines the words of interest and loads the references and related books in parallel. I don't have a convenient search function, and I can only decide which information I need after all, so I have to make my own allowance or gradually look through it. And Kay and Eileen were sick and tired of the days when they struggled with academic terms and poetic expressions and couldn't let go of the British and English dictionary of lending.

But the investigation itself is very much in progress.

Instead, we have almost all the information we need.

Since Edda had received rather pinpoint information about the "Misty Gentile" from the original source, I followed that line and proceeded to investigate it - but the more I looked into it, the more interesting inheritances were found, such as "Demon Forest" and "Sage in Red".

With particular reference to the "Demon Forest", the probability of information is quite high, as the research materials of the Magic Division dispatched more than a decade ago were published. The result of multilateral consideration, also intertwined with other heritage - whether it is a high-ranking spirit, a "wise man" in the matter, or another magical factor - is unclear as to the details, but in any case the Kays likely have clues to the transfer in the "Devil's Forest" of the northern earth.

In addition, detailed topographical maps of the Principality (despite the fact that the topographical map of the Principality was forbidden for military reasons) were available to the public from the centre of the northern earth to the south, so the location of the "Devil's Forest" has already been identified, and several routes for the journey are at sight.

The information was obtained. What will you do with it later?

The Kays were pressed to choose their next course of action.

"Yes, please wait, a hot ham and cheese sandwich."

"Oh, thank you"

Jamie, who came out of the kitchen, placed a plate in front of Kay and Irene. Kay pays for it, and in the meantime Eileen waters the wooden cup from the drain. I'll have it, and the two of us put our hands together, and then we hit a hot sandwich in Hokahoka.

"Mmm, it's good"

"You're used to goat cheese."

Thick and intense cheese flavour. The look that was sinking unknowingly is colored with a slight grin.

- Why, over this period, are you staying in Wolvern?

Given the original Kays' ability to act, it wasn't surprising that they were soon traveling to the North. But why are we still trampling in Wolvern? There are several reasons, but the biggest one would still be "untouchable".

Worst of all, I was prepared to try to gather information in the library for months or years without finding any clues, etc. I found the solution thread lighter than I thought, and on the contrary, I clapped it out.

Are you sure this is okay? Maybe there's more to it - I can't get out of that half-heartedness and I'm not confident.

Nor should the destination have been the "North Land". First of all, Kay is speechless, and even Irene, a Russian speaker, is hesitant to embark on a journey to a strange land, away from the life of the principality he has finally become accustomed to.

And it's the (...) home of Alexei in Ah (...), if you two travel together, trouble will be inevitable. If this is a large city like the port city of Kitene or the mining city of Gallon, or even the border or within the Principality, I might have felt comfortable trying to get there.

…………

Finish your hot sandwich, drink some water, and you two sink into your thoughts.

- One more push is missing.

I wouldn't put it in my mouth, but we were both thinking something similar. My head understands that if we approach the core of "metastasis," we should go to the northern earth.

I just don't have any certainty. Paper information is not enough.

Enough to push our own backs, we want something to trigger...

"…… After all, you should listen to me."

Eileen cut out the table as she tapped it with her fingers.

"Talk? To whom?

"Hmmm.... expert, or something?

To Kay's question, Irene in a questionable system, tilting her little neck.

"Are you an expert……………"

Put your hand on your jaw, hmm, and Kay roars.

The Metropolitan Library is surrounded by research facilities and colleges, and also serves as a social arena (salon) with a knowledge base such as academics and researchers. Naturally, some will be familiar with the northern earth.

"Right... in fact, I don't know which route to take to the Devil's Forest, and it would be helpful to get advice around it."

In terms of advice, there was also the hand of looking for the people of the snowfields to talk to directly, and I actually relied on a few Holland twats to look for them. but wolvern-based snowfield folk had a lot of western origins and no more information was available than the library regarding the "Devil's Forest" in the southeast.

If we do so, experts from the people of the plains, who have no bias because of their origins and who have general knowledge (which is expected), may be more suitable for asking their opinions.

"Personally, I was wondering if I could hit around the editor (editor) of Encyclopedia. The Northern Land and Demon Forest sections were the same editors, weren't they?

"You did, you remember very well. All right, let's go in that direction today."

Just as the story came together, he poured in the cup of water, and Kay and the others took their seats.

†††

"Editor, Your Majesty?

Metropolitan Library. At the entrance counter, the one-eyed (monocle) receptionist tilts her neck.

"Oh. He's the editor of Encyclopedia's" Land of the North "section, and his name is for sure -"

"-" Valgren-Kremlat, "was it?

Eileen taking over the word. Kay shrugged her shoulder to the receptionist, "Yes, yes," she said. The receptionist leaks her voice as she fixes the position of the monocular glasses.

She has become completely familiar with her face in the last two weeks, but her name is' Alyssa '. She is a beauty with a long face that doesn't move much, but when I talked to her, I discovered that she was unexpectedly attracted to tea.

"Mr Valgren-Kremlat, is…………"

"……… Is there a problem?

Only slightly, Alyssa clouds her expression. Kay asks, "No," Alyssa shook her head,

"Well, among the editors, Mr. Valgren is unique."

"Is that, like, stubborn or bigoted or something?

"No, that's not what I'm saying... I'm a pretty disgraceful person."

Alyssa looks pretty hard to answer to Eileen's candid remarks.

"I was wondering if it would be difficult if I met him in person and listened to him."

"Yes. To be honest, I find it difficult to make an active appointment from Mr. Kay. He's a busy man."

"Is that so… can't you just ask for a message?"

"That is……"

At the very least, I contacted her via the receptionist, but Alyssa didn't react well.

"I was wondering if it would be... difficult."

"Huh? I don't care if you follow me, just give me a little voice where I came into the entrance."

Eileen raises her bare voice. Nothing, I'm not asking you to do something so impossible. Alyssa, who looked a little troubled by the strange-faced Kays, lurked her voice to care about her surroundings.

"... This entrance to the library is not the only one. I'm not sure I can handle it."

"Oh, there are other entrances?

"Yes."

"So, Mr. Valgren said he was using you."

"Unfortunately, I can't give you the details"

Kay and the others glanced at Alyssa, who said clearly in a dashed manner. Apparently, it's wacky.

"Is that so… so let's see if we can hit something else"

"I was wondering if that would be better. Mr. Valgren, because the circumstances are special… I don't think it would be as difficult to get in touch with him if he were another editor. Whatever it is, I can tell you."

"No, other than Mr. Valgren-Kremlat, I haven't even figured it out yet. I'm just gonna go check out Encyclopedia."

I shrugged my shoulders, laughed, and I turned my back to the receptionist, and I said, "Oh, wait," I can hear you from behind.

"It's a corner, so I'll just tell you about Mr. Valgren's characteristics. He's really disgraced, but he's often seen near Encyclopedia upstairs, so if you're lucky, we might be able to meet him in person."

"Oh, that would be appreciated"

Editor Valgren-Kremlat - Treated like a rare beast or something. It's called a wacky trait. It's called a subtly troublesome sign if you get involved, and moderately curious. Both Kay and Irene were intrigued.

"Yes, then, Mr. Valgren, but he is a man in his fifties. The face is round and the middle meat back, the outfit is not particularly determined - but there is one characteristic point"

Alyssa picks her forehead and flickers.

"Hairstyle. Clear silver hair, beautifully shaped. Like a mushroom."

In Kay's brain, an old gentleman with a silver-haired mushroom cut appeared. Nfu, and next door there's the sound of Eileen biting off a laugh.

"…… sounds quite distinctive, Mitsuhei."

Looking around at the surrounding users, Kay shrugged.

This is a 'here' world where technology is far more developed than in medieval Europe on Earth, but with regard to male hairstyles, unfortunately, I have to say medieval levels. I don't want it to be easy to care for and get out of the way, but it's common for hair to be cut just short and thorough. Especially Kay, who is just tying the long, depressing part of his head properly, is not in a position to speak of people.

"Yes, quite personalized. To the best of my knowledge, there is no one else with silver hair like Mr. Valgren, so if you see him, first of all, I definitely think he is the person..."

"As long as it's done, let's not miss it, thank you."

Once again, thanks to Alyssa, Kay and the others enter the building.

"Now the days of examining Encyclopedia will begin again………………"

Kay shrugged in a sigh as she went up the stairs to the second floor.

"Right...... Honestly, Valgren-Kremlat is the best place to talk to you. The North and the Devil's Forest are both edited by this grandfather, and the writing style is the easiest to understand."

I can't help it, but I sigh, Irene.

"Absolutely. Still, silver mushroom hair... don't stand out."

"Assuming there's such a guy, you wouldn't miss him saying he missed it."

"But I didn't know there was another entrance to the library. Is that for VIP?

"People of high stature don't use the same entrance and exit as ordinary people."

"In that case... is Mr. Valgren also in an irregular capacity?"

"That's a good chance. Well, you seem busy and disoriented? I can't believe we just happened to run into each other at this time. It's convenient…………………………………………………………………………."

And, where we reached upstairs, Irene loosely stops the movement with her hands on the railing of the stairs.

"……… What's wrong?

Irene, with a pungent expression, surprised Kay followed that gaze -

"……… Ah."

Between Encyclopedia shelves, so that they can be buried, skinny figures.

A man with a middle meat back and a calm green robe with wings is eagerly loading some kind of file. I can't see my face because it is facing backwards, but the hair color was beautiful silver by the time it was unnatural.

And a unique hairstyle, numb cut directly beside each other, at a length not to be overheard.

…………

They were often distracted, but they returned to me immediately.

"Hey, Kay."

"What is it, Eileen?"

"That's... maybe, isn't it?

"Yeah…… maybe."

With a strange face, Kay nodded.

- The silver mushroom was there.