In the end, Altaïr gave in to Isis. Nymera had already written ahead, and Francesca had even arranged transportation for them. Continuing to refuse would have been rude.
More importantly, he had come around. Isis did not even need to prod him in the end; he boarded the Airship bound for Kamura of his own accord, filled with anticipation.
What Altaïr was looking forward to, of course, was not seeing a physician.
Although he had never visited Kamura, everything he had heard about the region had left a deep impression on him.
Nymera's Palamute and Cohoot, the Wirebugs and their fascinating Silkbind techniques, the Meowcenary techniques Lady Shalan had mastered, the Tempered Spirit Blade Master Amos had taught him, and even the Surge Slash that had transformed Isis's fighting style after Teacher Haifa learned it in Kamura Village... All of it fascinated him.
How could he not be curious about such a legendary village?
Then there was Kamura's extraordinary abundance of energy. The region was even richer than the New World, all manner of unusual creatures flourished there, and Monsters reproduced so quickly that their numbers could never be exhausted.
That environment also meant the Guild's oversight was comparatively relaxed. Poaching? What poaching? They called it taking the initiative and eliminating Monster threats before they became a problem...
According to Nymera, many Hunters arriving in the Old World from Kamura Village struggled to adapt. They would stray into illegal Hunting without realizing it, then receive several hefty fines before finally learning their lesson.
Judging by her wistful expression, she had clearly been fined herself...
In short, seeing a physician hardly mattered. He could simply humor the man and be done with it.
With so many skilled Hunters in Kamura Village, surely one of the veterans would be willing to teach him a few tricks. Then he could take on some challenging quests and truly hone his combat skills.
How could that not be more interesting than staying at Mangrove Outpost to handle low-star quests?
Seeing through Altaïr's thoughts, Isis grew even more worried. His hunger for battle seemed stronger than before, and this "symptom" became especially pronounced whenever he faced a powerful Monster.
He absolutely had to receive proper treatment!
Altaïr was raring to go, Isis remained quietly worried, and Nymera, who was traveling with them, wore a radiant smile.
She was going home to visit her family, but even more than that, she was going back for the food.
Mangrove Outpost no longer lacked supplies, but its meals were still designed to keep everyone full and provide balanced nutrition. No one would go out of their way to stock regional ingredients such as glutinous rice and red beans.
It had been a full year since Nymera had last eaten Bunny Dango, and this time she intended to eat her fill!
Old World cuisine was far too greasy for her. She would have to ask her mother to treat Isis and Altaïr to a proper meal so that they, too, could discover the appeal of Bunny Dango!
Each occupied by their own thoughts, the three traveled aboard the Airship, crossing mountains and oceans.
Neither Altaïr nor Isis had ever made such a long journey by Airship, and the lengthy voyage only heightened their anticipation.
—--
When the bell sounded to signal the Airship's descent, even Altaïr immediately set aside the book in his hands and hurried onto the deck.
The Airship had dropped below the clouds, revealing a vast forest before them.
In the distance, the crumbling remains of ancient buildings were faintly visible among the trees. According to Nymera, a vast and imposing shrine had once stood there. Unfortunately, it had been abandoned after a Monster caused a great disturbance and had since become a nesting ground for numerous Monsters.
The Airship continued its descent, its bow slowly lining up with the landing site, a lake at the edge of the forest.
An island lay at the center of the lake. Lush cherry trees shrouded the village upon it in clouds of pink blossoms.
That was their destination, Kamura Village.
"What do you think?" Nymera rested both hands on the railing and smiled as she asked her companions for their impressions.
This was the hometown she took such pride in.
Altaïr looked toward the abandoned shrine, then back at the heavily fortified village on the island in the middle of the lake. "The village isn't even ten kilometers from those Shrine Ruins in a straight line, is it?
"During the Airship's descent alone, I've already spotted two Large Monsters. Don't you usually cull the Monsters near the village?"
Nymera's smile stiffened slightly. "Of course. Hunters are assigned to cull them regularly."
But they could never keep up. There was simply no way to kill them all!
Isis was more interested in something else. She stared at the broad swaths of cherry blossoms below. "I thought cherry blossoms bloomed in spring. Isn't it already early winter?"
Nymera smiled. "Kamura Village enjoys eternal spring, and the cherry blossoms bloom all year round. This is–"
"Huh? If the flowers never fall, when do the trees produce cherries?"
Nymera's smile stiffened again.
"Those cherry trees don't produce cherries," Altaïr quickly explained in a low voice. "The trees are closely related, but they aren't the same species."
"Oh, I see." Isis nodded in understanding.
Nymera rubbed her stiff cheeks. Every trace of the poetic mood that had begun to stir within her was gone.
The Airship slowly landed in a clearing at the edge of the village. Before the gangplank could even be lowered, Hibiki barked and bounded off the ship.
The familiar surroundings and scents left him unable to contain his excitement.
Mochi remained perched on Nymera's shoulder, gazing curiously in every direction.
She had been taken to the New World while she was still an egg. Although this was her homeland, it was completely unfamiliar to her.
Nymera was the first to disembark. She turned and beckoned to her companions. "You two can come to my home first, settle in, rest, and enjoy some authentic Kamura cooking."
Isis quickened her pace until she was walking beside her. "Aren't we going to find the physician first?"
She had spent the entire journey thinking about it. It had almost become an obsession.
Altaïr shot her an alarmed look. Just how badly do you want to send me to the clinic?
"Don't worry. My adoptive mother has known Mr. Yan for years. We can greet her first, and she can take us to see him afterward."
Altaïr spoke up as well. "There's no need to rush. The physician is in the village; he isn't going anywhere. Let's visit Nymera's home first and greet her family."
"All right." Isis scratched her head, realizing that she had been a little too impatient.
Altaïr, Isis, Sajji, and Clawdia followed Nymera to a Bunny Dango shop.
Altaïr could not help asking, "This is your home?"
"That's right." Nymera hurried inside, unable to wait any longer.
"No wonder you love Dango so much." Altaïr felt as though he had finally discovered why Nymera was always eating glutinous rice dumplings.
It was already afternoon, yet the Dango shop was still packed with customers.
A young Wyverian woman in priestess attire sat on the bamboo bench by the entrance. Beside her, skewers of Bunny Dango were piled into a small mountain atop a plate.
With an elegant gesture, the Wyverian woman picked up a skewer of Bunny Dango and parted her lips. An instant later, every glutinous rice ball on the skewer, each the size of a child's fist, had vanished.
"...?"
Altaïr and Isis exchanged glances, each convinced that their eyes had deceived them.
The Wyverian woman noticed their stares and blinked. Then she picked up two skewers and held them out. "Hunters from afar, the Bunny Dango here is a Kamura Village specialty. Would you like to try some?"
Her voice was soft and warm, leaving Altaïr and Isis unsure whether to accept the skewers or decline.
Nymera had already gone inside the shop when she realized that her companions had not followed and came back out.
Only then did she notice the Wyverian woman by the entrance. She greeted her with a smile. "Miss Hinoa, it's been a long time. I'm glad to see you well."
"Oh! So you're Nymera's friends? Welcome!" Hinoa propped her cheek on one hand and waved to them.
Altaïr and Isis barely managed to return her greeting before Nymera ushered them into the shop.
"Who was that?" Altaïr could not help asking.
He had noticed that the Wyverian woman's garments were no ordinary priestess robes. They looked more like special armor crafted from Monster materials.
"That was Miss Hinoa, one of Kamura Village's Guild receptionists and a 7★ Bow user," Nymera explained.
"Seven stars..." Altaïr nearly choked on his own saliva.
Isis blinked. "If she's one of the receptionists, does that mean there's another one?"
"Of course. Her younger sister, Minoto, is also a Guild receptionist. They're twins and make a perfect team. Miss Minoto is skilled with the Lance."
Altaïr had no idea how Nymera had so casually moved from "Guild receptionist" to "skilled with the Lance," but he still had to ask one more question. "She's 7★ too?"
"Yes."
Altaïr fell silent. Something about this village felt distinctly off.
(Translated by yourtl.app)