The Elias Peninsula sits at the southern tip of the continent that houses the Allied Kingdoms. Under the rule of the Kingdom of Elias, the region is a hub for shipping, fishing, and salt production.
Connected to the mainland by only a narrow strip of earth, the peninsula saw little traffic with the other Allied Kingdoms. This isolation had allowed a unique local culture to begin taking shape.
"I see, it really is warm here."
Jin breathed in the salt air. Guided by Reiko, he was currently strolling through Port Rock, the eastern gateway to the Kingdom of Elias.
"It was the fifteenth runaway warp that dropped me off on this coast," Reiko explained. "Since there was a sea cave nearby, I installed a Warp Gate there and camouflaged it as a rock to keep it hidden."
"I put you through a lot back then, didn't I?" Jin said, offering her a word of appreciation.
"No, it was only my duty," Reiko replied. Despite her humble words, she looked quite pleased.
"The currency is still the Toll, right?"
"Yes. As this is part of the Allied Kingdoms, the currency is common."
Jin had a bit of money on him from selling magic tools and magi-stones back in Blue Land.
"Well then, let's find a cheap inn to settle into for a bit."
Being located in the south and surrounded by the sea, the town was a popular winter resort for tourists. As a result, it boasted a wide variety of accommodations.
"I'm looking for somewhere around two hundred Tolls a night. I wonder if there's an information desk or something like that around here?"
"Shall I go and ask?" Reiko offered.
"Good idea. See if you can find anything out from that skewer stall over there. And buy a skewer for me while you're at it."
"Yes, understood."
Reiko nodded and ran toward the stall. She bought a skewer and spoke with the owner for a moment before nodding and returning to Jin’s side.
"Father, here you go."
"Oh, smells good."
It looked like grilled squid and was seasoned with something resembling fish sauce.
"Yeah, this is great."
Jin munched on the skewer while listening to Reiko's report.
"About the information desk—apparently, there isn't one. However, the owner recommended an inn."
"That works. Where is it?"
"Straight down the main street, turn left at the corner with the tool shop, and it should be right at the end of the road."
Following her directions, they set off. They started down the main street, which was lined on both sides by stone buildings. Jin wondered if they used stone to better withstand the sea breeze.
"I suppose the culture here is roughly medieval," Jin mused to himself.
Reiko picked up on his thought. "I'm not entirely sure what 'medieval' entails, but I get the impression that this era is somewhat less advanced than the one Mother lived in."
"Hmm, I suppose that’s the legacy of the Great Magic War. Civilization was wiped out, and the number of magi who sustained that progress was decimated."
As they talked, they arrived at the tool shop.
"Left at the corner..."
"Is that it?"
At the end of the street stood a sturdy, if aged, stone building. A small sign hung out front: Sea Roar Pavilion.
"This looks like the place."
The two of them walked inside.
"Hello?"
"Coming! Are you looking for a room?"
A plump landlady greeted them from behind the counter.
"Yes. We were told about this place at the skewer stall."
"Oh, a referral from Paul? In that case, it's normally two hundred Tolls a head, but the little miss is small enough that I'll do three hundred for the both of you."
"Then we'll stay for three nights, please."
Jin took nine hundred Tolls from his bag and paid upfront.
"Right then, much obliged. Just sign your names here... Jin and Reiko, got it. Here's your key. Second floor, end of the hall. Meals are served in the dining hall for an extra fee."
"Understood."
They headed up to their room. The stairs were made of stone, but the material felt soft, and their footsteps didn't echo.
Feels like Oya stone, Jin thought. As a Magi Craft Meister, he had a natural interest in materials. He knew that Oya stone—pumice tuff—could be harvested on Hourai Island as well. It was a popular building material because it was fire-resistant and easy to work with.
"This is our room."
The door didn't have a number; instead, the name Bonito was carved into it.
"It's a fish," Reiko noted.
Looking at the other doors, Jin saw names like Sardina, Barracud, and Carp.
"What kind of fish is a 'Bonito'?"
"I'm afraid I don't know."
It seemed Reiko's database was lacking in ichthyology.
They entered the room to find two beds, a small table, and two stools. A shelf on the wall served as a luggage rack. The toilet was located at the end of the hallway. Looking out the small window, they had a clear view of the shore. True to its name, the Sea Roar Pavilion was built right against the ocean.
As for luggage, Jin only had a single bag with a change of clothes. He could return to Hourai Island whenever he wished, but he had rented the room specifically to interact with the locals.
There was no bath, only a facility that resembled a shower. Jin accepted that he’d have to go back to Hourai Island if he wanted a proper soak.
"Well then, let's go have a proper look at the town."
"Yes, Father."
They locked the door, left the key with the landlady at the front, and headed back out.
"Where to first, Father?"
"Let's see... I want to see the boats. Let's head to the harbor."
They walked toward the water. Behind the Sea Roar Pavilion was a cove that seemed to be used as a public beach; a few swimmers were scattered about. Looking around, Jin spotted a forest of masts about three hundred meters to the right.
"The harbor is that way."
A short walk along the coast brought them to the docks. Ships of all sizes swayed gently on the tide. The air was thick with the scent of fish, likely because many of them were fishing vessels.
"I see... the hulls are mostly wood. It looks like metal is only used for reinforcement," Jin noted, beginning his professional observation.
"Father, that boat over there looks interesting."
Following Reiko's lead, Jin found himself staring at a peculiar vessel.
"A catamaran?"
It was a twin-hulled ship, exactly like the catamarans of Earth. It looked to be about four meters long.
"It's designed for both speed and stability. I wonder what they use it for?"
As Jin mused aloud, a voice spoke up from behind him.
"Heh, you can tell just by looking? Are you a shipwright too?"
Jin turned to see a woman who looked a few years older than himself. She had an athletic, curvaceous build and short blonde hair that gave her a very active air. Her blue eyes were as bright as the sea, and her skin was a healthy, vibrant bronze from the sun.
"No, I'm a magi craft... a magi craftman," Jin corrected himself, having nearly introduced himself as a Meister again.
The woman’s eyes lit up at the word. "A magi craftman! Hey, are you with a guild or a workshop?"
"No, not really."
She grinned, looking even more delighted. "So you're a freelancer! That's perfect. What's your name? I'm Marcia."
"I'm Jin. This is Reiko."
"Jin and Reiko, huh? Nice to meet you. Look, I really want to talk, so come with me."
Marcia practically dragged them toward a cafe on the docks. The shop was named Cabin, and as there were no other customers inside, the three of them took a seat in the back.