Posts from ☀️ Arselia and Akonia Auto-translated

When Ayko has a free moment, she decides to refresh her memory of past events and write them down in her diary to better organize what's happening and gather her thoughts. She started with something small, with her first day in the capital.

01.06

This city was grand even from a bird's-eye view: after a long journey on an airship, I arrived in Margel amidst the wind's noise! One step closer to my dream.

People I met:

SS. A silent, warrior-like companion. A mask on her face and high armor. I met her two more times later; I think it's a coincidence, not a shy desire to get to know the Crimson Queen (or a malicious intent).

The guard at the arrival point said I wouldn't be allowed through until I got some papers (or should I say, bureaucratic magic? Bad pun, never make such jokes in polite society). Anyway, I went to the beautiful, tall building that reminded me of ivory towers. And I ended up not being a random person there! I'm a mage, congratulate me!

P.S. The ring is ugly.

People I met:

ZV (aka Zlatovlas). Can hide a quiver of arrows and a couple of battle axes in her hair. Seems kind and patient, but doesn't like answering questions.

KL. Hands out rings and handles registration, but doesn't work in a registry office. A big oversight, but her job is no less important.

It was a rather strange play, very much for a specific taste... Seafood? The biggest surprise, however, awaited me after it – Her Highness assigned me to create a combat squad. I've been running around like crazy ever since... But it's been useful.

People I met:

TS. A famous lover of unusual physiological features and dancing.

EV. She knows quite well what she needs, but she's also not afraid to trust reasonable risk. Impeccable taste. A skilled diplomat and politician. Generous. Speaks briefly and to the point, deviating to abstract topics only in accordance with strict necessity and the rules of etiquette. Her gaze is the gaze of a person whose intellectual age far exceeds their real age, a person who knows the word "responsibility."

LL. A charismatic girl who doesn't post competitor ads.

DM (aka Dragon of Margel). He is also SRVD (aka One Hundred Rem per Day). He brought me up to speed on the local situation; I can blame him for all salary and job-related decisions. In short, he's worth his weight in gold.

RL (aka Sir Lancelot). I sometimes heard a few soldierly jokes from him that I didn't expect. An interesting person, not what he seems, a curious combination of a gentle smile and a confident gaze.

DS (aka Woodcutter). Appreciates pies, but not wool.

Mage Guild. They came up with a name for her shop; I'm surprised they hugged me so tightly for such a small thing, as if I had saved the day. But I would like to go back there... Unlike many, this memory doesn't flatter my pride, but it's warm, like no other.

The day ended on a good note: I completed the part of the order that concerned the name and registration of the new organization. From this day on, I am the leader of the multi-tasking combat squad, Carnelian. And I also have a soft bed. Although I expected difficulties in the future, their nature will be an unpleasant surprise to me...

Kenshiro watched with mixed feelings of surprise, admiration, and a touch of envy as Alaria effortlessly conquered page after page and chapter after chapter. After reading this, he has nightmares, and even without that, he reads twice as slowly. Perhaps, due to her gender, stories about monster women disturb her less, but her reading speed is truly astonishing. And you wouldn't think she's a great scholar.
Kenshiro falls asleep thinking about which of the encyclopedia's heroines it would be less sad to be captured by, should the need arise. However, the author's position is clear...
And in the morning, they are already there and still alive. Kenshiro isn't exactly surprised, but there is a slight element of unexpectedness. The samurai meticulously grooms himself, even using perfumes.

On the evening of June 15th, the "Thunder" enters the port of Barsina.
— Well, gentlemen. — The captain gathers part of the crew on deck to say goodbye to the passengers, while simultaneously sending someone to the city of Berimir to find a guide for them. — I wish you good luck on your mission. We will return to Margel, where we will report to the ship's owner about the situation, as well as that her passengers have safely reached the designated port.

Kenshiro says goodbye to the captain. No matter what, he keeps his word and deserves respect.
— This will be worthy. The journey was not without its difficulties, but we are here, and that is the main thing. Thank you. Fair winds.

Kenshiro silently bowed to Karimu in response and, as tradition dictates, left the first word to the commander.

One wouldn't think of them as great scholars.

She was also a bit of a techie, but unfortunately, this set of skills didn't translate...

Added 21 minutes later
They weren't killed, robbed, or even sold into slavery – Tyros proved surprisingly true to his word, considering he had overthrown the previous captain through a rebellion. Were these ironclad principles, or simply a reluctance to provoke a fight with three heavily armed warriors? They were unlikely to ever find out. The fact remained: they arrived in Calcite safe and sound, albeit delayed due to bad weather. It was somewhat strange, but the main dangers still lay ahead. And the Queen's raven, a critical element for the execution of their mission, was nowhere to be seen.

Kenshiro bids farewell to the captain. He keeps his word, and that deserves respect.
-- This will be worthy. The journey wasn't easy, but we're here, and that's what matters. Thank you. Fair winds.

Alaria bid farewell to the crew with a respectful nod. She had nothing to add to Kenshiro's words; he had said everything correctly.

As for the guide, the Tanarian followed her comrade's example, remaining silent once again.

thought about it and decided that I'll put another five into charisma BEFORE THE SKIP, perhaps

Over the last day and a half, activities such as reflection, mindless sitting on the bunk, and equally mindless pacing back and forth in the cramped "guest room," kicking up clouds of dust, had proven themselves ineffective as means of killing time. All the prayers for re-reading were finished quite quickly; meditation also proved inefficient—at one point Ayano began to nod off and nearly tumbled off the bunk.
Fortunately, the kind guards did not confiscate everything she had with her. Taking out a "cherry" pencil, she opened a diary whose empty pages invited her to fill them with every possible piece of information that came to mind. Despite being decorated with an intricate ornament, it looked as if something was missing.
Twirling the pencil in her palm, she thought for a long time, then set to work.

Half a day was spent illustrating the title page:



Lacking practice and knowledge of theory, through trial, error, and correction, she managed it—albeit not in color and rather clumsily.

Wiping sweat from her forehead—it was quite warm in the cell—and stretching her fingers, she decided to add something more and depicted a symbol in the corner of each of the first few pages:



Finally, with a sense of duty fulfilled, she slammed the diary shut and sprawled out on the bunk. That's enough for today.

...
...
...

About half an hour passed; body and mind had rested, but interest in her current situation in life had not increased. With a heavy sigh—more fitting for a weary old man than herself—she sat up on the bunk, opened the diary again, and this time decided to use it for its intended purpose.

Deciding to forgo unnecessary rambling prefaces, for now she chose to dryly bring the surrounding environment into a digestible form.

Entries are laid upon the snow-white pages in a language and script that only another Nihonce would be able to decipher:

I. Suburbs

1. Playful Rabbit - a casino for fat cats and respected people. Unceremonious toward debtors.
- Bajena - sukebeno-usagi. Claims to come from a noble house, but manners and greed suggest otherwise. At risk of being evicted (crossed out)

2. Ideal - an agency for "filling the world with beauty," high standards.
- Mei Jingo - model manager. Gives the impression of an insincere person, but this is confirmed neither by words nor actions; a professional. Perhaps a problem with my perception.
- Photographer - I watched him the whole time and he never tried to look where he shouldn't. Unexpected.

3. Magic Academy - school for mages, funded by the state budget. Graduates may be sent to the mines.
- Suzuya Minako - student. Magical girl; perhaps rehabilitates villains with pink beams of love and highly values true friendship (unverified).

4. Art Academy - academy of arts (unverified)?
- Midorikami KimochiVaruy - concierge, gatekeeper. Rude temperament.

5. Golden Hole - golf club, an expensive pleasure.
- Venge Lexicon - guard. A dandy bored with life, a bookworm.

II. Port

1. Tentacle - shop for imported goods, wide selection of katanas.
- Bronislava - saleswoman. Physique does not match assumed age.
- Kripov Evgeny - owner. Spiritual advisor, knows more than might seem at first glance. Manners are slippery, but not unpleasant.

III. Business Center

1. Dawn - printing house.
- Aquamarine Nadia - editor. Passionate professional, sacrificing health for enthusiasm. Perhaps masking a diet behind this.

2. Iron - gym full of sweaty men glancing at each other.
- Futo Dai - administrator. As much as his appearance does not fit the workplace, he is equally adept in business acumen.

3. Hunters Guild - club for daredevils. Amuse themselves by running through swamps.
- Game Pheasant - guild chief. Does not look happy.

4. Community of Imperial Veterans - fund to help the disabled and families of those affected while serving imperial interests, funded by the state budget.
- Merci Arigat - community leader. Proud of his work, patriotically minded.

5. Pam-pam (or something like that) - cafe, standard assortment.
- Liberacion Krzysztof - waiter. Friendly manners, nothing unusual.

6. Chronos - accessory shop, significant price range.
- Quant Quentin - employee. Unclear if he took a pseudonym because he started working in this field, or vice versa.

7. Upgrade - makeshift workshop.
- Viresenser Aiko - employee. Tiny, looks like a doll, but wields a hammer taller than she is. Eyes create an inviting and hypnotic impression.

8. Labor Guild - contract organization.
- Evtich Zhelidrag (they can come up with anything) - leader. A rye-rice man, gives an impression of reliability.

9. Commonwealth of Imperial Workers - trade union and employment bureau.
- Draco Mellis - hero of the empire, veteran of a special military operation, politician, leader, and fighter. A man of strong convictions who doesn't mince words. Specific appearance, mixed impressions.

10. Adventurers Guild - dubious contract organization.
- Light Lucina - responsible person. Energetic woman; she will seek revenge when I am killed on one of their assignments.

IV. Ceremonial District

1. Diablo - spicy food restaurant.
- Tellus Minerva - waitress and cashier. Despite an exhausted look, behaves correctly.
- Chef - exists in the form of clattering and grunting from the area closed to visitors.

V. Emerald District

1. Grace - bookstore.
- Ravenstein Belyana - saleswoman. Very bad at writing haiku.

2. Phantom - otherworldly shop.
- Bors Gaheris - owner. Apparently has seen much and was a prankster in his youth. Sinister impression, but manner is courteous.
- Lolita - saleswoman. (space left blank for now)
- Sakuya - merchandise. (space left blank for now)

3. Ornament - sewing shop, they also do custom work.
- Alexandra - employee. Seems a bit shy.

4. Rumor - shop of imperial grandeur.
- Krea - employee. Rude; unclear how she was even hired here.

5. Leaf - herbalist shop, tinctures for all occasions available.
- Nake - seller. Likely spends a lot of time contemplating existential angst.

VI. Center

1. Souvenirs - gift shop.
- Philledela - saleswoman. Doesn't believe in superstitions, but loves money.

2. Archive - city library, educates for free.
- Na (no frills) - librarian. Looks like someone's relative who was put in as a replacement.



*******

Nearly catching a spasm from prolonged writing in an uncomfortable position, Ayano leans back and cracks her neck with a crunch, rubs the fingers tired from the pencil, then—her eyes. The work turned out to be duller than she expected, but at least she would no longer get lost in such a large city, which is impossible for a newcomer to keep in their head—and she had seen only a small part of it.

Stretching out on the bunk again, she sighs deeply and closes her eyes, deciding that a short nap here wouldn't hurt. However, just as her consciousness began to sink into slumber, a crash, screams, the clang of weapons, and the stomp of many pairs of feet in heavy boots echoed from the depths of the building, vibrating through her entire body.
Sitting up on the bunk, the miko folded her arms across her chest and froze in anticipation. She didn't have to wait long—when someone burst toward her door, peering through the "loophole," she didn't even need to respond to that gaze—it was clear from the mumbling on the other side of the door who it was. The "breaker" soon departed, having failed to penetrate the door—which was funny in its own way, because since the moment of her "settling in," Ayano had reinforced the entire perimeter of the cell with protective ofuda; otherwise, a surprise would have awaited him.

What happened next is known only to Kami; some time later she herself was led out of confinement and placed before a princess who had arrived at the scene from an unknown where and when.
- Hime-denka, - the priestess bowed. - Please accept my apologies that our meeting today takes place under such troublesome circumstances. I did not mention your name during the interrogation so that you would not be disturbed by trifles, but unfortunately, this proved insufficient.

Shrugging, the Laurian headed to Grace to see what books had been brought in.

Cities of Welfern 100 rem Demographics of Welfern 100 rem Sophia 200 rem Rinze 200 rem Interview with Her Highness Naria es Diesra Arual 200 rem Empire Beauties 500 rem Secret Locations of Margel 150 rem How to Lose Weight Fast 20 rem

— This tradition is something unacceptable in the modern world. Lower Lunaria has fallen behind the times and has completely immersed itself in its own ways. All races, regardless of gender, deserve freedom and can contribute to society. Limiting intellectual pursuits to women only and existing through slavery is nothing more than backwardness. A destructive backwardness that will sooner or later destroy society. Lower Lunaria is mistaken, but it will never admit it. I fear that it will continue to cast a shadow on the world map and tarnish the reputation of the few dark Lunarians who wish to be part of the world, rather than their homeland, which is mired in vice. So, I support your statement, Mr. Edin,” Kelian dra smiles.

Lower Lunaria... Ugh, I despise it! It can only bring a bad reputation.

Edin, the organizer, and the other attendees loudly applauded Kelian dra and showered her with various compliments. It seems that no one expected such a response from a Lower Lunarian.

When the event ended, Kelian dra received +2 to charisma.

Added 4 minutes later
Aiko +170 experience (approximately)
Aiyano +742 (approximately)

For the first second, I tried to understand why Ayano received experience twice.

Cities of Velfern 100 rem Demographics of Velfern 100 rem Sophia 200 rem Rinze 200 rem Interview with Her Highness Naria es Diesra Arual 200 rem Empire Beauties 500 rem Secret Locations of Margel 150 rem How to Lose Weight Fast 20 rem

Having bought "Secret Locations of Margel," Raphael headed to the Rabbit Hole.


Added after 58 seconds

For the first second, I was trying to figure out why Ayano got experience twice.

Still trying to figure out why they're getting experience at all.

How to lose weight quickly
20 rem

Too bad Gulveig isn't here, we're missing out on such content...

Merel, if anything, successfully completed the task.

Added 2 minutes ago

After purchasing "Margel's Secret Locations," Raphael headed to the Rabbit Hole.

It arrives.

Added 3 minutes ago

What happened next is known only to Kami; she herself was released from imprisonment after some time and brought before a princess who arrived at the location from an unknown place and time.
- Hime-denka, - the priestess bowed. - Please accept my apologies for our meeting taking place under such troublesome circumstances. I did not mention your name during the interrogation so that you would not be bothered with trivial matters, but, unfortunately, this proved to be insufficient.

- Don't worry, I came here of my own free will. - Hime-denka smiled. - Given what happened, I am only glad that you are safe.

He's coming.

- Hello, dear! - Raphael said to Alice. - How are you doing today?

- Hello, dear! - Raphael addressed Alice. - How are you doing today?

— I was doing better before you showed up. — The long-eared girl repeated her answer from last time.

...But the raven didn't return, neither on Wednesday nor on Thursday. As their ship approached the southern port, Klin's anxiety grew. The wise bird had been so confident in its abilities... No, it's better to let it wander around the port area for a week than to lose such a valuable gift from Her Highness. Perhaps he should have acted more prudently. But did he have a choice in the situation? Sometimes, life presents us with two paths – and both are bad.

— Well, gentlemen. — The captain gathers part of the crew on the deck to say goodbye to the passengers, while simultaneously sending someone to the city of Berimira to find a guide for them. — I wish you good luck on your mission. We will return to Margel, where we will report to the ship's owner about the situation, as well as that her passengers have safely reached the designated port.

—Thank you for your patience and kind wishes, Captain. Have a safe journey back. I hope all your "issues" will be resolved successfully.
Something told Klin that they would not see either this ship or the previous captain again.

— Welcome to Barsin, esteemed travelers. — The stranger bowed politely. — My name is Karim, and I will be your guide.

—We are glad to meet you and thank you for your help, Karim. —the knight bowed in return. —Our journey took much longer than planned, as if the sea krakens themselves were trying to stop us, but still – we are here. We carry a message to the great king Akkad Babbara, son of Zababa, lord of Lahar. I believe there is no need to neglect his hospitality by filling our bellies and tasting wine before the appointed time. — He glanced at his companions.

Kenshiro nodded briefly. Fortunately, the cook's concoction this time was somewhat digestible, and his stomach didn't betray him with a loud rumble at that moment.

— Things were better before you showed up. — The furry creature repeated its answer from last time.

- Heh-heh, you're feisty! Tell me, will the selection of your goods be updated soon? I'd like to get a new hat.