Unchanged Samurai In Another World

Chapter 49: The Samurai Encounters Something Strange

Upon ascending the small hill, the view that spread before them was so vivid it made their eyes ache—a deep azure that stretched endlessly. It was a gently sloping, crystal-clear coral reef sea. A pale sandy beach lay tenderly along the water’s edge, curving far into the distance in the shape of a bow.

“…The cityscape of Angila is beautiful, but Navar holds its own.”

From the top of the hill, the picturesque port town below seemed to rival the panoramic vista in its beauty. The houses built on the slopes had unified colors—white walls with bright blue tiled roofs—creating a harmonious reflection against the ocean. Their vibrancy was enhanced by the laundry fluttering in the sea breeze. The sky was cloudless, a perfect cerulean that made the entire town shimmer like a gemstone in various shades of blue.

Truly a scenic beauty. The landscape was so magnificent it could have been mistaken for an ukiyo-e painting. Kurosu stood for a while, captivated by the view.

“I’m fond of this view too. And this town has delicious food too.”

“The seafood dishes in Navar are exquisite. It’s tragic that there have been poor fishing seasons.”

Raoul’s face genuinely seemed to sadden at the mention of seafood. Was he fond of it?

“Captain, I will go ahead as the vanguard!”

With Raoul’s permission, Axel proceeded ahead to the gatekeeper.

“By the way, has the news of our visit reached the magistrate?”

“Of course. Due to the urgency of this visit, a messenger delivered a special message by way of adventurers. The magistrate of Navar is Baron Magnus Borello, who apparently goes fishing himself on occasion.”

Renald mentioned that though he had visited Navar a few times, this would be his first meeting with the magistrate.

“Does he take the boat himself…? What a brave magistrate he is.”

“Yeah, if I were him, I’d surely get seasick before encountering any monsters and become immobilized.”

Thanks to the vanguard, they bypassed the gates of Navar with little trouble. They slipped through, walking down the streets while keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings as people queued for gate inspections.

“Well then, let us secure accommodation. At this time of year, we should find rooms easily.”

At this remark, Kurosu tilted his head.

“Will you gentlemen not stay at the magistrate’s residence? I thought I was the only person who needed to lodge at an inn.”

In Japan, if a representative of the lord were to stay elsewhere while the visit was known to the local magistrate, it could be seen as a gross affront and grounds for suspicion of rebellion.

“Ah, Teacher. In large cities, that would happen, but small towns like this one don’t have enough space in the magistrate’s residence to house visitors. There, look—there’s the baron’s residence.”

Renald pointed at a building that was larger than its neighbors but still too small to be called a “mansion.” It was about as spacious as the Wilderness Guard’s base.

If the five of them stayed, it would’ve been fairly cramped, but this too must be a cultural difference.

Afterward, they secured lodging at an inn far nicer than the magistrate’s residence. Thanks to Axel, who had secured it as the best the town had to offer, it was luxurious with spacious rooms that offered an expansive view of the sea through the windows.

“We have preparatory work for our discussions. So, until tomorrow morning, teacher, please feel free to explore. There are many shops concentrated along the seaside streets.”

This guard duty not only covered their travel but also their security during the discussions. Saria had questioned if mercenaries should be present in noble discussions, but the contract’s confidentiality clause meant that violating it would result in punishment from the Mercenary Guild.

“I see. Then I will take a stroll by the sea.”

Following the recommendation, Kurosu set off alone down the sea-laden streets.

It was a while since he’d seen the ocean. The pleasant sea breeze caressing his cheeks, the smell of the sea, and the unfamiliar architecture rejuvenated his spirit. The people walking by appeared to have tanned skin and looked full of energy. It was a foreign atmosphere, different from Angila, and his step felt lighter.

As he moved further along the road, the smell of seaweed grew stronger, and his stomach emitted a faint “koooh” sound.

The lands in the Kurosu family’s domain were inland, so the fish on their dining table were mostly dried or salted. The only fresh fish commonly found in marketplaces were common carp, but those were reserved for special occasions. He remembered capturing dirty pond fish with his brothers and roasting them on the bank as a cherished memory of his youth.

The first time he had tasted sushi at a port town’s food stall, it had been so overwhelming that he thought his eyes were going to pop right out. Ever since, whenever he sniffed that salty sea breeze, it inexplicably made his stomach rumble.

Walking further, he came across a small port where fishing boats were docked.

Ahead of him stretched the vast ocean. In the distance, a large island could be seen, but other than that, the horizon was perfectly visible. Stalls and street vendors lined the nearby streets, enticing him with the smell of various appetizing dishes.

The fishermen’s pier was bustling with anglers planted along its length, their long fishing rods marking the shore like flags while they gazed intently out to sea. While Kurosu had no experience with fishing, in marine countries, it was said to be considered an art form similar to martial skill. Some samurai were known to cherish their fishing rods on par with their swords, even going so far as to claim, “A renowned rod is harder to acquire than a renowned sword.”

“Shopkeeper, what kind of skewers are these?”

“Welcome! Over here we’ve got grilled scallops, deep-sea shrimp, flat octopus, and flying fish! All caught fresh this morning!”

“They smell delicious. Give me one of each.”

“Sure thing!”

Thanks to the Mercenary Guild funding the expenses for their stay, Kurosu handed over the silver coins without hesitation.

Since coming to this country, he had encountered so many unfamiliar ingredients that he’d lost count of familiar ones. He’d even consumed creatures like humanoid boars, so sea creatures like giant shrimp and vibrant octopuses no longer raised eyebrows.

Even though the skewers were simply salt-grilled, their freshness made them all delicious. The deep-sea shrimp stood out with its delicate texture and flavor, surpassing any sweet shrimp he’d tasted before by far. The meat was firmly packed, with a satisfying “pop” when bitten, and it was filled with sweetness.

With a contented heart and a full stomach, he roamed through the stalls when he suddenly spotted an Adventurer Guild sign. Thinking that even a small town like Navar had a branch and curious to pass the time browsing some commissions, he casually entered.

Unlike the bustling headquarters in Angila, the Navar building was eerily quiet. There were a few people drinking and eating in the tavern, but no one was near the bulletin board. The atmosphere was rather desolate.

Moreover, there weren’t many missions posted. From what few words he recognized, they included regular commissions for gathering seafood, helping load and unload cargo from ships, and looking for temporary stand attendants.

“Hey, mister!”

Turning at the voice, he saw a man—was he one?—in the tavern beckoning him over.

“…”

“Huh? What’s with the staring? Do I have something on my face?”

Yes, he did. In fact, his whole body was out of the ordinary.

“I apologize if I offended you. I’ve simply never seen someone of your kind before.”

“Oh, nothing like that! I’m a lizardman called Tyumen, ranked E. Nice to meet ya!”

Approaching him was a muscular and large lizardman.

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