Chapter 12: Evergreen City

Later, it was confirmed that I had indeed won the match and been deemed champion of the town.

"So, what now?" I asked, more to myself than to Moye. "I've beaten the Sakura Festival-"

"You don't seriously think that's it, do you?" Moye cut me off, unimpressed.

"There's more to this?"

"You bet your damn sword - wait, that's cursing myself." Moye stopped for a second. "You bet there is. Mantamachi's Sakura Festival is only town-tier; since you won, you get to attend area-tier, and after you win that, you go to region-tier."

"Great." I rolled my eyes. "Where do we go next, then?"

"Natsuishi*, according to Enten," Moye replied. "We should make our move as soon as possible. Time is not in our favour."

"Sure." I sighed. "This will only get harder, won't it?"

"I'm coming with you," Kasumi said. "I'm travelling the world too, anyway."

"Do you even know where I'm going?"

"No, but if I follow you, then I will."

"Doesn't hurt to bring a powerful companion," Moye pointed out.

"Why not." I nodded. "That tea will be a lifesaver for this journey."

We departed from Mantamachi the second morning. The guildhall receptionist was nice enough to give us a map of the entire continent, and we just followed the directions.

"Imagine spirit artifact boots that make you faster." I groaned in fatigue.

"Wow, didn't you just invent something." Moye looked at me, disinterested. "There are a lot of these lying around. They're not even any rare."

"Well, that abundance definitely doesn't apply to me." I pointed at my dusty runners from my old world. "I still have these."

"Should've spent some of those coins you have on them back in Mantamachi."

"Forget it." I sighed.

"How far are we from Natsuishi?" Kasumi asked.

"Another day's walk," Moye answered. "Why?"

"In that case, I can probably use my spirit and fly you there," Kasumi suggested. "A day's distance probably won't be a huge toll on my spirit. Besides, you're the one competing, not me; energy matters more for you."

"That'll be a huge help."

Kasumi nodded and formed a gigantic Bifang bird out of his ink-coloured flames.

With aerial transportation, our journey was greatly shortened. It was less than three hours before we arrived at our destination. Do I regret that trip, though?

Yes. Absolutely.

"My guts are still spinning." I murmured, trying to not throw up. "Not even an airplane trip could cause this much damage."

"Forgot you're new to this world and its mechanics." Moye facepalmed.

"Don't know what an airplane is, but guess it'll be a bit before you can fly on your own without puking." Kasumi shrugged.

The streets of Natsuishi were filled with people and shops. Its houses consisted mostly of waterside lodges built in a very simple style; our new tavern even had a terrace overlooking a huge lake bordered by jade-green willows.

"Its name is quite accurate indeed," Kasumi pointed out. "If I remember correctly, 'natsu' means summer, correct?"

"It does give a feeling of summer." I nodded. "By the way, what season is it right now? I never paid attention since I came to this world."

"It just turned fall," Kasumi replied.

"So this city is really just summer all year long?"

"Mhm. There's a well in the center of the lake that's said to be the habitat of Xuanwu, one of the four ancient creatures, and it supposedly keeps this city in the summer season all year long." Moye explained.

"Xuanwu?" I scratched my head. "I'm not even surprised they exist after staying here for so long - but isn't Xuanwu a Chinese, uh, creature?"

"They were discovered and recorded by us Empyreans," Kasumi answered. "But they were created to protect the entire dimension."

"Empyreans?"

"He's from the Donghuang Empire*, the equivalent of China from your world," Moye replied.

"Sakura for Japan, Donghuang for China... wonder when I'll see western countries." I pinched my chin.

"I'd expect you to," Kasumi said. "I'm following you to travel the world, so you better."

"Well, assuming my task is quite... substantial, I probably will have to."

Later that afternoon, Kasumi and I walked out onto the terrace to enjoy some tea.

"What does this one do?" I asked, curiously examining the teabowl in my hand filled with a golden brew.

"Well... it's supposed to give you good luck," Kasumi scratched his head. "My master tends to believe in luck far more than most other Taoists in China."

"Never hurts to believe in it." I shrugged. "You never know when you'll need a bit of good luck."

"Well, I suppose that's a valid claim." Moye nodded. "Actually, many practices, or Dao as you'd probably call it, relate to luck."

"Are there fortune tellers in this wo-" I shut myself up, thinking Kasumi would be weirded out if he found out I'm an isekai protagonist.

Contrary to my thinking, Kasumi just smiled and took a sip of tea.

"Some people do have insight into the future, but naturally, they are not allowed to tell people things from the future if it will change the said future, in exchange for their powers," Moye answered. "Taichi, or whatever god you believe in, won't like a world with a shattered timeline."

"Makes sense." I took a sip of the tea. It does give a refreshing taste - perhaps more than just taste, though.

Perhaps luck does truly exist.

*Natsuishi: 夏井市, directly translates to "Summer Well City"