Escorting the Divas... to a ritual? What an unusual quest.
According to Mr. Bud, the two Divas did possess extraordinary abilities, ones that were critically important to the Guild. Otherwise, the Guild would not have shown such concern or gone so far as to deploy the precious combat power of High Rank Hunters to ensure their personal safety.
Come to think of it, if Isis had known she would have a chance to meet her favorite singer up close, she would have pestered him relentlessly to let her tag along, would she not?
Perhaps he could get an autograph for her later and ask the Diva she adored to write a few words of well-wishing. Isis would probably like that.
With those complicated feelings and various idle thoughts in mind, Altaïr spent two calm and boring days aboard the Airship.
—--
The Airship crossed the broad southern region of the continent, formed by the vast Great Desert and Metapetatto Jungle, and arrived in the prosperous central region.
Mezeporta had been founded there.
Although this was Altaïr's first visit to the city, he knew a few things about it.
Mezeporta was an emerging trade hub jointly founded by the Hunter's Guild, the Business Alliance, and the West Schrade Kingdom to connect transportation networks across the Old World.
Since the calamity two decades earlier, Mezeporta had developed rapidly and grown into a hub no less important than Dundorma or Port Tanzia.
Isis's parents, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Hayata, were stationed there to guard the city.
Many Hunters habitually called Mezeporta the "Frontier," which led to widespread misconceptions about the city.
In reality, the so-called "Frontier" was not a geographical term, nor did Mezeporta stand at the edge of the continent or in some savage wilderness.
On the contrary, the straight-line distance between Mezeporta and Dundorma, at the center of the continent, was not actually that great.
Altaïr had once asked about that while speaking with Isis's parents.
If the two cities were not far apart, why did they not occasionally make time to visit Isis?
After hearing the explanation from Mr. Gordon and Ms. Hayata, Altaïr finally understood the true meaning of "Frontier."
Humanity's exploration and understanding of this land remained extremely limited.
As a trade hub jointly developed by several powers, Mezeporta constantly needed to open new trade routes and Airship lanes as the city grew.
During that process, the city's pioneers inevitably entered uncharted regions untouched by humanity, encountered powerful and unfamiliar Monsters, and triggered all manner of chaotic emergencies.
The quest board at the Mezeporta Guild was always covered in high-difficulty quests.
Top Hunters such as Mr. Gordon and his companions were therefore constantly racing from place to place to put out fires, leaving them little time to spend in Mezeporta itself.
Put more directly, the so-called "Frontier" did not refer to Mezeporta itself. It referred to the many forward regions where new routes were continually blazed and new lands explored as the city developed.
It was the boundary between "civilization" and "wilderness."
From that perspective, Tidal Island, which they had previously pioneered, was also part of the "Frontier."
That kind of life was grueling and dangerous... but it had to be interesting too, did it not?
"Mr. Altaïr, you may disembark now." Bud came to the ship's rail and reminded Altaïr, who had been gazing at the bustling city and had grown slightly lost in thought.
"My apologies. My mind wandered for a moment."
"It's quite all right. That's perfectly natural. This is your first visit to Mezeporta, isn't it, Mr. Altaïr?" Bud said with a smile. "Many people are struck by the city's vitality and energy when they first arrive."
Altaïr returned a faint smile without offering any further explanation.
Bud continued, "According to the plan, the two Divas will board today, and we will depart early tomorrow morning. If the welcoming ceremony does not interest you, Mr. Altaïr, you may do as you please, so long as you return to the ship before dawn."
Although High Rank Hunters were required to accept Guild-assigned quests, they were not public officials, so there was no need for them to participate in ceremonial proceedings.
If Isis, devoted fan that she was, had been there, she probably would not have minded serving as a personal honor guard for the Diva she adored, but Altaïr had no interest whatsoever.
"I understand." Altaïr nodded and turned back toward his room.
Apart from the weapon and Armor he carried, Altaïr had brought only a few changes of clothes for this quest, so there was nothing else he needed to collect. He had returned to his room only to put on his cloak; otherwise, his Chaotic Armor Set would have been far too conspicuous.
—--
After letting Mr. Bud know they were leaving, Altaïr and Sajji descended from the Airship and followed the streets toward the city center.
In this newly built city, Altaïr saw the distinct imprint of Dundorma.
The resemblance went beyond geographical factors such as being a coastal trade hub. It was equally evident in the architectural style. Windmills large and small dotted the landscape alongside spires and the iconic terraced stone structures. If the buildings had not all been so new and lacked Dundorma's deep historical patina, Altaïr might even have suspected that he had somehow wandered back there.
"Where are we going now, meow?" Sajji tilted his head and asked Altaïr.
"Let's go to the Guild Hall first," Altaïr said after a moment's thought. "We'll find out whether Mr. Gordon and Ms. Hayata are in town. Since we're already here, we really ought to pay them a visit."
"Makes sense, meow." Sajji nodded his little head.
As the man and the Felyne walked the streets of Mezeporta, they quickly noticed the city's greatest difference from Dundorma: its population. Dundorma had a large population, and out of every hundred people on the street, at least ninety were civilians, five or six were merchants, and only the remaining one or two were Hunters, scholars, or members of similarly specialized professions.
In Mezeporta, however, civilians were relatively few. Merchants and trade caravans made up the majority, while the number of Hunters far exceeded Dundorma's. Altaïr had already spotted several fellow Hunters despite having walked only a short distance from the docks.
Judging by their equipment, none of those Hunters were Low Rank. Almost all of them were at least 3★. Gatherers in entry-level equipment such as the Hunter's Armor or a High Metal set, who should have made up most of the Hunter population, were a rare sight there.
This truly was a hub city connected to the "Frontier." The proportion of elite Hunters was remarkably high.
—--
In terms of size, the recently founded Mezeporta naturally could not compare with a metropolis like Dundorma. Before they knew it, Altaïr and Sajji had arrived in front of the Guild Hall.
With so many high-difficulty quests, so many Hunters, and such a high proportion of elites, Mezeporta's Guild Hall had been built on an impressive scale.
There was even a vast plaza spanning several thousand square meters before its entrance.
How should I put it... It felt like a perfect place for Hunters to gather and take photographs.
Altaïr and Sajji continued forward and passed through the broad gate, which strongly resembled the entrance to the People's Tavern in Dundorma.
The Guild Hall was bustling inside, and its atmosphere was no different from that of a Guild Hall tavern in any other city.
The boisterous laughter and shouts of Hunters, the aromas of beer and food, and the faint trace of sweat in the air created a sense of familiarity that could put any Hunter at ease upon entering.
Altaïr drew little attention beneath his cloak. People dressed like him were a dime a dozen in Mezeporta.
After scanning the tavern area without seeing the people he had hoped to find, Altaïr went straight to the Quest Counter. He presented his Hunter's Notes to the Guild receptionist and explained why he had come.
"Excuse me, are Mr. Gordon and Ms. Hayata currently in Mezeporta? I'm... their junior. I was passing through the area and came to pay them a visit."
"A junior of 'the Hero' and 'the Red Blade'?" The Guild receptionist discreetly assessed Altaïr.
He was very young, yet the quality of his Armor and weapon was extremely high. He was a powerhouse of the new generation.
Truth be told, countless young Hunters wanted to visit the pair out of admiration or a desire to meet their idols. The Guild staff naturally could not arrange every introduction and subject Mr. Gordon and Ms. Hayata to constant interruptions.
If Altaïr's Hunter rank had been only 2★ or 3★, the receptionist would have tactfully refused his request to inquire about the pair's whereabouts.
His status as a 6★ High Rank Hunter, however, carried enough weight.
After a brief hesitation, the receptionist bowed slightly and replied apologetically, "Mr. Gordon and Ms. Hayata are not in Mezeporta at present. According to our records, they are away handling a quest.
"However, the Red Blade's hunting partner did not accompany them. If you wish, perhaps..."
"Is Lady Shalan here, meow?" Sajji poked his head up over the edge of the counter.
Hearing Sajji use that title, the Guild receptionist smiled and nodded. "Yes, Lady Shalan is currently on leave."
"...Is it because of her fur again, meow?" Sajji asked tentatively.
The receptionist's smile turned faintly awkward. "That's right..."
* * *
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