Yan, the oldest land in the East, a realm of dragons that had carried on its history for thousands of years.
The reason this land was called the land of dragons was that the blood of dragons flowed through the veins of those who ruled it.
Yujin, having lived a past life, could tell that Yan was modeled after China. As they passed through and crossed into Yan, cities and architecture that could only be described as Chinese in style became increasingly visible.
Surprisingly, Yujin and Shining had little trouble entering Yan. Neither was Infected, and while being Sarkaz was a slight hurdle, it wasn't a reason to be denied entry. The two crossed into Yan without issue and took in the surrounding scenery.
"…Mister?"
However, while Shining was driving, she gently shook Yujin. His expression as he slept beside her wasn't good.
"Ah, um. What a weird dream..."
Frowning, Yujin woke up.
"What kind of dream did you have to make that face?"
"Nothing much. Not a nightmare, but... just unsettling."
Meeting a woman in a golden wheat field and talking to her, then watching a dark red shadow cross over the mountains.
That was all there was to the dream, and no other thoughts came to mind. He just felt ominous. Nothing had actually happened or exploded.
"We're almost there. Not far from our destination."
They had crossed the border of Yan. They might arrive near Dahuang soon.
Even if the journey took a long time, he considered it the charm of travel. Meeting people along the way, talking, forging new connections, or creating interesting stories.
...Though there were quite a few bandit groups.
In modern times, farming methods here had changed significantly. They had developed differently from the world Yujin came from. Terra's technology fundamentally incorporated Originium engineering.
Crossing mountains, the terrain gradually flattened into plains.
"Wow..."
Shining gasped in admiration at the beautiful scenery beyond the car window. A gateway hugging the mountain range like a fortress wall seemed to strictly separate Dahuang from the outside world, and beyond the wall lay fields and paddies organized with engineering technology that Kazdel could only dream of.
"Hah..."
Even Yujin, who roughly knew about modern farming, couldn't help but exclaim. He had just thought of it as a quiet, famous rural village. But looking at that sight, it wouldn't be strange if a giant robot suddenly emerged from the ground.
As the car rolled on, the gateway approached. Literally the entrance to Dahuang, a place where inspection was mandatory.
Most cities couldn't be passed through casually, and such gateways existed. If Infected or refugees mixed into the city, incidents could occur. Such inspection procedures were practically mandatory in every nation.
Kazdel was just an exception, being a nearly lawless state.
As the car approached, the soldiers guarding the gateway lowered their spears and signaled them to wait. Yujin naturally got out, leaving Shining to drive.
"…What brings you here?"
A formal question asked every time they passed through a city.
"We came from Kazdel. For travel and sightseeing. Isn't Dahuang famous? They say no place can match it in farming..."
Yujin spoke with a smile, but the soldier's eyes narrowed the moment he heard "Kazdel." However, seeing the officially issued pass from Yan confirming he wasn't Infected, he bowed his head.
"That is true. When it comes to farming, no place can match Dahuang. It is where a god stayed. Then, I wish you a good tour."
Getting back into the car, they entered.
And the scenery beyond the gateway was even more beautiful.
"My god, did they block all that with dams?"
River streams and lakes from the mountain range were blocked by dams, and cultivated lands faced each other from waterways over 100 meters high.
Dahuang wasn't a Nomadic City yet, but they had built such a city on the land.
It felt different from when he saw Kazimierz. If that place reminded him of modern cyberpunk, this place had modern buildings and waterways naturally blending into the serene natural landscape.
Shining and Yujin got out of the car together. They parked in a quiet spot and planned to look around the city.
Farmland. Land for farming. It was beautifully decorated to the point where one might doubt the technology used to create it. The waterways next to the farmland blended into the landscape with a gray hue, as if using the technology Yan boasted of.
"It seems to be your first time here. Seeing how you're looking around at the scenery."
Suddenly, a man with a sturdy build spoke from behind. He had mixed white and brown hair, and unique horns and a tail.
But Yujin narrowed his eyes at him. If he were an ordinary person, he would have let it slide, but to Yujin's eyes, there were no openings.
Even while having a normal conversation.
"Ah, yes. As an outsider, this scenery looks beautiful. It's not something you see everywhere."
"I always feel the same whenever I come here."
Pointed ears different from ordinary ones.
"Where are you headed?"
The man asked Yujin with a calm smile. Shining also looked at the man for a moment, sensing something unusual, and stepped back warily.
"We don't have a set destination. We came here to see and learn Yan's farming methods."
Farming methods. Hearing that, the man's eyes lit up.
"Oho, what a coincidence. I happen to be on my way to see my brother. My brother has studied farming for a long time."
"Is that so...?"
"If it's not rude, would you like to accompany me?"
An unexpected kindness offered. It was flustering, but hard to accept.
"We've only just met face to face, yet you offer such help... May I ask why?"
Kindness offered without a known cause. Naturally, Yujin asked the man for the reason.
"Hmm, in that case. May I speak comfortably from now on? I've lived longer than I look."
"…? Yes, go ahead."
The man in front of him looked young enough to be Yujin's peer. However, the aura he harbored within his body was extraordinary.
"I have wandered for hundreds of years, crazy about martial arts. I have seen or faced countless strong individuals and learned many martial arts."
The man's eyes held a clear light. They absorbed the sunlight, and something vertically slit was visible within his pupils.
"I realized at a glance. The power you possess is unusual. If I introduce my brother to you, would you be willing to spar with me once?"
Hearing the man's words, Yujin stood quietly but eventually nodded.
He didn't know what this man's brother did, but he didn't feel like the person in front of him would lie. From the first moment, he sensed a depth unlike his appearance.
"Hmm, good. Then let's walk together for a while. Ah, I haven't introduced myself. You can call me Chongyue comfortably."
"…I'm Yujin."
"Shining."
Shining, still not letting her guard down, looked back and forth between Yujin and Chongyue before sliding closer to Yujin.
And she whispered quietly to Yujin...
"Mister, asking someone you just met for a spar... isn't he a bit sick in the head?"
You're holding back from saying 'crazy,' Shining...
Spar, spar. Mulling over Chongyue's words, Yujin thought it wasn't bad. If joining him meant meeting someone knowledgeable about farming, there was nothing to lose. Even if the depth of his martial arts was profound, it wouldn't be something Yujin couldn't handle.
Walking while receiving sunlight. The summer sun carried heat that could exhaust a walker, but both Yujin and Shining were skilled Arts users, so they drove away the heat without difficulty.
Walking through paddies and fields, people working hard on farming passed by. They were sweating, working hard for autumn. Anticipating the upcoming harvest and the sweetness of the fruit.
'It's difficult right now, but if Kazdel's situation improves significantly...'
Someday, couldn't they build a city focused on farming like Dahuang?
It's a distant story, but he came to learn it himself. Yujin and Theresis have to work hard and change it themselves.
It's a tough road, but one they must walk.
Come to think of it, where is Theresis?
Wondering how to meet Theresis, Yujin turned his gaze as someone suddenly tugged on his sleeve. Shining was looking at Yujin with a flustered expression.
"…What's wrong?"
"Uh, that is. Mister..."
Shining creaked her head like a broken machine, then pointed somewhere. Naturally, Yujin‘s gaze followed her finger, and at the end of it was a shocking sight.
"Theresis?"
Hair identical to Theresa's. A face Yujin knew well.
But the appearance was different. On his head, he wore a straw hat with holes cut out for his horns, and he was dressed in farmer's clothes, helping with farm work.
"Uh? Eh?"
"Hmm, what's wrong? Do you know him?"
Chongyue approached from the side and spoke, but it didn't reach Yujin's mind yet. However, the words that followed made his head spin even more.
"Hey~ Tesik-a~ Lunch is here, let's eat and work!"
Yujin felt his vision go black.
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