Chapter 51: Land of Shin: The Suspicious Empress Snickers

Please, wait a moment.

Hm?

Please, wait a moment.

Hm?

What's up, Tsubame? Is something wrong?

She was on the same ship as us. Tsubame, right? What is it? Is there something we can help you with?

I am well acquainted with these lands. Please allow me to be of assistance.

I overheard your story, Heroes of the West. Are you heading for Nagsham in the Land of Shin, just past the Vermilion Road? I also have some business there, so please allow me to accompany you.

Sure, I have no problem with that. Let's get going, then!

Let's try our best, Aldo.

Wonderful. It will be a pleasure traveling with you.

Beyond here lies the palace where Empress Garneli resides. If you have no business here, I suggest you take your leave.

My name is Tsubame, of the Land of Mi. Would you allow to meet with Empress Garneli, even if only for a moment?

Never heard of you. What business do you have in the palace?

The Land of Mi is currently allied with the Land of Shin. Please allow me to pass.

That doesn't mean squat to a lowly soldier like me.

But perhaps I could be persuaded... For the right price, that is.

A price? You mean money? I'm afraid all I have are Suzume's cat toys...

Meooow.

I believe he is referring to a bribe! You, sir, are nothing but a scoundrel!

Such a corrupt human...

What's the matter? I'm talking about the Nagsham specialty, the Beef Manju! Guard duty is tough work, and I'm starving!

That's what you meant? Hmph, I really hate guys who don't make themselves clear.

The Nagsham tavern must sell this Beef Manju you speak of, yes?

You know what? I'm actually pretty fed up with always eating the same old Beef Manju.

That's it! Can you guys bring me a new type of buns?

If it's tasty, I'll let you pass! Promise!

Aldo, let's get this soldier here what he wants. He's just like Varuo! He gets like this when he's hungry, too. Besides, we can probably make a new buns in the tavern, right?

Okay, let's go check out the tavern and see what we can rustle up.

Oh? This is certainly the tavern, but we are still preparing for today's service, so you can't enter yet, I'm afraid. Why not take this time to have a look around town until we're ready?

I've just heard preparations are finished. Feel free to head into the tavern. Please enjoy your stay in Nagsham.

Welcome!

Is this the tavern that sells Beef Manju?

That's correct. In fact, they're the only thing you can actually eat here.

Do you think you could make us a new kind of buns?

I'm afraid I only ever made Beef Manju! Why would you want to eat anything else?

There's this regular customer of yours who really wants a new kind of buns, you see.

So we're here to try and grant him his wish.

Aunt Shanxi! If that's the case, I want to give it a try!

Look who we have here, if it isn't Aldo and the gang!

Look who we have here! It's you guys from the boat!

Lingli! So this is your family's tavern?

Yes. What a coincidence we should meet again here!

Oh? Is Lingli here an acquaintance of yours? I'm her Aunt Shanxi. Thank you for helping her.

It's us who should be thanking you, Ms. Shanxi.

Hm. I'm glad that Lingli wants to try and make buns, but we have a special way of making them here. You must give it all you have, or you will fail.

Surely one only needs some flour and some yeast to make them rise?

We're not talking about normal burger buns!

What do you mean by "not normal" buns?

Our buns are made using the forces of Yin and Yang.

Yin and Yang... The Yin and Yang I know of help to balance the forces of good and evil.

That was their original purpose, yes, but they can be used for so much more. They can be used to select ingredients to draw out hidden flavors. It's incredibly useful.

I didn't expect that, Aunt Shanxi. Can you really make buns with Yin and Yang?

In a tumultuous world like ours, everyone craves balance. So, if one crafts beautifully balanced buns, they're sure to sell.

This gets more interesting by the minute! You gotta teach me all about using Yin and Yang to make buns!

You are truly that determined?

As you wish, then. However, making buns is a steep mountain to climb. Are you up to the task?

Bring it on! I'll show you the best buns you've ever seen! They'll even surpass your Beef Manju!

Miss Shanxi! Is there anything we can help with?

Let me think... Perhaps you could help gather the ingredients? One of my staff members is outside, so go ask for details!

Yes ma'am! We won't come back empty handed!

Shanxi, we got all the ingredients you asked for.

Thank you!

Okay...

Here I go!

Did I...do it?

Lingli! Are you all right?!

She just collapsed from exhaustion.

This looks like a stuffed cat toy Lingli got from her father when she was a child. For her first time, she did very well. Only Lingli could make a bun like this.

Come, take it. This is a new type of bun!

Please, rest here until Lingli wakes up.

Please let me take care of Lingli. She must rest for a while. If you need our help again, please drop by any time.

Thank you. We can't leave without her, after all.

Thanks. Please give her our best when she wakes up.

Alright! When Lingli wakes up, we'll head back to the soldier in front of the palace.

Alright! let's hurry and get this to the soldier in front of the palace.

Oh, it's you guys! Well? How'd it go?

We did it! We managed to make you a new kind of bun!

Here, check it out. Go ahead and try it.

Oooh! I've been waiting so long for this! Here I go!

...Oh boy.

(Don't tell me...)

It's amazing!

(...Phew.)

I've never had a bun like this in all my life. The sweet taste reminds me of my youth with every bite I take. Such a nostalgic taste...

Oops! How greedy of me. I finished it without stopping to think. Feel like I'm a teenager again.

Thank you for the bun. You may pass. But remember, don't tell anyone I let you guys in, okay?

Of course. In that case, we'll be passing through freely from here on out.

... In any case, the Land of Mi is also under our control... We will use its people to strengthen our army...

... The issue of the specters... Bring the matter to an end... The Goddess of Time... Paradise...

You there! Who are you?!

Hmph! Thieves?!

Who are you? Rebels from the Land of Mi?

Wait, aren't they Westerners? Western spies, perhaps?

No way! We're good people! We were just looking around the palace and happened to pass by!

Please accept our apologies. We'll be on our way...

It doesn't matter who you are. Either way, you overheard our little conversation here, didn't you?

Please, be at ease. We would never engage in such a lowly act as eavesdropping. We just so happened to have overheard you.

How suspicious you are, amphibious beast! You must be some specter's little minion!

Hey! You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, you know! You think you're better than us?! Cyrus is no specter, and even if he was, he'd still be an amazing samurai! Although, to be honest, I still have no idea what his true form looks like. He could be really old and gross for all I know...

......

General, that is enough.

I am the empress of the Land of Shin, Garneli. This is General Zabar. Who might you be?

I'm Aldo, an adventurer who crossed the sea from the West to get here. I came to find out more about the Goddess of Time.

An adventurer from the West...

A favor? From us?

Do you know of the Kunlun Mountains which lie on the north side of the city? Deep in those mountains, there lies a terrifying specter palace. Adventurers, I would like you to investigate that palace, and if possible, get rid of the specters who occupy the place.

The specters' hideout, huh?

As of late, specters have been coming down from the mountains and attacking people near the city and on the highway. If you aren't spies from the West like you say, would you please help us?

Well, now! What a good idea! I have heard tales of the skill and bravery of Western swordsmen. If you have time to be eavesdropping on people in a place like this, then I would ask you to lend us your aid.

I'm not sure what it is that they're trying to say, but let's go along with it, Aldo. The existence of these specters is of interest to me, anyway.

If you can help us, we will do all we can to help you in your search for the Goddess of Time.

Well, I guess we accept. We'll get going now, and start searching for this specter palace.

You have my gratitude, Heroes of the West. Please take care. I, Oh? Is that Hozuki I see there?

Eek!

It's been a while, Hozuki. I hope you've been well? What on earth are you doing in a place like this?

Empress Garneli! It has indeed been too long! Um... I'm...not sure! I'm feeling rather unwell today, and... Um...

Oh my, well isn't that unfortunate. After you ran away in the dead of night, I was worried sick about where you were and what you were doing.

R-Run away... I would never do something like that! I thought I would just, you know, leave home for a bit without telling anyone.

Ack! Ease up a little, will ya...

I haven't forgotten about my debt... I will definitely pay it back, I swear to you!

Then there is no problem, is there? I will wait patiently, Hozuki. I'm putting my trust in you.

Thank you, Empress Garneli. I'll do my very best, I promise!

Well then, everyone. Please feel free to rest here in the palace before heading out.

Well, if you insist... Thanks very much.

All right! Shall we get going? To the Specter Palace!

Huh? Where'd you go, Tsubame?

Never mind that. I just had some business to take care of...

I see. Well, we'd better get going.

Yes! Me too...