Episode 2-a. The City Where Night Does Not Come, Tevriss.
The sun rises from the east, continuing its journey of a day that is long if lengthy and short if brief. Eventually, it hides its hair at the western mountains. Thus, night comes.
However, in Tevriss, darkness does not arrive. An eternal white night. That is the destiny that this city holds. The citizens have long struggled to find a solution to this problem, but until now, no one has been able to resolve it. Instead, they concluded that it could not be solved and merely transformed the city itself into a city of pleasure.
Thus was born the city of tourism, Tevriss. Numerous adventurers and ordinary tourists have set foot in that place. Among them, you come to believe that you must uncover the secrets of the city.
The blessing of the city and its curse, the eternal white night. Running aimlessly to the east, you greet for the first time the landscape that lies before you. Discover what the fallen twilight star, Nasatya, whispered in the prophecy.
To put it plainly, I was advancing eastward, following the prophecy to receive three letters from Littera. The east. The fallen twilight star. The traces of Nasatya. At that moment, I found myself nodding along to the breathtaking vistas and scenes, once again resuming my journey.
“Old man, what is the fallen twilight star?”
“What does it mean?”
“I’m just saying, but in the letter, it said to find the fallen twilight star, the traces of Nasatya.”
To be honest, I had no idea what the fallen twilight star or the traces of Nasatya were, so I turned my head to seek the wisdom of the old man.
“Hmmm… If a star has fallen… should I not go find a meteor and forge a sword?”
“Old man Horn, you’re just old and know nothing.”
“Hey, you insolent brat! This is the first time I’ve ever heard the word Nasatya in my hundreds of years of life!”
However, it wasn’t that such words were unknown to me due to ignorance or that the content of the novels was just not coming to mind. If a dwarf who has lived for centuries states it is his first time hearing it, then it is simply that it is not something known even after scouring ancient documents.
In that case, perhaps I should send a letter to Ildrin. However, to receive a reply, I would need to stay in one place for a while, and I had no idea how to manage that.
So I let out a deep sigh and muttered. “Ah, if only an oracle from ancient times would unravel the meanings of my name.”
“This guy has just lost his conscience. Even a singular person who received three letters is probably unique, and instead of being thankful, he’s mumbling, tsk tsk…”
Old man Horn, complaining about the younger generation, slapped my head with a wooden stick.
And about the three letters. One was the prophecy I desired, while the other two were, so to speak, sent by a certain woman.
As I thought about them for a moment, I held the reins in one hand while pulling out the two letters one by one to read them again.
– Ain.
– The bracelet has been broken.
– So, as you said, I will express what I want, my wish.
– My wish is…
– For you to be happy.
– So, I will strive only for that.
– Ain, you should continue your journey.
– I will also begin my journey for you.
The first letter I read was definitely from Asha, currently sent from the empire.
– Ain.
– I have certainly become happy from the things you have built.
– So do not doubt yourself and move forward.
– You can do it.
– …
– Ah, and just so you know, our child’s name is Eleanor. Isn’t it a pretty name?
– Hehe.
– Just kidding.
The next letter I read was perhaps one sent by Asha from the future for me.
“Cough…”
The refined and softened phrasing, along with the playful and deeper affection contained within, truly differed from the first letter I read.
Perhaps, it seemed to be written out of concern that I might falter in my progress, serving as encouragement.
In conclusion, it pleased me greatly that one letter had come from the past, one from the present, and one from the future.
As if it were evidence that my past endeavors had not been in vain.
I carefully folded the letters and tucked them back into my pocket, giving the reins a confident shake.
By the way, was the postscript really just a joke?
“….”
It must have been a joke.
Even if it were a letter from the future, Asha would have no reason to lie to me.
Right.
Anyway. We are heading to the city called Tevriss.
A large city located between the Principality of Satavati and the Republic of Shilon, teeming with an influx of people. A place where tourists continuously flock and goods exchange between the principality and the republic flow.
And.
“What kind of city is Tevriss?”
“A place where night does not come. An unknown city where a white night has persisted for 100 years without interruption.”
People say Tevriss is a city of blessings and curses where night does not arrive.
Of course, it was not that night had never come before.
At some point, approximately 100 years ago, a phenomenon suddenly occurred in that area where night ceased to fall. The commonly spread tale is that the completely bright sky has not disappeared since.
So, don’t bother bringing up realistic or common-sense reasons questioning how the sun does such a thing.
This world is filled with things that cannot be explained if you start scrutinizing each one.
Therefore.
“How is that possible? Right, Tori?”
“Exactly, Yaki. If night doesn’t come, how do you sleep?”
“Can’t sleep.”
““What?””
“In that place, you don’t sleep. You neither feel tired nor get drowsy, so even if you lie down and close your eyes, you can’t sleep.”
To further elaborate, once you enter the vicinity of Tevriss, neither night comes nor sleep does.
However, it’s not that the fatigue does not accumulate; shamans mostly live brief lives due to that.
Thus, the city where night does not come is both a blessing and a curse.
Once you leave Tevriss, it naturally returns to normal, but for ordinary citizens, telling them to leave right away is futile, as they have nowhere to go.
Moreover, those who have lived there for a long time could not step out into the outside world.
For those reasons, it only attracts tourists who stay for a few days as a city of pleasure and tourism.
“Why is that?”
“I don’t know. I think it might all be ancient magic, but seeing that it has only been 100 years, it might not be.”
And this is one of the opinions that often divides among the people.
If it were ancient magic, such phenomena should have been occurring for thousands of years, yet the history of this phenomenon is merely 100 years.
Thus, there are tales suggesting that someone found and activated an ancient magic circle hidden away, becoming the sacrifice of the magic circle and unable to extinguish it forever.
Or, conspiracy theories that it must surely be the work of a grand wizard on par with ancient magic users.
If not that, it is posited that it may be an anomaly created by the gods out of boredom, with the suggestion that their sense of time differs from ours.
“Well, whenever something strange or marvelous happens in the future, just slapping it with the label of ancient magic will usually solve it.”
““Yes~””
As I said, most of the strange phenomena in this world are due to ancient magic.
Just as most historical events can be traced back to England, the origins of the bizarre things in this world can typically be traced to ancient magic.
While it is unlikely to be ancient magic, considering it has been the case since 100 years ago,
It might not be the doing of England, so let’s just accept it like we start by blaming England in history.
One more thing.
If I may share just one more story about Tevriss.
“Oh, and. There’s a note that says there will be enormous rewards for those who unravel the mystery of 100 years and restore the night.”
It is said that there is a large reward for those who unveil the secrets of the city and help restore the night, offering a chance for sudden wealth or items akin to national treasures, as posted on an announcement board on the city walls.
“Wow! Tori, then let’s unravel it!”
“Do you think that will work, Yaki? You, of all people?”
“Of course! We are the chosen ones who received letters!”
“Hmmm, that’s a valid point! Then the enormous rewards will be ours!”
The children giggled at my words, while Old Man Horn and Avery snickered at the scene.
And I.
The prophecy to head east, the fallen twilight star, and the traces of Nasatya.
I thought they might lead to something obtainable when unraveling the mysteries of Tevriss.
However.
There’s one thing more important than that.
There are quite a number of carriages moving along the forest path where our carriage is heading.
Many carriages are heading toward Tevriss, while many others are coming from the direction of Tevriss.
“Haha… Well, first, I should see if there’s accommodation left when we arrive…”
“Ah.”
As Avery said, I couldn’t be too sure if we would be able to find lodging.
I needed to stay for several days, and anxiety crept in that perhaps only expensive accommodations or no lodgings were left.
After all, I didn’t have that much money.
