We were busy for some reason or other, but we managed to meet up with our friends. We arrived at Certo, the gateway to the Central Plains, the Plains Trading City.

　The border with the Central Plains has a long wall built from the mountains on the border of the Northern Knights' country, and the sea at the southern end extends 10 meters offshore. At the seaward end, it is guarded by a fortress that doubles as a lighthouse and a small maritime patrol fleet.

　It is longer than Hadrian's Wall and seems to be more costly than Hadrian's Wall in terms of construction and maintenance costs, however, it is cheaper than expected by being specialized for the equestrian race. The wall is about 5m high, and it is thick enough for horses to climb, and as long as it is not destroyed or burned, it is enough.

(There are few forest resources in the central plains except for the north, and the area outside the Great Wall has been carefully cleared of trees by the knights, so it is impossible to make a siege weapon. (Even replenishing arrows is difficult.)

　Instead, the breastworks are substantial. It is wooden, but plastered and flame-resistant, and the height is another 3 meters from the wall, with a roof and many spikes and arrow slots.

　The construction method of the wall itself is also relatively cheap. The center of the wall is made of hard earthen mounds reinforced with piles and hemp ropes, and paved with thick ancient concrete.

　The towers are placed at regular intervals and the towers are designed to be flanked by the towers if they are attached to the wall. The number of gates on the wall is reduced and the gate turrets have a strong fortification level defense.

　The number of defenders has been reduced to reduce the number of permanent soldiers to increase mobility and reduce personnel costs. A military road has been built along the inner wall, and if the enemy is discovered, reinforcements are ready to quickly rush in from the base.

　However, since the cost is low, there is a risk that a small number of people may surprise the enemy and invade the base. However, in that case, the opponents are horsemen who have dismounted from their horses, so the threat is low. Therefore, a patrol platoon with nosy beastmen and military dogs can easily find and destroy them.

　Now, among the many gate cities in this Great Wall, did we choose Baze Trading City Celtic as our meeting place?　That's because it's the last city in Ares where our heroes went on a sortie to destroy the stronghold of bugs. If you're looking for the remains of the stronghold of bugs, this is the best place to find them.

　And it's also the biggest trading city with Ares' largest horse merchants.
　So it's also a good place to gather information about the central plains.


Even so, trading is only for continental merchants with a permit. Other than that, the screening process is very strict. The trading post is also segregated by a fence, although it is an inner wall. With the exception of some horsemen approved by the king, they have permission to travel only along the domestic roads.


'Everyone listen up. We have no clue as to what the bugs are based on, and it's probably the longest search we've ever had.

　For the residents of Ares, outside the walls is a kind of magical place.
　It's supposed to be a pretty terrifying experiment.
　But it seems that the members of the group have no objection and nodded in agreement.

I'm going to buy as many supplies as I can from Certo. And I want you to gather information on the plains and, although it is unlikely, information on the base of the bugs at the trading post with the horse people.

　Next, Window Flower adds to the list.

''Although the cost will be high, please shop from the cavalry merchants as much as possible. It is easier to gather information that way. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get a good deal for your money. It's a bargain, so please stick with it.

　It's been a long time since I've had a big board, and the group members cheered.
　After that, I acted alone since I'm close in appearance to the cavalry people.
　The other companions are guided by Hasty, the otherworldly ninja.


*Chelt's Trading Post

　Well, I'm not sure what kind of merchants have the information. Anyway, we went around a lot and played by numbers.

I thought, "This shop has a lot of spices, maybe they can make curry.　Hmm, I should have asked for the concoction recipe before I left Window Flower.......

　While cruising the trading post, I found a very well-stocked spice stall, and a desire was voiced.

'Do you know curry, sir?　I see, from the looks of it, it's Eastern, if you'd like, I can mix it for you?

　What?　Will curry work?　There are no new continental spices such as chili peppers, but there is turmeric (turmeric) in line. Indus curry is from ancient times, and the translator must have translated it as curry. If it's chili, you could probably get away with a taste of armored car....

　I want it!　I want to buy it!

　But I can't fall back on expenses without information, and spice is expensive, so it's too hard to pay for it yourself. Hmmm, does this guy have any useful information to share with us?　I'll try to bargain and explore it anyway.

Curry is very good, of course I know that. It's just like a horse trader to be able to mix it. But the spices are expensive... To be honest, with my budget, it's not easy...

　Even if I don't have rice, I can make Nando's. But I've been spending a lot of money this month, and my wallet is tight. But I have a lot of expenses this month, and my wallet is in a tight spot. Shopkeeper, can't we get a discount?　I tried to negotiate a bargain with the real intentions of [I want it very much, but I don't have the money] like that.

[Customers are lucky. I like curry too, so I'll sell it to you at your mate's price?　As a matter of fact, there's been a battle for supremacy among the horsemen recently, and because of the confusion, we didn't have to charge you for the tolls, and this time we can give you a discount of up to 30%.

　Horsemen struggle for supremacy, and their upper limit of population depends on the grasses on the plains to feed their cattle. If the grasses are reduced due to drought, they have two options: to plunder the territorial states on a large scale or to adjust the population on the plains.

　This time, they would choose to fight for supremacy. Depending on the situation, they won't be able to just sit back and wait for a traveler to arrive. This seems to have high information value, it seems a bit disgusting, but I'll try to pull more information out of it.

I doubt it, if it's a war, it will be dangerous and expensive. Isn't that the price we sprung on you originally, and wasn't that a story you just made up?

　I'm a nasty customer.
　It's even harder that we both like curry.

[Hehehe, you are quite a good bargainer, aren't you? As a merchant, it's fun to bargain with them, but unfortunately, the story is true this time, this is last year's account book, but the price is the same as here, right?

　It said that the horsemen would put their hands in their sleeves and tell their foreheads with a hand sign so that they couldn't see. So I'll try to imitate it as per the manual.

But if the price is the same as last year's without tolls, the original price is a multiplier, right?　Can't you make it a little cheaper?

This is a sore spot......... This time the battlefield is in the north, and the battle itself is already over. But it seems that the hunt for the remnants of the war is in full swing, so we only just barely avoided the toll, and it's not clear if we'll be able to avoid the return trip. I'd like to sell out quickly, so if it's a 30-50 split]

　Hmm, now it's safe in the central plains, I can pay for this information.

If you can adjust the spiciness of the curry, we have a deal. And, no offense, but I'm heading east too. What's the safe distance?　I can broker a deal with a big store for good information, okay?

　He casually takes out his honorary merchant membership card and shows it to the stallholders.

[This guy's gone, good luck to the gods of curry!　What luck that our guest was a guest of Roberto's company!

If you want to get in early and stock up fast and cheap, the big stores are the way to go, right?　I want to be good friends with a conscientious, curry-loving merchant. If you have any other good information, I'll help you negotiate as well as introduce you, okay?

　If they could avoid the toll on the way back, they would make a lot of money.
　A continental merchant would buy western specialties on the way back.

Bless you!　How about if you buy today's unsold items at a 30% discount from the market price and sell this country's goods at a 10% discount from the market price?　Curry can be adjusted in sweet, medium and hot versions.

　Oh!　The curry concoction looks promising.
　The conditions are quite modest and can be a bit more extras.
　However, they want to work hard at the trading post until the last minute.

[Curry is a purchase decision, let me guarantee the brokerage. If it's a good deal, I can offer you up to a 20% discount on your purchases. I don't need to be good at business, I want as much accurate information on the central plains in a wide range of areas as possible].

　Only a continental merchant has a lot of information, and the finger indicating the price has been replaced by a handshake. The information of the tribes approaching near the Great Wall is the deciding factor, and the window flowers are surely satisfactory.

[According to the information I've gotten, a tribe called Ulum from the victorious side is approaching towards us, chasing the remnants of the tribe].

Who are these people?

The wind is made to blow by the cursory makeup of arrow-avoiding wind, and the arrows are deflected, and they excel in close combat with heavy equipment. Instead, they are also unable to use their bows and arrows due to their magic. Also, the main body of the victorious horsemen is said to be further northeast.

I see the Ulm clan specialize in hunting down remnants. Okay, you can discount your purchases by 20 percent.

　It was good enough information, so I let Roberto's Trading Company broker it for me. Naturally, we also bought curry. Three servings of sweet curry for Pina, and three servings of medium-hot curry for each of us without the spirits and Yukikaze, for twelve servings. (Plus I secretly bought six meals' worth of curry for my own use.

　It was a good news from the beginning.

　Next, I bought two lumps of fermented tea, which tasted like Pu'er tea. In this shop, I got the information that it is the Cagallo clan that is being pursued.

　They are good at the big bow and good at shooting. However, I heard that even a powerful bow is incompatible with the Ulm clan, which wears arrow-avoiding winds.

　After that, I tried to gather as much information as possible, but I couldn't get any information about the site of the pollies' base. It's the same result for my companions.

　It's difficult, but the only way to find out about the polly's base is to look for it steadily.