Chapter 56 Welcome to Barubare

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“Let’s say it’s about two stars...” Oran mused quietly to himself but didn’t press further. Instead, he said, “I’m escorting a caravan heading to Barubare and encountered that sand dragon nearby. I need to hurry back to the guild camp to check on my companions’ safety. Do you want to come along? If you don’t have a place to stay tonight, there will at least be a campfire and tents over there.”

The young hunter girl named Mutti thought for a moment and shook her head. “Thank you very much, but no need. My camp isn’t far from here, so I won’t trouble you.”

“I see,” Oran nodded. “I’ll be around Barubare for a while. If we meet again, I’ll treat you to a feast as thanks.”

At the mention of food, the girl’s eyes curved into a smile. “I’ve noted that! My appetite is huge!”

“All right!” Oran smiled, tapping his forehead with the tips of his fingers. “I’ll be off then. My companions in the caravan might worry if I’m gone too long.”

“Farewell.”

Mutti waved at the departing Oran. After his figure vanished into the night, her gaze shifted to the footprints left behind by the sand dragon. She adjusted the bindings on her weapons and took off in pursuit.

...

Perhaps the encounter with the sand dragon had shaken off all the bad luck; the remaining days of the journey were uneventful, without even a single dog dragon crossing their path.

No one in the caravan was injured, and no goods were lost. They arrived safely at their destination—a large oasis lush with water and grass.

From several kilometers away on a great sand dune, Oran noticed a vast expanse of colorful “buildings” perched on a warm yellow hillside.

At first, he thought it was a mirage or some illusion, but as he drew closer, he finally realized.

This was the mobile city of Barubare.

As a city composed of tents, caravans, and large sandships, Barubare naturally had no walls nor traditional city gates.

Arriving at the city’s edge meant stepping directly onto its streets.

But that was only for travelers and pedestrians. Caravans transporting large shipments couldn’t squeeze through Barubare’s narrow, winding alleys—they had other entrances.

On the hillside east of Barubare’s “main district” lay a vast, open trade zone where caravans registered and unloaded goods; subsequent transactions also took place there.

Of course, this part of the work was none of Oran’s concern. His eyes were already captivated by the landmark dragon-shaped sandship standing proudly at the city’s center.

—The Barubare Guild Assembly Hall.

The caravan leader beamed with joy. Every item had been delivered intact—this trip would be quite profitable.

He knew exactly who deserved the most credit and approached Oran.

“Little brother Oran, we owe our safe arrival to you. Here’s the mission settlement slip; take it to the assembly hall counter to collect the remaining payment.

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“And this is my personal thanks.”

With that, he handed Oran a small leather pouch filled with some cash.

“No need...”

Oran was about to decline when Karim interrupted with a grin, “Take it. You earned this.

Not to mention the sand dragon a few days ago, but the multiple attacks we faced in the desert alone warrant this bonus.”

“That’s right,” the guild leader nodded approvingly.

Oran looked at the leader and finally accepted the pouch. “Then I won’t be shy.”

“That’s the spirit!” The leader laughed heartily and embraced him. “Our caravan will stay in the trade zone for another two weeks before returning. If you want to come back with us, just let me know.”

Karim came over, patting Oran firmly on the back and shoulders. “Same here! I may linger in Barubare a while. Come find me if you have time.

Oh, and here!”

Karim handed Oran several folded sheets of paper. “I saw you seemed interested in outdoor cooking. These are some simple recipes.

A delicious and nutritious meal before hunting will give you more strength in battle!”

“Many thanks.” Oran carefully put away the pouch and recipes before bidding farewell to his guild companions with whom he had spent nearly a month.

Amid their waves and well wishes, he and Sea Buckthorn stepped into Barubare’s narrow, intricate, yet bustling streets.

The young hunters and Eludon glanced around curiously, their faces unguarded in wonder.

Perhaps due to the desert setting, many features of the streets resembled those of Lockrock.

For example, houses along the streets commonly stretched ropes between them to dry clothes, blankets, and felt fabrics.

But the differences were even more pronounced.

Where Lockrock’s buildings were mostly gray-yellow stone and residents wore muted colors—white, yellow, brown—Barubare was different.

From roadside wagons and tents to the residents’ clothing, everything burst with vibrant, diverse colors.

They hadn’t seen two people wearing identical clothes or two tents exactly alike.

The city’s kaleidoscopic streets dazzled the eyes until one grew accustomed to its extraordinary warmth and vitality.

Suddenly, Oran reached out and grasped the pouch hanging at his waist. At the same moment, Sea Buckthorn turned, baring sharp teeth and glaring at a shadow stealthily approaching them.

It was a Melaru (black cat). Upon realizing its thievery was discovered, it immediately fled without hesitation.

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Having served in the city’s fortress guerrilla force for a long time, with patrol duties including catching thieves, Sea Buckthorn instinctively wanted to give chase.

But the Melaru was surprisingly agile.

Using its intimate knowledge of the environment, it vanished in an instant.

After a few steps, Sea Buckthorn turned back and exchanged a resigned glance with Oran, who was also withdrawing.

Barubare’s population was more transient than Lockrock’s, and even the streets themselves constantly shifted.

Watching a narrow alley that was present one moment and overtaken by a stall the next, Oran sincerely sympathized with the city’s former precinct officers.

Maintaining law and order here must be exceedingly difficult...

“Let’s register at the assembly hall first, rent a small room, and put down our luggage before exploring,” Oran suggested.

“Meow...”

They carried little baggage but many valuables.

Losing the pouch would sting but be bearable; losing the specially purchased jewelry for convenience would be heart-stopping.

Alert and watchful, the pair navigated the winding streets toward the city center and the grand dragon ship building.

The journey took longer than expected. Upon reaching the base of the dragon ship building, before the assembly hall tavern’s door, they quickly checked their belongings and exhaled in relief.

A passing hunter glanced at them with a smile and asked, “Got hit by a black cat?”

“...Yeah, almost got robbed.”

“Hahaha, you really need to be careful.” The hunter laughed. “Barubare’s Melaru are plentiful; stealing small items is a habit for them.

But they don’t steal expensive things on purpose. If you lose valuables, report it at the board quickly. Someone will help you retrieve them from the black cats’ camp.”

“I see. Thanks for the tip.”

“No problem.” The hunter smiled and pushed aside the tavern’s curtain for them.

“Welcome to Barubare!”

...

P.S. The in-game Barubare is actually quite small, but the concept art and CG depict it as very large, so I have taken some liberties to expand its description.