"Hmm...I suppose it's good news overall..." (Mizuki)
I've always had a bad habit of talking to myself, and it hasn't gotten any better in this world. Thankfully, Nina's too busy stuffing her face with the multitude of desserts we bought – basically everything novel that she laid eyes on. So, my escaping inner thoughts are heard only by me.
I'm referring, of course, to our sugar predicament. One of the desserts Nina found is so sweet that I was sure it had to have added sugar. Sure enough, the vendor revealed upon minor interrogation that they do add sugar to it. So, that's the good news!
Although, that discussion also brought weird news and bad news. The weird news is that on Azura they actually call sugar...well, 'sugar'. That really threw me for a loop at first. The apples I found were called wah'lugs, so I just assumed it'd have a weird name here. However, it makes more sense now that I've thought about it.
I'm guessing Azazel's auto-translation skill only uses a familiar word if the things in question are truly describing the same thing. Sugar is a very specific organic molecule – sucrose – so it makes sense that it's translated directly. Meanwhile, if there's enough genetic drift between apple trees on Earth and wah'lug-producing plants on Azura, then they might be effectively different things. So, even if they look and taste similar to me, auto-translation disagrees.
In a way, it's kind of an interesting theory and useful application of the translation skill. If I'm right, then the names of certain lifeforms on Azura might allude to their genetic relationship to those on Earth. For example, they still have 'cattle' and 'chickens' here, so those must be the same species. I'm guessing this minimum similarity principle applies to objects, too, like my 'katana'.
Anyway, the bad news about the sugar is that it's considered a 'rare spice' here. I didn't get much useful information from that vendor about how to acquire it, or about the plant it's derived from. So, no caramel apples yet, but they're definitely achievable! Kudra and maybe Ulta could have the information I need, so I can ask them next time I have the chance.
All in all, I'm pretty pleased with our trip to Wellick so far! A smile forces its way onto my face, and I look over at Nina. She's pulling out her umpteenth baked good from a large basket, eyeing it expectantly. It resembles a slice of pound cake, so...I quickly reach over and tear a piece of it off, then pop it into my mouth before she can react.
I instantly sense murderous intent through our connection. Her gaze snaps towards me, a dangerous glint in her eye.
"Wah!? Mizuki! That was mine!" (Nina)
"Deepest apologies, my Lady. That appeared to be a baked good you haven't eaten before, and as your servant it's my responsibility to test it for poison . After all, you were so unexpectedly affected by the alcohol earlier...I was merely thinking of your well-being." (Mizuki)
Nina's eyes narrow at me, and her lips purse in disapproval.
"Mmm...is that so? Well as your Lady, I henceforth decree that theft of my desserts will be punishable by death. No exceptions!" (Nina)
I nod, but sigh in fake exasperation. Sometimes, Nina can be seriously unhinged about the strangest things. Honestly, it's taking everything I have not to roll my eyes. Still, maybe I should take that threat seriously. I know she'd never hurt me, but...can I rule out the possibility that she'd straight up smite anyone else over dessert theft?
Hmm...no, no I can't. That's...a concerning realization.
"Alright everyone, we're here! Just up ahead there." (Alyse)
Happy to ignore that potential catastrophe for now, I look toward Alyse. She's got her finger pointing towards a structure about a hundred meters ahead of us. It's an open-dome coliseum about three stories tall, made of white stone. Surprisingly, it's only a bit wider than our mansion. Not that our house is tiny, but...our house isn't a glorified fight club.
"Huh...it's smaller than I thought it'd be. I can't imagine all the simultaneous activities that you mentioned taking place inside it." (Mizuki)
Alyse makes a dismissive gesture over her shoulder.
"Oh, don't worry. The part you're seeing is meant for official tournaments that they expect to draw a large crowd of spectators. There are several floors of training areas built below that main arena, and there's also outdoor training areas that we can't see from here. Almost all the day-to-day public and private activities at The Ring happen in those places." (Alyse)
Alyse leads us through the main entrance of the coliseum, which is basically an archway and tunnel into the main arena. When we arrive inside, I see a small desk in front of us with two receptionists. It looks like a check-in station of sorts.
Behind that, I can see the main arena, which seems to be divided into two main areas of activity. On the left, there's several lines of targets, where mid- to long-range archery and spell casting seem to be taking place. On the right, there are several loosely defined areas that seem to be hosting active sword and hand-to-hand fights between individuals.
Between the two sides of the main arena, people are milling about frantically, yelling at people participating in the various activities. There are also tables in the middle of the arena, seemingly operated by more receptionists. Several guests are huddled around each one, and most of them seem disgruntled.
"Uhm...Alyse? What's going on in the main arena? I thought you said it was for special tournaments only, but it looks like a pretty busy area right now." (Mizuki)
"Ah, yes. When this area isn't in use for official tournaments, the owner of The Ring likes to host small matches for popular members and let spectators bet on them. It generates public buzz for the upcoming tournaments, lets the staff gather data on the abilities of potential contestants, and pulls in quite a bit of gambling revenue between big events." (Alyse)
Hmm, that explains what those little tables are in the center of the main arena – betting stations. In that case, I think I understand why so many of the guests around them look so unhappy. The house always wins.
Alyse leads us over to the check-in table, and starts talking with one of the receptionists. At the same time, I realize that we've been gone from the Egris home for quite some time now. Shouldn't Cara's meeting be finished soon? Come to think of it, how does she plan on tracking us down?
I guess she could have spoken to Alyse briefly before we parted ways, or sent her guard Vito to follow us discreetly. Just in case, though, I should try and let her know where we are. As a first pass, I use magic sense to search the city for high-elf presences. Luckily, there's only one aside from Alyse. That's got to be Cara. I lock onto her signature.
[Hey, Cara, it's Mizuki! I can't remember if you knew that I could do this from far away, so sorry if it freaked you out. I guess you're probably finishing your meeting soon, if you haven't already, so I wanted to give you a heads-up on our location. We just arrived at The Ring, and we'll be here for awhile. I'll let you know where we go next if I don't see you before then.] (Mizuki)
Thought-speech is still only one-way with people other than Nina, so I guess that takes care of that. Alyse turns back towards us, finished talking to the check-in desk.
"Okay, I've gotten permission to tour you around the facilities. I also booked us a private sparring room..." (Alyse)
Alyse gives a knowing glance at Alto, then turns to Nina and me excitedly.
"Ehem...Lady Nedonera, Mizuki...would you both be okay with Alto and me sparring at some point while we're here? Alto has already expressed an interest in doing so. Of course, if either of you wishes to make use of the private room yourselves, that's no problem." (Alyse)
Oh, so they want to spar, huh? I glance to Alto questioningly, and she nods firmly. I guess that's that, then. I don't mind it at all. In fact, I was going to suggest it back at the restaurant before my conversation with Alyse was interrupted by a certain dragon.
I look over at Nina, who's staring longingly into her now empty baked goods basket. Perhaps sensing everyone's eyes on her, she tears her gaze from the empty basket and looks around her as though she's just now realizing where we are. I'm wondering if she even heard Alyse, but then she smirks.
"If Alto and Mizuki are fine with it, then do as you please. Fufufu...want to spar with me after you're done with Alto?" (Nina)
There's a chaotic gleam in Nina's eyes as she poses the question to Alyse, and Alyse goes pale after a moment to process it.
"Uhm...thank you, Great Dragon, but I couldn't possibly provide enough resistance to entertain you. I'll have to politely decline." (Alyse)
Nina shrugs nonchalantly, and Alyse's shoulders sag in relief. Alyse hasn't acted particularly scared of Nina until now, nor has she bothered with that 'Great Dragon' honorific. Hell, I've even been getting battle junkie vibes from her. So honestly, I thought she'd jump at the chance for a fight with someone like Nina, but I guess Elder Dragons are just that scary to the elves. Or maybe Nina looks especially unhinged?
Nina stares off towards the main arena, and seems to recognize the archery areas for the first time. Her face instantly lights up, and she slowly fixes here gaze on me. It's...intense...and I can sense heavy anticipation through our connection.
"Mizuki...there's archery here..." (Nina)
I sigh internally...I already know what she's thinking. She loves that bow Percivil made for her, and she has a serious competitive streak when it comes to games. Unfortunately, it seems like, to her, a game is anything where she's not using her full strength to kill or maim someone. I think archery competitions and dagger sparring are the same as air hockey and pool in Nina's mind.
In other words, she wants me to retrieve her bow equipment from my item box, so she can go 'play' with the others in the main arena. I see two immediate problems with that. The first, obviously, is the commotion that a beautiful Elder Dragon wielding a bow may cause. The second, is the process of actually using my item box.
I can always pass the item box spell off as Nina's with some theatrics, of course, but seeing it at all might cause a commotion among the people in here. I suppose the same goes for Nina engaging in a bow competition. Though, facilitating her request wouldn't cause any serious issues, the attention would just be a serious headache. Hmm...what to do...