act15mini

Breathe in—

Hffff—

Breath out—

Phew—

Here. Eat this.

Okay—Gah, so sour...

At least it's edible, right? You'll get used to it.

And here. This too.

Awgh—Huh? How come this nut is hollow?

Like a bubble?

Mm... yeah.

The locals call them 'bubbles.' You hardly feel anything when you eat them, but they're very important for climbing these mountains.

Do you feel better now? Does your head still hurt?

Mm—I'm fine now. These fruits and nuts are way better than altitude sickness pills, at least.

So do you know how they work?

No. But does it really matter, as long as they do?

Of course it does. I gotta jot this down and bring some samples back with me. My colleagues in pharmaceutical R&D would love to hear about this.

Did you bring any of those pills?

For altitude sickness? Of course.

You should take a look at the active ingredients.

(Rummages through baggage)

Here they are!

Main ingredients... wild sourberries and bubblenut extract... You mean...?!

One of Sami's primary exports to Columbia is raw medicinal ingredients.

Although I hear your company plans to cut off all trade with us as soon as they figure out how to synthesize or cultivate them themselves.

Unfortunately for them, that will never happen. Not with something from Sami.

You're saying we can't recreate the growth conditions in Columbia?

No, of course you can. But even if you did, what sprouts from the soil wouldn't be the same plants.

For one very simple reason.

(In Sami) Because everything is provided by Sami.

(In Sami) Everything is provided by Sami.

(In broken Sami) Everything... provided... by Sami?

You pick up languages quickly. When we first met, you needed Simone to translate for you whenever you wanted to say something about Sami.

Hehe~

Your Columbian's not bad at all either.

Arges speaks it well. That's why I can manage.

I see the tree line. The mountainfolk won't bother us anymore.

Phew, finally. A place to have a good meal.

Do trees mean better food?

The mountains have meat, but no fruit.

The forest is different. There are all kinds of food there. Anything you could want to eat.

Whoa.

(Pulls out notes and starts writing) 'Forest has abundant resources...'

Typhon, is there a settlement nearby?

Yes, and it's a tribe with a tree.

Then they must have lived here in peace for many years.

A tribe with a tree? What does that mean?

Each forest tribe has their own clan tree.

...If they don't, then they must either be up-and-coming, or they managed to lose even their tree. Whichever the case, it's laughable.

Will this tribe listen to us?

I believe they're quite friendly.

But either way, I can guarantee they will be more welcoming than the mountain tribes.

Huh? Really?

Of course. The mountain warriors fight the monsters in the north and the unfriendly Ursus all year round, so you can't blame them for being so uptight.

Some of them are less cold when they leave the frontlines for home.

Well, that's good to hear.

So, how do the Sami usually categorize themselves?

It's pretty easy to remember. The ones farthest to the north who live in the mountains are the mountainfolk, the ones who live in the middle in the forest and its surroundings are the forestfolk, and the ones who live in the wetlands to the far south are the marshfolk.

What about you, then?

Me? I'm a hunter?

A hunter? Uh, going by the classifications you just gave me, shouldn't it be based on what environment you're from?

Oh, that... I'm a Sarkaz. I don't have a fixed place to live, and I don't belong to a tribe. So naturally, I live outside the rules.

Then what about Simone?

Simone...? She—

I'm a Rhodes Islander.

Rhodes? I've never heard of an island like that here.

Is Rhodes Island another category here?

Perhaps.

Here we are.

Whoa—

This tree... It's like... a vertical nomadic city!

I-I've never seen—

—I've gotta take a picture.

It doesn't seem so different from last time, but—

Why does it look like they're all moving things outside?

(In Sami) Welcome, friends.

(In Sami) Thank you for your hospitality, Attendant of the Tree. We came from the north. Would it be convenient for us to stay the night?

(In Sami) Of course, honorable shaman. We always enjoy receiving guests. In any other circumstances, your arrival would be reason enough for a feast.

(In Sami) Alas, as you can see, we are preparing to move from this land that has long been our home. We leave on the morrow.

(In Sami) You will find many of our houses on the Tree empty tonight. You and your companions may pick any of them to rest in. The Tree won't mind.

(In Sami) I thank the Tree and your tribe for your generosity.

(In Sami) You are very welcome. Please, come in.

(In Sami) Once you have settled down, please come to the ancestral home at the top of the Tree. We may have need of your wisdom.

(Nods)

We have their permission to stay the night. Let's pick... the house closest to the branch there.

Hah... Finally, sleeping indoors.

Is that important?

How else can you rest easy? Otherwise, you're up all night from worry.

Is that so... That's awfully picky of you.

It's not. Let me explain—

Waterproof pad... sleeping bag... there!

Pft.

What's so funny?

Hm? Oh, I just thought it was amusing that you put in all this effort just to sleep.

We don't get this chance every day, so I'm gonna make the most of it and get as comfy as I can.

Want to try it yourself?

Me? No need. As long as I have my robe to wrap myself in, I can sleep anywhere.

I mean, sure, you <i>could</i>... But you could also get in this sleeping bag and close your eyes. It's sooo comfortable, you'll see.

Really?

Can't hurt to give it a try, can it?