Private Hylands Ascent Braving the North with Meat and Metal

[Ueno Mizuki]

Approaching the top Mizuki grunted again, kicking herself up from a piton as one ear twitched. Some pebbles and dust was dislodged from the cliffside, falling down to clatter onto the snowy path below.

We'll be fine. As long as we don't upset their customs they won't do anything to us. (She paused for a moment.) If you're wondering about their customs... give me until we're done with this cliff.

She could talk while climbing, but she'd want to take her time explaining the Sun Claw customs to make sure MAI understood the situation. The luna wolf frowned at the next question, giving it serious thought before shaking her head.

Not that I know of. The Sun Claw may have opened themselves up to outsiders in recent years, but they still consider the valley their territory. That, and as you can imagine most people would rather live down below, where it's much easier to travel from one place to another.

Grabbing hold of the ledge with one hand she pulled herself higher, legs dangling for a moment before she found purchase with her claws. Reaching up with her other hand as well she took a breath before heaving herself over the edge, swiftly leaving the cliff behind as she stood there on all fours.

So no, it's only caenis up there. Sun Claw and Moon Fang.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Seriously, the way Mizuki was climbing actually made MAI approach carefully and squat down next to the wolf, trying to tilt herself a bit, so she looked... more normal from the other woman's point of view.

"Query... does Mizuki need any aid in scaling this cliff? It appears to be rather challenging, physically speaking."

Seriously, was the wolf expecting the magia to be able to do this as well, or was she somehow confident that she could scale the whole thing while having someone clinging to her and only being a dead weight..? That aside, MAI figured that this was probably a beastfolk thing, given the naming scheme. Although the fact that it was only caenis specifically was somewhat curious.

"Understanding - This unit will keep all of the information in mind. Making enemies, especially due to misunderstandings, is not wise."

That went for just about any place, not just TerraSphere.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

No thanks, I'm nearly at the top already. (She looked at MAI.) Also, this is good exercise.

Mizuki's primary abilities were physical in nature, even if she used magic to augment herself. As such, opportunity to challenge her body were welcome, even if they could also be taxing.

And it's easier than it looks.

Sure, she was grunting and all that, but she was far from winded. Someone who wanted to scale a mountain of this size couldn't let themselves get taken down by a single cliff.

Pushing herself upright she stretched, looking at the clouds above them.

Right. On that note, about the Moon Fang... If you feel like exploring the Hylands, don't go west. The Moon Fang live there, and they're outright hostile to outsiders.

The Sun Claw might still be wary of the people from down below, but compared to the Moon Fang they were positively cheerful and welcoming. Mizuki's thoughts lingered on those more savage caenes before shaking her head.

Let's keep going. (She kept walking.) So, about Sun Claw customs... while they're one tribe they're also divided into multiple clans, each with their own village. As you can expect, rivalries exist between clans, so make sure to remember which clan we're visiting.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Once they arrived at the top, MAI quite simply stepped over the edge, and her gravitational pull returned to normal, making her lean forward and then stand upright on the ground once more. It was probably a bit bizarre to watch as an outsider. Thankfully she had yet to do this in a more populated area where it would probably cause quite the clown show.

"Noted - This unit has exceptional learning capabilities. The databank can hold a vast amount of information, so this unit will remember anything and everything we will do here, about Moon Fang and what villages we will visit."

That was the good thing she had gained from merging herself with an enemy boss monster. The learning module which did effectively make her memory similar to that of a computer. A massive library she could always add to, finding it easy to recall just about anything after any amount of time. An ability she desperately wished she could use in the physical world as well...

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki watched MAI's unusual approach to dealing with vertical obstacles, finding the way her upwards walk ended both interesting and a tad amusing. She wondered if MAI had to train herself to quickly shift her gravity back to normal upon reaching the top, and if she'd ever forgotten to do that and ended up launching herself before fixing her orientation.

More interesting, however, was MAI's explanation of her learning capabilities, Mizuki coming to a halt again as she raised both eyebrows.

Huh. That's useful. So your mind is also like a computer then? (She rubbed her chin.) I wonder how that works... Anyway, is that something all magia can do or is that a result of you augmenting yourself?

Not all beastfolk were the same, so it was safe to assume that different magia had different traits as well. MAI's design made it clear that she wasn't meant to be a physical powerhouse, which was further proven by how Mizuki hadn't seen her perform a single physical feat without magical assistance yet. Another magia could be built more like a tank.

Remembering which clan we're visiting is one, but more important is that you don't harm the land in any way. (She resumed walking as she began to explain in detail.) So all caenes that live in the Hylands believe that this land was granted to them by the goddess Uene, but the Sun Claw have gone a step further and believe it's their sacred duty to safeguard the land as well. Not that I'm expecting you to do anything that would... Hmmm...

A thought occurred to her, one that made her voice trail off as her expression grew more thoughtful. Most likely it wasn't a serious concern, but maybe she should mention it to MAI in advance?

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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It was a bit strange how their conversation kept on moving in a circle, arriving at the point where she had augmented herself with the DEAD.Naught. But, where there was worry and mild anger before, maybe now would be understanding with the full context available.

"Answer - Unknown. This unit does not possess the information necessary to make this determination. However, this unit acquired this trait by merging with the DEAD.Naught, as previously mentioned. Therefore, this unit's large memory and recall ability are at the price of this manner of speech."

So in that way, perhaps it did make her mind operate like a computer. It would be an explanation for her speech in some way... although the inner workings were so complex that even MAIh herself did not fully understand it all. Just like how humans still didn't fully understand all about their own consciousness and the brain.

"Warning - This unit should not be expected to recharge in such areas, then. This unit cannot control where absorbed mana comes from. Sometimes it comes from vegetation, making it wither."

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Integrating parts from that thing gave you better memory? (She didn't bother to hide the surprise in her voice.) That's an interesting benefit, although given how that thing behaved after it merged with that one Traveler I'm surprised its parts would improve your mind.

Maybe one could consider being witty to be a sign of intelligence, but all things considered Mizuki hadn't been impressed with the MEME.naught's abilities. The DEAD.naught had mostly relied on overwhelming firepower as well, but at least it wasn't punning all the time.

But if those parts affected your mind like that it does make it easier to understand why you started talking differently.

Well, that was less important than the other thing. As Mizuki should have expected of MAI, she was quick enough on the uptake that she reached the same conclusion the luna wolf did without any prompting. Mizuki nodded slowly, not yet entirely sure if the concern was legitimate or not.

Magitech, or at least magia, appear to be bad for their environment. I don't think you alone would cause enough damage for the Sun Claw to notice, but try not to use any more energy than needed. (She thought about it a bit longer, then shrugged.) Although we should be able to compensate for it. If we can find some magic stones those should help a lot, but otherwise I can serve as your source of energy.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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"Ammendum - This unit interfaced with the source of the machine's thought centrum. While the thought patterns of player ❰ Quinn ❱ were imprinted upon this hardware, they did not run deep enough. No part of MEME.Naught was assimilated... thankfully."

Frankly, if the whole thing did actually make MAI speak in unfunny jokes and other quips, then she would make peace with living on half better as she would non-stop overclock her core to overcome the speech pattern corruption. Thankfully, that did not end up being the case, and while many found her speech weird, it was not nearly as bad as it could have been, in retrospect.

"Uncertainty - This unit was under the impression that manastones existed only within the forest of Brisshal, the starting zone. Finding manastones here would make things much easier... otherwise this unit will rely on Mizuki as a source of mana. Thank you in advance."

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki snorted in amusement. The fact that MAI admitted to being grateful that MEME.naught's punning hadn't made its way into her speech patterns was uncharacteristically entertaining to her. Maybe it was because she wouldn't have expected the otherwise stoic and matter-of-factly sounding magia to voice that opinion so bluntly.

I'm glad to hear it. No offence, but if you'd started punning every time you spoke I might not have invited you to join me on this trip.

It's not that she couldn't enjoy the occasional pun, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't have wanted to kill the MEME.naught as much as she did if it hadn't bombarded them with non-stop bad wit.

Hmmm... I imagine they can be found elsewhere as well. Otherwise magia would have to choose between sticking to Brisshal or destroying their surroundings over time.

Now that the cliff was behind them the clouds were much closer than before, and if they looked over the edge of the path they'd see the land below stretching out. Mizuki didn't suffer from a fear of heights, but she imagined that this magnificent view would be enough for some people to never visit the Hylands.

There should be plenty of prey in the valley, so keeping your energy levels high shouldn't be an issue. I'll just have to make sure I don't overhunt.

The fact that recharging MAI would require more sitting together and letting the magia cuddle her tail wasn't an issue. If MAI liked petting the tail it was the easiest ways to help her recharge while also protecting the environment, and while Mizuki was a bit awkward with people she wasn't averse to physical contact.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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MAI really had just one answer she could give to the revelation that if she were a top-tier meme machine, she wouldn't be here.

"Understandable."

She wouldn't want to hang out with herself, either. That said, following Mizuki, the magia turned around and started taking the view in. Not afraid of heights either, she was able to take it all in... in the full magnificence that was displayed in front of them. She wouldn't say that this kind of view wasn't available back in the physical world, but... here, she could actually enjoy it with her own two eyes rather than through a photo or a video.

"Query - Will hunting for ourselves be easier than bartering with the locals for food?"

It seemed that like that would be quite a lot of effort. But then again, she was talking to a wolf beastfolk... Mizuki probably had plenty of experience playing the hunter. Was that too stereotypical...?

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Given that the both of them were enjoying the view Mizuki opted to remain standing for a little longer, sniffing the air as her ears swivelled to catch the sounds of their surroundings. Nothing but the whistling of the wind, and in the far distance the beating of wings from reapers who had other prey in their mind. The clouds were ever-present, although further into the distance the weather was clearing up and rays of sunlight beamed down onto the lands now far below the two.

She was brought out of her minor instance of reverie when MAI asked another question. The luna wolf realised she'd completely forgotten about the possibility of buying food from the locals, having assumed that she'd be hunting.

Buying food would be easier. I usually hunt my own food in this world, but if you'd rather we kept things simple we can see what the locals have to offer. (She recalled some memories.) Fitting for people who consider themselves guardians of the land most of their food is crops and products thereof. There's also meat, but they eat a lot less of that than you'd expect from caenes.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Mizuki certainly did have a point. MAI would have expected the caenis to be far more focused on hunting, just like the wolf girl herself seemed to be. But if they really were good farmers, then perhaps that would work out even better for the duo.

"Proposal - Hunt for meat, purchases vegetables. This unit can cook some simple dishes."

She was no chef, but at least she was not a disaster in the kitchen either. She was at least somewhat confident that what she cooked would be of decent quality and taste... even if she did not know Mizuki's tastes. Although, given her aptitude for adventures in harsh environments, she couldn't imagine her as a picky eater. Especially if she were willing to just hunt for meat and nothing else. A diet like that wasn't exactly good for a person unless done in a very specific manner... unless she actually had a stomach of a wolf.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Usually Mizuki ate primarily meat, with only a little bit of fruits and vegetables that she acquired along the way. MAI, however, was proposing a more balanced meal, something that humans could also tolerate and which the Sun Claw would also approve of. The luna wolf had little reason to decline, and as such nodded in agreement.

That'll be fine. You don't have to join me in hunting either if you don't want to.

Given how MAI had reacted to the harpy's demise she didn't think the female magia would find the experience very pleasant anyway. She made a mental note to herself to make sure to process her prey's meat before MAI saw it, to make sure that it was far enough removed from a carcass to not trigger any similar episodes.

They'd already been standing there for several minutes now, so it was time to start moving again. Mizuki motioned for MAI to follow as she resumed the seemingly endless climb.

So the Sun Claw are enthusiastic farmers and protect the land they consider theirs by Uene's blessing viciously. I don't know your opinion on the deities of this world, but you can probably imagine that saying anything that questions Uene's existence or will wouldn't make you popular. If you want them to like you thanking Uene for the nourishment the land provides before the meal is effective. Anything else... (She considered what was important and what wasn't.) We could be here for a long time if I talked about everything, so there's three important things left to talk about: their names, the Kamuy, and their leadership.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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"Query - We won't be eating in private?"

That was the first thing that came to mind when MAI heard about thanking the deity before partaking in a meal. The idea itself wasn't exactly something that was unfamiliar to the girl, so she had no real issue with it, but she did find the context a bit strange as she expected that her and Mizuki would be staying rather separate from the others, given how apparently wary of strangers they were. Unless they were so wary that they'd want to keep a close eye on them at all times.

"Confirmation - This unit believes it understands all of the customs mentioned so far, and hunting while this unit prepares the rest would be appreciated. This unit is listening and ready to learn about the last three."

The more Mizuki went on, the more old-timey all of this seemed. Or, well, at least based on ancient tribes that existed in the physical world as well at some point before the rest of humanity grew a bit overzealous. Well, that was probably putting it lightly...

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

The part where you thank Uene is more in case you're eating somewhere that they can overhear you. (She quickly elaborated.) Obviously you don't have to if we're alone. If we want to reach the best spots for stargazing we'll probably be eating outside of the village.

Mizuki didn't know whether MAI had any interest in exploring the Sun Claw villages beyond using them as a supply post, but if she was explaining their customs anyway she might as well throw in some ideas that might help the magia who was worried about being treated badly.

Hunting while MAI prepared the rest of the food also worked out for Mizuki, as she didn't need her meat to be well-done and thus wouldn't mind the fact that MAI probably wouldn't take too much time to prepare the meat after the rest of the food was cooked.

That sounds good to me. Now, the Sun Claw have a rule that all their family names have the term Sun in it somewhere. However, when a Sun Claw dies the Sun in their family name gets replaced by Moon, so if you hear a Sun Claw talking about someone with Moon in their name they're either referring to a Moon Fang or a deceased individual.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Nodding along, MAI made a mental note to always look around before eating as if she were paranoid of someone stalking her, just in case there were caenis nearly that could hear. Surely that would not be suspicious at all. Well, they were probably used to strangers acting a bit suspicious for one reason or another, but that was neither here nor there.

The whole bit about names was something else entirely. While the girl didn't laugh, chuckle, or anything of the sort, she did find the idea a bit... silly. It was two very specific words, after all... unless there weren't that many members of the tribe, it felt like it would very quickly get completely nonsensical. Though, at the very least it was an easy way of figuring which tribe the caenis stood with during introductions... aside from a direct attack that would likely be performed by a Moon Fang.

"Understood - This unit will keep the information in mind, even if it feels a bit redundant and silly. This unit will not mention such opinion out loud."

That probably went even without saying.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki shot MAI a look over her shoulder in response to the magia's words. She was beginning to suspect that the shorter female was snarkier than her appearance suggested. On further thought, that robot speech might also be annoying for MAI, but it did allow her to get away with saying things that might otherwise receive comment.

That's for the best. Calling people's traditions silly is a good way to get them riled up. (She shook her head and sighed.) More important is the Kamuy. Up in the Hylands there are a handful of beasts that are much larger and powerful than average. Each has their own territory and rarely leaves it for any reason. The Sun Claw call these beasts Kamuy and believe them to be either blessed by Uene or her personal avatars and worship them as guardians of the land. Suffice to say, they're as protective of these Kamuy as they are of the land itself.

The clouds were getting really close now, close enough that the path ahead was becoming obscured by a thick fog. After all, clouds were just fog that floated high above the ground, and now that the two of them were this high up that truth was revealing itself once more. Mizuki frowned as the air also got colder, the increased moisture in the air washing over them.

I've also heard rumours that one of the Kamuy died recently, so it's a touchy subject.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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Cold and wet, a wonderful combination that would allow them to freeze to death much faster than normal. Thankfully, MAI figured that they'd be through the clouds relatively quickly, even as Mizuki continued to explain more about the tribe. She certainly was rather knowledgeable about this whole thing, so the magia started connecting a few dots in her head. She also wasn't so socially distant as to not realize that doing things like what the wolf girl described would be nothing short of disrespectful.

"Relief - this unit believes that it is a good thing that Mizuki will be the one hunting and be able to avoid the Kamuy. However, wouldn't some of them be predators? Such animals would be difficult to worship, unless it is done so from distance."

That and unless these people had some potentially ethically questionable practices of feeding their own to the beasts in some sacrificial manner.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki could feel tiny droplets of water begin to condensate on her thick fur. If it wasn't for that protective layer she'd probably have to worry about freezing, but as it was she could endure it for long enough.

I don't think we have to worry too much about that. (She held up a hand, fingers extended. They're rarely seen, since there's only a handful of them and the Hylands are almost half as big as Astorea. For example, I believe there's only one Kamuy for the entire valley in the middle where the Sun Claw live.

I also think they're smarter than other beasts, so they're not likely to attack us just because they're hungry.

The rumours she'd heard about a dead Kamuy also mentioned that it was the Kamuy of the valley, but she wasn't going to mention that. She'd rather not have MAI think too much about it if possible.

You'd have to ask the locals to explain their worship in further detail. I know some of it, but I don't think I'd do it justice.

While Mizuki herself could weather the thick fog MAI might have more trouble with it, since she didn't have the insulative layer of fur the luna wolf had. Casting another look over her shoulder Mizuki frowned.

You holding up all right?

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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It seemed like something MAI wouldn't have to worry about in general, but it was good to have that reassurance. The concept of worshipping seemingly wild animals was still a bit strange, especially if said animals could potentially be hostile toward the worshippers, but she wasn't about to step on anyone's faith. As long as she wouldn't be the one being fed to the beasts... she wouldn't make a very good meal.

However, as Mizuki looked over her should to check on the magia once again, she would see a figure that was most definitely shivering despite being bundled up in the cloak.

"Status - Positively freezing. However, all of the primary parameters are still within operational margins. This unit will be fine."

It was somewhat more difficult to speak with slightly chattering teeth, but she got out of herself. As long as things didn't get any worse, she'd probably stay fine.

@Ueno Mizuki