Ch.66Cotton Tail Trading Post

Cotton Tail Trading Post.

Once a humble rural village of the White Rabbit tribe, it had transformed into a key waypoint for western expansion with a mini-barrier installed, thanks to massive funding and extensive renovations from the New Continent Development Headquarters.

The White Rabbit tribe, originally an agricultural people, experienced much confusion during this unfamiliar rapid development, with some even leaving the village. However, with their remarkable adaptability and business acumen, they quickly adjusted to a symbiotic relationship with the pioneers and established themselves as the ruling power of this small trading city.

Cotton Tail Trading Post had weathered twenty years as both an exemplary case of coexistence with natives for the New Continent Development Headquarters and a symbol of prosperity through friendly exchange with pioneers for the indigenous people. The number of those who remembered when it was called “Rabisyumbati” – meaning “wide fields of the White Rabbit tribe” – was steadily dwindling.

“Before we reach Cotton Tail Trading Post, there’s something you should keep in mind.”

Jessica, having finished her brief explanation about our next destination as we completed preparations and passed through the gates of the Third Western City, spoke with a serious expression.

“Cotton Tail Trading Post is legally White Rabbit territory, but it’s also a waypoint for pioneers with a mini-barrier installed. Naturally, many people come and go, including those of questionable character and even outlaws.”

“Even outlaws?”

“Yes. The Frontier License that distinguishes legal citizens from outlaws is human law, so it doesn’t apply in White Rabbit territory. This means outlaws can enter Cotton Tail Trading Post without being arrested, and if disputes arise between visitors, hardly anyone intervenes. Though violence or crimes against the trading post residents are punished extremely harshly.”

Even rough outlaws living outside the boundaries of law aren’t free from death by black magic.

Cotton Tail Trading Post, with its mini-barrier installed yet not prohibiting outlaws from entering, must be a vital lifeline for such outlaws – truly an oasis in the desert.

“But wouldn’t that worsen public safety and damage the village’s reputation? Why don’t the White Rabbits block outlaws from entering?”

“Because it’s profitable. Not many travelers are willing to risk going directly from the Third Western City to Riverside, and outlaws looking to purchase food or medicine are good customers from the White Rabbits’ perspective.”

While petty disputes might occur, the city’s people aren’t caught up in violence, and though illegal goods are traded, it’s not enough to destabilize the city.

This is the current state of Cotton Tail Trading Post – steadily developing while maintaining a delicate balance between peace and crime, with legal citizens, outlaws, and natives all mingling together.

“Of course, the White Rabbits aren’t just sitting back and letting the trading post become a crime city. If they notice outlaws trying to settle down and operate in Cotton Tail Trading Post, they’ll contact human cities to bring in bounty hunters or special marshals from the Security Department.”

“So unless there’s that level of commotion, they neither turn away arriving guests nor detain departing ones, is that it?”

“Right. So in Cotton Tail Trading Post, if someone picks a fight with you, it’s best to ignore it if possible. If it ends as a one-on-one duel, that’s fortunate, but you might end up facing off against a gang if you’re not careful.”

“Well… I’ll try my best.”

Our purpose in visiting Cotton Tail Trading Post is solely to investigate the ancient ruins in the Evernight Mountains.

It would be best to avoid getting caught up in unnecessary commotion and wasting time, but depending on the nature of the provocation, there might be instances where I simply can’t hold back.

Hoping that I won’t have to break Jessica’s advice because of some line-crossing troublemakers, I pulled on Ancestor’s reins.

“…This is a White Rabbit village? The same White Rabbit tribe said to live diligently yet leisurely, devoted to agriculture their whole lives?”

That was Phyllis’s impression as soon as we entered through Cotton Tail Trading Post’s thick defensive walls.

And for good reason – the scene of Cotton Tail Trading Post unfolding before our eyes was more boisterous and chaotic than any western city we had passed through so far.

“On~ions~for~sale! Po~ta~toes~too! Fresh~gar~lic~”

“For just the next 10 minutes, a set of 3 wooden ladles plus a set of 3 baskets for only 3 gold 98 coins! Offering at 3 gold 98 coins!”

“10 gold raise!”

“I’ll take 10 gold and raise 5 more!”

There’s a middle-aged human woman selling vegetables with a peculiar accent.

There’s a White Rabbit man with piles of woven baskets and ladles, shouting about a time sale.

There’s a group of four men and women sitting around a table, playing card games with stacks of money.

People drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes at makeshift outdoor tables can be seen everywhere, and scantily clad White Rabbit prostitutes soliciting men are visible throughout the main street.

If this is the scene on the main street right after entering the city gates, one can hardly imagine what kind of hellscape might unfold in the alleys hidden from public view.

“Whoa~ Why is it so crowded?”

“Cotton Tail Trading Post’s mini-barrier range is allocated solely for lodging facilities. It’s no exaggeration to say that all the space outside of that is both a shopping district and residential area.”

“Then do the White Rabbit residents who live here normally stay at lodging facilities?”

“Originally, beastfolk villages have traditional spells that drive away black magic. Since beastfolk can purify black magic within that range, the mini-barrier was installed solely for visitors of other races.”

“Really? Then Seti here…”

“Yes. I can feel the power of totem magic. It’s different from our village’s, but it feels comfortable.”

The humans’ grand barrier didn’t particularly change how one felt inside it, but it seems different for beastfolk.

Like elves and dwarves, the black magic purification techniques possessed by Grantis’s indigenous peoples each seem to have their own distinct characteristics.

“While Seti, being of the Cat tribe, is fine, the four of us will need to find lodging inside the mini-barrier. With so many people, I wonder if there will be any vacant rooms.”

“Oh, right. In Cotton Tail Trading Post, we can’t choose our lodgings freely. It’s a rule that we must stay at accommodations assigned by the trading post.”

“Hmm? What a strange rule.”

“Indeed.”

“Anyway, let’s go to the reception desk and apply for lodging. Since there are five of us, we’ll probably be split between two or three places, but we’re heading for the Evernight Mountains tomorrow morning, so we only need to endure a little inconvenience for one day.”

“Can’t be helped…”

As we tried to head to the lodging reception desk with Ancestor in tow, we could barely move forward due to merchants’ solicitations.

A boy trying to lure us to his shop claiming to have valuable potions, an old woman blocking our path offering to tell our fortunes, a middle-aged woman approaching with armfuls of women’s clothing, and a prostitute who slipped a shop map into my pocket amidst the confusion.

Additionally, pickpockets lurked around our group of five, watching for opportunities to steal pouches and wallets, but they were caught by Seti and Phyllis’s sharp eyes and slunk away into the alleys several times.

“Whew~~ Those ladies are hot!”

“Wow, that elf’s legs are just…”

Men on the street indiscriminately whistled and flirted with the women.

Comments about Jessica’s chest, wanting to lick Seti’s brown skin, wanting to tear Phyllis’s tights…

If not for Jessica’s advice to ignore minor provocations, I would have drawn my revolver long ago.

“It takes talent to come up with such vulgar phrases in such variety.”

“I’m sorry. Not all pioneers are like that…”

“I know. There’s one exemplary man right beside us.”

“I appreciate you saying that, but honestly, I want to shoot them all right now.”

“Wait, why am I the only one not getting hit on by any guys?!”

Mina, the only one of the four women who hadn’t been sexually harassed even once, kicked a stone in frustration.

While I understand Mina’s feelings, let’s just say that even rough and rude men retained some minimal conscience.

After pushing through the bustling crowd, we reached the reception desk, provided information about our party members, and were assigned lodgings.

“Jessica Walter and Phyllis Aide to Traders Inn, Room 204; Minaret Belghand to Little Joe’s Inn, Room 104; William J. Kim to Clover Garden, Room 101. Elem Lu Seti will go with the pack animal to a homestay at Midwest District, address 2-13.”

“Why is Seti alone in a different district?”

“Beastfolk like me can purify magic even outside the mini-barrier. Shouldn’t we leave the inner lodgings to other races?”

Though dissatisfied, it was a reason we couldn’t argue with.

We received wooden boards with maps to each lodging from the clerk and left the reception desk.

With lodging reservations complete, dinner was next.

The foods sold at Cotton Tail Trading Post used various vegetables and herbs like garlic and parsley.

The scent of garlic, which I was encountering for the first time since crossing to Grantis, stirred my Korean blood.

Just how stirred was it? Well—

“Come outside, you horny bastard. I’ll put some air holes in your head.”

“Kid, you don’t know how scary the world is. Today’s gonna be your funeral.”

“Ah~ah, so it’s come to this…”

Enough that I challenged the vagrant who had harassed Jessica and Seti right before my eyes to a duel.