Chapter 406: Matsue
In the year 1611, Matsue was growing into its new identity as a stronghold under the reign of Lord Horio Mosuke. The capital city of Shimane Prefecture of Japan and known for its informal title, "The City of Water". Plenty of shrines and hot springs to explore and the city itself being bisected by the Ohashi River.
At a bar located in north Matsue near a small school, samurai warriors drank with merchants, farmers shared stories of their labor, and the few ronin spoke in low, cautious tones. A typical scene for the current era of Matsue.
Heaven for a history geek like Kazi Hossain.
At an empty spot in the back of the air was the lone Kazi, settled down on a tatami, legs crossed. The soft murmur of the bar grew louder. The other patrons half-noticed his arrival. To them, he was just another traveler, a foreigner or perhaps a wandering scholar.
’It smells like aged cheese!’ Sniff. ’And sand!! Delicious!’
Kazi sat to observe and more players began to appear in the empty seats, materializing into existence in subtle flashes of light. Some of them looked around, scanning and checking where they had spawned. Many immediately got up and went outside. A few laughed, shook off the disorientation, and they flagged an arm to get a drink. Yep, certain players were solely her for the drinks and to immerse themselves in the novelty of feudal Japan. To collect, to sell, to learn, and write. Those types of players grew more and more common, it seemed. They found their place in the Nebulous Bazaar, finding a mundane job, and only chose to go to the Heavenly Tower as tourists.
’Oh, Leon is here.’
Leon, the gymnast from the Sapphire Order and ranked 62. He had been on the train when Paul died. He talked to Kazi here and there regarding the gates.
"One sake, please!" Leon grinned at the bartender, who nodded and filled a small ceramic cup. While it was good to see a familiar face here, something was off.