After spending roughly one month in Hakashi Village, the trio had finally departed and resumed their journey.
Tuziku explained that their next goal was to recruit a few new members to join their crew.
And so, the trio wandered around the Shiriku Region in search of new crewmembers.
"Where should we begin searching for new crewmembers?" Tuziku asked as they walked aimlessly through the rocky terrain of Shiriku.
"Trustworthy crewmembers!" Prīōra added.
"I'm not sure where we should start... The Shiriku Region is huge, and ironically enough, there aren't that many villages in this land," she explained.
Kutcher scratched his chin.
"Why don't we just go to the closest village from here?" he asked.
"That seems like a valid idea," said Tuziku.
"I don't think so!" Prīōra objected.
"You have no idea what the other villages are like in the Shiriku Region!" she panicked.
Tuziku gazed at her in confusion.
"What are you talking about, Prīōra?" he asked.
Suddenly, Prīōra stopped in her tracks.
"You don't want to go anywhere near the other villages in the Shiriku Region!"
Tuziku and Kutcher came to a halt and glanced toward her.
"What's gotten you so scared?" Kutcher asked.
Prīōra lowered her head.
"You may not know this, but the villages in this region aren't too friendly toward outsiders."
"You two got lucky because you happened to personally know a member of the Hakashi Tribe—me!"
She flung her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
"Come to think of it, if I weren't related to the Chief of the village, I doubt they'd let you two anywhere near the village!" she explained.
"Why are all the villages so hostile toward outsiders?" Tuziku asked.
Prīōra clenched her hands together.
"The soil in the Shiriku Region isn't suitable for growing crops."
"Since the land is mostly covered in mountains and rocks, the soil itself is very dry and hard."
"Across the region, there are only a handful of locations where the soil is moist enough to grow certain types of crops."
Her expression softened.
"However, the amount of people to feed and the amount of crops that can be produced are vastly different—in a negative way."
"Include the fact that the villages abolished the previous trading system we had established. Now, in order for most villages to survive, they're forced to steal from one another."
"That's awful!" Tuziku's jaw dropped.
Kutcher clenched his fists, wearing a passionate expression.
"If even a single outsider attempts to enter another village, in the worst-case scenario, they could be immediately executed!" Prīōra's expression hardened.
"That's how it is for most places in the land of Hinkon."
Tuziku wore a saddened expression.
"Meanwhile... on the other side of the world—they have more food than they even know what to do with."
Tuziku clenched his fist, the veins bulging from his hand.
Suddenly—
SMACK!!
Kutcher smacked Tuziku across the back.
"Oww! What was that for?!" Tuziku asked.
"Why are you looking so sad?"
"Don't forget, the whole reason we set out as the Black Scabbards is because Sailou believed that you could change this current world for the better!" Kutcher wore a stern expression.
"Now, get your act together and decide where we're headed next!"
"You're our Captain, for Christ's sake!" Kutcher placed a hand over his forehead.
"He's right, Tuziku!" said Prīōra.
"We decided that our goal is to find new members to join our crew, but we can't continue to aimlessly wander around the Shiriku Region."
"You have to decide where we're going next!" she shouted.
Tuziku scratched his chin.
"Alright!"
"Prīōra, what's the closest village near our location?"
"We're gonna head to the next village and hope we can get entry."
"That sounds like a stupid idea!" Kutcher snapped.
"Prīōra literally just explained why visiting any of the villages here is a bad idea, and here you are attempting to do the exact same thing!" Kutcher said.
Tuziku folded his arms.
"We don't have much of a choice here, Kutcher. It's either we head toward the nearest village or we continue wandering around the Shiriku Region!"
"Which do you think is better?"
Kutcher frowned.
"Visiting another village is like asking for trouble."
Prīōra stepped forward.
"That's enough! Both of you!"
She let out a huge sigh.
"I understand that this is a difficult decision to make, but we have to visit another village to at least give us some sort of destination to travel to in the meantime."
"I think we should visit another village, even if it'll be dangerous," said Prīōra.
Kutcher shrugged.
"I guess that's settled then!" said Tuziku as he turned toward Prīōra.
"Prīōra, what's the next closest village near our location?"
Prīōra folded her arms.
"Hmm... A few hours toward the south of here should lead us to Nepa!"
"Nepa?" Tuziku wore a confused expression.
Prīōra nodded her head.
"It's a relatively small village, and most of its people are currently suffering from starvation, I believe!" she continued.
"Good! Then we'll head toward Nepa!" said Tuziku.
"What do you honestly hope to find in a place like that?" Kutcher asked.
"Do you really think a small village that's suffering from starvation will have someone strong enough to help us on our journey?"
Suddenly, Tuziku's expression hardened as he gazed at Kutcher with a cold expression.
"You shouldn't underestimate people like them, Kutcher!"
He clenched his fists.
"They're the ones who spend everyday fighting for their lives, even when survival itself seems impossible."
Kutcher remained silent.
Tuziku stepped forward.
"I've decided. We're going to visit Nepa Village and see if we can find someone to join our crew!"
"It'll be fine. Let's go."
Tuziku walked off.
Then—
He stopped and scratched his head awkwardly.
"Prīōra, you should lead the way," he chuckled.
Prīōra stood at the front and led the way.
Tuziku and Kutcher followed behind.
And so, the Black Scabbards departed toward Nepa.
What will happen as they embark on their new journey?
And also, what has become of the impending danger that was slowly creeping up on them before they arrived at Hakashi Village?
CHAPTER 68 END