Chapter 163: 【Musings on Ardyst】 "The Phantom Country" of Saryunas

Chapter 163: 【Musings on Ardyst】 "The Phantom Country" of Saryunas 【Musings on Ardyst】 “The Phantom Country” of Saryunas

* * *

Have you heard of the country called “Saryunas” before?

Saryunas was once a small country said to have existed on the “Golden Continent” of Hamejika.

Abundant in magic ore deposits, it accumulated wealth by exporting them to other nations and boasted prosperity. However, it was an undeniably small nation in scale.

Even if students just starting to study history are unfamiliar with this country’s name, I believe there is no shame in that, as the author.

And yet, this Saryunas was also quite famous among those who love the wondrous and the unknown... In a certain far-off land, such people are called “occult maniacs,” but they referred to that country thusly:

....The “Phantom Country” of Saryunas.

* * *

Now then, this country of Saryunas existed within a basin (called the Saryunas Basin after the country’s name) surrounded by the Ranrananga Mountains, one of Hamejika Continent’s magic boundaries.

As mentioned earlier, due to trading magic ores with other nations, human interaction with surrounding regions was quite lively despite its location within the mountains.

However, at a certain point, an anomaly occurred in Saryunas.

The most famous historical record detailing this anomaly is the diary of Sasan Rassharn, the founding chairman of the Rassharn Company.

In his youth, he was a merchant who amassed a fortune through trade with Saryunas.

Here is an excerpt from that diary:

“[Omitted from beginning]...And just as the elegant Saryunas townscape began coming into view after crossing over the mountain pass, that haze began to drift in.

A pure white haze.

At first, I paid it no mind, thinking it was just an ordinary haze.

But something seemed amiss.

No matter how far we proceeded into the haze, we could not reach Saryunas.

Getting stranded in this winter season could mean life or death.

I instructed the caravan to turn back the way we came.

But then, strangely enough, despite having traveled quite far into the haze, we arrived back at the mountain pass bordering the country in just a few minutes of backtracking.

Something ominous was clearly occurring.

Convinced of this, I had us retreat entirely from the Ranrananga Mountains...”

It is unclear what would happen if one approached the current haze.

As the Holy Maiden Consortium frequently cautions, magical barriers degrade in function over time, which is common knowledge.

That white haze, which once merely prevented entry into the country, may have altered its function due to age-related degradation, potentially leading to unforeseen circumstances.

For such reasons, the Somatoko Academy investigation team apparently did not attempt to enter the haze – a prudent judgment, one would think.

* * *

Well then, I have provided an introduction to the country of Saryunas this time. How was it?

The “Phantom Country.”

Just hearing that title conjures a sense of romantic wonder.

However, I cannot recommend actually attempting to visit the site.

For the Saryunas Basin is a hazardous magic boundary zone.

Unlike 300 years ago when the roads were relatively developed, one would have to blaze their own trail, defeating monsters obstructing the way.

Without preparing a large-scale investigation team like Somatoko Academy, even approaching would be difficult.

Particularly inadvisable is nearing it during winter.

The snow-laden, high-altitude Saryunas Basin carries high risks of becoming stranded.

Furthermore, the ferocious, blood-starved Ranrananga White Lizards will be lying in wait for your arrival.

It is the kind of place where no number of lives would be sufficient.

You may even get caught in a blizzard, inexplicably finding yourself enveloped by the white haze before you know it.

And then...then what would happen, I wonder?

Would it simply prevent you from advancing further, as the legends state?

Or...might some other phenomenon occur?

I don’t know.

The unknown is frightening.

Romance only feels romantic when experienced secondhand.

At least for a coward like me.

(Excerpt from “Musings on Ardyst” by Riten Reebs)