Chapter 12 – The City of Stonebells
Sunlight shimmered across the waves as the Waifu Maru sailed smoothly under a clear blue sky. The tense fog of Fogmoor Ridge was behind them, and Ayman was determined to enjoy the peace while it lasted.
"Land ho!" Tsunade shouted from the mast, waving her sake gourd like a flag.
Ahead loomed a massive island—green hills, coastal cliffs, and a bustling harbor city nestled in a wide bay. Bells rang from tall towers, echoing melodically across the sea.
[System Notification: Location Discovered – Stonebell Island]
[Note: This island has a neutral human population. Great for shopping, exploring, and information gathering.]
Ayman smiled. "Finally. A normal island. No curses, no fog beasts, just civilization."
"Bet you a thousand Beli we still run into something weird," Yoruichi said as she stretched, showing off her lithe form as Ayman tried very hard to not stare too obviously.
Android 18 was already calculating costs. "I need a power cell recharge. This island better have tech."
Esdeath stepped beside Ayman with a chilly smirk. "And perhaps some... recreational torture?"
"I swear to god," Ayman groaned. "Can't we just go to a tavern like normal people?"
They docked at Stonebell Port and were immediately greeted by an energetic port inspector with a ten-foot feather hat.
"WELCOME TO STONEBELL CITY!" the man bellowed. "City of chimes and culinary crime! No fighting in public zones, or the bells will report you!"
"Wait—did he say the bells will report us?" Ayman blinked.
Indeed, the bells hanging from every street corner seemed to shimmer with strange power.
[System Notice: Magical surveillance infrastructure detected – do not engage in combat unless in a sanctioned zone.]
Tsunade grumbled. "That's gonna be a problem."
They entered the city proper, which was alive with colors, smells, and chaos. Children ran through the streets chasing mechanical ball pets. Giant stone golems acted as delivery couriers. Market stalls lined the streets, selling everything from spicy roasted kraken to bootleg Den Den Mushi phones.
Ayman's stomach growled. "Alright, before we go full RPG questing, I want food."
Yoruichi snatched a skewer of grilled meat from a vendor and tossed one to Ayman. "Catch."
He bit into it and immediately teared up. "Why is it so spicy?!"
"It's called Lava Chicken. Locals say if it doesn't burn your soul, it's undercooked."
Meanwhile, Android 18 wandered into a tech shop, scanning the gadgets with genuine curiosity. "This place is more advanced than expected."
Esdeath browsed a weaponsmith's forge, admiring obsidian-bladed fans. "So many ways to make people bleed artistically."
Tsunade? She found the tavern.
As the crew scattered through the city, Ayman heard a familiar ding in his mind.
[System Notification: New Mission – "The Mayor's Secret"]
[Objective: Discover why the mayor of Stonebell Island never leaves his tower.]
[Reward: 2,000,000 Beli + Gacha Summon Ticket]
[Side Quest Unlocked: Help the Bell Keeper's Apprentice deliver ten sacred chimes. Reward: Local Favor + Extra Clues]
He raised an eyebrow. "Mayor secret mission? Classic."
Before he could investigate further, Yoruichi grabbed him by the wrist.
"Come on, Captain. I found something way more fun."
She dragged him toward a public bathhouse labeled Golden Steam Retreat.
Inside, Ayman quickly found himself overwhelmed. The girls had already changed into revealing towels—or in Esdeath's case, barely even that.
"W-Wait, why am I here?" he stammered, as the girls surrounded him in the steamy chamber.
"Because it's your turn to scrub my back," Tsunade said bluntly.
Yoruichi leaned closer. "Or maybe you're the one who needs a good cleaning?"
Esdeath slid into the hot spring like a glacier goddess. "I do hope this bathhouse allows bloodletting."
Ayman tried not to pass out from a mix of embarrassment and boiling water.
Android 18, in her usual monotone, added, "I calculated that this is an efficient bonding exercise."
It was the most ecchi moment he'd survived since Fanservice Island. Somehow, he endured.
Later that evening, back at their rented suite overlooking the city, Ayman stood at the balcony, watching the moon rise over Stonebell's spire-like towers.
"Something's weird about this place," he said aloud.
[System Notification: Your instincts are correct. The Mayor has not stepped outside in 23 years. Rumors suggest a powerful artifact or curse is involved.]
Behind him, Yoruichi slipped onto the balcony, sipping fruit wine.
"So, Captain," she said. "What's next? Play tourist? Or go digging for secrets?"
He smirked. "Why not both?"
[System Notification: Mission "The Mayor's Secret" – Active.]