The summer sun shone bright and clear, the azure dome of the sky without a single cloud, much less any sign of rain. The scenery along California's western coast was deeply striking. A magnificent coastline stretched north and south, with towering ranges and steep mountains everywhere, rising grandly along the seaside all the way.
The exploration fleet stayed for half a month in the Chumash river-mouth valley, chose the site for Three Mountain Port, and built a few huts from branches. The priests smiled warmly and gifted the local tribes some glittering Lake Gems, along with practical, thick cloth for keeping warm. The two nearest small Chumash tribes also joined in the camp's construction with friendly, simple goodwill.
The one left to stay at this valley port was the Kingdom's first-rank Missionary Priest, Ke Bao. The "Ke" in his name represented the "wolf" of the forest, a commoner surname. And the name "Ke Bao" happened to correspond to the animals along this coast. On this stretch of western coastal land, the most numerous large carnivores were prairie coyotes. By the seaside, meanwhile, the most common were spotted seals and elephant seals.
As for these animals lying on the shore, staring with cute, round eyes and not knowing to dodge arrows, the exploration fleet liked them very much. That was because they provided large amounts of precious meat, warm pelts against the cold, and grease that could maintain weapons and leather armor. Even their bones, after being thoroughly aired, roasted, dried, and made brittle, would be smashed and ground into bone meal to serve as bone fertilizer in the fields.
"Miki, Priest Ke Bao really is doing very well. He's mingled completely with the Chumash."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro rubbed his chin and watched from afar as Priest Ke Bao led a