Note: Thanks to reader feedback, I've corrected "Iris" to "Aitoil" in this translation. Thank you for pointing it out!
Do Spices Dream of Rabbits?
Hey there, everyone! Pepper here. Right now, I'm diving headfirst into a unique scenario in Shangri-La Frontier. Buckle up, because this is one wild ride!
Chasing a black rabbit through the back alleys of Secondil, I slipped through a mysterious door—and what lay beyond was none other than the fabled Rabbit Country, Rabbits.
In Shangri-La Frontier, there's a beginner-friendly scenario called the "Rabbit Country Tour." Equip a weapon bearing the "Vorpal" name, defeat enemies above your level, and special "Vorpal Bunnies" start popping up in the game's cities. Follow them through a hidden door, and you'll arrive at Rabbits, the homeland of the Vorpal Bunnies. There, you face the "Rabbit-Eating Serpent," a beast preying on the bunnies. Defeat it, and you'll earn the magic skill [Enchant Vorpal], which boosts critical hits against higher-level opponents.
One catch: once you claim the reward, you're booted out of Rabbits, so don't forget to snap some screenshots! That's the gist of the "Rabbit Country Tour," as Azusa later learned.
"What is this place?" Pepper muttered, stepping through the door. Before him stretched a wooden staircase spiraling up a massive tree, leading to a grand palace perched majestically at its crown. Below, an endless sprawl of rabbit-shaped buildings dotted the landscape, where Vorpal Bunnies hopped about in peaceful harmony. To a kemono fan—er, I mean, a rabbit enthusiast—this place was paradise.
"I've stumbled into something insane…" Pepper whispered, awestruck.
"Well, well, look who's here! Pepper-han, welcome!"
A voice called out, and Pepper turned to see a black-furred Vorpal Bunny, its eyes narrowed slyly. It wore a round straw hat, a traditional kimono with the right sleeve rolled up, and a naginata with a peach-shaped lantern dangling from its handle. This bunny was no ordinary critter—it had the swagger of a yakuza swordsman.
"Whoa, who're you?!" Pepper yelped, stumbling back in shock.
The black bunny chuckled. "Oh, the whole of Rabbits is buzzing about you, Pepper-han. Word's out about your guts, charging fearlessly at the 'Night Raid,' that King of the Night. And your skill—slicing through its gaze with pinpoint precision! You're a walking bundle of Vorpal Spirit, ain't ya?"
Its fluffy aura clashed hilariously with the play-by-play commentary spilling from its mouth. But what caught Pepper's attention was that phrase: Vorpal Spirit. Was it some kind of metaphor for the courage to face overwhelming odds?
"Oh, right, I ain't introduced myself. Name's Aitoil. Nice to meetcha, Pepper-han."
"Uh, yeah, I'm Pepper. Nice to meet you too," Pepper replied, shaking Aitoil's tiny paw gently.
"Here's the deal," Aitoil continued, its tone growing serious. "I brought you to Rabbits 'cause the Okashira—our boss—wants to meet ya. And get this: tons of humans visit Rabbits, but you're the first to set foot in the Rabbit Palace."
"Wait, really?" Pepper blinked, stunned.
"Yup! You're the first human to grace this hall. Quite the honor, eh?"
Pepper's head spun with the weight of it all. This was way bigger than he'd expected. Running away now would be a slap in the face to the Okashira's hospitality, so he steeled himself, trying to keep his cool.
"C'mon, let's head up!" Aitoil chirped, gesturing toward the palace.
"R-right… here goes nothing…" Pepper stammered, stepping forward.
Slipping off his boots and hiding his Lycaon-cursed right hand under his cloak, Pepper entered the Rabbit Palace. Inside, the air thrummed with elegance—tatami floors, intricate ink paintings on sliding doors, and ornate decorations that screamed high-class ryokan. The artwork seemed alive, pulsing with energy, and Pepper's spine straightened instinctively under the weight of the atmosphere.
Led by Aitoil, he approached the chamber where the Okashira, the leader of the Vorpal Bunnies, awaited. What kind of bunny is this Okashira? Pepper wondered. Maybe… small and cute like Aitoil?
Aitoil stopped before a grand sliding door, clearly meant for someone important. "Okashira! I've brought the human with the Vorpal Spirit!" it called out.
"Good work, Aitoil," came a deep, resonant voice from within.
The door slid open, revealing a tatami-lined room straight out of a Sengoku-era warlord's castle. And there, seated at the center, was him.
He was no ordinary bunny. As tall as a human, he wore a kimono and hakama fit for a yakuza boss, puffing on an antique pipe shaped like a carrot. Flanked by a gaggle of smaller female bunnies, he radiated the vibe of a king presiding over his harem. His white, coarse fur gleamed with a glossy sheen, and the aura he exuded was that of a seasoned warrior who'd crossed countless battle lines. A scar marred his right eye, a testament to battles fought, and his voice carried the gravitas of a final boss—or at least a key figure in an anime's climax. It was a perfect blend of menace and charm, a character crafted with palpable passion by the game's creators.
"Well, well, you made it," he said, his voice booming. "I've been waiting."
Pepper froze, words caught in his throat under the sheer intensity of the moment.
"You're the one, huh? The human who sliced that mutt's eye and got marked by its stench. That's some serious Vorpal Spirit you've got."
Rabbits were herbivores, sure, but some devoured their own young in dire times. This bunny's smile, though, was something else entirely—more predatory than any carnivore Pepper had faced. One wrong move, and he was done for.
"Most of you humans grow strong too fast, losing that Vorpal Spirit along the way. It pisses me off," the bunny continued, exhaling a plume of pipe smoke. "But you? You've got potential. I like that."
The smoke curled in the air as the great bunny leaned forward. "Name's Weissash. If you're willing to put in the time, I'll train you myself. So, what do you say? You in?"
Pepper was a nervous wreck. His mind was so overloaded that he barely registered Weissash's words.
"…I'll train you myself. So, what do you say? You in?"
Snapping back to reality, Pepper realized he'd missed most of the conversation. Crap, what do I do?! I was too nervous to listen! Train me? What's that mean?! His brain scrambled for a response. Calm down, Pepper. This is like a visual novel choice screen. The key is the vibe—and what to call this guy!
In his head, a choice menu popped up: Old Man, Boss, or Teacher. In a yakuza game, you'd go with 'Old Man,' but that feels like a trap here! One wrong answer, and this bunny's gonna take my fingers as 'discipline'!
There was only one option left. Pepper shed his traveler's cloak, set his boots aside, knelt on the tatami, and bowed deeply with perfect Japanese etiquette.
"I'm in your care… Teacher!" he declared.
Silence filled the room.
…Oh no. Was I supposed to say 'Boss'?! Pepper's mind screamed. Did I just misclick the dialogue option?! This is bad!
The air grew heavy as Weissash stood, stepping closer. Pepper braced himself, expecting the worst.
Then, a large, gentle paw rested on his head.
"Teacher, huh? Not bad," Weissash said, his voice warm. "You're asking to learn from your elders, like a true disciple. I like that spirit."
His eyes gleamed, weighing Pepper's resolve and finding it worthy. From his kimono, Weissash pulled a red cloth and tossed it into the air. Like it had a life of its own, it wrapped around Pepper's neck.
"This is yours now," Weissash said. "To reach true strength, you'll face trials and need unwavering resolve. Never forget the Vorpal Spirit burning in you. Oh, and Aitoil—look after this guy."
"You got it, Okashira!" Aitoil chirped, tugging at Pepper's sleeve. But Pepper didn't budge. He was out cold—fainted from the overwhelming moment when Weissash's paw touched his head. His brain had hit its limit, triggering a safety shutdown.
With a chuckle, Aitoil hoisted the motionless Pepper up. "Guess he's overwhelmed by your greatness, Okashira. I'll take care of him."
And so, Aitoil carried Pepper to a room, marking the beginning of his journey with Weissash, the great bunny leader, and Aitoil, the black Vorpal Bunny who'd become his trusty partner.
Pepper's Head Is Full at the Grand Palace