Volume 6 - CH 3.1

After that, I returned to the carriage as if nothing had happened, put Amiyu, who was still sleepy, in the back, and set out.

A few hours of walking along the mountain road.

Just before the sun rose above the city, the city walls came into view in the direction we were going.

“…… that’s…”

The Free City of Lakana.

A city of adventurers, developed by the wealth brought by dungeons.

I had heard that such a city existed, but of course this was my first time actually visiting it.

I took one look at it and muttered my thoughts.

“The walls are very high.”

It is taller than the Imperial City, let alone Rodnea.

In addition, the gates, upper corridors, and even the walled towers that stand in between the gates and corridors seem to be very elaborate, and the city seems to be very cautious about threats from the outside.

It was strange.

This is not a strategically important city.

Although it is a rich land where resources can be extracted, its source is a dungeon, so it is not a place that can be robbed like a mine or a harbor.

I don’t think they have to be so vigilant about the attacks of demon tribes and enemy armies, though. ……

“Maybe they’re preparing for a stampede.”

Amiyu, who had woken up a while ago, answered from behind.

I look back

“Stan …… what?”

“It’s a stampede, a monster stampede. A monster stampede is when a group of monsters attack a village or town. It doesn’t happen very often, but with all the dungeons and forests around here, you’re prepared for anything, right?”

“Heh… is there such a thing?”

This is the first time I have heard of it.

In a previous life, there was the Hyakki Yagyo, in which demons and ghosts swarmed around the city at three o’clock in the morning, but they did not attack the capital, the city or villages. At most, the people who came across them were eaten.

The phenomena are similar, but the reality must be different.

I asked.

“How does this stampede thing happen?”

“Come on, ……. Sometimes it seems that one kind of monster just happens to appear in large numbers, or that they escaped from other strong monsters, but more often than not, we don’t know why ……. For some reason, they say, all kinds of monsters appear at once. It seems to happen more often when there are big dungeons or forests nearby.”

“… huh”

All kinds of monsters, all at once, for some reason. ……

After hearing all this, I had an idea as to why.

If dungeons spawn monsters, they can appear in large numbers if the conditions are right.

I could imagine the conditions for this, considering the flow of power I felt from the land around here,—-, which I found for the first time since my reincarnation.

I don’t have to worry about it now, though.

While I was thinking about this, the carriage continued on to Lakana.

**********

Passing through the city walls, I saw a town that could be best described as chaotic.

The buildings were simple and there were no high-rise structures. Compared to Rodonea and the Imperial City, it seemed less sophisticated. On the other hand, however, there were many people, and their appearance varied. There were people with unusual hair and skin colors, as well as sub humans.

And, of course, there were many people carrying weapons.

It was indeed an adventurer’s town.

After entering Lakana, Amiyu and I first sold the carriage.

We hesitated because Fiona had originally provided it for us, but we didn’t have enough money to keep it.

If they ask us to return it, we will have to pay for it.

So, in exchange for some apologies, I was able to have a little more to spare financially.

While putting away the bag of gold coins, I walked with Amiyu through the bustling city.

“So what are you going to do now?　Seika.”

Says Amiyu beside me.

“In the meantime, I think we should look for a place to stay.”

“I’d like to …… meet with the sheik here first.”

“The sheik of Lacana?　Why?”

“Since Fiona said she’d told him about us, I thought it might be a good idea to show him our faces.”

And if —- can, we want to be sure of their intentions.

I’d like to know if they can be our enemy.

Fiona said she was a collaborator, but she is only one person.

If she decides it is to her advantage, she may sell us to the faction that is pursuing the hero.

I still couldn’t even weigh Fiona’s intentions before that.

I don’t think I can see through the plot on the spot, but if I keep an eye on it with a shikigami, I’m sure it will eventually come out.

I’ll Inform them of the Hero’s arrival and see their reactions.

In order to determine whether this place is safe or not, it is absolutely necessary.

“…… and I’m sure the sheik knows of a good, inexpensive place to stay.”

“Ah, yes. I think it’s better to ask someone here anyway.”

When I added this, Amiyu simply nodded in agreement.