Chapter 116 110: Low Blow

The Atreus Empire.

We passed through the western gates of Deep Down Town and reached a checkpost beyond the walls. The autonomous zone belonging to the Deep Down Town ended at that point and the border of the great Empire, the strongest power on the Eastern ends of the Continent began.

The guard stopped us at the check post and started inspecting the carriage we were on.

"Alright, three adventurers. Where to?"

The guard asked in the Empire's language.

Sharky was about to speak to him when I popped my head out the window and showed him my Guild Card. Seeing the platinum-plated card, his eyes widened and he smiled.

"Adventurer Dusk?" he asked. "That Adventurer Dusk?"

With a scoff, I flicked my hair and nodded. Being looked at like this reminded me of when people would stop and stare at my beauty. I was even more handsome these days since I had grown up so much.

"I'll give you an autograph when I come ba--"

"Alright, you have to get off. We're checking everything."

"Yes?" I asked.

The guard then pointed at his desk not far away, kept on it was an issue of the 'Adventurer Time' magazine.

"We've all heard how crazy you are. Get out, let us inspect it."

S-slander!

This was slander!

I bit my lips and turned back. There, Sharky was looking at us with confused eyes. I glanced at him, and then at the coachman who had his hand on his head.

"Do you not understand the Empire's language?" I asked Sharky.

"I leave complicated things to that sleeping guy."

I sighed and stepped out of the carriage. "They say you look like a criminal and want to check everything."

"Hah?" The coachman sounded.

"HAH!?" But Sharky's scream was louder.

"Low swing, Eugy, real low."

Shut it.

It isn't my fault.

***

The journey resumed after a minor setback. Sharky seemed especially bitter about things but didn't say much.

I alternated between sitting in the coach and going up and laying on the roof of the carriage as we made our way through the outskirts of the Empire. The area was under the rule of a Margrave since it faced the Schwarz kingdom closely.

With a sigh, I pulled out an envelope and looked over the contents of the request that the receptionist had handed me.

It went into deeper detail about what was going on and what we were supposed to do.

Guests from all over the continent were about to be greeted by the Empire. Adventurers were being tasked with maintaining the security of the nobles' districts alongside the mercenaries and wizards.

Some exceptional adventurers meeting certain conditions would be set along with some of the more influential nobles and guests for security. The knight orders were going to handle the security of the rest of the city, especially the commoner districts.

It made sense that they didn't want the adventurers to know of the commoners and their daily lives. It could be dangerous for any country to let another group be deeply involved with its security.

That was where my worries rose from.

It was deeply problematic for any country, and the Empire knew it well. Other than one or two adventurers being assigned directly to the nobles alongside the nobles' knights, most adventurers, and mercenaries were tasked with maintaining the security of the noble 'districts.'

To put it mildly, it was a useless posting.

It shouldn't have cost them a small amount to commission so many top-class personnel.

Sure, it was an event at an unprecedented scale, it was also the change of a century per the Empire's calendar, which made it 500 years since the reign of their first Emperor. Guests of a caliber never seen before would all be in one place.

It would be perfectly logical to say that the Empire was doing this to show its strength.

The Atreus Empire was fearless, after all.

"It doesn't sit right with me..."

"You think they might be scheming something?" Titania asked.

"It's possible..." My gaze narrowed. I was not the only one who would be thinking this way. Going into a den of powerful people meant they were equally competent.

Even if the Adventurers weren't good at politics and scheming themselves considering their straightforward nature, we were going to have people like the receptionist there.

And the nobles of the other countries would notice too.

They were either scheming something.

"Or were they threatened...?"

It seemed like a reasonable thing to do if you are threatened. But there were flaws with this thought as well. Aside from the most obvious, who could threaten the empire, what kind of threat could they not handle themselves was also something to think about.

The hired hands were being placed too close to the castle and the nobles.

Sacrifices? But would they put sacrifices next to the people they want to protect the most?

"Ahhh!" I sighed and scratched my head. "I'll have to think carefully. I don't understand it yet."

Sitting up on the top of the carriage, I took a good glimpse around.

The routes weren't unfamiliar to me as blades of grass and lines of trees stretched as far as the eye went. A clear blue sky and the breath of fresh air.

The symbol of this abundance and clarity, that was the Atreus Empire.

I was looking forward to it.

Soon, I would be facing a lot of people who were supposed to be stronger than me. Whether it was in strength or in status.

How far had I come in these two years. I was looking forward to finding out.

"Hey, Dusk!" Sharky called out from below. "How long are you planning to stay up there?"

"We'll be reaching your quest ground soon, right? It's alright."

"Oh right!" Sharky suddenly peered out of the window of the carriage and looked at me. "I forgot to tell you, I misread the quest. The location of the quest is actually at Cadun village, it's a seven day trip."

Seven days?

"Motherfucker! Are you saying I have to stay with you for seven days?"

Sharky clasped his hand in a fist and smacked his head, his tongue sticking out.

"Teehee."