Chapter 109: The greatsword-wielding wanted criminal helped cover his tracks and entered the city...

Hiding behind Ilio, Shu Li widened his eyes in surprise and studied the two strangers who had suddenly broken into the carriage.

One was tall and the other short. Both wore black cloaks, their faces concealed beneath broad hoods.

Judging by their builds, the taller one was a man, while the smaller one was a child around Shu Li’s age.

The man held a sword against Ilio’s throat. Only a centimeter separated its keen edge from his carotid artery. The slightest movement would make blood spray on the spot.

Of course, Ilio was no ordinary person, so that was almost impossible.

An Elf would never allow someone to threaten him with a blade.

Ignoring the sword at his throat, Ilio regarded the two intruders with amused interest in his deep black eyes.

Perhaps Ilio appeared far too calm, because the strange man hesitated before warning him again, “As long as you don’t move, shout, or call for help, I won’t hurt you.”

Ilio blinked to indicate that he understood.

The man continued, “If you help us, I can pay you a generous commission.”

“Senro!” the child pressed close to him said coldly. “Why should you pay a lowly commoner? It is an honor for him to help us.”

The man called Senro turned his head and murmured, “...Sha, have you forgotten what I told you?”

The child was clearly unconvinced, but did not argue.

Senro looked back at Ilio. “My apologies. Sha was spoiled by her parents. Please forgive her careless words.”

Ilio smiled faintly. “That apology might be more convincing if you lowered your sword, Sir Great Swordsman.”

Senro froze. A brief magical incantation suddenly sounded beside his ear, and his body instantly became immobile. Surprise appeared on the face hidden beneath his hood.

Ilio gently pinched the blade between his slender fingers and unhurriedly pushed it away.

Seeing this, Sha cried out, “Senro! What are you doing? Why aren’t you putting the sword back against his throat?”

Ilio pushed the blade completely aside and smiled at the child. “It isn’t that he doesn’t want to. He simply can’t move.”

“What?” Horrified, Sha quickly hid behind Senro.

Shu Li looked at the stiffened stranger, then at the brat who had been so arrogant a moment ago but was now cowering behind him. He shrugged speechlessly.

Their luck was truly terrible.

Of all the people they could have threatened, they had chosen the youngest and strongest warrior in the Elven Kingdom.

Ilio was an Elf who cultivated both magic and swordsmanship. His magical ability had surpassed the Mage Sovereign tier, while his swordsmanship had advanced beyond the Sword Saint tier.

A Great Swordsman named Senro was no match for him at all.

Looking at the confident smile on the black-haired young man’s face, Senro was filled with regret.

He had spent two days wandering outside the city with Sha, searching for a way in. When he saw the song-and-dance troupe’s carriages pass by today, a plan had occurred to him. He intended to hide in one of their carriages and slip into the city unnoticed.

The first several carriages were painted in bright colors and covered in decorations, clearly carrying the troupe’s principal members. The final carriage, however, was plain, and its wheels left deep tracks in the ground. It was obviously loaded with cargo.

Senro had chosen this carriage. When people farther back in the line began fighting over someone cutting ahead, throwing the area into chaos, he seized the opportunity to break the lock on the rear door and quickly slipped inside with Sha.

Upon discovering that the carriage was occupied, he immediately drew his sword and threatened them.

He had assumed they would become frightened and submit. Instead, the other man proved to be a concealed expert who immobilized him in an instant.

Had he known, he would have acted more cautiously.

“Honored sir, please forgive my rudeness.” Senro knew when to yield. Since he could still speak, he immediately apologized.

Anyone who could identify his swordsman rank at a glance must be stronger than a Great Swordsman. Addressing him respectfully was only proper.

Hearing Senro humble himself, Sha gritted her teeth in secret, hating her own weakness and inability to do anything.

Shu Li blinked his gray-green eyes and curiously moved closer to the man. Looking up from below, he finally saw the face hidden beneath the hood.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties. He had black hair, black eyes, and handsome features. Perhaps he had not slept properly lately, because dark circles shadowed his eyes, which were filled with bloodshot veins.

He seemed utterly exhausted. His lips were pale, and he might even be injured, but he was forcing himself to remain upright to protect the child beside him.

Senro grew uncomfortable beneath the little boy’s close scrutiny.

The child regarded him as though he were some strange and fascinating creature. Within those beautiful gray-green eyes, Senro detected a touch of sympathy and a hint of delight at his misfortune.

The carriage continued advancing slowly, while the loud commotion outside showed no sign of subsiding.

Sha, who was hiding behind Senro, lost her patience. She glared at Shu Li and snapped, “What are you staring at?”

Shu Li sighed.

This child truly had been spoiled by her parents.

Did she not understand their current situation? The adult protecting her had been defeated. Yet instead of restraining herself, she still dared to behave arrogantly and challenge him.

Fleeing with such a troublesome brat must be exhausting.

Shu Li felt even more sympathy for the haggard Great Swordsman.

“Sha!” Senro reprimanded her, then resignedly looked at Ilio. “What do you intend to do with us, sir? If you require compensation...I still have ten gold coins. I can give you all of them.”

Did he really think ten gold coins would satisfy a wealthy Elf?

That was rather wishful thinking.

Shu Li rested his chin in his hand and watched the show at his leisure.

Ilio said, “I can release you from the spell and allow you to remain in the carriage, but you must tell me who you are.”

Senro hesitated briefly. “Very well.”

“Senro!” Sha tugged on his clothes.

How could he reveal their identities to strangers?

If these two betrayed them for the enormous reward, everything would be over!

Ilio folded his arms. “Your little companion does not seem to agree.”

Senro replied solemnly, “There is no need to concern yourself with her opinion, sir. The decision is mine.”

He had always known how to judge a situation. If he continued resisting and refused to yield despite knowing he could not win, he would only die sooner.

That was precisely how he had managed to bring Sha this far. They had hidden constantly, repeatedly evaded the knights pursuing them, and successfully reached the outskirts of Otto City. Once they passed through this gate and found the person they were seeking, half their task would be complete.

“In that case...” Ilio snapped his fingers, effortlessly dispelling the wind binding spell.

Regaining his freedom, Senro breathed a sigh of relief. He sheathed his longsword, removed his hood to reveal his true appearance, and sat on the other side of the carriage, pulling Sha down beside him.

After a moment of silence, he introduced himself. “My name is Senro Bonk, an Intermediate Great Swordsman. She is my employer’s daughter, Nasha. We come from...the Kingdom of Pedam.”

The Kingdom of Pedam!

Shu Li’s eyes lit up.

He knew the country’s name extremely well.

The mage who had cursed him came from the Kingdom of Pedam.

Hadn’t the Kingdom of Cecilia surrounded Pedam so completely that no one could get in or out? How had this Great Swordsman and child escaped? More than that, how had they successfully reached the Dalia Empire, so far from their homeland?

“I see!” Ilio bluntly exposed their identities. “You’re the wanted fugitives those knights are pursuing.”

Senro and Nasha both stiffened.

“D-Did you encounter the Hemon Knights, sir?”

“I don’t know which order of knights they belonged to, but my brother and I were nearly mistaken for the wanted fugitives,” Ilio said.

Surprised, Senro studied the two people opposite him with his dark eyes.

If one disregarded their faces, they did indeed fit the description.

They both had black hair and black eyes. In each pair, an adult was traveling with a child, and the children were similar in age and hair color.

“I apologize for causing you trouble.” Senro lowered his head.

Nasha protested, “Senro, you have no reason to apologize to them.”

Ilio glanced at her. “Great Swordsman, if you wish to enter the city safely, you should keep this willful young lady under control.”

Nasha’s face flushed scarlet. She clenched her fists, her violet eyes blazing with anger.

Under normal circumstances, any commoner who dared speak to her that way would have been beheaded on her mother’s orders long ago.

Senro pressed a hand against Nasha’s shoulder and said to Ilio, “You are right, sir.”

The queen had spoiled Princess Nasha until she became utterly unruly. Now that they were fugitives, all the suffering she had endured had curbed much of her temper.

However, a person’s nature was difficult to change.

Whenever something displeased her, she struggled to suppress her arrogance and had already caused Senro considerable trouble.

“Sha, if you continue behaving this way, I fear I won’t be able to protect you much longer,” Senro said earnestly.

Nasha froze. Remembering how she had caused trouble half a month ago and gotten Senro injured, she was overwhelmed with guilt. She lowered her head, swallowed her resentment, and stiffly said, “I’m sorry!”

The corner of Ilio’s mouth lifted. “It seems you are not entirely beyond saving.”

To Nasha, his words were dripping with mockery. To avoid causing Senro any more trouble, she could only grit her teeth and endure it.

Shu Li covered his mouth and snickered.

Ilio had switched back into taunting mode.

Senro sighed inwardly and looked at Ilio. “I have told you where we come from. I hope you will keep our identities secret. You have my deepest gratitude.”

Ilio asked, “Has the Kingdom of Pedam fallen?”

Nasha’s head snapped up, her eyes wide.

Senro held her back and answered gravely, “No! Pedam has lost more than half its territory, but the kingdom has not fallen.”

The king and queen remained in the royal capital, defending it to the last. They had sent two separate groups to secretly escort the prince and princess away.

They had spent three entire months fleeing. Now Senro was the only person left at the princess’s side. He had no idea what had become of the prince’s group.

If they could not enter Otto City and find the person they were seeking, he did not know how much longer he could hold out.

Senro clenched his fist and stared intently at the young man opposite him, awaiting his response.

Ilio smiled faintly and nodded. “I can help you slip into the city.”

Joy appeared on Senro’s face. “Thank you, sir!”

Ilio raised a hand. “Don’t thank me yet. I have a condition.”

“Please name it,” Senro said.

Nasha anxiously tugged on his clothes. How could he agree so readily? What if the other man harbored malicious intentions? Sometimes she truly could not understand how a Great Swordsman could be more naïve than a child like her.

Senro did not consider himself naïve.

He had a keen eye for judging people.

Although the young man and child opposite him wore ordinary clothes made from coarse cloth, they could not conceal their distinctive bearing. Senro had only ever witnessed such an aura in the beautiful queen.

It was an innate nobility.

Moreover, their auras were peaceful and entirely devoid of aggression. The child in particular had eyes as clear as a pool of spring water.

They did not seem like members of a song-and-dance troupe.

Ilio raised an eyebrow.

Anyone capable of becoming a Great Swordsman was no fool.

The fact that Senro had agreed so readily meant he trusted his own judgment.

“I will help you today. If we meet again someday, I hope you will help me in return,” Ilio said, stating his condition.

“That’s all?” Senro was puzzled. Was that not far too simple?

“That is all,” Ilio replied.

Senro struck his chest in assurance. “You have my word, sir. If we meet again and you require my assistance, you need only ask.”

Ilio pointed toward the pile of miscellaneous supplies in the carriage. “Hide yourselves in there.”

Judging by the sounds outside, the troupe would soon be inspected. Two extra passengers in the carriage would be difficult to explain.

Without hesitation, Senro lifted the cloth covering the supplies and had Nasha crawl inside first.

Nasha was reluctant in every possible way.

She already despised the unbearable stench inside the carriage, and now she had to crawl into a filthy pile of supplies.

Shu Li reminded her, “There are soldiers inspecting people outside.”

Nasha bit her lip, glared at Shu Li, and reluctantly forced herself inside.

Once she was hidden, Senro found a gap and crawled in after her.

Ilio lowered the cloth, raised his hand, and murmured an incantation that concealed their auras.

At the city gate, a soldier inspected the troupe’s documents provided by Simu, then counted the passengers in each carriage. When he reached the final carriage, he looked through the window and saw a young man, a child, and half a carriage filled with miscellaneous supplies. Finding nothing amiss, he allowed them through.

The troupe’s carriage wheels began turning again, carrying them safely through the city gates.

Security inside the city was not as stringent as it had been at the entrance. The streets teemed with people and bustle. Humans were not the only ones present; other peoples, including dwarves and gnomes, could also be seen.

Otto City was a city of crystal ore. Both dwarves and gnomes excelled at crafting, so whenever the opportunity arose, they would travel thousands of miles to purchase materials here.

Shu Li leaned against the carriage window and admired the scenery along the streets.

Compared to the poor and underdeveloped villages, the city seemed almost overflowing with prosperity.

There were sturdy buildings, shops filled with a dazzling assortment of goods, beautifully shaped statues, and broad, level streets. At regular intervals stood streetlamps containing magic stones.

The pedestrians were dressed in bright, fine clothing. When they saw the procession of carriages belonging to the song-and-dance troupe, they greeted it warmly.

To spread her troupe’s reputation, Simu had long ago converted the carriages into moving stages. The roofs of the modified carriages opened, allowing the beautiful young women to rise and dance gracefully to the musicians’ performance.

Hearing the enchanting music, pedestrians stopped involuntarily to admire the young women’s dancing.

As the troupe traveled through the city, it received endless applause and flowers.

Eventually, the procession stopped outside an inn.

Hearing the commotion at his door, the portly innkeeper eagerly came out to welcome the troupe.

“Oh, my dear Leader Simu! It has been far too long. You grow more beautiful every time I see you!”

“Old Sam, you’re still as fat as ever.” Simu’s vivid red lips curled into a smile as she leaped lightly from the carriage. “I’ve spent more than half a month riding in a carriage, and I’m exhausted. Arrange rooms for us at once.”

“Of course, of course! How could I neglect Leader Simu?” Old Sam turned and called out. Two attendants hurried outside and skillfully began arranging accommodations for the troupe.

Shu Li and Ilio climbed out of their carriage, followed the troupe inside, and entered the inn.

As for the two wanted fugitives, they had secretly slipped away earlier, when the carriage turned into an alley.

The troupe members booked ordinary rooms. When Ilio’s turn came, he gave the portly innkeeper a gold coin and requested one of the finest rooms.

Old Sam accepted the coin without asking questions and instructed an attendant to lead them upstairs.

Shu Li was slightly disappointed when he saw the supposedly superior room.

It contained one large bed, a table, and a private washroom.

It was about the same as an ordinary room in a cheap hotel back in his original world.

“When traveling, we have to make do with whatever is available,” Ilio comforted the Little Fairy.

Shu Li nodded. The moment he saw the bed, he wanted nothing more than to throw himself onto it. At least he could sleep in a proper bed tonight instead of a jolting carriage.

Before going to sleep, however, he needed to enter the washroom and scrub himself thoroughly.

After spending a day and a night in that foul-smelling carriage, he felt as though the stench had seeped into his very flesh.