—What is it that you examine so much? —Bell asked, noticing that Geodon kept looking at him.

—Oh, do not worry. Even without your sword I wouldn't be able to scratch you, I know. But, I've noticed that because of your attitude you don't have much time in the city, or at least in this territory.

—What makes you think that?

—It was mainly our fault that adventurers have earned such a bad name. We Imperials are people without reservations when it comes to saying what we think and how we feel, we were taught that way from an early age. And when we, who are merchants and travel across the continent, are raised the same way, you could understand the power we have in our rumors. That's why it's rare for one of yours to be so polite to us...

Geodon hung his head, unable to show any signs of weakness or apology. From Bell's point of view, this old man was a stubborn and extremely proud man.

Bell climbed into the back of the carriage. Although the place with the wooden seats was wide, it had not been designed with the idea that a sword over 1 meter would enter it, so much so that Bell could barely support his back.

Moments after "settling in"...

Bell's body almost moved as the carriage started to move. Bell poked his head out of it and looked at the Paradise City that was getting smaller every time he got further and further away.

"How many years has it been since I was able to enjoy peace?"

With that in mind, Bell crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

The Kingdom of Inon seemed like a destination worthy of fugitives from the law. From people who wanted to change their identity or simply disappear from their captors.

The fame of this kingdom-sized metropolis had earned its fame due to the ingestion of crime and the subtle authority that made it an irregular but safe place to live.

Although at first saying that a city full of criminals was safe would be contradictory to many, the explanation for this had a simple answer.

Adventurers.

As adventurers were frowned upon and were the mainstay of Inon's economy, people labeled the Kingdom as a place for criminals. But it was safe because adventurers mainly hunted monsters, and for that matter, even mercenaries rarely attacked people.

But of course, just because there were lies about the adventurers didn't mean that the city was a less secure version of Erham's Paradise.

Like any metropolis, crime was something to take into account and a delicate matter. Normally any large city would have much greater security problems, and Inon was no exception.

There were countless criminal organizations and gangs cared for by politicians and nobles in the city. The corruption was remarkable.

Another negative point was that the Kingdom of Inon was so close to war that it would not be strange if it were used as a fort for the Imperial militia in the future.

This obviously attracted undesirable people, and it wasn't a lie that mercenaries and adventurers were involved in the wars against the Xenos, but if Bell Cranel revealed that he was only a Level 1, his problems would never end.

However, the target castle of Sabie and hers was not in Inon itself, but outside the city. But that is, if for some impossible reason Bell decided to travel beyond Inon's border, he could smell the ashes of the fires of war.

And with all this, Bell woke up at some point during the trip.

When his eyes narrowed from his rest, what he saw looking at the back of the carriage was what he expected from a place affected by war.

Dead land. A desolate wasteland with withered trees and a slop of putrid mud. Here there was no life of any kind, everything had died.

Lowering his head, he saw the edge of his massive sword clutched between his chest and his arms, the tip brushing his cheek. If she was still with him, everything was fine.

Of all the people on this trip, Bell didn't know anyone and he didn't have the desire or need to either. He viewed social relationships with other intelligent living things as of little value. Since for him, the need to talk to others was only for work assignments and negotiations.

Bell rested his chin on his chest and lowering his head, he glanced to the side.

The passengers were counted in three people, besides the old Geodon who was driving and him. Judging from their appearances, they were also adventurers.

The half-blood Orc sitting next to him had a massive physique, the markings on his body were lines of red, white and black, along with his strange attire, Bell deduced that he was part of some clan or tribe of Orcs.

He maybe was taking some test of courage to take the reins of his clan. It was normal for the young men of the tribes to be sent to the outside world to prove their worth and thus return to their tribes as future promises to lead the clan for as many years.

The Orc's weapon was a hatchet, an instrument that without the proper muscles, was nothing more than a hunk of metal.

He also seemed slightly interested in the passenger sitting in front of him, although his ability to disguise the obviousness of him was useful in the eyes of others, Bell instantly realized that the Orc's attention was on that woman.

Following the Orc's eyes, the woman he encountered was the very embodiment of a princess whore. She was a black-haired woman with a huge bust, wide hips and an outfit that exposed her white thighs and her flat abdomen. Her beauty was immaculate and the crossbow on her forearm along with the sword on her crossed legs said that she had some knowledge in close and long range combat.

Bell looked at the other passenger sitting next to that woman, in front of him; she was a young girl of perhaps the same age as him, with an oval face and a kind expression, her blond hair hidden under a black peaked hat. Judging from her scholarly attire, she was surely a novice sorceress, perhaps a healing mage from a noble family who had run off in search of adventure.

Just as Bell was about to return to his dream, a thin, soft voice interrupted him. She was the prostitute princess.

—What are you looking at, beast?

Her tone implied her irritation and her wrinkled expression showed the disgust she felt for the creature she was addressing.

—Nothing. I just thought that arc seems to be pretty cool, right? —said the Orc, leaning his body forward and smiling.

The woman continued to look at him coldly as she answered.

—It seems that your appearance is deceiving. Yes, it's quality. I got a hint from him, so I came to Erham.

—Just for an arc?

—Of course not, I had more important matters to attend to. However, as the lady that I am I couldn't help but indulge myself.

—You also have a sapphire blade sword, those are used by generals in war. You are Level 4, right?

—Almost. Level 3. Hunter Class.

—Oh! My, my... I didn't know there could be women with the Hunter Class. You are the first one I see, and you certainly look very different from what I expected.

She smiled sheepishly as she held her hand out in front of her.

—Lady Valyn, for you.

—Barban, at your service —the Orc said as he kissed Valyn's hand and never took his eyes off her.

—So, Barban... Have you satisfied your curiosity?

—No, it couldn't be said that I have...

—Okay, thanks for wasting my time. Now let me sleep in peace.

The Orc grinned as he pushed hus body back onto the seat.

—Ah. I haven't even asked you and you're already that difficult. Although I must admit, I like women with attitudes. Taking something because it has been delivered without resistance is like receiving a steak cooked and spiced. Where is the pleasure of hunting the prey and cleaning its interior? Just give me a number and I'll pay.

The woman opened one eye and looked straight into the Orc's eyes.

—For 30 Valis I let you put your fingers in, for 60 an oral and for 250 we do it here and now.

—Did you already have the numbers in mind or did you calculate them after seeing me Don't tell me you're afraid that I'll hurt you when penetrating you...

Valyn looked at Barban's entire body, stopped for a moment at her crotch, and then continued towards his eyes.

—Most of your kind are all tongue and brawn, they promise and don't deliver.

The huge Orc stood up, licked his lips and unbuttoned his pants, letting his member fall in front of the woman's delicate face.

—I can deduce that from your expression you liked the length...

He slowly pulled out a small leather bag and tossed it to the woman's side, the Valis falling glittering onto the wood. The woman gathered them all together and yawned aloud.

—Let's go at my pace, if you do something I don't like, I'll kill you.

—Ha, you are fierce...

The Orc laughed out loud before inserting his member into Valyn's mouth.

At that moment, the young sorceress stared at the scene in front of her in a daze while the elegant lady who until moments ago looked like a princess licked the tip of the Orc's member next to her. Her mind was blank after seeing something she would never have imagined in the gardens of her noble mansion.

When she looked at Bell who was in front of her, although she couldn't see his expression under his robe, she could understand from the man's body language his disinterest.

—...I-excuse me...

Bell under the robe did not flinch.

—This...

From the book that cost more than Bell's sword and the cane that equaled all the money he had in her pocket, it was obvious that the girl was from a wealthy family and she had grown up under the wing of worldly privilege. Therefore, she surely wanted to talk to Bell and get rid of the awkwardness.

—You have a really big sword… —when she realized her own words, her cheeks flushed red— I-I, no…! I mean your sword, it's big... So, you're a Knight Class, h-huh.

The noise of the sucking next to her was making her really nervous, but even though she profoundly refused to look, her face was so flushed she looked like a tomato. She seemed like she would rather be ignored by Bell a thousand times more than have to keep silent and listen to her act next to her, so with this thought in mind, she continued as she offered her hand.

—I-I'm Vlex. I am a Level 2 alchemist. I did my studies in the Blessed Cathedral of Kaveph, Lord of the Sun... And you are...?

Vlex could only smile sheepishly while she was cruelly ignored. Still, for some reason she felt comfortable in this situation together with Bell. Although she received no response, she felt that the man in front of her was not asleep and was, in fact, listening to her.

Vlex developed by herself while she told her life to Bell, she even smiled happily that her stories were heard, according to her.

As the hours passed and the sun went down, they reached Marastir before the light went out, Geodon must have been happy to have broken one of his personal records.

Marastir was a village under the control of an organization in Erham, therefore it was understood why there was vegetation here and it looked like a wooded area, also the houses and facilities looked well-kept and in good condition. The place enjoyed any basic need that could arise for any visitor. However, no other village or town beyond this one had such luxuries. The cruel reality was that this place served as political propaganda, while the other human settlements had been left to their own devices.

The only inn was simple, walls so thin that Vlex could hear in vivid detail the moans, gasps, and thrusts of the demi-human couple. Her wish for a night to recharge her energy was a childish wish, since she hadn't slept at all because of it.

As for Bell, he only need to close his eyes to fall into a deep sleep.

Dawn came in the blink of an eye for him, and soon he was back in the carriage, along with everyone else.

It seemed that the dead land was a thing of the past and that they were getting closer to Inon, since the vegetation did not stop in Marastir and each scene they crossed with the passing of the days was greener and greener.

Vlex did not reserve to tell Bell how this experience made her feel, which for her was quite an adventure. In addition to her trust towards Bell, the other thing that had also changed was the relationship between the Orc and the woman.

Now they were like strangers who had never seen each other, just like when they had started the journey.