"So that's it... I've already sold the goods, can we settle the remaining payment now?"
The spice merchant rubbed his hands obsequiously, excitement flickering in his eyes as he looked at the slave trader before him. If the man really paid the amount he promised, he could earn dozens of times the usual profit from those spices.
"No. You'll get paid once I receive the goods."
The slave trader gave him a sidelong glance, his mere presence exuding authority. At the same time, a dozen thugs surrounded the spice merchant.
"Th-then I don't want any part of this anymore!"
Seeing the formation before him, the spice merchant began to regret his choices. When he'd first heard he could make some easy money, he'd been thrilled—after all, in the entire empire, aside from selling special medicines, the only real profit lay in the slave trade. Selling spices was like selling garbage.
But when the man said payment would only come after delivery, a sense of dread set in. He didn't know exactly what was mixed in those goods, but he knew slave traders only ever used dirty tricks.
Now that the goods had been delivered, regret hit hard. The target this time was definitely someone staying at that inn.
Though there weren't many guests staying there these past few days, there were nearly twenty people in total. Which meant he might have just doomed twenty lives.
"Heh, too late for regrets now, old man."
"Bind him. If he resists, kill him."
Compared to a small-time peddler like him, people from the Imperial Capital were far more valuable.
As the thugs subdued the merchant, the slave trader quietly waited for nightfall—completely unaware that a pair of eyes in the shadows had witnessed everything.
'That guy's the same slave trader from earlier today... The drug he used is a sedative. If I think it through, his leader must have been injured and now he's trying to find a replacement...'
'No women have checked into the inn lately, only Sayo who's traveling with us...'
Having figured things out, Tatsumi melted into the darkness, moving like a shadow.
---
Night gradually cloaked the city, the only light coming from windows along the street.
After shaking off the men tailing him, Tatsumi silently slipped back into the inn. He looked at the guests asleep at their tables and confirmed his suspicion—everyone had been drugged.
Passing by the kitchen, he saw the innkeeper as well. The spoon hanging from the man's mouth told Tatsumi he'd helped himself to the food.
"..."
Ignoring him, Tatsumi went straight to the three rooms they'd rented.
Knock knock! Knock knock!
"Sayo, Ieyasu, it's me. Come to my room—I need to talk."
When he opened the door, both looked at his serious face and nodded, following him inside.
After explaining everything he'd seen, Tatsumi waited for their reactions.
"So their target is Sayo?"
Ieyasu, sitting on the bed and holding his sword, asked gravely. Tatsumi nodded.
"More than eighty percent certain. There are no young women or strong men among the guests. For a slave trader, this behavior is too suspicious."
Seeing how serious they were, Sayo felt a warm rush in her heart.
"So what now? Do we run?"
Tatsumi nodded.
"There's no reason to get involved. Once their target's gone, they'll give up."
"Then let's pack."
Sayo nodded and returned to her room with Ieyasu. Soon after, the three—now fully armed—gathered again, waiting for Tatsumi's plan.
"Sayo, scout the area. See how many are watching us—don't let them see you."
"Got it."
She nodded and slipped away. Tatsumi then told Ieyasu to open his window and climb to the roof to find a route of escape.
When Sayo confirmed that the slavers' men were indeed closing in, the three of them used the cover of darkness to slip away from the inn.
---
They took shelter in a cave outside the town for the night.
"The outside world sure is dangerous..."
Sayo pouted as she looked up at the bright stars.
"Yeah. If not for Tatsumi, we might've met again in another world by now..."
Ieyasu closed his eyes and nodded dramatically—only to get slapped across the face.
"Who wants to meet you in another world, idiot?"
"Sayo!! You little—!"
Were they about to swear an oath of brotherhood? Watching them glare at each other, Tatsumi couldn't help but laugh.
"Haha!"
If it weren't for these two, he would've broken long ago.
"Why is Tatsumi laughing?"
Ieyasu asked Sayo in confusion.
"How would I know... but honestly, seeing your stupid face makes me want to laugh too."
"Hmph. Your messy hair makes me want to laugh."
"Hahahahahahahaha!!"
The two of them couldn't help but laugh with him, the sound echoing through the small cave.
---
The next day, after helping a caravan that had been attacked by Danger Beasts, they were invited to act as guards in exchange for a free ride to the Capital.
The wagon carried people from all over, and though the others had paid for their seats, none had any combat ability. The driver hadn't expected any danger along the route near the Capital, so he gladly accepted the trio's help.
After half a day of travel, they finally arrived at the heart of the Empire—the Imperial Capital.
Before they left, some of the others warned them to be careful. Though Sayo and Ieyasu didn't understand, Tatsumi thanked them sincerely.
"It's huge!"
"So this is the Imperial Capital..."
Seeing their awestruck faces, Tatsumi smiled. He was just as amazed, though he didn't show it.
Massive stone walls surrounded the city, and the enormous gates stood open, welcoming travelers from all regions.