Chapter 5: Freetown

The woman finished dressing up the clothes didn't fit her figure she made it work.

"You can look now" she said to Shoto.

Shoto turned his head still expressionless he could tell the woman was still nervous. She was still scared she looked to Grysilia who was closest to her. Grysilia when to stand behind Shoto to lessen the woman's fear.

"Who are you?" The woman asked.

"We are merchants" Shoto was going to keep his replies short.

"What do you want from me?" She asked with her hands balled up into a fist.

"We were hoping for you to lead us the nearest town if possible can you?" He replied with a question.

The woman pondered for a second before giving a reply.

"I can do that just give me a minute to gather my things"

Shoto and Grysilia waited for 30 minutes watching the woman pack her stuff. She was trying her best to hide some of the things she was packing. Shoto didn't care for it though.

"I'm ready now the closest town is two days walk away from here" she said strapping a large bag to her back.

"It would have taken one day if we had horses" she added on looking sad at the carriage.

"Lead the way please" Shoto said.

They began walking in silence. To get from the south to were the are now it would take three months and a half but Shoto and Grysilia shortened the distance by five days with their speed.

The walked for hours until the sun was about to set. They stopped to set up camp before it got completely dark and started a fire. Grysilia left to go hunting leaving Shoto and the with the woman. She looked nervous around Shoto and he knew why she had almost been raped by men so it was understandable she'd be anxious around him.

"You want a bath?" Shoto spoke.

The woman struggled to speak she was very reluctant thinking multiple times about the offer. Shoto wasn't going to insist by asking a second time.

"Yes" she said.

Shoto used the Bath spell creating a bath like yesterday then created an earth wall to preserve her privacy. The woman went behind the wall and began bathing. Shoto could hear her splashing water onto her body.

"Um Mr Merchant" that is what she called Shoto.

"Yes" he answered no emotion in his tone.

"The town we are going to isn't a suitable place for a merchant you might want to go the next town it's called La Breon"

"Thank you I take your advice" Shoto said.

Grysilia returned with three horned rabbits her hand as the woman came from behind the wall full clothed. She looked refreshed and little relaxed. Grysilia skinned the rabbits and roasted them over the flame. Even though the  woman saw the meat being prepared she still was suspicious after being offered one to eat but she ate it after some thought she needed strength for tomorrow. After eating they all what to sleep no spacial events included.

-

Early in the morning they continued their journey to the nearest town. Three hours of walking was enough for them to the town in the distance.

"The town is right up ahead as you can see" the woman said.

With an hour of walking they had reached the town entrance strangely enough no one was guarding the town entrance. Shoto though it was weird as there had to be someone to keep lookout for attacking monsters.

- Freetown

The name written on the sign of town entrance. Shoto understood why it was called Freetown he also understood why it this wasn't a suitable place to start a business.

As soon as the entered the town hundreds of eyes fell on Shoto and Grysilia even the rats brawling in the filth looked at them. Hundreds of eyes each with evil intentions Shoto didn't need his <<Compass>> to detect their hostility.

(Sir) Grysilia called telepathically.

(I know..) Shoto trailed off.

Shoto had felt this before it was a feeling he'd never forget. He only got this feeling whenever he walked into a territory owned by Yakuza.

(... this place is rotten)he added on.

The followed the woman to a nearby tavern it looked old and worn out even the sign wasn't visible. They entered the tavern and were greeted by vicious glare by the customers.

"Lucy!" A woman came out of the kitchen calling.

Shoto noticed the woman who guided them flinch they didn't exchange names when they met but now the other part knew her name.

Lucy ran to the woman to stop her from taking out loud. The other woman look just like Lucy apart from being taller more curvey and with a little bit of muscle she had the same red hair, green eyes, fair skin as Lucy.

"Ana quite people are watching" Lucy said in a hushed voice.

"Oh" Ana huddled with her sister to whisper.

"Who are they?" Ana asked.

"I don't know they said they were merchants"

"Really do you know their names?"

"No but they know mine thanks to you" Lucy sounded annoyed.

"Sorry little sister but what happened to the guys you hired to protect you while you gathered the metarials?"

"They tried to rob and rape me after after finding out what I was gathering" Lucy still looked shook from the experience.

"But those merchants stepped in before things got worse" she added.

"I'm glad you're safe" Ana hugged Lucy pressing her between her large picks.

"I.. can't.. breathe" Lucy mumbled.

"Oh sorry" she disintegrated the hug and continued the huddle.

"Anyway" Ana said before adding on.

"Parlo has been really on edge for the past three days thinking you double crossed him you should go meet up with him and deliver the materials before things get unsettling"

"Okay" Lucy nodded.

"Freshen up first I'll tend to the customers and get some info from them"

And with that Lucy ran up stairs to freshen up while Ana straightened out here clothes before scanning the room for Shoto. She spotted him sitting at the farthest table in the tavern with out Grysilia. She approached him.

"Hello Sir how may help?" She greeted with a polite smile.

"I see people eating pie can I have a slice?" He replied in the same tone.

"Oh yes you can umm where is your elf companion?" Another question.

"She has a task to do" Shoto said.

"Ok might I know you're name so I can place it on your order?"

"It's Merchant"

Ana got the hint Shoto wasn't going to give her his name so she left to get the pie.

(Sage what was in that bag?) Shoto asked.

[Analysis says its Red Spice flowers. The only grow in the Wild Lands during the end phase of the monsoon. The can not be farmed with normal means. They can either be turned into Medicine or Narcotics]

"Hmmm"

Shoto had over heard what the siblings were talking about thanks to Sage. Shoto always felt repulsed inside whenever he heard about drugs.

"Mr Merchant your pie is here"

Ana's voice snapped Shoto out of his thoughts she placed the plate on the table and left.Shoto used the utensils to cut off a piece of the pie and eat it.

'Mmm it's not half bad but it is bit lacking and I can tell the are other ingredients in the pie' Shoto finished his review.

(Sage copy the recipe)

[All ready done]

Shoto continued eating the pie when Grysilia called through telepathy.

(Sir preparations are complete we can leave now)

(Okay)

Shoto stood up from the table leaving a gold coin on it and left the tavern. When he exited the tavern he met Grysilia outside with a horse and carriage there was also the faint smell of blood around.

'I guess this carriage didn't come easy' Shoto thought as got inside.

"Aaah this is to much!" Ana screamed for inside the tavern.She rushed outside to give Shoto his change but it he was already gone.

Shoto closed his eyes and laid back as Grysilia drove the carriage exiting Freetown. Just a few kilometers out of Freetown Sage detected hostiles hiding in the bushes alongside the round

[Sir we have a problem] Sage informed.

"Sigh" Shoto opened his eyes.

It wasn't an isekai if you didn't have minor disturbances from thugs.