Chapter 19: Isekai Also Needs Crackdown on Prostitution

About five minutes later, EeDeChi emerged, driving a group of scantily clad men and women out. 

They were all patrons and "fallen women" from Julina's Forbidden Paradise. They hadn't had time to escape the building, and EeDeChi, wielding a giant sword with one hand, drove them out one by one, much like a farmer herding chickens.

"Face the wall, stand still, and crouch with your hands on your head! Hands on your head! Hands behind your head! Yes, like that, crouch against the wall!" EeDeChi commanded the nearly naked men and women while swinging her giant sword, making them line up against the wall.

Some of these unfortunate people were completely naked, covering their faces with their hands; others were wrapped in only a thin veil or bed sheet, shivering in the cold night wind.

Among them were nobles from the empire, wealthy merchants, and even famous courtesans known throughout the Baharuth Empire's capital for their seductive beauty.

But at this moment, they were all equal, naked, trembling, and huddled in the corner, quietly following orders.

Barrett pulled his face covering tighter and wrapped two shivering little girls in a tattered gray blanket he had found. He watched the bizarre and comical scene before him with interest, enjoying the view of a few of the naked women's alluring figures.

"Captain, what are you doing?" Barrett asked with curiosity.

"Can't you tell?" EeDeChi replied impatiently, "I'm cracking down on prostitution."

A half-naked man tried to sneak out while EeDeChi was distracted. With a swing of her giant sword, EeDeChi cut a deep gouge into the marble floor. The half-naked man yelped in terror and quickly crouched back into the corner, covering his head.

"Not bad." EeDeChi looked at the men and women huddled in the corner with their hands on their heads, and nodded with satisfaction.

She turned to face the three-story building of Julina's Forbidden Paradise, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Then she pulled out a circular copper seal from her bosom.

The copper seal spun in her hand, emitting an aura of authority and menace that subdued the entire area.

After hesitating for a moment, EeDeChi slipped the seal back into her cloak, deciding not to use it.

She then cast her magic.

3rd Tier Magic: Hellfire Serpent!

2nd Tier Magic: Fireball!

2nd Tier Magic: Firefall!

Fire rained down, with fireballs and fire serpents exploding against the walls and windows. Under the rampant magical flames, Julina's Forbidden Paradise was instantly engulfed in a scorching sea of fire.

The roaring flames drove away the coolness of the night, and in the flickering firelight, EeDeChi's shadow, holding her sword with one hand, stretched long.

The golden-red firelight danced in her clear black eyes, casting a brilliant golden hue over her figure. She stood before the towering inferno, and for a moment, Barrett was left staring in awe.

But Barrett quickly snapped back to reality. He wondered why the girl, who usually wore such an unapproachable expression, now looked so striking while burning down someone else's establishment.

He wrapped his strong arms around the rescued twin girls and leaned in to whisper in EeDeChi's ear, "Captain, we should hurry. The imperial constables will probably be here soon!"

EeDeChi looked down and considered Barrett's suggestion, realizing he had a point.

The four of them exited Julina's Forbidden Paradise, found an empty open carriage—its owner might have fled or was crouched naked in the corner of Forbidden Paradise.

Barrett didn't care about the details. He placed the two pale-faced little girls in the back seat and, after EeDeChi jumped onto the carriage, took the reins and quickly drove away.

Adventurers are usually multi-talented individuals, and Barrett was no exception. He had once worked with a carriage driver who had switched to becoming an adventurer and had learned to handle most of the mainstream carriages on the continent. Though his driving skills were a bit rusty, he could still manage.

The Baharuth Empire has a widely known proverb: "Lust is a viper; a single bite can send you into the abyss."

Barrett glanced at the blazing Julina's Forbidden Paradise behind him and couldn't help but reflect. The proverb was indeed true—his momentary lapse of desire had brought EeDeChi, which led to the complete destruction of Julina's Forbidden Paradise.

Lust truly is a fearsome viper!

He checked the hard coins in his pouch to ensure they were still there, then gave the reins a vigorous snap. The horses trotted off, pulling the carriage towards the distance.

Along the road, several squads of guards with shields and spears were making their way toward Julina's Forbidden Paradise. Although the location was remote, the towering flames made the seriousness of the situation clear.

Barrett carefully drove the carriage down the street, trying to avoid the soldiers. However, a squad of knights soon charged towards them.

There was no way for EeDeChi's carriage to avoid them and was directly blocked by the knight squad.

The leading knight grabbed the reins, stopping their carriage, and raised his sword, pointing it at Barrett. He demanded, "Adventurer, did you just come from that direction?"

The knight pointed his sword towards the distant red blaze and continued, "Someone sent a message to the guard knights saying that Julina's Forbidden Paradise was attacked by twisted and terrifying bandits. Do you know anything about this?"

EeDeChi stood up from the carriage seat, about to speak, but Barrett quickly covered her mouth. Although Barrett was a bulky man, his mind was just as agile as his physique.

In a split second, Barrett had crafted his excuse. He looked innocently at the knight leader, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I don't know anything about that. I was just passing by. I did see a group of bandits robbing and setting fire inside, so I hurried away as fast as I could and didn't have time to pay attention to what was happening inside."

He then pointed to EeDeChi and the two twin girls wrapped in a gray goat wool blanket, speaking sincerely, "They're my employers. The original driver was drunk, so they hired me to drive the carriage. You know, as long as the pay is right, we adventurers are willing to do anything."

The peculiar attire of an adventurer and their out-of-place job characteristics made them easy to spot in a crowd.

Now, an adventurer driving a light, open carriage that seemed out of place for his status, with a young girl and two frail little girls on board, was bound to attract suspicion. The black-haired girl, with her "don't come near me" expression, made it even more suspicious.

The knight leader held his sword, still deep in thought. 

He could tell that the adventurer driving the carriage was a skilled fighter, strong and adept in combat, with a seemingly kind gaze that masked a ruthless and sharp edge. He was a seasoned adventurer who had fought on the brink of life and death many times.

However, he was also aware of the defenses at Julina's Forbidden Paradise. The brothel owner, rich and with noble backing, had built a strong guard force, with more heavily armored, magically enhanced guards than the imperial cavalry he commanded.

The adventurer man alone couldn't have caused such a commotion, so he must be telling the truth. The priority now was to rush to the burning Julina's Forbidden Paradise and perhaps catch a few bandits.

The knight leader sheathed his sword and waved at Barrett, "Move out of the way! Don't block our path!"

Barrett gave a sheepish smile, jumped down from the carriage, and led the horses to the edge of the street. The imperial cavalry then thundered past them with a rumbling of iron hooves.