If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

"Truman, is this how you taught my teacher before? This kind of technique seems completely useless."

"Who knows? You'd be better off asking Frillie. But I think it's probably unnecessary, since Aize is an excellent warrior, unlike Shutark."

"That's an outrageous statement."

Shutark seemed to know that he was far inferior to Aize, but he was still hurt by saying it so bluntly.

Suddenly, he was hit on the head.

"But Shutark, your potential is even greater than Aize's, I can guarantee that."

"real?"

"real."

"...Really? Thank you."

Shuttalk is full of energy again.

Seeing him like this, Frillie couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "So easy to fool."

"Yes, they're so easy to fool," Philon echoed.

"I can hear you."

Hugh Tarek pursed his lips, feeling sorry that he was so easily fooled.

Xin Shi Ji, 28 years.

Val, a town and fortress in the Bakrut Gorge of the Central Kingdoms

After taking Shutark with them and defeating the Red Mirror Dragon, the group finally arrived at the town, barely managing to get to the starting line—though it sounds a bit heartbreaking, it also shows how far the Northern Continent really is, and how long it took the heroes 10 years.

Frillie thought she would get through easily.

however--

"Due to the frequent activity of monsters in the northern countries, this pass is currently impassable."

The captain of the guards at the gate coldly refused.

Truman and the others thought he would open the door readily, but no matter what they said, it wouldn't work.

"So, when do I expect it to be approved?"

"Who knows. At least since I took office, neither monsters nor humans have allowed anything to pass through here."

The captain of the guard stared at them.

It was as if they were wary of what the others might do.

"Don't say that," Truman stepped forward, grasped his hand, and said, "I'm Truman, give me some face, okay?"

"Don't be polite with me, I don't fall for that!" The guard captain shook off his hand, then, upon seeing that it was an apple shoved into his hand, his lips twitched violently. "I've never seen a bribe be fruit before. But thank goodness it's fruit, otherwise, based on what you just did, I could have thrown you in jail!"

He really is quite honest and upright.

This is somewhat contrary to preconceived notions.

I thought things would be much more relaxed in a remote town like this, but I didn't expect the guard captain to be so tough. Thinking about it carefully, the demons are inherently dangerous, so it's understandable that he would be so stubborn and inflexible in order to prevent casualties in the town.

"But I have something to say."

Under the unfriendly gaze of the guard captain, Truman said mysteriously, "In a little while, you might be kneeling down and begging me to come over... although I'd really rather not do that myself."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! I've already said, the door has never been opened since I took office; you definitely won't get through!"

"—Guard captain! The acting city lord requests your presence."

"I'll go right away."

When a guard came to announce the arrival, the captain of the guard stood up. His tall figure was particularly imposing as he stared at the four people and said, "Listen up, adventurers. You'd better not cause any trouble in this town. This is advice for you, and it will benefit both of us."

They were simply rejected.

Leave the gate.

"They didn't give us a friendly look."

"Yes. But he is a very competent guard, stern and strict with outsiders. That's how a guard responsible for protecting the town should be."

"They actually praised him."

"So what should we do now?"

Hugh Tarker and Philon looked at Frilian and Truman.

"Yes," Truman said after thinking for a moment. "Why don't we go get something to eat first, and then buy some things we'll need on the northern continent later?"

"Is it okay? Didn't the guard captain say they wouldn't let us through?" Hugh Tarek said instinctively, his mind really being one-track-minded.

"I understand, Lord Truman means to force our way through!"

Phyllen, you do this too?

"No, no, no, didn't I already say that the guard captain will invite us over soon?" Truman said to the two with a smile, "Alright, let's go and enjoy this town. We won't have such leisurely time once we go to the northern kingdoms."

"agree."

Frillie nodded in agreement and said, "Then I plan to browse the magic shops in this town first. I'll leave the daily necessities to you."

After saying that, she ran away quickly, as if she wanted to make the most of the time.

"Lord Frilian..."

Philon tried to call out to her but failed.

"Honestly, she's still the same as always." Truman shook his head helplessly and said, "Philan, Shutark, you two should relax a bit during this time. I'm going to go after Frilian. Don't worry, there will be a way to handle it."

Then he chased after them.

"What should we do?"

Shutark looked at Philen and asked, "Want to grab a bite? I had a huge sundae here back in the day, if you're interested... Okay, I'll go by myself."

He was glared at fiercely.

Seeing that Shutark was also fleeing in disarray, Philon could only sigh helplessly, leave his luggage at the gate, and go to buy the daily necessities he would soon need.

Truman caught up with Frillie.

The two arrived at a magic shop. The shop wasn't very big, and the magic it sold was quite ordinary, but Frilian was very enthusiastic about it.

Truman didn't rush her, but instead searched the store for anything that might be useful.

Unfortunately, no.

After a long while, Frilian finally made up her mind to buy a magic book. There was no other way. She loved these things so much that she always spent a lot of money on them, leading to a shortage of travel funds. Eventually, Philon forced her to only buy one thing at a time.

Leave the magic shop.

Led by Truman, Frillie walked along while reading a book, and asked, "Truman, do you think the captain of the guard will let us through?"

"Don't worry, Frillie, if it were me, I would definitely be prepared in advance... Hey, over here!"

Just then, Truman suddenly saw the tall guard captain from before and waved to him.

The guard captain ran over quickly.

Then--

"I am so sorry, Lord Truman and Lady Frillien! Please forgive my rudeness just now!"

He knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

"See, I told you so," Truman smiled, then said to the captain of the guard, "It's alright, I'm not angry. You were just doing your duty. In fact, you did a great job."

Seeing that Truman harbored no resentment, the captain of the guards relaxed considerably.

soon.

The acting city lord also rushed over and said very sincerely, "You are planning to go to the northern kingdoms again, aren't you? I heard that there is still a lot of fighting between the northern kingdoms and the remnants of the Demon King's army. Your concern for your country and people is what a true hero should be like. I'm sure the people of the northern kingdoms will be happy to hear this news."

His fingers are facing each other, and his hands are posed in a gesture.

Truman knew what it was.

But he didn't ask.

Then, amidst the villagers' farewells, they passed through the town and officially set off for the northern continent.