It's been half a month since I embarked on the journey with this old man to the cowardly wall known as the Courage Line.

Luckily, since the last crisis was resolved, the Lord Regent of the Danmos Empire seems to have given up on the idea of attacking us as we headed to the Lines of Valorant. So during this journey, we walked relatively easily. And what makes me even happier is that we have come out of the dark and silent forest.

Yes, it was indeed something to be happy about, because along the way, I finally met the human beings living in this country except for the capital.

The place where I am now is a small town, where not many people live, and which can be said to be quite poor compared to the capital, which is clearly evident from the fact that there is not even a defensive stronghold outside the town. But then again, it's in the heart of the Danmoth Empire, and there's nothing of value around, and even the outcasts and robbers don't bother to make it their target for grabbing.

But here, I felt something different from the capital. That is, the civilians who live here are full of laughter no matter what.

It's hard to believe. Imagine a place where people are poor, backward, and many families are barely able to survive in huts made of thatch and twigs that they pick up everywhere, but they are not complaining about anything.

"It's hard to believe, isn't it?" the old man looked at me with a smile, "Don't you think it's incredible? It's so poor here, and the taxes they have to pay every year are almost all the savings they earn for most of the year. But they didn't complain about anything, not even the slightest bit of dissatisfaction. ”

I nodded silently, how could these people be like this? Could it be that they were so satisfied with this life, that they had no illusions about a better future? This is simply impossible! This is the hinterland of this empire, even if it is not a few days away from the capital, why would they rather stay here than go out and take risks?

Seeing that I couldn't answer, the old man smiled bitterly: "I know you won't know why this place is the way it is." To be honest, I don't know at all. However, I will tell you that this is the case in almost all towns in this region, in this province of Eremaya. In other words, there are a full one hundred and sixty-three towns like this in the province of Arimaya, which is closest to the capital of the Empire. And there are more than two million people living in this province, which is supposed to be the richest, but full of poverty. In addition, I would like to mention that I was actually born in this province. But I may be the first and the only one who dares to step out of this impoverished province. By the way, it's been so long, you haven't asked my name, my name is Redding. Reading Anderson. ”

I nodded, indicating that I had memorized his name. Well, maybe I remembered, but my mind wasn't here at all, but I was deeply caught up in the shock of what Reading had told me. Why is this place like this? There are so many people, and no one dares to go out of here?

"Actually, it's a good choice for these people to become like this. Because since the establishment of this province of Eremaya, it has been the most stable province in the entire empire, although it is poor. In a province of more than two million people, there will not even be a single case of violence for several years, even for ordinary petty theft and so on, which is difficult to happen a few times a year. What's more, even if their lives will be so poor, the annual tax will not be less than that, so we will let the province go with the flow. ”

"Didn't they ever want to touch the outside world?"

"Nope. Reading shook his head: "Even me, when I was younger, never thought to look outside. In fact, I am where I am only because I was taken into slavery during a sudden raid, the only time in hundreds of years that such a vicious violence has occurred in this province. In fact, only a few people were injured in that plunder. I was the only one to be robbed by them. But it's because of this time that I've been able to get to where I am now. “

"If it were me, I would never stay in this place for even a second. If I had to live here, I'd rather kill myself!" I said categorically, and I didn't want to stay in this place any longer.

Reading had said before that to reach the line of courage, it would be necessary to traverse two provinces, including the province of Eremaya. And this is the top three provinces in the empire by area. Before that, I would have loved to relax and rest for a day or two, but now I just want to get out of here.

After making the necessary supplies, Reading and I mounted and continued our race to the Courage Line.

After walking for about two days, I finally drifted away from the place that disgusted me. But along the way, I still saw many ordinary people passing by with hungry faces but very satisfied expressions. When these people cast helium gazes at us, I felt extremely impatient, but I didn't want to hurt them because of this, so I had no choice but to speed up my speed, and at the same time kept urging Reading, which made him a little unbearable even if he was very old among humans.

"Why is this province so close to your capital, but you only care about squeezing their blood and sweat and don't think about helping them?" Looking at Reading, who was following me from afar, I asked angrily: "Obviously, if you only need to build it well, this place will completely become a different appearance than it is now, but you have done nothing, why?"

Redding gasped and took nearly a minute to come to me, panting and explaining, "You are wrong, when our emperor was young, he once regarded the development of this place as one of the most important tasks. But a few years later, the emperor was puzzled to find that no matter how much manpower or material resources had been invested here, it seemed to have played a role in the water. And the people who were sent to help here are gradually becoming more and more content with the status quo, and don't even want to leave. In the end, the emperor could only reluctantly agree that five hundred of them were those who said that they would not leave, and that all the others were arrested. You heard me right, you caught it. “

Oh my God, how could there be such a strange place in this world?

"Shocking, isn't it? In fact, I'm satisfied that you're able to believe what I say. Because any other person would never believe it. But this is true!, but fortunately, this is only happening in this province, otherwise our Danmoth Empire would have been conquered long ago. And they are also the most obedient provinces. So it's not bad to keep such a one. “

Well, I was silent, I didn't know what to say anymore. Maybe it's a place that has been cursed by the heavens, that's why this happens. Otherwise, why is this the case only in this province? Reading is right, if there is even one more, the history of this Dammoth Empire will be rewritten.

At this time, I no longer have the initial hostility towards this province and the people who live here, but I still want to get out of here quickly. It's just that because of Reading, the speed still can't be fast.

Five days later, we finally reached the junction of the province of Erimaya and another province. It was only here that I found a few scattered strongholds. Obviously, this was for the other province.

"The province we are about to set foot in has an interesting nickname, and that is the arid land. And this is also the poorest province in the entire Danmos Empire, even poorer than the province of Eremaya. Because the environment here is like another name for this province, it is full of arid land, and it rarely rains several times a year. Funnily enough, I was kidnapped by the exiles of this province. And what's even funnier is that I don't have any memory of the original name of the province anymore, and even the rest of the empire doesn't know what it's called. You have seen these forts, which were set up by the people of the province of Eremaya themselves. That's why I was robbed that time. It is also the displaced people in the arid lands who are dealing with it. “

I frowned, "You mean, the people who live in this arid land are the same as the people in the province of Eremaya?"

"No, no, I didn't mean that. "The people who live here are much more violent than the people who live in Eremaya, and I'm sure you won't find any resemblance between the two," Redding explained. I would say that when we officially set foot in this province, danger will always be with us. ”

I laughed, and I could even feel the excitement in every vein in my body.

"This is the domain of the Regent. Moreover, the terrain here is extremely complicated, and more importantly, almost all the people living here are robbers, as long as the interests are satisfied, then there is no problem even if they are allowed to attack the capital. So, we're going to have to face tens of thousands of troops. ”

"Your Emperor allowed such a thing to happen?"

"Allowed?" Redding looked at me in disbelief and smiled helplessly, "How is this possible? He has always managed this place very well, and this is the largest source of troops in our empire, so how could His Majesty the Emperor allow such a thing to happen?"

I immediately understood what Reading meant. "You mean, these are the things the Lord Regent is doing. ”

"Of course, who else in this empire can have such a lot of power but him. Even greater than the power of His Majesty the Emperor now. I know that I'm not really a good person, and that my ability to get to where I am today is inseparable from some of the things I have done. And these things are bound to make some people pay a price that they shouldn't have paid. However, my heart is completely towards my country. And the regent is a completely different person. ”

"But it's challenging. I laughed and said, "Are you scared?"

"Of course I was scared. You know, the army here is not only large, but also very strong, and I'm afraid you won't be able to take care of me. ”

"So, is there any other place we can walk through here besides here?"

"Unless you fly over. Reading laughed, "But the Lord Regent is never going to let us get what we want." So if you can steal the Flying Beast, we can leap through here. But then we'll have to deal with another enemy. ”

I'm a little helpless. That's a real problem. And I have far more problems than Reading fears.

The only reason why I was able to use my abilities without any scruples was because there were no witnesses in that dense forest. But now, we are in broad daylight, and if I use my power any more, I will be 100% discovered by the people of this country and regarded as a public enemy. The country doesn't allow the appearance of the undead, so it's impossible for me to use my abilities. After not being able to use such an ability, I am no different from ordinary powerhouses. There is simply no way to defend yourself in front of the enemy.

But I came up with a good idea. I asked, "Did you bring any money?"

"Nope. Most of my stuff was lost in that jungle. "Reading was a smart guy though, and he quickly understood what I thought. "You want to hire an army?"

I nodded, "Well? ”

Reading immediately dismounted and began to pace in place, thinking, "This is indeed a good way, because in this arid land, the people who live here are not of the same mind. That is, it is not impossible to be able to call up an army as long as the benefits we give are sufficient. Once they are completely convinced, then our safety will be greatly improved! God, you are so smart, I have never thought of such a method before, I have to admit, sigh ma'am, my thinking is too narrow!"