Kino guided Lugo through the labyrinth of underground taverns, gradually recruiting a formidable band of mercenaries, each one a seasoned fighter, ruthless in their methods, and driven by gold rather than life.
Some, like Lugo, had been entrenched in the battlefield from a tender age, while others, for the right price, would undertake any sordid task. Then there were those with disturbed minds, for whom the absence of bloodshed was an unbearable itch.
Kino, undeterred by their backgrounds, focused solely on their martial prowess, amassing a total of thirty-two men.
During his time in Shirin Town, Kino had noticed the disarray among his forces. Aside from seasoned centurions like Paladin and Baisa, who still possessed strength and vitality, the rest were weak and emaciated.
This was hardly surprising; given the rampant exploitation of the border defense funds, supplies had likely been siphoned off, leaving the soldiers with little more than scraps. With barely any meat to eat, they subsisted on beans and grains, and the rare scraps of dried meat they could afford from taverns hardly provided a well-rounded diet.
With the looming invasion of the Reincarnators, relying on these malnourished soldiers would be utterly futile. Kino needed a battalion of elite fighters capable of standing against the Reincarnators.
According to logic, the first wave of invasion wouldn't feature superhuman Reincarnators capable of taking on hundreds at once—ordinary weapons should suffice. Thus, these thirty-two fierce mercenaries would prove invaluable.
Interestingly enough, due to his generous pay, Kino had slowly garnered a modicum of respect from these men—not much, but enough to accumulate forty points of respect, enough to exchange for a tungsten steel dagger he had often wielded in his past life.
Initially, Kino had considered currying favor with the nobility, feigning a noble cause to enlist the help of supernatural beings from this world, such as dragon knights, to station in Shirin Town.
Alternatively, he might retreat into the heart of the inland capital, seeking refuge and testing whether the Reincarnators had the audacity to challenge the entire Doguland Kingdom.
Yet the former path required a lengthy process of cultivation—it would be impossible to ascend to the noble circles in a short time, and supernatural beings weren't the sort one could simply summon at will.
The latter option proved unfeasible as well, for in the Rejector's brand, Kino had discovered the limitation of "regional restrictions."
His range of activity was confined to within twenty miles of Shirin Town—this was a restriction imposed after the invasion began, though it currently held no effect.
What would happen if he left the restricted area after the invasion commenced? The Rejector's brand didn't specify, but it was likely that he would be eradicated immediately or forced to return within a set time frame, with significant consequences.
Clearly, the supreme entity had no intention of allowing the Reincarnators and Rejectors to indulge in a world-spanning game of hide-and-seek.
After recruiting his mercenaries, Kino sought out his transport convoy, purchasing a variety of sugars, vegetables, and high-quality grains with Iron Moons; livestock, including cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, and fish, as well as eggs, with Copper Moons; and over three hundred sets of fine individual gear, along with non-regulated weapons, with Silver Moons, intending to ship them all back to Shirin Town to significantly improve his soldiers' combat readiness.
Before setting off, the mercenaries, their mouths watering at the sight of the plump livestock, could scarcely contain their excitement. One of them suggested, "Let's slaughter a few for dinner!"
"Certainly, let's kill a few. It's almost dinner time anyway. We'll rest overnight on the road, no rush to make it back today," Kino said, licking a stick of candy. "By the way, wash your hands before eating."
The mercenaries muttered under their breath, cursing the trivialities.
Despite their complaints, they dutifully washed their hands.
Thus, while Kino savored his candy and the mercenaries roasted meat, they prepared to depart for Shirin Town.
...
The following day, the 12th of Divine Blessing.
Paladin was awakened by the crowing of the rooster, swapping shifts with the sentry who had been on guard through the night.
Today, a number of merchant caravans entered the town. Though Kino was already aware of the smuggling methods involving salt crystals, he instructed Paladin not to conduct any gastric washes on the merchants.
The smuggling of salt crystals was not yet ready to be exposed; the timing was premature. If gastric washes were required, the matter would inevitably leak, so it was best to feign ignorance.
Thus, one by one, the merchant caravans were inspected in the usual manner, entering smoothly, though it remained unclear how many were truly innocent, and how many had swallowed the illicit salt crystals.
By the time the sixth caravan was checked, the leader nodded in greeting to Paladin. "Hail to the Sun, may I ask if the Civil Officer is present?"
Paladin shook his head. "He is not here. He left Shirin Town yesterday. Dismount. We need to inspect the goods."
"Not here?" The caravan leader furrowed his brow, then quickly relaxed. "May I ask when he will return?"
"I don't know; he didn't say when he'd be back."
"Did he mention where he was going?"
Paladin narrowed his eyes, instinctively placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. His tone grew more cautious. "What business do you have with him?"
The caravan leader waved a hand amiably. "We merely require his seal to pass through the remaining checkpoints."
Paladin nodded. "He entrusted the daily matters to me. I can stamp it for you."
The caravan leader fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Then let it be so."
Paladin took the documents and glanced toward their wagon. "What goods are you transporting?"
"Dried meat. Would you care to sample some?" The caravan leader lifted the curtain, revealing piles of burlap sacks. A companion was sitting inside, and judging by their similar features, they appeared to be twins.
"No, thank you. Where are you from?"
"From the Western Province."
The Western Province was the western frontier city of the Far Eastern Empire, located about a thousand miles from Shirin Town. Between the two lay the "Great Desert"—a vast expanse of sand as white as snow, with crescent moons hanging in the sky like hooks.
The journey from Shirin Town to the Western Province typically took six to seven days, provided the caravan encountered no bandits on the road.
Paladin looked puzzled. "You're from the Western Province, yet this entire caravan consists of only two people, with no guards? And you weren't attacked by bandits on the way?"
The caravan leader chuckled heartily. "We met some old friends before departing. They hired many skilled men and were entering from Pro. I happened to be traveling in the same direction, so we crossed the desert together. We only parted ways yesterday."
Paladin nodded. "Very well. Please dismount for the routine inspection."
After the inspection, the goods were found to be pristine, with no issues.
At least, there appeared to be no issues on the surface. What lay hidden inside was another matter, but Paladin chose to ignore it, feigning ignorance.
When handing over the transport manifest, the caravan leader accidentally brushed his fingers against Paladin's hand, instinctively retracting them as if shocked.
This small gesture caught Paladin's attention. "Why are you so nervous?"
The caravan leader's gaze flickered. "I..."
Paladin gripped his sword, his voice sharp. "Show me your hand!"
With a resigned sigh, the caravan leader extended his hand, revealing an exquisite ring.
He explained, "This is a ring my wife gave me. I always wear it—it makes me feel as if she's still with me. I hold it very dear, and I try to avoid it getting damaged."
Paladin studied the ring carefully, murmuring, "Such intricate craftsmanship. I've never seen a ring like this before..."
"Of course," the caravan leader replied. "It was custom-made by a craftsman my wife hired. It's one of a kind."
"Didn't she travel with you? Many merchants bring their wives along to stave off the loneliness of the road."
"She passed away..."
"Oh... my apologies... I shouldn't have mentioned it." Paladin awkwardly touched the bridge of his nose, taking the transport manifest. "I've delayed you enough. I'll stamp this for you right away."
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