Chapter 7

# Episode 7: The Tin Knight and the City of Pleasure

You saved a group of victims who fell into two main categories.

One group consisted of those wanting to return to their hometown. They took their share of the items stolen by the outlaws: relatively small and handy treasures, before heading off.

Roni advised them to stick together, saying, “There might be more danger ahead!” but very few took his advice.

Perhaps they just wanted to rush back to their families, or maybe they figured that gathering together without any proper defense would make it easier to be spotted.

In either case, my words were ignored, and Roni reacted with bitter disappointment.

The other group followed Roni, or more accurately, you and Dorothea.

“Children have been taken by outlaws! Please help us!”

“If I go back to the village alone, all that awaits me is ruin.”

“Are we going to kill those outlaws? Let me help too!”

Unlike those wanting to find their families, these were the ones with nowhere to go, blinded by a thirst for revenge who joined the march.

Dorothea didn’t welcome them but didn’t chase them away either.

As long as they didn’t get in the way, she seemed to have the attitude that they could do as they pleased.

Thanks to the horses and wagons taken from the outlaws, the journey became swifter.

Watching you skillfully drive the wagon from the coachman’s seat, Dorothea looked puzzled.

“Where did you learn how to do that?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says the body remembers!]

It wasn’t just a metaphor but a straightforward truth.

Whether it was when you were fighting the outlaws or managing the horse now, whenever you wanted to do something, the memories etched into your body assisted your actions.

You thought that perhaps the predecessor who handed over their body to you might have been quite versatile, even if their cooking was terrible.

Dorothea didn’t pry further, although she wore a strange expression.

And at long last.

The destination, Albert City, revealed itself before you.

Tall castle walls and sturdy-looking gates.

A long line of people wishing to enter the fortress.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says the castle walls here seem larger and more splendid than those of the Capital City!]

“Well, there aren’t really any threats around the Capital.”

The world operates on supply and demand.

In the Capital, which is remote and rarely troubled by monsters, there’s no need for high, thick castle walls.

Conversely, it meant that Albert City had a reason to build and maintain such grand walls.

“Are those high walls for a particular reason?”

“…Because of the outlaws.”

Roni replied firmly to Dorothea’s question.

You and Dorothea tilted your heads in unison.

“Aren’t the outlaws currently trading inside? I doubt they’d raid their own marketplace, even if they are outlaws.”

It wasn’t due to some sense of honor that they wouldn’t touch their customers; it was purely a matter of convenience.

If they raided a village and captured a bunch of slaves, they wouldn’t be of much use if there wasn’t a market to sell them in.

Likewise, looting passing merchants for riches also became pointless if there were no place to spend those riches.

Even as outlaws, they knew better than to disturb the shops that accepted them.

“Actually, it’s the opposite. The walls aren’t to prevent outside invasions; they’re to keep people from escaping inside.”

“Escaping? Who would be doing that?”

“Those who break the city’s rules. The lord of Albert City is both the most powerful lord in this area and the most formidable outlaw.”

A lord, a power broker, and an outlaw.

The walls built to enforce his rules and keep escapees in check.

It was contradictory but all the more intriguing.

“Sounds annoying. If it’s like that, I can’t just rush in recklessly.”

Unlike you, who had a gleam in your eyes, Dorothea seemed somewhat annoyed.

You made an effort to ignite her motivation.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ asserts that if that big shot is around, he might have what Dorothea is looking for!]

“Are you serious? You think it’ll be that easy?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ insists it’s worth trying since you have nothing to lose!]

“Come on.”

Dorothea wore an incredulous expression but couldn’t stand against your enthusiasm and pulled out the detection device.

One of the eight sentences lit up, and after a shadow snake popped out.

Shwaaaark!

With an incredible speed, the snake shot forward toward Albert City, roaring as if it were alive.

It was truly a blinding speed.

“…….”

Dorothea stiffened, her gaze locked on the intense reaction she had never seen before.

In a show of triumph, you gave a thumbs up.

Dorothea lowered her head, trembling, and you savored the sweet taste of victory.

Though it was unclear what you had achieved victory over.

***

The shadow snake disappeared beyond the castle walls, but you and your group couldn’t just rush out.

The long line of people waiting shot you dagger-like glares.

Seeing that some outlaws were mixed in, Dorothea muttered in disbelief.

“Seriously, even criminals follow the rules in a place like this?”

“…That probably just shows how intimidating the lord of Albert is.”

Roni spoke with a drooping shoulder.

He seemed to have failed in his search for those who might have taken the ‘lady’ among the crowd.

“If we wait in this line like normal, there’s no way we’ll get in today.”

At Dorothea’s comment, other women began to murmur.

They all looked haggard, exhausted, and starved.

The ignorant outlaws couldn’t even manage their manpower or goods and had kept them cooped up without food for more than a few days.

After killing the outlaws, you managed to make emergency rations with their food, but there was hardly anything left due to sharing with those heading back home.

There were no nearby forests to hunt or gather fruits either, so if you couldn’t get into the city today, everyone would starve.

You scanned the line.

Among them, there were quite a few who looked like they were advertising, “I’m an outlaw,” but that didn’t mean all of them were criminals.

More importantly, it wasn’t stylish in your eyes to swing a sword just to jump the queue. That was a significant issue.

Plus, Dorothea, who was uncharacteristically sensitive about her reputation, wouldn’t allow for such slaughter.

With the option of just cutting through blocked off, you started to think with your head.

They say you can gain something if you search for it.

A group outside the line caught your eye.

They moved toward a small side door next to the massive gate and spoke to the guard standing in front.

The guard extended his hand, and the group handed over a rather hefty-looking leather pouch.

And lo and behold.

The side door that seemed shut tight swung open, allowing the group to enter.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ asks about that method!]

“Hmm?”

At your words, Dorothea and the other companions looked toward the side door.

It seemed you weren’t the only one who saw the preceding group enter; another group was seen approaching the side door, chatting with the guard.

“What are they saying?”

“Hmm, I don’t think it’s anything good.”

As Dorothea said, unlike the previous group, the atmosphere with this group and the guard was tense.

Their rising voices could be heard even where you stood.

“Stop the damn nonsense! You think that’s a reasonable amount just to get through a door?!”

“If you’ve got a problem, then just wait in line! No one’s forcing you to be here!”

“Who the hell do you think I am—”

Crack!

The man’s introduction was cut short.

An arrow shot from one of the small holes in the thick walls of Albert, piercing right through his head.

Thud.

“Bro, what!?”

The sight of the man crumpling with blood pouring out astonished those around him.

To them, the guard coldly announced.

“What’s it matter who you are? That doesn’t carry any weight here, so take a hike. Oh, wait, now you can’t leave. Hey, you lot over there. Hurry up and drag your ‘brother’ out of here. Or do you want to go with him?”

Although the group’s expressions were filled with outrage, they quickly lowered their heads, realizing an arrow could fly from anywhere within the walls and retrieved the body to leave.

Sensing the onlookers, the guard loudly called out.

“Unless you genuinely have some coin to spare, stay clear of this place! Speak out of turn, and you could end up like that guy, so remember!”

Several people in line flinched at the sight of the body being dragged away.

Roni frowned.

“From the level of his subordinates, I can guess what kind of lord he is.”

Dorothea shrugged.

“Well, he’s the most famous outlaw around here anyway. He doesn’t really have a reputation to lose. Either way, this works out.”

“Excuse me?”

“There’s a shortcut we can use now that we have the cash.”

Realizing the ‘cash’ Dorothea was referring to was the stolen goods reclaimed from the outlaws, Roni rushed to stop her.

“Wait a second! It might help us get through, but we don’t know how much money we’ll need inside; isn’t this a bit too hasty?”

“Didn’t you say we needed to rescue the lady? She’s already been kidnapped, so what’s another day or so?”

Roni was left speechless.

Dorothea was right.

It had been days since they parted with the ‘lady.’

While it was presumed they wouldn’t recklessly harm such a precious item, it was still just a guess.

For all they knew, while they hesitated, the lady could be suffering terribly.

After confirming the determination and spirit in Roni’s eyes, Dorothea headed toward the side door.

“Oh.”

The guard was taken aback by Dorothea’s rare beauty.

To that guard, she asked.

“How much?”

“The one asking first goes first.”

“No standard price, then.”

Without hesitation, Dorothea handed over the leather pouch.

From your perspective, it was heavier than the one handed over by the earlier group.

The guard opened the pouch and checked its contents, then said.

“Not enough.”

Roni, standing beside her, was about to argue, but Dorothea raised her hand to stop him.

“I don’t think the amount is lacking?”

“A knight wrapped in armor from head to toe, and a visibly worn woman. You lot look incredibly suspicious, so as a guard, I have to check the identities of passersby thoroughly.”

The guard’s hand rested on Dorothea’s shoulder.

In a rather suggestive tone, the guard remarked.

“Let me check you for a moment. If nothing suspicious pops up, I’ll let you in, so don’t worry.”

You hesitated for a moment.

About one second, to be precise.

Just as you were about to make your move, deciding this would be a good scenario to take down the guard, Dorothea abruptly muttered.

“By the witch’s curse, there’s a spell that turns people into animals.”

“Huh?”

The guard’s expression turned confused.

Not bothering with his confusion, Dorothea continued her speech.

“There are various kinds of animals, but the easiest to use is a dog. A dog’s corpse is easy to find. The rest is information on the target. Knowing their name helps, but even without that, it’s still usable. If I touch the skin of the target directly, it becomes even easier.”

“What are you talking about—”

“First, their skin changes, then their bones, and finally their head transforms into that of a dog. But there’s one drawback to this curse. Want to take a guess at why?”

Leaning closer and whispering in the guard’s ear, Dorothea continued.

“Dogs usually live about 10 years. If the target is younger than that, the curse will probably succeed, allowing them to live the rest of their life as a dog. But for adults over thirty? No dog lives that long. So what happens? They age and die before they can fully transform into a dog. In the end, you’re left with the incomplete corpse of something that used to be human, never reaching its canine form.”

Dorothea’s bright blue eyes sparkled.

The witch’s gaze twisted like a crescent moon.

“You’ve touched my skin. You’ve received my curse. But don’t worry. It takes about a day for the transformation to complete. After about half a day, your limbs will contort, and you won’t be able to walk on two legs anymore, but you’ll still be able to crawl and say goodbye to your family. Oh, and just a heads-up: if you kill me, the curse won’t lift. In fact, it’ll grow stronger. With your grudge becoming greater, you’ll end up living forever, neither human nor dog, in misery. But I suppose if that’s what you call immortality, there you go. Feel free to give it a try.”

The guard stared at his right hand, trembling.

What was once a human hand was now covered in rugged, beastly fur.

A mix of screams and pleas slipped from the guard’s throat.

Dorothea questioned him.

“-How much do I need to get in?”

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