Two days after Yor gave birth, Misato Shizuku was nearing her due date. Niu Zida needed to gather information quickly, so he didn't wait for Misato Shizuku's labor. Instead, he had the well-rested Yor carry him alone to the vicinity of Duōléi City to collect intelligence. The time to go to Duōléi City was getting closer, and Niu Zida really didn't want to delay any longer.
This time, Yor carried Niu Zida in a ox cart to the outskirts of Duōléi City, then sent the ox cart back. Yor carried Niu Zida the rest of the way. Their goal wasn't to enter Duōléi City, but to wander around the villages surrounding Duōléi City to gather information. This way, they could indirectly verify whether what Comte had told him before was true, and also have a good idea for their meeting in about ten days.
To conceal their identities, Yor was specially dressed in a long nun's habit modified by Aponia, with black pantyhose, a short skirt, and a sweater underneath. Niu Zida was held inside, disguised as a woman carrying a child out for a walk. However, this alone was too dangerous, as Yor's beauty could easily attract suspicion. So, Yor wore a headscarf and walked with her head down, trying to avoid being noticed. If asked, she would say she was a nun on a pilgrimage who got lost and was trying to leave Dore Territory, seeking directions.
After Yor got off the ox cart, she used her stealth skill to run a few more kilometers eastward, pretending to come from east to west, rather than west to east. This was because the west was a border area; if they came from there and were seen, people would be wary if she claimed to be a lost outsider. Coming from the east to the west and claiming to be lost would make people believe she was truly a nun from an inland territory who had accidentally strayed. Niu Zida had considered all these details.
The scenery along the way was similar to when they came over half a month ago—still desolate, with not a single traveler on the road. After all, conscription had already reached the westernmost border, adjacent to the Goblin residential area, so this relatively core area within the territory must have been ravaged long ago. Yor carried Niu Zida and walked along the main road for two or three hours. It was already nearing dusk when they found a village of considerable size. Logically, a village located on a main thoroughfare and not far from Duōléi City should be relatively prosperous, but there were hardly any people. Even for a winter night, it seemed too desolate.
Niu Zida told Yor to find a place to stay first and see if there was an inn or similar establishment. Fortunately, despite its desolation, there was indeed an inn, which indicated that it was originally a relatively prosperous place that had only become this way due to the war.
Yor entered the inn. The owner sat there bored, a little curious to see a nun come in and ask for a room. A nun staying here at a time like this?
"How much for one night?"
"Eight copper coins for one night, food not included."
Fortunately, they had captured a lot of money from the bandits, so they had plenty of travel funds this time. Before leaving, Yor had also learned about the general price levels in this world from Aponia and other villagers. Honestly, the lodging price was slightly higher than what she had heard before, but it was still acceptable.
"Can I order food here if I want to eat something?"
"You can order food, but we only have a set meal. It costs five copper coins and includes brown rice, wild vegetables, diced chicken, and salted fish jelly."
"Okay."
Yor had no objection to the price and actually took out five copper coins for the owner. Seeing that the nun was quite generous and didn't bargain, the inn owner's expression brightened, and his tone softened:
"Please wait a moment."
After the owner finished speaking, he went to the back kitchen to prepare the food. As he walked, Yor noticed that the owner had a bad leg and limped. After the owner left, a middle-aged woman came out and led Yor to a somewhat dilapidated room. It was clear that the cleaning wasn't very thorough. The entire inn was almost empty, indicating that business was indeed dismal.
"Are there very few guests lately?"
"Alas, ever since the war started, our business has been getting worse day by day."
"Is it the war between Atair Kingdom and Fortini Kingdom?"
"Yes, most of the young men here have been conscripted. I heard from those who occasionally return that many people in the territory have died on the front lines, and most won't be coming back."
"Atair Kingdom's war is in the east, isn't it? Why are so many people from your territory in the western part of the kingdom going to fight?"
"It's all because Lord Spring married that woman…"
At this point, the middle-aged woman looked around. Even though there was no one else in the inn, she still lowered her voice and said:
"Lord Spring married Amelie, the adopted daughter of the old king of Atair. He originally didn't want to send troops but had no choice, so he dragged the young men from the territory to fight. Everyone in the territory says this, so everyone dislikes that Amelie, calling her the 'bringer of calamity.' But Lord Spring doesn't like this title, and anyone found using it in the territory will be punished, with severe cases even having their tongues cut out. You should be careful if you go to Duōléi City."
"Oh… so that's how it is…"
Yor smiled faintly, thinking to herself that if the woman hadn't told her, she wouldn't have known about such a title. The middle-aged woman then said mysteriously:
"You're so beautiful, why are you a nun? And even if you are a nun, why come to such a remote place? With the war and chaos, you need to be careful. I heard there are many bandits further west."
"Well, I was dispatched by the church and just happened to stray here. Once I reach Duōléi City and find the main road, I'll leave Dore Territory."
"Hmm, it's best to leave early… What are you holding in your arms…?"
The middle-aged woman had the curiosity typical of her age. Seeing Yor constantly holding Niu Zida in her arms, she thought it was a baby. Yor, afraid of revealing Niu Zida and scaring the woman, quickly said:
"This is a child I adopted."
"I see. But this child is quite well-behaved, not making a sound. Other children usually cry and fuss."
"Well, actually, he was clinging to me the whole way here. He just fell asleep."
"I see, you have it tough. So young and beautiful, yet a nun, carrying a child, and coming to a place like this. Be extra careful. I'll bring the food up in a bit, but unfortunately, we don't have milk here… how troublesome…"
"It's okay… I have… milk."
Hearing the middle-aged woman say that, Yor quickly replied. After saying that, she seemed to realize something, and the beautiful woman's face instantly turned as red as a tomato…
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