A Close Call

After a period of rest, they set off again and walked for some time, finally seeing the city at the very border of this country, Iron Wall.

Why was this city called Iron Wall? It wasn't because its walls were made of iron, but because since its construction, it had never been conquered.

"This city really gives off a different feeling," Shanks said, standing outside the city walls. If the few of them entered the city now, they would definitely be discovered.

"That's for sure. This city must have experienced dozens of wars, big and small, and its walls must have been bathed in the blood of countless civilians."

Standing beneath these city walls, anyone would feel a sense of insignificance.

The group found a relatively hidden spot outside the city walls and waited until nightfall. They had decided to fly over at night to avoid attracting attention.

Shirakawa didn't want to be shot full of holes during the day.

Night soon descended. The weather was cool, with a gentle breeze. The delicate moon cast a bright, clear light in the dark sky.

The night was completely silent, with only a few small animals chirping intermittently, trying to attract their attention.

Inside Iron Wall, there was no bustling scene like in other cities at dusk. There were only soldiers with extremely focused attention.

Their gazes were fixed straight ahead, striving not to miss any clue.

"The politics of this country aren't great, but the quality of the soldiers is undeniable."

Looking at the meticulous soldiers on the city walls, Shirakawa felt a sense of admiration.

"This country seems to have some strict regulations for its soldiers, so they dare not slack off even slightly. If discovered, they might face severe punishment."

"So that's how it is?" Shirakawa nodded in agreement. Having someone pushing them from behind allowed them to perform better. However, if the one pushing them disappeared one day, their attitude would become very lax, possibly even worse than soldiers from other countries.

"Let's get ready to move."

"Okay." The three nodded.

Shirakawa picked up Katherin. This wasn't to take advantage of her, but to give her a sense of security while in the air, so she wouldn't scream.

As for Shanks and Buggy, they held onto their clothes. Given their personalities, they shouldn't appear scared.

However, Shirakawa had overestimated Buggy. Since they had to fly over the entire city, it would take some time. To avoid detection, Shirakawa flew very high this time.

At first, Buggy was fine. After all, Shirakawa had flown with him many times. But as the altitude increased, his heart beat faster and faster. Especially at night, looking down into the darkness, he had no idea how high they had flown. He clung tightly to Shirakawa's leg.

Seeing Buggy's state, Shirakawa couldn't resist teasing him. He rapidly descended a short distance, as if Shirakawa had lost his ability. Terrified, Buggy immediately let out a scream, so sharp it could be heard for miles around.

Fortunately, Shanks reacted quickly and covered Buggy's mouth. Shirakawa didn't dare to joke around anymore and resumed normal flight. He had been startled himself just now.

"Hey, did you hear a scream just now? It sounded quite miserable," a soldier on the city wall asked the person standing next to him.

"No, did you mishear?"

"Then I must have misheard." Since his companions hadn't heard anything, perhaps he was hallucinating.

"I think you've been too tired these past few days, your body can't take it anymore. Get some sleep after you get off duty, don't waste your energy on women's bellies."

"Yeah, I guess I really need to rest for a day." He looked up, as if seeing a shooting star, flashing past overhead before disappearing.

"Could it really be that I've expended too much energy?" He couldn't help but fall into deep self-doubt.

As time passed, and with Shirakawa not deliberately causing trouble, Buggy's mood also calmed down.

"Buggy, look at you just now, so cowardly." When the opportunity arose, Shanks began his sharp-tongued teasing of Buggy.

"Hmph, don't talk about me, weren't you also very scared just now? We both know each other."

"But I didn't scream out."

"That's because I screamed first, attracting your attention. Otherwise, it would have definitely been you screaming."

Buggy was certain that Shanks would have screamed, but his scream wouldn't have been one of fear, but of excitement.

Shirakawa listened to the two clowns' conversation with a smile. It was quite interesting to hear amusing dialogue during a boring aerial journey.

"Why don't you just fly me back to my country's capital?"

Catherin, whether she had grown fond of the feeling of flying or Shirakawa's embrace, suggested to him.

"No." Shirakawa refused without a second thought, without hesitation.

"Why?" Catherin pouted, asking indignantly and confusedly.

"No reason, I just don't want to fly."

"Hmph, you're really willful." Catherin turned her head away, intending to throw a little tantrum, but her petty temper was destined to be borne by herself alone.

"Hey, why aren't you going down yet? We should have flown out of the Kingdom of Kolun's borders long ago."

Catherin felt that they had been flying for a long time, and they should have passed the borders of the Kingdom of Kolun by now.

"I plan to fly directly to your country."

"Huh? What do you mean? Didn't you say you wouldn't fly directly to our capital?"

"Yes, but I didn't say I wouldn't fly to your country. I just felt a bit bored and wanted to finish this inexplicable mission quickly."

"What do you mean by that? Are you trying to say that being with me is too boring? Fine then, put me down now, I'll go back by myself."

"Are you being unreasonable?" Shirakawa's tone suddenly turned cold.

"Unreasonable? How am I being unreasonable? You clearly said you were bored, so how did it turn into me being unreasonable?"

"So you want to eat and then run without taking responsibility? I'm getting paid for this mission. If I let you go now, who am I going to ask for my reward?"

Hearing Shirakawa's words, Catherine didn't say anything else.

Just then, from below them, there was a sudden sound of "bang, bang, bang." Gunshots, cannon fire, and people shouting.

"Nani, nani, what's happening?"

Buggy, who had just quieted down, became lively again in an instant.