In the dark corners on either side of the street, plenty of ragged figures with vicious eyes were watching them. The Wado Ichimonji at Kuina's waist, in particular, drew many greedy stares.
"This is the edge of the Lawless Zone. Security is at its worst here."
Lorne kept his eyes straight ahead without slowing his steps at all.
"Ignore this trash. We're going straight into the Lawless Zone. The truly skilled craftsmen are all over there."
Following the signs, the two stepped straight into Area Thirteen.
The streets here were damper and darker, the buildings on either side dilapidated. The smell of cheap ale and blood hung in the air.
On a street corner, several slaves wearing collars struggled to move goods under the lash of a whip, their eyes empty and despairing.
Kuina's steps faltered slightly, and her hands unconsciously tightened around her sword hilt.
"In this world, weakness is the original sin."
Lorne did not look back, but his voice reached Kuina's ears clearly.
"If you want to change all this, you need the strength to overturn the board. Otherwise, your sympathy will only get you hurt."
Kuina gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and forced herself to look away, keeping close behind Lorne.
"Hey, you two brats up ahead! Stop!"
A rough voice suddenly came from the alley ahead.
Three burly pirates with brutish faces blocked their path, gleaming steel swords in their hands.
The pirate leading them was blind in one eye and reeked of alcohol.
"Judging by your clothes, you're fresh meat from out of town, aren't you?"
"Leave your money and that Famous Sword behind, and I might consider letting you live."
Kuina's gaze turned cold, her hand already resting on her sword hilt.
"Kuina, stand down."
Lorne spoke calmly, continuing forward without