If Shinozuki and Froya want to reach the target village, they have to cross nearly a quarter of the empire's territory from the base of the expeditionary army. There is no waterway to go. Therefore, even if there is the shortest route and the information provided by the organization, There are many convenient transportation options, but it also takes several days to get there.
On the evening of the fourth day, Shinozuki and Froya arrived at the town closest to the target village.
As a place close to the desert, local resources are very scarce. Almost twenty years ago, local residents had almost no other way to survive except as highway robbers.
When Lecco came to power and this place was included in the empire's territory, there was not even any unnecessary resistance. The locals were still wondering why the empire's regent wanted to take over such a remote and poor land. Wasn't this adding a burden to themselves?
After the Unification War, Lecco began to indiscriminately create supply lines suitable for local conditions on each border of the empire.
Soon, the local residents discovered that their lives had undergone earth-shaking changes: compared with the past, not only could they have enough food and clothing, but those with ideas could also receive education in nearby towns and move to more affluent places after completing their studies!
Such changes caused the locals to quickly become die-hard loyalists to Regent Lecco after experiencing their initial confusion. If it hadn't been explicitly prohibited by the empire, a church based on Lecco would probably have developed.
——In their eyes, Leko, who saved them from fire and water, was actually a god who would respond to them.
In addition to the "gods", the people closest to the locals are the "messengers of the gods", the consuls appointed by Lecco to this area. It was actually this consul who brought prosperity here.
At that time, when he first took office, he knew that if he wanted to improve living standards, the supply line alone was not enough. It only provided the resources to ensure life. In addition, industries that suited local conditions were also needed to promote development.
After a detailed investigation of the actual situation, he decided to develop tourism locally. To this end, the governor used his connections and property in an almost squeezing manner, and built a sufficiently eye-catching industrial chain for the local area with the momentum of gambling.
Looking at the current empire, few consuls can do such a crazy move. Many people didn't understand why he dared to do this, but when Leko knew about it, he slapped the table with joy...
The final result was that this seemingly gambler-like consul succeeded, and it was an unprecedented success.
The empire prospered rapidly under Lecco's series of reforms. While people met their daily needs, after hearing the propaganda here, they became extremely curious about the desert environment they had never seen before, making this resource The deprived place attracts a steady stream of tourists.
The rapidly developing tourism industry, with the efforts of the governor and local people, has driven the development of other industries. Although the current place is far from the imperial capital, it is already very wealthy compared to other places. Many tourists from other countries who come to this area will mistake this place for a central city rather than an imperial border.
After the disguise, Xiaoyue and Froya walked side by side on the streets of the town. The prosperity here was visible to the naked eye. Compared with usual times, there were actually fewer people there.
They use their identity as businessmen.
Normally, pretending to be tourists is the least conspicuous, but the current empire has attracted the attention of all imperial people due to the crusade against the rebels, which has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of tourists within the empire.
"If he comes here to travel at this moment, let alone others, we will have to poke his spine!"
This is what a local merchant said to Xiaoyue and the others.
Considering the imperial support of the royal family, this is not surprising at all.
The outsiders who still come here now, apart from foreign tourists, are basically people related to the supply line and scattered traders.
Most of the people on the supply line are familiar with the local residents. If Xiaoyue and the others want to disguise their identities, going into business is the best choice.
The two of them walked all the way out of the city and into the suburbs, where the sky gradually turned dark.
Froya suddenly stopped, folded her arms, and complained: "Wait a minute, I suddenly remembered, didn't we agree to go tomorrow? We have traveled for several days to shorten the time, and you are not doing well. Let’s rest, we have to walk at night, what if something happens?”
Xiaoyue walked forward without looking back.
"Hey, say something!" Froya stamped her foot.
Xiaoyue stopped and turned around, with obvious impatience on her face: "Are you annoyed by the chattering along the way? If you don't want to leave, just find a hotel to sleep in!"
The two of them had disguised themselves before, which was more in line with the image of traveling businessmen. Now even the way they talk has changed, others will only regard them as best friends having conflicts.
Floya's eyes widened: "You dare to hurt me?! If I hadn't been worried about something happening to you alone, why would I have traveled a long distance to come with you? For you, I gave up a big business!"
"I...I didn't ask you to come with me..."
"Hmph, do you know you feel guilty? I can still forgive you if you apologize now!"
Xiaoyue turned her head.
After a long time, she coyly uttered three words: "I'm sorry."
"That's pretty much it." Froya was satisfied and stepped forward to hug Xiaoyue's shoulders. "I'm in a good mood and won't argue with you. Okay, let's go back to the hotel to rest first and leave tomorrow?"
"...I want to take a look at the road first. I haven't been here for so long and the changes here have been too great. I'm worried that I won't be able to recognize the road."
"You!" Froya was furious, and then said as if giving up, "...Oh, okay, I'll just take a walk with you."
"Thanks."
The two were about to continue walking when a man dressed as a businessman walked towards them.
"Hey, it's getting dark today. Where are you two girls going?" The businessman's tone was carefree, and he looked like a familiar person.
Floya said warily: "What does it have to do with you?"
The businessman was stunned for a moment, slapped himself, and said: "Hey! Look at my problem! I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything else. I was just worried that you might encounter danger in the suburbs. I asked casually, but I forgot. I seem to be a risk factor..."
The merchant is tall and his body is obscured by his loose clothes, making it difficult to tell whether he is strong or weak. However, his appearance is enough to pose a threat to the slender Shinozuki and Froya.
The businessman's funny tone made Froya smile, but Xiaoyue was still wary.
"Well, at least I don't see you as a bad person now." Froya paused and said, "Actually, it's nothing. It's just that my friend hasn't been back to his hometown for many years and plans to go back and have a look. You know that a wanderer is eager to return home. As a person, I Her friend will have to suffer again!"
"You have been able to stay out for so long, and you have probably made a name for yourself. It's not easy. I admire you!" The businessman first complimented a few words, and then said, "Seeing as you dare to be out alone, you should have some self-defense skills, but you'd better tomorrow Go ahead. I originally planned to rush to the village in front, but halfway through, I heard wolves howling, and there were quite a few of them!"
"What? Wolves?!" Floya was shocked, "This..."
Fear appeared on Xiaoyue's face.
Floya said doubtfully: "Brother, why don't you go back to the town first?"
"Aren't I worried that someone wouldn't know about it, so I set up a small camp there to say hello to people leaving the city." The businessman pointed to a light in front of him, "Don't worry, I've reported it to the officers and soldiers, I guess. The road will be cleared tomorrow. I suggest you rest in the city tonight. No matter how anxious you are to return home, safety is not as important!"
Xiaoyue pulled off Froya's clothes.
Floya immediately breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, okay, no problem. Thanks to you, brother, we will go back to the city right now! We will also help you talk about the things ahead in the city!"
"That's good, I can relax too!" The businessman was happy at first, and then joked, "But it's better to find a hotel first. You are so beautiful, I'm afraid you won't be safe in the city!"
Floya blushed and said, "Okay, thank you, brother!"
"Let's go back to the city quickly."
Froya took Xiaoyue and ran towards the town quickly.
Xiaoyue's laughter can be heard in the distance.
The businessman watched the two girls leave with a smile on his face. When the two of them disappeared from sight, the businessman's expression suddenly dimmed.
"Who are they?"
"Looks like he's just a businessman returning to his hometown."
"Confirm their identities."
"yes!"
