Joe responded, "You might find this odd, but I believe what the elf did was an act of mercy. The emptiness slowly consumes a person. It doesn't matter if they're a ghoul, elf, or even a demon. It will find you, and it will make you suffer."

Yory contemplated how this emptiness had influenced his decision to relinquish his kingship. He sought a new purpose, something more meaningful than languishing in the demon kingdom without much to engage him. This emptiness was a silent killer.

Joe, his smile now back in place, locked eyes with Yory, "You know what really killed him, Yory? He didn't live for forty-six years; he lived one day repeatedly for his entire life. That's what did him in."

After trading some leather and fur, Yory and Joe made their way to the inn to rest for the upcoming journey.

The next day, as they approached Roxana city, Joe's face lit up with excitement. He exclaimed after cresting a hill, "Yory, there it is!"

Yory's eyes were fixed on the road, and he shared in Joe's excitement. When the grand walls of the city came into view, along with the bustling carts and the sight of the city's defences and training forces, Yory was captivated. Though the wind was cold, he hardly noticed. This view, though familiar from many travels, felt different this time. Yory wasn't here for political games or to meet a king. He was here to live life to its fullest, and that's what made this view so magnificent.

The line of waiting merchants meant it took three hours to reach the gate, but no one complained. Such was the life of a trader.

When it was finally Yory's turn, a burly guard with a scar running down his left cheek and clad in silver armour barked, "STOP!!! WE'RE SEARCHING THIS CART, EVERYONE OUT!!!"

Yory gazed at the captain with an innocent smile, saying, "Of course, sir..."

The guard cut him off brusquely, "Shut up and move already!"

Joe nudged Yory and whispered, "They're a surly bunch. Keep an eye on them in case they try anything."

Yory nodded, understanding the situation, and descended from the cart as the guards commenced their search.

Meanwhile, in the city's bustling market, Lord Nietyro, accompanied by a robust warrior with orange hair and a face marked by scars, greeted the locals who responded with respectful bows and grateful expressions. The warrior suggested with a calm, respectful tone, "Sir, you've completed your rounds. Perhaps it's time to head home?"

Nietyro inquired, "I've heard rumours of guards harassing merchants, especially newcomers. Is there any truth to this?"

The warrior paused for a moment before responding, "I will investigate and keep a close watch, my lord. Rest assured, I'll mete out severe punishment to these unruly guards before dismissing them from their posts!"

Back at the city gate, when the guards finished their search, the captain shouted at Yory after he had disembarked, "MOVE!!!"

Yory hesitated for a moment, then retorted, "Yes, of course, once you've returned what you took."

The captain's voice thundered angrily, "I stole from you, a lowly trader!?"

Meanwhile, Joe rushed to Yory's cart and realized his bag had been moved during the search process, which he hadn't noticed due to the guards' distraction.

When he checked his bag, he discovered something was missing. Joe then marched toward the captain, who was berating Yory, and warned him, "Look at me, you scoundrel! You have mere seconds to run, or else..."

As Yory stood, arms crossed, his eyes filled with challenge and a grin that bordered on insolence, he continued, "...Or what? What exactly are you planning to do? You're powerless because..."

At that moment, Joe firmly gripped the captain's right shoulder, pivoted him around, and delivered a powerful punch to the captain's face, sending him sprawling to the ground, unconscious.

The other guards were stunned, while Yory finished his statement, "...Because, truthfully, you're capable of nothing. You're WEAK."

The day started well until Yory and Joe found themselves arrested. Joe was chained and waiting outside with two guards while the merchants continued entering the city through the gate. Yory, on the other hand, was in an interrogation room on the second floor of the guard post, also chained and silent, with two guards watching him.

Then, the door swung open, and the captain entered with a bruise on his right eye, clearly angry. When he saw Yory, he spat on the ground. Yory couldn't help but laugh, saying, "That bruise suits you, makes you look like a real captain."

The captain, initially furious, strangely started laughing, saying, "If you'd kept your mouth shut, we wouldn't be in this mess. Extorting some money from you shouldn't cause such a ruckus, you son of a pestilent. I'm a level three knight, quite strong and influential enough to make your life miserable."

Yory sighed, retorting, "Enough with the theatrics. You call yourself a level three knight? Knocked out by an ordinary merchant's punch, you're barely a level two, not strong at all—your position is what's making the fuss. HAHAHAHAHA."

The captain's face turned red, and one of the guards shouted at Yory to stop talking.

Meanwhile, outside near the gate, Joe spotted the noble Nietyro who had come to investigate. When the guards saw the noble, one of the captain's friends discreetly signalled to the guards watching Joe to hide him from the noble. Joe saw his opportunity and quipped, "Ah, here's my chance, lads."

Two guards helped Joe to his feet, but he suddenly punched one of them in the face. The other guard drew his sword and attacked Joe, who swiftly dodged, then twisted the guard's arm and disarmed him. Joe followed up with a kick to the guard's left knee, sending him to the ground. When the first guard attempted to retrieve his sword, Joe kicked him hard in the face. Then, the second guard regained his footing and tried to grab Joe from behind, but Joe headbutted him, causing him to fall once more. Joe then used his chains to choke the second guard.

As the noble Nietyro conversed with the guards, one of his men noticed Joe choking a guard while the other lay unconscious. He pointed this out to Nietyro, who was taken aback. Joe, trying to put a positive spin on his actions, smiled and said, "Hello, my lord. They attempted to steal from me and my friend."

Back in the interrogation room, the captain instructed his assistants, "He's a criminal. Confiscate his cart and goods, even his money."

One of his assistants, clearly puzzled, responded, "We can't do that without a trial; the court won't allow it."

The captain, growing impatient, declared, "This little shit is making me angry and also embarrassing me in front of my men. Just do it. I'll use my connections; I'll resolve everything and seize whatever this scoundrel has in his cart."

He then turned to Yory, threatening, "I'll make your life miserable, merchant. Luckily for us, you have quite a valuable cart."

Suddenly, Yory began laughing, leaving the captain and his assistants bewildered. Yory, after a hearty laugh, turned cold, his eyes devoid of emotion, and said, "I think I've been too lenient with you, my friends." He then checked the chains restraining him and astonishingly BROKE FREE.

The guards were taken aback. Yory kicked the table with all his might, sending it flying and hitting the captain's face. It fell to the ground, and while one of the guards drew his sword, Yory acted quickly, lifting a chair with his foot and kicking it at the guard's face. The guard joined the captain on the ground, blood oozing from his nose. The second guard attempted to use Lightning magic but before he could aim, Yory seized him by the neck, muttering, "Weak, utterly useless."

Meanwhile, Joe, who had been facing the city's lord Nietyro, said, "Guards, stay back. Now, tell me, what's happening here?"

Every guard lowered his sword, and the noble's right hand shouted in anger, "I DON'T HEAR ANSWERS!"

Joe quickly released the guard who was choking with the chains and raised his hands in a sign of non-aggression. "My lord, these putrid spawns of a trogg tried to steal from me and my friend."

Nietyro interrupted, "Your friend? Is there..."

Nietyro's sentence was cut short when the door of the interrogation room on the second floor was flung open by a guard, who was sent flying to the balcony fence with his head crashing through part of it. Yory confidently walked out of the room, casually wiping his hands. The captain attempted to strike him with his sword, but Yory swiftly dodged, landing a knee to the captain's stomach, causing him to collapse. Yory's expression turned serious as he advised, "Always keep wearing your armour, even when interrogating a chained man."

As the other guard emerged from the interrogation room, Yory kicked the door, sending it crashing back toward the guard's face and sending him back into the room.

When the captain tried to rise, Yory grabbed his attire and pummeled him mercilessly, resulting in Yory's hands being covered in blood. Joe, seemingly unfazed, shouted, "YORY!!! The noble believed my story, so don't kill the captain, OKAY?!"

After hearing Joe's words, Yory nodded in agreement.

After some time in the castle of Roxana city, Yory and Joe found themselves seated on a luxurious couch, dining with refined manners, despite the earlier ordeal. The noble faced them with a warm smile. "Did you enjoy the meal? Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

Joe wiped his mouth with a fancy-looking napkin and replied solemnly, "Return what that scoundrel stole, and we'll call it even."

Nietyro agreed with a smile, "Certainly, we'll return everything and compensate you for your trouble..."

Yory interrupted him: "What is the equivalent of that?"

Nietyro's expression turned somewhat sad and disappointed as he replied, "It would be helpful if you could forget about what happened today. Roxana city has a good reputation among the kingdom's lands, and having corrupt guards tarnishes that reputation is the last thing this city needs."

Joe added, "We won't speak of it, but offer us something valuable. We aren't mercenaries seeking money, but rather profit."

Nietyro, with confidence, proposed, "After leaving Roxana, your next destination will be Undvik, and the villages along the way are known for trading wheat, barley, and meat. I'll collaborate with you to provide high-quality, expensive goods. And our city will remember you as friends. Does that sound acceptable, my merchant friends?"

Yory agreed, "That sounds agreeable," and inquired about the fate of the corrupt captain.

Nietyro revealed, "He's in jail for theft from numerous merchants, abuse of authority, and general misconduct. Under pressure from my right-hand man, he confessed to his misdeeds. We are currently attempting to contact the affected merchants."

Joe nodded, satisfied. "Excellent. Now we have a market to attend to."

Leaving the castle, Yory positioned his cart in the designated market area, uncovered it, and prepared to greet potential customers. Joe informed Yory of his departure, saying, "Yory, I'm off to tend to my business. See you later."

Yory replied, "Later."

Joe ventured into a large, upscale store where he exchanged pleasantries with the owner, who inquired, "How may I assist you?"

Joe inquired, "What is the current price of gold? I'd like to sell."

The owner responded, "Gold prices have been low lately due to the recent discovery of a gold mine near FONOBO MOUNTAIN, close to the city. It's now 120 golden coins for one gold bar."

Joe slapped his forehead in shock upon hearing the news. Deep in thought, he mumbled, "I have eight gold bars and 260 coins. It's risky, but if I reach Daekrahm City, I'll be safe."

After a moment of contemplation, Joe wiped his face with his hands and told the owner, "Give me two bars." The owner nodded and fetched them from his storeroom.

Meanwhile, Yory engaged with a couple interested in the high-quality fur he was offering. The woman asked, "How much does that fur cost?"

Yory replied with a smile, "Six gold coins, miss."

The husband mentioned, "We already have fur at home."

However, his wife insisted, "But, dear, this is of high quality, and it's not that expensive."

Observing the couple, Yory recalled his brother Monroe and his humble wife, who treated everyone with kindness, regardless of their status. Yory interjected, "How about four gold coins? Does that sound fair?"

The couple happily accepted Yory's offer and purchased three high-quality furs. Yory then recommended, "If you desire more of this quality, there's a shop in Landow village where I acquire these leathers and furs. The owner is an honest trader. Feel free to visit him and share the word with others if you're satisfied." The couple bid farewell to Yory, who responded with a nod as they departed.

An hour later, Joe returned to Yory's cart, looking somewhat upset. Yory inquired, "Joe, you seem distressed. Was it an unsuccessful day?"

Joe smiled, revealing a secret he hadn't previously shared. "I never mentioned this, but I'm involved in the gold business, and it can be quite messy at times."

Yory whistled and said, "I had no idea. Gold trading is risky, from buying and selling to potential robberies on the road. But why are you telling me this? I could rob you while you're not looking."

Joe chuckled, replying, "I know what kind of people you are – the 'Don't mess with me, and I won't mess with you' type."

Yory smiled, satisfied with the response. "Fair enough. I've finished my work. It's time to rest."

Joe agreed, "Yes, it's been a long day."

The following morning, Yory and Joe continued their journey towards Undvik city, departing from the west gate of Roxana. As they approached the gate, Yory attempted to pay the guard, who refused the payment with a smile. "Sir, the lord informed us that you're a friend, and we treat our friends and the lord's acquaintances well." Yory waved his hand in gratitude, and both he and Joe proceeded on their way.

On the road, they set up a camp and lit a fire for warmth and cooking. Yory prepared soup, pouring some onto a clean plate and handing it to Joe who said. "Thank you, my friend. It looks delicious, courtesy of Chef Yory."

Yory chuckled and said, "You're welcome. Let's eat."

After their meal, they sat by the campfire, but the horse Boris suddenly neighed loudly, disrupting the silence. Joe glanced at Boris and remarked, "Yory, what kind of horse is this? He seems wild, even more so than regular horses."

Yory explained, "I mentioned before that I had dealings in the demon kingdom. After a particular task, they gave me this horse. It's a demon horse."

Joe observed, "That explains his red eyes and wild demeanour. When I tried to pet him at the inn in Roxana while you were inside, he almost bit me. Is that normal for him?"

Yory smiled and said, "That's Boris. Joe, let me teach you something."