“You know what mercenaries are, I take it. They’re people who earn money by fighting. The country also has strong ties with the guild that oversees all of the adventurer business. As a commercial hub, it single-handedly takes care of everything from distributing weapons and armor to supplying medicines and other consumables that the guild needs. Here money changes hands on a scale that is unheard of in other countries.”

Looking out of the carriage as we trotted along down the streets it wasn’t hard to believe. The Melromarc castle town was full of life, too, but this place felt like a real smorgasbord. The urban landscape seemed to continue on and on, alternating between bustling business districts and slums.

“The country has no king, by the way. It is administered by a council comprised of the most influential merchants.”

“Oh?”

So the country was more of a republic, then? It made sense for a country that touted itself as the country of mercenaries. Maybe it was a merit-based society.

“The country also has a profound dark side, as evidenced by the saying, ‘war is fought in the shadow of Zeltoble.’ Do be careful, Shield Hero.”

“I will.”

“My family is based out of Zeltoble. The country has treated our pockets well.”

“I thought that might be the case.”

That reminded me, I had a nightmare the night before. A whole crowd of creeps that looked just like the slave trader appeared out of nowhere and started trying to sell me slaves and monsters.

“Zeltoble is famous for the coliseum events that are held all around the country.”

“Coliseum?”

He was talking about fighting arenas, right? They were probably pitting mercenaries against each other and betting on who would win.

“It’s one of Zeltoble’s top attractions. I am confident that attending one of the events would make your whole trip worth it, Shield Hero.”

“I’ll think about it. So where are we supposed to go now?”

“We need to get off of the main street. Turn down that back alley over there. That should work.”

“Got it. Filo.”

I guided Filo toward the back alley that the slave trader had pointed out. As soon as we entered the alley, a rope came flying toward Filo from out of nowhere.

“Heh heh heh . . . That sure is an unusual monster you have there, eh?”

A group of brutish-looking guys stepped out in front of us. Did these idiots not know who Filo was? Either way, they reminded me of another group of idiots I knew.

“Hiya!”

“Arghhhh!!!”

Filo kicked the fool that had recklessly tried to capture her with a lasso and sent him flying off into space.

“Huh?! What is this thing?! Stop struggling! Ugh!”

“This monster is a savage! Hurry up and wring its ne—arghhh!”

Ah, Filo had bitten down on the head of one of the idiots. He struggled for a few moments before going limp. I guess he’d passed out.