The carriage traveled along the neatly maintained highway, surrounded by the patrol guards at a respectable distance. None of them spoke. Occasionally, they would cast a sidelong glance at Ian seated in the carriage.
It was the same with others they encountered on the road. Various passersby, including the other patrol guards, came and went frequently, proving that this was indeed the Empire. Everyone seemed curious about the identity of the carriage under guard.
This is such a pain...
Ian didn’t expect to attract this much attention. Contrary to his thoughts, he chewed on jerky with a nonchalant face. In any case, he realized that he had set foot in the Empire earlier than in the game, and through a somewhat illicit yet legitimate procedure.
In the game, one couldn’t enter the Empire or the North from the start due to a lack of qualifications. Anyone entering recklessly would be killed by the patrol or inspection soldiers. This went without saying for areas near the South or the Black Wall could only be reached by passing through the Empire.
Thus, being able to step into the Empire meant starting the