They arrived earlier than expected.
Bavech was a sparsely populated town, and the reason was clear.
Once, it thrived under the protection of the Sage—an emblem of humanity's strength. But now that she had grown old and withdrawn, Bavech had become a dangerous place to live. After all, it bordered the chaos.
"So if I pass through this town, I'll reach the draconic lair?" Rinne asked as they approached the outskirts.
"Yes," Hades replied, then added with a firm tone, "But I suggest you hold back your fantasies—for your own safety, Rinne."
Beyond the border, countless threats roamed freely. Only those weak enough to escape radar detection dared to slip into the human realm. Anything stronger was noticed… and dealt with.
Except for that one time.
The Duke-ranked being Hades had encountered—that dragon—was a rare exception. Somehow, it crossed over without raising any alarms. Perhaps it had been injured… perhaps that's why it slipped through unnoticed.
Soon, they entered the town.
