After a short rest, they got up again and walked for a while longer, until they finally saw the city at the farthest edge of the country, Ironwall.
Why was the city called Ironwall?
Not because its walls were made of iron, but because it had never been breached since its construction.
"This place gives off a different feeling," Shanks said, standing outside the city wall.
If they went in during the day, they'd be discovered.
"Of course. This city has been through dozens of battles, big and small. Its walls are likely soaked with the blood of countless civilians."
Standing beneath the towering wall, anyone would feel small and insignificant.
They found a relatively hidden spot outside the city and waited until nightfall.
They had already decided to fly over under the cover of darkness, drawing no attention was the priority.
Baichuan had no intention of getting shot full of holes in broad daylight.
Night soon fell. The air was cool, a gentle breeze blowing. The slender moon hung quietly in the night sky, casting a soft silver glow.
The night was eerily quiet, with only the occasional chirps of small creatures trying to attract attention.
Inside Ironwall, unlike other cities that remained lively after dark, all was silent, except for the highly focused soldiers keeping watch.
They stared straight ahead, alert for even the tiniest disturbance.
"This country may have a messed-up government, but its soldiers' discipline is top-notch."
Seeing the impeccably vigilant guards, Baichuan couldn't help but feel some respect.
"I heard they have some kind of strict system for the army, so the soldiers don't dare slack off. If they get caught slacking, the punishment is severe."
"I see…"
Baichuan nodded in agreement. With someone constantly driving them, people often performed better.
But if that person disappeared one day, their standards would likely plummet, and they might not even compare to soldiers from other nations anymore.
"Let's move."
"Yeah."
The three others nodded.
Baichuan picked up Katherine, not to take advantage, but so she'd feel safe midair and not scream in panic.
Shanks and Buggy simply grabbed onto Baichuan's clothes. Knowing their personalities, he assumed they wouldn't show fear.
But Baichuan had overestimated Buggy.
Since they needed to fly across the entire city, Baichuan flew especially high to avoid being seen.
At first, Buggy was fine. He'd flown with Baichuan plenty of times.
But as they climbed higher, his heart pounded faster, especially since it was night. When he looked down, all he saw was darkness.
He couldn't even tell how high they were.
Buggy clung tightly to Baichuan's thigh.
Seeing his pitiful state, Baichuan couldn't help teasing him.
He suddenly dove several meters, pretending like he'd lost control of his power.
Buggy instantly let out a shriek, sharp enough to be heard for miles.
Thankfully, Shanks reacted quickly and covered his mouth.
Baichuan also didn't dare joke further. He returned to normal flight, a little startled himself by Buggy's scream.
"Hey… did you hear a scream just now? Sounded pretty bad."
A soldier on the wall asked the man next to him.
"No, I didn't hear anything. Maybe you imagined it."
"Maybe…"
Since his partner didn't hear it, he assumed it was just his imagination.
"I think you're just worn out. Your body's giving out. After your shift, go get some sleep, and stop wasting energy with women."
"Yeah… maybe I do need some rest."
He looked up, thinking he saw a shooting star, flashing quickly through the sky before vanishing.
"Maybe I am overexerting myself…" he muttered, sinking into a spiral of self-doubt.
Time passed. Without Baichuan stirring up more trouble, Buggy gradually calmed down.
"Buggy, you should've seen yourself just now. What a coward."
Shanks wasted no time throwing jabs.
"Hmph, don't act like you weren't scared. We both know each other too well."
"But at least I didn't scream."
"That's only 'cause I screamed first and distracted you! Otherwise, you would've screamed for sure."
Buggy firmly believed Shanks would have screamed too, but more from excitement, not fear.
Baichuan just smiled, enjoying their banter. In the boredom of a long flight, amusing conversations like these were a nice distraction.
"Why don't you just fly me straight to my capital?"
Katherine asked. Baichuan couldn't tell if she liked the sensation of flying or being in his arms.
"No."
He rejected her without hesitation.
"Why not?"
She pouted, both annoyed and confused.
"No reason. I just don't feel like flying there."
"Hmph, you're so selfish."
Katherine turned her head away, clearly trying to throw a little tantrum.
But her sulking affected no one but herself.
"Hey, why haven't we landed yet? We should've crossed the border of the Colon Kingdom by now."
She asked after noticing how long they'd been flying.
"I plan to fly directly to your country."
"Huh? What do you mean? Didn't you say you wouldn't fly straight to our capital?"
"Yeah, but I never said I wouldn't fly to your country. I'm just bored and want to finish this weird mission already."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying being with me is boring?! Fine! Put me down, I'll go back by myself!"
"Are you throwing a tantrum now?"
Baichuan's voice suddenly turned cold.
"Throwing a tantrum?! You're the one who said you were bored! Why is it my fault now?"
"Oh, so now you're trying to break the deal and pretend nothing happened? I took this job for the reward. If I put you down now, who's gonna pay me?"
Hearing that, Katherine fell silent.
Just then, BANG! BANG! BOOM!
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire, cannons, and people shouting erupted from below.
"Nani?! Nani?! What's happening down there?!"
Buggy, who had just calmed down, was suddenly wide awake and alert again.