
                                                                                        <div> Chapter 56: Ilto
<p> Since it was steadily getting bigger as it approached, Ackster could pretty quickly guess that it was a cart of some kind.
𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺</p><p> He looked down at his body again and confirmed that he looked like an adventurer that had gotten caught up in a fight with a dangerous monster and fled. But in the process, he had lost almost all his gear and gotten lost. His clothes were a little too worn, but he could just say he had been lost for a little too long and that he would much rather have a nice bath or shower instead of talking about it.
</p><p> Ackster stood by the side of the road and waited as the donkey-drawn transport carriage drew closer. It looked like only the man holding the reins to the two donkeys pulling the cart was on it.
</p><p> Ackster had hoped that the man would be helpful or kind-hearted enough to stop and give him a ride since that would sell his story even better. But the driver clearly avoided looking in Ackster’s direction, wanting to avoid any possible trouble.
</p><p> Ackster didn’t look like a civilized person, so it wasn’t strange for the driver to be careful. Maybe looking at the guy on the side of the road, who looked more like a person raised by wolves than by other humans, would trigger him to attack.
</p><p> The driver didn’t want to risk it, so he kept his gaze on the road and pretended like Ackster didn’t exist.
</p><p> Ackster sighed.
</p><p> "Hey, can you at least tell me where the closest town is?"
</p><p> The driver flinched when Ackster spoke, more because he reacted to his fears rather than Ackster’s actions.
</p><p> Ackster spoke when the driver was right by him, but the driver remained silent. Ackster was about to use a little force or at least start following the cart loaded with boxes to try and get an answer. But he didn’t have to.
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                                </div><p> "This way."
</p><p> The driver sounded reluctant, which was probably why he had waited until he was past Ackster before answering. He was honest enough to tell him the truth but too vigilant not to secure his safety first.
</p><p> "Thanks!"
</p><p> Ackster shouted and waved. Not that the driver turned around to see. But he walked behind the cart as it gradually shrank on its way west, the direction Ackster had come from.
</p><p> It seemed like he had entered Lill a while ago without noticing it, which could either be a good or a bad thing. If he had gone too far, he would have ended up too deep in Lill to notice Karandiel.
</p><p> But since he had entered Lill so quickly, it was unlikely that Karandiel had fallen yet, which meant he wasn’t too late.
</p><p> Well, it wasn’t impossible for him to have missed it since she could have dropped down further up north or down south along the border. But he remained hopeful as he walked toward the town.
</p><p> While walking, Ackster memorized the details of the lie he would use to explain his state in case he was brought in for questioning.
</p><p> And before he knew it, he saw the silhouette of a city appear on the horizon at the end of the road. It looked like a big city, which was good since it would be easier for him to disappear and become one with the crowd than if it had encountered a small town with a small population and visitor head count.
</p><p> When he was close enough, he saw a small queue of people with and without carts and carriages lining up as they waited to be allowed entry. They had probably passed where Ackster found the road before he found it or came from one of the other roads he had seen connected to the main road he followed to get to this city.
</p><p> The lone driver who had shared that this town was closest was a couple of spaces ahead of Ackster, so there had come people from some of those sideroads.
</p><p> Ackster looked around curiously. Both because he was curious and to sell his lie should he need it.
</p><p> Since he was supposed to have lost himself in the wilderness of Lill before finding that road, it wouldn’t be strange if he didn’t know where he was. Naturally, he should be looking around to find any familiar landmarks.
</p><p> Inwardly, he had hoped that he could recognize the city since it might be able to tell him where he was. But he didn’t know the names of many cities in Lill, so it probably wasn’t likely. There were a lot of cities in the country, after all.
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                                </div><p> And eventually, once the queue moved a bit, he heard people in the queue talking about Ilto. He also heard the guards welcoming people to Ilto when they granted entry.
</p><p> He hadn’t heard of it.
</p><p> But Ackster didn’t mind and waited patiently while slowly becoming aware of the fact that he reeked. He could see how the people closest to him wrinkled their noses and tried to distance themselves.
</p><p> Considering he hadn’t taken a proper shower for several weeks while constantly fighting and getting covered in both his own and his enemies’ blood and gore, it wasn’t strange. He had tried to wash himself several times, but cold water wasn’t enough, especially if he wanted to get his clothes clean.
</p><p> Since he was aware of it, he didn’t rudely impose himself on others and just waited, almost appreciating no one talking to him. While it had been lonely in the forest since he was the only one talking, he had come to enjoy it.
</p><p> Now that he was entering a large city, where there were thousands, maybe up in the tens of thousands of people, Ackster felt a certain danger and wariness he hadn’t even felt in the forests.
</p><p> Compared to the occasional eyes taking a peek at him before he could notice them, the countless eyes and presences of the city were slightly overwhelming. It would be difficult to distinguish between all the curious looks and the gazes with hidden intentions.
</p><p> But that was another thing he could train on.
</p><p> ’Let’s do this.’
</p><p> Ackster motivated himself as it was finally his time to try and enter the town.</p></div>
                

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Chapter 56: Ilto

Chapter 56: Ilto Since it was steadily getting bigger as it approached, Ackster could pretty quickly guess that it was a cart of some kind. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺 He looked down at his body again and confirmed that he looked like an adventurer that had gotten caught up in a fight with a dangerous monster and fled. But in the process, he had lost almost all his gear and gotten lost. His clothes were a little too worn, but he could just say he had been lost for a little too long and that...

Rogue Villain

Chapter 56: Ilto

Rogue Villain - Chapter 56: Ilto