Shirou in Another World.

Volume 2: Black and Red Clouds CH2

One month.

That was how long it took the group to reach the city furthest north.

Compared to the slave caravan's 2 month travel time, Shirou's group didn't have to take long breaks each night. Their smaller number allowed them to travel faster. Meanwhile Sakura's caravan had to focus on feeding their slave cargo and giving their horses enough time to rest else they risk extending their travel time.

But to Shirou, travelling a month on foot was insanely long. Not many places in his previous life required the same distance of trekking. Even then, they were able to hitch on some rides from farmers hauling their crops to peddle in distant towns and villages. Shirou estimated that they had walked around 2000 kilometes on foot. It only supported Heinrich and Eugen's testimony of how large the world was.

Just how far was his village from the cities!? This was insane. Luckily, Shirou was saved from despair once the sisters told him that they were finally close to the northern city of Sapo.

Unlike the progressively larger towns they passed by the past few weeks, the numerous farmlands around the city were sighted before the city proper. Naturally, a city would have sufficient farmland to provide for itself.

Seeing the city threw Shirou for a loop. It looked like a Japanese city straight out of history, surprising with how similar some things were. What kind of alternate universe did he land in? It was already a blessing that Japanese was the local language somehow.

"Welcome to Sapo City, Shirou!" Eugen introduced the place while waving her hand. The sister seemed wonderfully eager for some reason.

"Finally. I need a nice warm bath and a real bed." Heinrich stretched excitedly at the idea of comfort after camping and renting out rooms in small taverns.

Shirou could understand how the girls felt. His old world had comfort far beyond the straw bedding he had grown accustomed to in this new world. Travelling to the outskirts of civilization must've pushed the girls to their limits.

But for now, he had to focus on another issue instead of looking forward to a comfortable room and board.

Shirou looked at the small wolf pup on his head, staring wide-eyed at the massive human settlement in front of her. Up until recently, Lunea had been living in forests, only adjusting to towns and villages because of Shirou's insistence. Now that it was a city, he could only imagine how unsettled she was.

It was important to consider why phantasmal beasts usually avoided human settlements. Small towns and villages were fine, mostly because those settlements had none or few mages living in them. Mostly healers and priests heading local shrines. But cities held far more mages, throwing the ambient mana into chaos with the sheer amount of magic they were tossing around.

Lunea had lived her entire life in a peaceful environment, aside from Shirou and Lunulupae's magical aftereffects, she had never experienced being surrounded by so much magical chaos.

Shirou could only imagine how she would react to the disorderly environment they were entering.

He patted her head and whispered a few reassuring words to calm the nervous wolf. "Just focus on me and relax. I won't let you get hurt." Anyong who did try would also have to deal with the sisters. Shirou would pity any person who annoyed them. He doubted the girls would kill people for small things, but a little pain was acceptable in their eyes if people overstepped the boundaries of normal courtesy.

Heinrich and Eugen led the group towards the city in search of lodgings. They walked down one of the main roads, diverting into lesser populated areas in the city. Shirou didn't know the city layout, but could see how unconventional the path the sisters took. Circling some areas and crossing another main road before threading near the city borders.