In the end, Xyenna didn't resist much. She rarely has seen Mike so serious with his orders, even despite all the alcohol she already managed to pour in herself the girl could understand that something unprecedented happened.

Standing up, they both refused various offers of drinks that appeared as soon as people understood they were going to leave. Excusing themselves by pointing at those few bandages that weren't covered by Xyenna clothes, they made their way back to their room.

"What happened for you to be in such a hurry? We could have fun in the morning! Worst case scenario, we would depart a little later!"

While the bodyguard obediently followed her employer, she couldn't wrap her head around his reasons for leaving so early in the night.

"In simple terms? We have so much money on us, we need every little bit of rest we can get. If I'm not wrong, those people might very well be hunting us tomorrow"

Mike intentionally exaggerated. If the Nobles didn't want to share the gold, the wouldn't even tell them about the bets in the first place. But Lord's decision to give them their share wasn't necessarily easily accepted by his officers. The information about the prize obtained by just a lowly merchant with a single bodyguard was simply a tasty bite for those people!

In terms of the entire faction, less than a hundred red goldens was a food change. But for all those individuals with the early access to this information… It was easy to fathom how would they react!

"So, you are scared? If the amount is so huge, why not simply ask the noble's Lord to hold onto it for you? With what I understood about your plans, this place will be incorporated into your trade route, giving you easy access to the money later on. Isn't that a better solution?"

Xyenna didn't ditch the matter out. If Mike appeared to be troubled by it, that only meant there were some serious risks included.

"Right now he sympathizes with us. You winning the duel strengthened his faction morale and dealt a great hit to the City hall. But as soon as our trade ensues, he will inherently see a huge loss of income. Inauguration of change is always a thorny path."

Mike sighed and sat on the bed. Resting his head on his hands, he appeared to be in deep thought. Who could've imagined that obtaining unexpected fortune would bring so much trouble!

"What's your idea then? We can't store the gold here and bringing it everywhere with us would only make the travels all the more dangerous!"

Annoyed by the merchant indecisiveness, Xyenna pointed out the obvious facts. Except for immediately investing the gold into some local business, she couldn't think of any other way to dispose of the reward.

Tired by the today's events and another trouble landing on her head right when she thought she could finally relax and get some rest, Xyenna sat down in the middle of the bed and rested on Mike's back.

"Forget about this now. Didn't I promise you another reward for tonight?"

Considering the looks that her employer was giving her in the sensual session she served him before the duel, it was obvious that her body held some arousing capabilities towards him. Instead of forcing themselves to figure out a way out of the sudden problem, they might as well get some rest and think about it with a fresh mind later!

"Don't even think about it! Your wounds need time to close up. No way in hell I will risk reopening them just for the sake of fleeting pleasure now!"

Knocked out of his stupor, Mike scolded his bodyguard. Freed from thining about the quagmire they were in, freely expressing himself was an exhilarating feeling!

"You… Nevermind then, just hug me to the sleep then!"

Raising her brows in surprise, Xyenna didn't know how to react for a moment. From what she heard and knew about men, freebies should be welcomed in any scenario! But if he wasn't going to follow her outright, she had to lure him in!

"Why are you so insistent on sleeping together…"

Mike couldn't understand his friend intention. She might be drunk and the duel was certain to affect her emotions. During his early days, he often heard about the reasons why soldiers were so keen on raping the citizens in conquered cities. Some well-known physicians said that with all the adrenaline rushing through their veins during the life or death situations in battle, satisfying their lust was simply a way to vent all of those emotions.

"Eh. Sure. I can't keep always refusing you."

In the end, Mike decided that agreeing to her request would bring less harm than keeping a hard stance on this topic. By letting Xyenna take the lead, he would have a wider field to manoeuvre than just plainly rejecting her!

Shifting himself to the side, Mike laid back on the bed while pulling Xyenna with him. Putting his arms around her body, he let her head rest over his heart. There was no way he would let her be on the top with all the wounds she had!

"Hug me tighter!"

Still trying to undermine Mike's resolve, the girl asked, intending to sound as cute as she could!

Without a word, merchant tightened his embrace. While trying to ignore pleasant warmth coming from her body, he let go of her back and started slowly patting her head.

"Just go to sleep. We have to wake up early."

While his hand rubbed her hair, Mike tried to lul her to the sleep.

"I don't want to!"

There was no way Xyenna would give up so easily! Who could've known when they would have another opportunity to go at it! During the travels, they had to either guide the horse or keep guard during the night. If not tonight, her next opportunity would only arise in Latvia at best!

But she couldn't imagine how comfortable simple head pats could be! Slowly rubbing her face against Mike's breast her consciousness started to fade away as did her resolve to take an action. A short moment later, she was calmly breathing in sleep.

*****************

Waking up with the first light was already Mike's routine. Despite how late they went to sleep, he wouldn't complain about being tired. Nothing was stopping him from spending a little more time cuddled with Xyen but his own decisiveness.

Carefully untangling himself from the girl's embrace, young merchant left the bed. Stretching himself first, he walked to the window and opened it. As soon as still, dim daylight entered the room, a protesting moan came from the direction of the bed.

"Come on dear, we have to go!"

Seeing the girl hiding her face from the light under the blanket, Mike couldn't help but smile. She was the cutest when half-asleep! Only at those times, her inner feminine side showed up!

Stepping on the side of the bed, merchant grabbed the ends of the blanked and with one swift move, pulled it away!

"If you don't hurry, I will leave you here!"

"Bully!"

Left with no other choice, Xyenna had to make a move. Stretching herself with a soft moan, her revitalised limbs carried her out of the bed at last.

"Everything is already packed up. I asked the kitchen to prepare some breakfast and supplies for the road. All we need to do is to move on and leave. Hurry up!"

Noticing that the girl's movements were smooth, without any indication of impact from the wounds, Mike exhaled with relief. Her fighting ability relied mostly on her agility. Even if she was still incapacitated to some degree, they had to leave anyway. Seeing that this was not the case made Mike praise her wondrous regenerative ability in his mind.

Taking a moment to fix the blankets on the bed, they were finally ready to go. After going downstairs and grabbing their food, the pair moved to the backside of the Inn, where the stables were located. Eating the loaf of breed on the go, they dropped the sacks with preserved meat and vegetables on the carriage.

"Leaving so early in the morning… I see that you are a smart man!"

Suddenly, Damash voice came to their ears! Turning around, they saw the burly man and count Hikar following closely behind.

"I see that I wasn't wrong about you."

As the Lord spoke, he pulled a small bag from under his robes.

"This is a small gift for the Xantia. Could you pass them when you arrive in Latvia?"

"Sure, but I hope I won't be chased by half of this city guard for doing so though!"

Mike laughed. As he guessed, even locally powerful Noble's faction was trying to get on Xantia's good side!

"I will hold my officers for one day. That's all I can do for you, friend."

After throwing the bag on Mike's carriage, lord turned back to the merchant and bid his farewells.

A moment later, unexpected visitors disappeared in the Inn.

"I guess that settles it. It's high time to depart now!"