After five days of walking, there it is, surrounded by a wall, probably to protect against monsters.
We keep walking along a path that was hardened by people walking on it, until we reach the wooden gate guarded by two people wearing armor and holding spears.
“What’s your business here!?”
Asks one of them while pointing his spear. He then starts looking at us like he’s watching us closely.
I doubt they’d believe me if I said we didn’t come here looking for trouble.
“We would like to explore the ruins. Is that really not possible?”
I should just be direct. I think it’s obvious anyway.
“No no. Only authorized people go in.”
His voice is actually sounding more heated now.
“What do we do?”
I ask the others after taking a step back.
We knew after asking around the guild that there was little chance they would let us in, but I didn’t think they’d be so unwilling to talk.
And we didn’t come up with any good ideas on the way here either.
I feel like they’re actually so unapproachable and worked up, that it makes me think something bad might have happened.
“I don’t think showing our adventurer cards will do any good. Maybe if we were higher rank…”
Says Rurika. I’m pretty sure they’re rank B now.
A big reason why they went up in rank was the amount of monsters they reported having defeated in Majolica.
“What’s the matter?”
As we talk about what to do next a little far from the gate, a man approaches, having heard the commotion.
He’s wearing armor just like the gatekeepers, but compared to the young man’s rough voice, his sounds calmer.
They start talking, and eventually, he approaches us.
“Sorry. I know you heard rumors about the ruins, but currently, only authorized people are allowed to go in. This is an order from the higher ups in the country so…”
His attitude is softer, but he’s also clearly saying no.
And yet, his eyes seem locked on one spot, and his expression gradually turns into one of surprise.
I follow his gaze, and see he’s looking at Chris’ chest. Chris also realizes this, and seems perplexed.
“T-that’s…”
He suddenly gets close, and keeps looking at her.
Chris takes a step back, and the man quickly takes a step back too and bows. A really excellent one too, a textbook bow.
“I apologize. I’m Joseph, the captain of the guards here. What is your business here?”
We’re surprised by his attitude, but the other two guards even more so.
“Captain, they are…”
“You idiot! Be quiet! I apologize. He will hear more about this later. If you want him fired, he is gone! So… What is it you want here?”
Joseph asks Chris, with a low posture.
The young gatekeeper that was yelled at by Joseph turns pale when he hears the word fired.
“H-hum, before that, can I ask something?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I don’t remember Mister Joseph having this attitude…”
This time it’s Joseph who’s perplexed, but he soon nods, seemingly realizing something.
“Yes, I will tell you why. But we don’t know who might be listening, so please come this way.”
Joseph orders the gate to be opened, and the guards rush to comply.
He heads right in, but when he sees we’re not moving, he quickly comes back.
“C-come in. These are your friends, correct? Then everyone come inside. There is no danger, I guarantee it.”
Chris seems a bit overwhelmed by how eager Joseph feels, and starts walking. And so, we start walking too.
Once we’re inside, we feel people’s eyes focused on us, but they stop once Joseph roars at them.
He called himself captain of the guards, but he might actually have a pretty high position.
But what’s more surprising is just how nervous he seems.
Why is that? Hikari quietly calls his step weird because he’s walking with his arms and legs out at the same time. That’s fair.
I don’t know if it’s because she was too quiet for him to hear or because he’s too nervous, but he doesn’t change his step.
“T-this way. Commander! I brought guests!!”
We walk pretty deep, until we reach a big tent.
Also, two knights wearing heavy equipment stand at both sides of the entrance to the tent.
Those knights also smile awkwardly at Joseph’s strange behavior, but one tries to calm him, and the other goes inside.
Not long after, he comes back.
“You can go in.”
He whispers, and steps out of the way.
He also warns us not to be rude, but Joseph doesn’t hear that part.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
Thanks for the treat.
It’s weird the turn around of that guy. Is it because she’s attractive
Its the amulet that led them here. He recognized it
It’s probably because of the amulet