The next morning…

When the second bell rang, the three of us began our plan. We decided to act lazy and go to the bar below to eat some good breakfast. Krog and I were tired of eating the same packed food. We sat down and ordered everything on the menu. And oh boy! Was it a feast fit for kings!

“Itadekimasu”

“What the fug was that?”

“Nothing, just force of habit, I would say.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s dig in!”

…

While eating, I noticed that some people were positioning themselves between us and the door of the bar, and many more outside. It was clear the enemy was making their move, so I told Krog to bring Shem, and that we would be leaving soon. After paying 2 silver coins for the food, we got up. Just as we did, two men approached us, seemingly the waiter and the bar owner.

“Dear customers, why not try some of these” he said as he passed on a tray full of assorted desserts! “These are made specially for people who are below the age of 10 and buy a lot of stuff at our humble bar. Complements of the chef!”

A round of applause suddenly started, before he even gave us the desserts, clearly started by the enemy to stall for time.

“Ok then, come lets sit down and eat some more” I said

“But brother, if we don’t leave now, our city pass will expire!” said Krog. I told him to say these words for two reasons, to make out which idiots are our enemy, and to also calm their nerves after I say

“No worries Krog, even if we are late, what is the worst that could happen? We will just pay some extra money and get a new one!”

At this point I could see the mocking looks on the enemy’s faces, thinking ‘Haha, thankfully our target this time was a fool!’

…

After wasting like 3 hours at the bar, the 5th bell rang [11 am], and our city passes were now considered expired, and without any ID proof, we would either be killed, or enslaved.

*Bam*

A sly looking man in the city-guard uniform barged into the tavern and yelled out,

“All those without ID proof and expired city-passes are considered illegal immigrant, and will be sent to trial immediately!”

“Hmmm, he seems familiar…” I mumbled to myself

The man instantly looked at us with a wide grin on his face, just after he completed his announcement. It seemed he is the one that will take us to the judge, and then sell us to slavery.

“You there, he pointed at the table we were sitting at. Show me your city pass!”

“Okay?” said Krog as he was removing his city pass. But then I suddenly remembered who this fox-like man was! He was Evil B*stard Brook. They even made a tune on him;

♬ Evil B*stard Brook ♬

♬ All he is, is a crook ♬

♬ Oh that B*stard Brook ♬

Brook is a most cunning and ruthless man, whose evilness exceeds even the devil himself! His job? Most definitely not a city guard! He is a conn-man!

“No Krog, put your pass back in, and don’t remove it!”

“What do you think you are doing huh! Show me your pass or else I’ll send you to the court!” Brook was yelling his lungs out at this point, flaunting his so called authority. Well, it seems like he became more cunning as the years passed, and being a 20- something year old right now, his experience is greatly limited. It seems like being a 123 year old grandpa back in the future… ? past…? Ugh- back in the game made him a lot more evil and prudent with his tricks. Right now, he is simply a young man trying his best to earn money, any way possible.

“Hmm, are you a city guard?”

“Uhm, Of course I am!”

“Really now, do you know? According to the rules of the capital, anyone caught impersonating a city official would be tortured to death for being a threat to national security!”

“Wha- I mean, so what! I am a city guard and will always be one.”

“Alright, then show me proof.”

“What proof?”

“You know a badge, or some identification papers of being a city guard?”

“Wh- Why would I need to carry proof. My word is law here!”

“Oho, is that so? According to the capital’s law, any guard not carrying proof of their own identity as a guard cannot be considered as on duty. Any such guard caught completing their duties in such a manner would be imprisoned for life! Now, what do you chose? Mister Brook the conn-man ?”

“You, what, how did you know my name? Who are you?”

Saying this he began to turn around and make his way to the exit. For precaution, I put one of my special tracking spells on him, which will keep sending out pulses of mana for a day and a half, tuned to a resonance which can only be felt by high level magicians. The same one I put on all of the other idiots who tried to stop us from leaving the tavern in the morning.

Brook was reaching the door, and Krog was about to get up to stop him.

“Krog, just leave it to me. For now just focus on your food and taking care of Shem.” Hearing the words food and Shem, Krog quietly sat back down and began to do just as I told him.

“Your friend Krog reminds me of my dog, back when I was with my master” stated Hein.

‘Hein you fool, don’t say suck things to Krog, even though, Krog looks just like a cute little German Shepherd, obediently following orders. But don’t tell him that! What if he heard you! But thankfully, Hein’s voice was incredibly low, and Krog seemed too busy doing his tasks.

…

Another 15 minutes passed, and the door was swung open. A group of dignified looking guards came in. Just by the air of said guards alone, one could say they were the real guards. They looked at me and said,

“Are you Jon?”