Just a few meters from the gate, they stopped and adjusted their position. Chanotte walked in the front, while the others followed him. Shanti and Ragha used cloak to hide their ears and tail, so there wouldn't be any ruckus when they entered the fort.

"halt there! tell us your identity!" one of the guard stopped them

"do you forget my face?"

"!! sir Chanotte! forgive me!" They saluted at him

"never mind. I've just come from the animal's village. Is commander Libhane at his place?"

"yes sir. In fact, he asked about your report that stopped at two days ago"

"something's happened. That's why i want to report"

"understood sir. Please come in"

When Chanotte and the others wanted to pass the gate, the guard stopped them again and confirmed the situation to Chanotte.

"pardon me sir.....who are they?"

"....they are my informants. Do you need more information?"

"ah, forgive me sir. I'm understand" He nodded his head

The guard went to the corner and pulled a handle. A mechanic sounds could be heard and the gate slowly opened up. The night started to descend from the heaven, a twilight scenery welcomed them the moment they entered the fort.

"waaah, so many buildings here. There are so many people too"

"four thousand...no, assuming this is their common district, then.....almost six thousand" Yana mumbled

"sir Yana?"

"hm? don't mind me Shanti. Keep your guard and beware of your surrounding"

"understood"

They walked through the main street. It's starting to dark, yet people still roamed the city. The situation was totally different than Ohre's village. Many shops still opened, and even some blacksmiths also still opened.

After walked for few minutes, they arrived in some kind of central plaza. It has a big fountain in the middle of it.

Chanotte stopped and turned his sight at them.

"this is where we're gonna split"

"i get it. How will you contact me?"

".....what do you mean?"

"I'm pretty sure you will do that sooner"

"I'll never get used to that attitude of yours.... -sigh- go to this bar called "sword's grip". Just follow this street to the southeast, it's on the right side"

"got it. Then, we'll go"

Just when Chanotte wanted to go, Yana stopped him for a while.

"what's now?"

".....i just want you to remember this Chanotte. When your commander use your family as his chip bargain, you can refuse it. I'm pretty sure that's a lie"

"my family? what're you taking about.....just, fine. I'll try to remember that"

"well, then. See you around" Yana waved his hand and left the plaza

Shanti and Ragha followed him and tried to be careful. So many humans in this place, they didn't want to make any problem here. They were looking for this bar, so later they could easily go there for contacting Chanotte.

"it's pretty lively here, even when our village still has its people, it won't look this lively"

"you're right Ragha. I'm also feeling a little strange to see a place with this many people, human moreover"

"get used to it, you two. That way, you won't be suprise when you see the capital city"

"capital? it's where the biggest city for human, right sir Yana?"

"yes, that's where Chanotte's family come from too"

They kept following the main street, until Ragha realized something.

"savior! i think that's the bar"

"yes, you're right. Good job Ragha"

They approached the bar. Yana looked to the bar's name plate above the door and confirmed it.

"sword's grip, this is then"

"what're we gonna do now sir Yana?"

"we are coming in, of course. Need to get some information and.. don't you two feel hungry?"

"ah, now you've mentioned it..." Shanti felt her hunger

"let's go then. Remember, be careful"

"understood" Shanti and Ragha replied at the same time

Yana walked into the bar and followed by Shanti and Ragha.

-----( Chapter 48 "Bar'laghine" )-----