Chapter 397 - Security Check

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: On Top of Carriage, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:30 AM)~~~

The Greshina elven security force is already making its way towards us, and we haven't even reached the gates yet. Terox and Helda are prepared to do everything, and all the rest of us have to do is sit back and enjoy the show. The carriage is stopped by the security, and the leader makes his way towards Terox and Helda since they're in the driver's seat.

My eyes take in the ornate designs of their armors, and they sparkle in the sunlight just like the walls. The majority of them are male, and the ones that aren't are magical puppets. Elven society must not want females working in the guard. It's that, or there are no female elves in this squad. "Hand over all your IDs and step out of the carriage for inspection." To be expected.

The scene that I watch play out below me is almost funny. The surprised look on the leader's face is one I've not seen on a supposed dignified elf. What's causing such a look is the number of people coming out of the carriage. It's like a medieval clown car. "I take it that your not the wealthiest citizens..." His voice is even and almost neutral. There is a very slight hint of condensation.

Sally is nervous, but she's doing a damn good job of trying to hide it. If they don't deliberately look for it, they won't see that she's nervous. "The two on the top of the carriage, come down and stand in line with the rest of your friends. We'll commence the search of the carriage while we check IDs." After I easily hop off, I make sure to lend a hand to Sally.

We make our way and stand in line, and Hailey in on my left and Sally on my right. We're at the very end. Terox hands over all our IDs, and the leader starts to inspect them as they rummage through the carriage. "From these IDs, they claim that your modest nobles, and judging how you got here. I'd say that you were poor." He starts to critique and judge the IDs.

Making things far more difficult than they need to be. Mainly by being a righteous ass. "Once the inspection is done, you'll be free to enter the city. However, you'll have to leave your carriage outside. Having such a rickety piece of junk seen on the streets of our city isn't good." Not any of us has said two words to the man, and that's because Helda said it's better just to let them talk.

We all watch as they finish with the inspection of the carriage. "There is one last thing, and that's the entrance fee to enter the city. Since there are so many people, the tax will be larger." Helda looks at the man in frustration. This wasn't a part of the discussion we had about getting in. We're being extorted. My bet, it'll be a lot of money.

~~~(POV: Helda Vora)~~~

~~~(Location: Greshina's Gate, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:41 AM)~~~

Should've expected the guardsman to be the ones to extort money from people like us. "How much are we talking?" I only have a limited supply of funds, and it'll be bad if Cera or Hailey just take money out of their Inventories. That'll give us away instantly. The guards take a moment and whisper to each other. They're discussing the price and likely the cut too.

Our kingdom uses the same currency outside the walls. "For you to enter Greshina, it'll cost 100 gold." Umm... What!? That's insane. I don't keep that kind of money on hand. "Since it looks like you can pay it, we'll take the carriage and dismantle it for its magical parts and enchantments." As much as I want to say no, all I can do is nod my head.

Not wanting to piss these guys off and make things harder, I nod my head, and they step aside and let us through the gate. We're a big group, and we'll need a base of operations. I know just the place where we can have discussions and be unbothered. "Alright, everyone, follow me. I have a safe house in Greshina. Once there, we can talk." I didn't know it'd feel this long getting here.

~~~(POV: Saliandra Orvello)~~~

~~~(Location: Capital City Greshina, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:00 AM)~~~

It's easier being in this city than I thought it'd be, and I have all my new friends and loved ones to thank for that. Cera, especially, he's taught me how to be strong and stand up for myself. What I find most irritating is all the looks that Cera is garnering in his elven form. Even men are stopping to take a look at him. He's beautiful in an elven way.

While I really like how Cera looks, I prefer his human features over everything else. He doesn't draw such attention unless someone takes the time to actually look at his attractive features. His elven features are anything but subtle. "We'll be reaching the safe house soon. The last time I used this was... I don't remember... It's been centuries..." I bet, Helda was branded a terrorist.

It'd be hard for her to come back, but she's being a bit too optimistic. The place has probably already been sold to someone else in all this time. We come to a regular-looking house in a regular neighborhood. "This is it. It'll be pretty much empty. No beds, nowhere to sit other than the ground, but it's safe." Helda has really come through so much.

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Safe House in Greshina, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:50 AM)~~~

Everyone is settling in for the time being, and that's because we're going to be staying here our entire time that we're here. Knowing my brother, he probably wants to start planning and moving on everything right away. Before we can do all that, we need to take a day to recharge our proverbial batteries. We've been on the road for so long. We need a break.

My eyes land on my brother, and he has the same look he has when he's planning something. Probably using some future knowledge, he might have. But he doesn't know everything. "I want to talk to you for a minute, brother." He raises his head in a manner that is annoyed at me. He's just going to have to deal with it for now.

He can think of as many plans he wants while we're resting a bit. He stands next to me as we enter a room that is secluded and far enough away from everyone. "I know you want to get started, but we all need a break for being on the move for so long. Give us until tomorrow, and we'll all be ready." He doesn't look happy but leaves and finds Sally.

~~~(POV: Violet Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The Road to The Capital, Elven Kingdom)~~~

~~~(Time: 3:00 PM)~~~

We're getting closer by the day, and from the magical item, they've stopped in a location. They must've arrived in Greshina, and now they're staying put to plan something. Marcus shifts on my back slightly, and I move him to get in a more comfortable position. Marcus is sleeping on my back as we move on the road.

Chris walks by my side and holds my hand. "Do you think they've changed at all? It feels like we've been apart from them for a long time... Longer than I ever wanted to be apart from any of my kids..." My question sinks into Chris, and after a few seconds of silence, he smiles and leans over to kiss the side of my head... 

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.196]

[Exp: 40/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 50] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 3x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]