"Alright, everything you said checks out. You're free to go," a Royal Officer declared as he scrutinized the documents before him.
Another officer quickly removed the cuffs from Adam, Carl, and the driver, who were still processing the events that had just transpired.
Earlier, after the chaotic gang assassination incident had concluded, the group had rushed to the airport, eager to board their flight. Unfortunately, the authorities caught up with them and swiftly detained them on suspicion of multiple homicides within the kingdom and without giving them a moment to actually tell them what had really happened there.
However, after a thorough and meticulous investigation, the royal forces concluded that the killings were in self-defense—a determination corroborated by several of the kingdom's subjects who had witnessed the events firsthand.
Without any evidence and with the kingdom's own subjects being ready to testify, The Royal Officer couldn't detain them any longer.
Now, they found themselves in one of the airport's holding cells, typically reserved for criminals attempting to flee the country. As they stood up, another officer entered the room and returned their belongings—watches, money, phones, and a few other items, which they hastily reclaimed.
Adam sifted through his possessions but grew increasingly concerned when he couldn't locate his sword. "Where is my sword?" he demanded looking at the officer who brought in their belongings. The officer in question shook his head and gave a brief glance towards his superior.
The lead officer, still fixated on the paperwork, responded without lifting his gaze. "What are you talking about?"
"The sword I had with me when you wrongfully apprehended us," Adam clarified, his tone hardening. He knew that this guy was going to give them a hard time. He had been giving them the hard time since the first moment they met as if they had some personal enmity.
But Adam was not in the mood to entertain the whims of some Royal Officer.
"We didn't find any sword on you. So stop wasting our time and get out of here," the officer retorted, his voice laced with irritation.
Adam's temper flared as he advanced toward the officer. With each step, a palpable tension filled the room, causing the air to thicken. The lead officer, sensing Adam's approach, felt a primal fear, as though he were being stalked by a predator ready to pounce.
BANG
Adam slammed his hands down on the officer's desk, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. "I'm going to ask you one last time: WHERE IS THE SWORD?"
The lead officer, who had been instructed by his superior to delay their release and confiscate the sword on behalf of some powerful and wealthy individuals, felt his resolve crumble under Adam's menacing presence. Trembling, he stammered, "G—Get the sword for them." The other officer, already on edge, bolted from the room as soon as he received the order.
Adam didn't move, his gaze locked on the lead officer. The silence in the room was suffocating, amplifying the officer's discomfort with each passing second.
"Why were you yelling at the girl?" Adam countered.
"Why shouldn't I? She was saying things that only made me angrier," Carl shot back.
"It wasn't her fault. We were delayed by... unpleasant forces," Adam replied, his tone measured.
Carl crossed his arms, begrudgingly accepting Adam's reasoning. He glanced around, searching for someone. "Where's the driver?"
"He said he went to find another way for us to get home," Adam replied.
"Any idea when he'll be back?"
"Nope."
They didn't have to wait long. The driver soon returned, joining them with a look of mild satisfaction. "Did you find anything useful?" he asked as he approached.
"No. They keep telling us we missed our flight and have to wait at least ten hours for the next one," Carl grumbled.
"So, what about the tickets?" the driver inquired.
"We're trading them for airport coins," Carl replied.
"Well, at least you'll have some nuts to snack on," the driver quipped, eliciting a half-hearted chuckle from Carl.
"But on the bright side, I found another way for you guys to get home. Here, take these," the driver said, handing them two train tickets.
"We're not flying anymore?" Adam asked.
"No. The airport's compromised, so we're changing plans... again," the driver explained.
Before they could respond, the airport agent returned, beaming. "Good news, gentlemen! I spoke with my superiors, and they've agreed to grant you lifetime free access to our nuts."