Chapter 28: Drakron

Chapter 28: Drakron

Crossing the border was uneventful. The villages close by had been evacuated, likely due to the growing conflict between the kingdom and the empire. Sofia and Alith didnt want to loot whatever the villagers might have left behind, not that there would have been much anyway. All they did was rest in empty inns and be on their way. Well, maybe some leftover ale had been nabbed in passing. Ghosts cant get drunk but that wont stop them from trying.

I even left some money at the inn for that

The first real sign that they had reached the empire was them stumbling upon a paved road. A luxury that the Skyreach Kingdom couldnt afford out of the cities.

Roads like this should be only between major cities, Im pretty sure were on the good way to Drakron. Doesnt help that we havent come across anyone yet, I dont know where we are on the map Sofia said, frowning at her map.

Maybe its for the best that we dont see anyone you know. Youre not exactly looking friendly with your armor. Alith interrupted from above.

Youre a flying ghost, whos unfriendly exactly?

So what, Im a friendly ghost.

Then Im a friendly armor. Stop bantering and fly back up, see if you see something.

At your command, your holiness, the ghost snarked back at her while tapping her own forehead then her chest in weird gestures while drifting up.

No! Still nothing! Just more road.

We better be going in the right direction

They came across a hamlet on the way. They couldn't stay there but buying some food and seasonings from the locals had made the rest of the trip much more enjoyable. Although spilling sand everywhere when I paid was a bit embarrassing. I need to empty this damn necklace more often.

Sofia and Alith had been walking toward the capital for a few days. It was quite close to the border with Skyreach, which was one of the reasons why wars of territory were common between the two. The empire had been eating more and more land over the last decade.

Were here! I see it! Its right there! Alith shouted excitedly from way up in the sky.

Alright come down then, better not let people know youre a ghost or they might try to exorcize you.

Alith transformed back mid-air and landed in front of Sofia Can they? she seriously asked. No idea, but I dont want to find out the hard way.

What are they gonna do? Throw some salt and point a cross at me? Alith retorted, standing akimbo in front of Sofia and barring the road.

I'll be the one to throw you salt if you don't get moving. Sofia answered matter of factly. She grabbed Alith from under the arms to lift her up.

W- Hoy, stop! Hey! Let me down! Sofia! Let me doooooown! Alith protested as she was hoisted up on Sofia's armored shoulders. Aaaaaah its so high! Let me down! Please! Im gonna fall!

Sofia brought her back down. Tchh, boring.

The man advanced his finger. Hes not gonna grab it? Then he tapped the card, a sizzling sound came from it. Or was it from his finger? He retracted his arm violently.

Shit! Ah! Its not a fake. He said in between pained yelps and shaking his finger like it was on fire. Sorry ma'am, you may go in, please do consider bringing regular identity documents next time for both you and your child. Do you want to be escorted to the embassy? He tried his best to hide his pain while taking care of them, which fooled no one.

Is the membership card secretly made of invisible fire that doesnt hurt me or something like that? What just happened exactly? Wait Can I?

Sofia tried something she had never thought of with her least used skill, [Identify], she used it on the guard.

[Mage / Beast - Lv.100+]

Wha- ! Really?! This skill is so dumb! How is that allowed! Ah, but it doesnt explain what happened

[Poker Face] reached level 6

Oh

No thank you. Sorry you had to go through that. Do we go through the gate? Sofia asked, shifting her gaze to the eight or so meters tall armored gate.

Of course! Of course It was nothing. Please enjoy your stay. I'll open the gate! the three starred man affirmed, leaving out the same side door he came from.

I cant believe I had this skill all this time and never used it again after identifying the headband and the ring. I need to pull my head out of my ass before something bad comes from my lack of care for details like this.

A moment later, with the sounds of chains moving, the gate started to swing open. It didnt open fully, but more than enough to let them through.

Just like that, they entered Drakron, capital city of the Red Winds Empire.

Brawny asshole a pouting banshee grumbled from behind Sofia. Ill change my class to witch for real and curse them... Seriously, do I look that young

[Hero - Lv.99]

I wonder if I show up as Saint. Actually I do, guaranteed. No way the Church wouldnt have checked Maybe thats why a High Priest showed up on the first day.

The other guards at the gate all showed up as fighters between level 50 and 90.

Wait a minute, cant I just identify myself?

[Saint - Lv.99]

Unsurprising. Nothing to see here. The empires religion isnt about to try to capture me too, right? And why would no one at the gate have [Identify] when its that useful in checking people?