“…It makes me wonder if they really have any intention of hiding themselves.”
They showed no signs of hiding the sound of their footsteps. Sebas wondered whether it was because they were not skilled enough to do so, or if there was a different reason. Regardless, he could just confirm it for himself. As the presence of passersby grew faint, Sebas was about to make his move when— as if matching his timing— the voice of a man still young flowed from one of the followers.
“—Excuse me.”
Part 3
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), Day 3, 10:27
On his way back to the palace, Climb was lost in thought as he moved his feet.
In his head, he thought of the bout with Gazef and repeatedly imagined how the fight could have gone better. As he was deciding which moves to try if he were to get another chance, a shout rang out. A crowd had gathered. Two soldiers stood next to them and awkwardly looked on.
Rowdy voices could be heard from the center of the crowd. By the sound, it did not bode well.
Climb’s face hardened as he approached the soldiers.
“What are you two doing?”
From the sudden voice coming from behind them, the soldiers turned around and looked at Climb in surprise.
They were equipped with a chain shirt and spear. They wore a surcoat bearing the Kingdom’s coat of arms over their chain shirt. Although they were the standard equipment for a guard, these two did not seem to be very well trained.
For starters, their bodies seemed out of shape. They were not cleanly shaven and their chain shirts were poorly maintained and appeared dirty. As a whole, they gave off the air of a lack of discipline.
“Who the…”
Seeing Climb who was younger than him speak to him out of the blue, the guard spoke in a confused voice with a hint of irritation.
“I’m off duty.”
As Climb spoke firmly, the confusion that was in the guard’s voice spread to his face. This boy who was younger than they were was speaking to them as if he were their superior.
As if they judged that it would be wiser to be humble, the guards straightened their backs.
“We think there’s been some sort of a commotion.”
Climb suppressed the urge to reprimand them that that much was obvious. Unlike the soldiers stationed in the palace, the guards who patrolled the surroundings were drawn from the common folk and did not receive much training. In other words, they were like civilians who learned how to swing a weapon.
He turned his eyes away from the awkward guards and towards the crowd. Rather than relying on these two, it would be faster for him to act.
Although he might be overstepping his authority and interfering with the work of the patrols, if he were to ignore a citizen in need, then he would not be able to show his face to his benevolent master.
“You guys wait here.”
Without waiting for a reply, Climb tried to force his way through the crowd. Although there was some space, he could not pass through. No, if any human could pass through here that in itself would be strange.
While he was trying to force his way in even as he was being pushed back, Climb heard a voice.
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