At break of dawn, Alexander and the other merchants continue their journey as they are already in the last leg of their travel. After a few hours as the sun begins to set, the group has arrive in front of the gates of the city.
Countless marks of war can be seen in the walls but the walls are still standing strong. Although there are marks of damages on the wall, it is only in the surface as it is being maintained by numerous workers inside the city walls. There are four cannons and ballistas ready to protect the city at the top of the walls and numerous guardsmen that is no lower than peak yellow rankers. Even the ordinary gate guard is also at the peak of yellow rank and can visibly feel that the guard is almost breaking through the blue rank.
Caravan is in line to get in the city, Alexander notice that who ever enter the city needs to present of some type of identification or papers in which he doesn't have. While thinking of a plan on how to enter the city, it was already their turn for inspection. "Identification please." Said the by the guard. "I'm sorry dear guardsman but we just lost our identification papers as we travel a lot and we were just robbed by the mountain bandits." Said by Candice who has tears on her eyes. Alexander can't help but give a thumbs up to Candice. When the guardsman heard the story, it shows some sympathy "I understand madame your situation but I'm also just doing my job and hope you understand. With this ongoing war, without any identification, we cannot let you in." Said by the other guard. Candice show a hint of dispair on her face as more tears started to come out.
As the guardsmen was about to ask Candice to move to the side so that the other can pass, suddenly an earth explosion occur on the side of the wall. The guardsmen just face palm like they already know what's happening. After a few seconds a knight in armor run out of the explosion dust and immediately run towards the gate. "Oh my god! Is that the Vice captain of the Blizzard Knight Order the 'Absolute Zero' Kirk Frozenheart." Gossipped by one of the merchants.
"Absolute Zero?" Alexander heard the merchant and asked. "The reason he was called this title is because whenever he fights, his enemies would always be encase in ice when he releases his cold aura." Said by the merchant. Alexander's interest was pique as he remembers in one of his life when he had the eye of Ra, there was a person that could use cold aura to it's fullest potential that it can be use as an eye technique as well and rival the destructive power of his eye of Ra.
Kirk stops at the gate and remove his helmet. An above average looking face with a short blonde hair with a scar in his left eye with blue eyes stared at Candice. "Ca-Candice is that you?" Ask by Kirk, Candice obviously has question marks on her eye "may I know who you are sir knight and how did you know my name?" Candice asked. "It's me Kirk! Can't you remember me? I'm one of the kids who always play in your stables!" Said Kirk. Candice tried to jog her memories with the kids that she was playing with eversince but no Kirk or handsome boy appeared on her memory. "I'm really sorry sir knight but i cannot recall if i ever met you." Said by Candice.
Disappointed, Kirk still tried one more time "try to remember it. You said that if only I was handsome a had a blonde hair, you would marry me." When Candice heard that she blushed and suddenly remembered who he was "Oh my! No way! Fatty Kirk is that you?" Candice was shocked that the person in front of her was the fatty that she found cute at the time due to his chubby cheeks might have mentioned those lines. "Yes that's me! Haha! I can't believe that I would be able to see you again so how are you?" Kirk laugh heartily as he make some small talk.
Before Candice can reply to Kirk "Vice captain Kirk, the others are already waiting in line so please if you can step aside so that we can do our work." Said by the guardsmen. Kirk only stare at them and said "Open the gates and let them in, I will vouch for their identity and I will do the proceedings for them to get a new identification." He commanded. "Yes vice Captain!" The guardsmen opened the gate and ask Candice to enter.
As thery enter the city, they are amaze that the city is so clean and beautiful and from time to time guards are patrolling the streets. "Welcome to the Snow Mountain Kingdom Candice. Let me take you to the nearest in that you can stay." Said by Kirk. Candice nodded shyly and Alexander can smell the spring in thsi cold weather and can't help to say "ahh! It's good to be young!" Lulu heard this and giggle "But your still young big brother" Alexander can't help but laugh and patted Lulu's Head.
As they arrive at the inn, Kirk open the door and shout "HEY OLD MAN!!! I HAVE SOME CUSTOMERS FOR YOU!" Suddenly an old man appears at the reception and when she saw Candice, he immediately greeted the girl "Oya? Is that you Candice? Haha! Long time no see! How's oldman Luke?" Then the old man laugh, "Uncle Strom!" Candice can't help but hug the oldman tears started to come out "Grandpa is fine when we left and hoping that he is still fine." Strom patted Candice "Don't worry, your grandfather is strong, he will be fine." Assured by Strom. "Since you're here, stay here for now okay? Hey kid! Get their things out of the carriage and put it in one of the rooms upstairs!" He commanded Kirk and Kirk simply nodded and get to work.
"And who are you younglings?" Asked by Strom. "Uncle, this is young master Alexander who rent the last carriage of our stable and these two are Lulu and Kratos. Lastly, my brother Hector." Candice introduced the group. "Oya? Hector? Your a man now! When I last saw you, your just a sapling." Strom Laugh and patted Hector's head. "Nice to meet you sir Strom! My name is Alexander Mcdowell." Alexander greet Strom. He stared at Alexander from head to toe like he is assessing Alexander "Not bad Kid! Would you like to join the knight order?" Strom invited Alexander to join the order "thanks for the offer sir Strom but I respectfully declined as my aspirations is to be a merchant." Said Alexander with determination.
Strom can feel the strong determination in Alexander's eyes "Alright kid, but if you change your mind you can come to me!" Alexander nodded. "You can stay here for now and since you are planning to be a merchant, I advise you to go to the Mercantile guild to get the merchant permit." Strom Explained and go back to the reception desk.