As we reached near the gate.
???" Halt!" One of the two guards spoke.
Guard " Who are you? What business do you two have here?"
Firuza went forward.
Firuza" I am Firuza Fironova and I am a friend of Xiona Mahogany. We are here to meet her."
Usman ' Did... she.. just put a target...on herself?!'
Luminous ' Correct.'
Guard " Who's the boy?"
Usman " I am a mercenary, hired by her."
Guards talked for a while.
Guard" Okay. You may enter. The toll is 5 cp."
Firuza" DEAR LORD! 5 Cp!"
I held her arm and brought her a little further from guards.
Firuza " W.. what..are you doing?"
Usman "Didn't you tell me before that he was taking heavy taxes."
Firuza" B.. but!"
Usman" Not, now. We should observe the situation first inside, which is obviously more harsh. Then, we will meet your friend." I said decisively.
Firuza" O.. okay... but... still..."
Usman " I know. But now think about the big picture."
We went to guards and gave them 5 cp individually. After taking the toll. They opened the gate and we went in. Like I suspected price of everything was doubled, which was explained by people bargaining with shop keepers.
Firuza " This is aweful! We... should help them. "
Usman" We will do that later. For now, tell me where Regent office is. So, we can make our visas or if it's handle by the Quinton Mahogany himself."
Firuza" No, Mr high and mighty don't bother himself with these matters."
She said shaking her head.
Usman" Then to Regent office."
Firuza " Sure."
Pure Jack didn't seem bigger than White Willow. After some walking, we reached the guards' office.
Usman" Are all villages' Regent offices like this?"
Firuza" In north, they are like this. Are they different in South?"
Usman ' Luminous?!'
Luminous ' Repeat after me.'
Usman " In South, there are individual offices."
Firuza" Really!"
Usman" Yeah." I said stoically.
We went in and moved towards the regent room. After few knocks.
???" Come in."
Usman " Should I go first?"
Firuza " No, she's okay. She is also a retired healer "
Usman ' Ooohhh!'
We went in, like last time room was a make shift office. A redhead woman was working in white shirt and black skirt?
Check!
Name: Ufia
Race: Human
Class: Healer
Job: Regent
Cr: 1/2
Usman ' As expected she is stronger.'
???" Firuza?! You are alive!"
Firuza " Wait.. WHAT?!"
Ufia" I heard you were attacked by cultists?"
Firuza" How did you..."
Usman" Who told you that and when?" I asked stepping forward.
Ufia" Quinton Mahogany told me, four days ago."
I furrowed my brows and Firuza was shocked.
Firuza " Th... that's means..."
Usman " He was the one who helped them and looks like they did not make a reply agreement."
Ufia" Wait! What is going on?"
Then, I looked at Firuza. She sighed and nodded her head.
Usman " It's true that Firuza was attacked by cultists. But I was happened to be there to save her life. But considering the condition of your village and the north itself. I am positive. He was gaining his position in the new system."