Time passed, and the sun was at its peak. In the vehicle, Maron saw a big city before his eyes. "That's the capital of Moro Kingdom, Sufas." He explained before he looked behind and saw that Tufail was asleep, free of care. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't free from Maron. "Wake up, cap'!"
"Wahh, wha-what happened, where am I" the Blood Drunk Halberd instantly woke up and questioned while yawning. "Old man, where are we?"
"We're about to reach our destination." Said Maron as Tufail yawned again before looking at the big city in front at the end of the road. "What's with this crowd?" He squinted his eyes.
Maron changed gears whilst replying. "Their security is on high alert." Tufail pouted his lips and nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Guess we'll have to sneak in somehow." "And why should we do that?" Asked Maron as a soldier stopped him with a hand gesture.
Maron pressed the breaks. "Greetings, sir." The greeting didn't change the soldier's stiff face. "Who are you and what's your objective in the capital?"
"We are citizens of the Moro Kingdom. I own a bar in Dali and this is my worker."
"Show me your license and ID." The soldier demanded. In the kingdoms, the citizens were given a paper document as proof of their citizenship in the kingdom.
Maron took out two cards from his pockets. "Here they are, sir." He showed them for the soldier to verify, who took a glance before looking at them again. "What's your reason for coming here?"
"We were summoned by the king." Explained Maron as Tufail's eyes widened before he leaned towards Maron. "Are we? When did he summon us? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Cap', shut up for a second." He whispered while the soldier was shocked. "Summoned by the King? Do you have anything to prove that claim? We are strictly ordered to not let anyone in, unless necessary."
Maron took out a golden token out of another pocket. "We are here on behalf of a City Lord. The King called for his assistance."
The soldier was puzzled as he inspected the token and cards once again. "Why are your identification cards from Dali, but the token's from Buttul?"
Maron was taken aback inwardly, he didn't think the soldier would be this cautious. However, the smile on his face didn't vanish as he replied. "This is an important matter, the capital is under threat. We can simply go back and report to our City Lord. If you want him to come by himself, then so be it."
He reversed direction and was about to drive away with his vehicle before the soldier urged them to stop "Wait, stop, stop. You can go."
The soldier didn't want to suffer the consequences in case they were on some top-secret mission for the king. Meanwhile, Maron didn't say anything else and simply moved the vehicle through the gates. Tufail stuck his head out of the window and waved his hand. "Goodbye sir, you've got a good head on your shoulders!"
He got back into his seat afterwards and asked Maron. "You did your homework?"
"Kind of."
As they were driving in, they witnessed the capital's enormous walls and the wealthy looking citizens, smiling all around.
"Cap', let's dump this here."
"Alright!"
Maron parked the vehicle at the side before they both got off. The old man took the initiative and stepped forwards to ask for some information from a passer-by. "Excuse me, sir."
The man stopped at the sudden approach and turned in the voice's direction. "Eh, do you need something?" He asked. "I beg your forgiveness, but could you be generous enough to tell us where the Adventurer's Guild is?"
"Oh, the guild is at the centre of the 3rd street near the market." He answered. "Thank you very much." They thanked him before moving on.
"Cap', stick with me or you'll get lost." Warned Maron and then Tufail retorted. "Shuddup. After such a long and arduous journey, my hands are itching. They're calling for some melons."
Maron sighed in disgust. "You can do whatever you want, after we save Bahlol." Emphasizing the after part.
"Ahh fuck, that baboon's Ass. I forgot about him already. Damn, I need some booze to keep my brain functioning." He then looked at his palms with a grieved gaze before clenching them into fists "My precious hands, please try to understand the situation. We have to tarry the ambrosial and paradisaical task of squeezing boobies. Please, forgive me."
The duo was on their way to the nearby guild. Just like the church had branches in every city, so did the guild. In terms of power and influence, they were second only to the church.
The Capital of Sufas was vast with its roads, made of solid rock blocks, while the towering skyscrapers were exceedingly well-designed. Even the soldiers' attitude towards the city's residents was courteous. All in all, the capital seemed pleasant and luxurious.
Tufail and Maron inspected their surroundings along the way, noticing the bustling activity, even more than one would expect in fact.
Most of the people in the crowd looked a bit out of place actually, like they were outsiders, lacking the dignity and poise one would expect of the residents of the capital. Their rowdy demeanours attracted some less than kind looks from what looked like the true residents of the capital. The duo guessed these ruffians were either bandits or pirates, known for similar behaviour.
Apart from them though, there were numerous envoys of other kingdoms as well as many top-ranked adventurers and Holy Knights of the Holy Church. Unlike bandits and pirates, they could fit in more easily and roam freely inside the capital.
While roaming and sight-seeing, the duo's attention was snatched away by a loud eruption from the side of the aisle, interrupting their momentary relaxation.