Chapter 62: Interrogation at the Gate

Anna, leading the line, was next to be processed. However, the moment the guard spotted her, he waved her through without even glancing at her adventurer’s plate.

“Excuse me, Captain Paul, but you haven’t even checked my adventurer’s plate yet…”

“That’s quite enough, Anna. As a Steel-rank Grand Adventurer, just head on in. Don’t hold up the line for everyone else trying to enter the city.”

The guard practically herded the blue-haired maiden into the city, much like one might drive sheep.

This blue-haired maiden was renowned throughout Xielan, not only for her nearly peerless swordsmanship but also for her consistent acts of kindness. She was particularly well-known, almost a familiar face, among the city guard.

Naturally, even for a familiar face, the guards wouldn’t typically permit entry without a thorough inspection.

The true catalyst for their unusual leniency was Xielan’s City Lord himself, who had personally bestowed upon her the unique privilege of unrestricted entry and exit, exempt from all inspections.

Such a significant concession was certainly food for thought.

Yet, no sooner had Anna been ushered away than she subtly slipped back.

The guard’s brow furrowed. “Anna, what are you doing back here?”

Anna replied candidly, “I’m waiting for my sworn sisters, Yulim and Luosha. They haven’t made it inside yet.”

The guard was indeed familiar with Yulim—the small elf who rarely spoke, always cloaked and hooded. Since last year, she had been Anna’s constant companion, the two almost inseparable.

Anna waiting for her, then, was entirely understandable.

But who, exactly, was this Luosha, a name he had never encountered before?

And what was this talk of ‘sworn sisters’?

“Alright, alright, I understand. We’re not going to prevent them from entering. Just head inside and wait there.”

After dismissing Anna, the guard resolved to conduct a thorough inspection of this individual named “Luosha.”

While Anna possessed special privileges, they applied solely to her. Any unfamiliar faces she brought with her still required standard screening.

Thus, when Eve’s turn arrived, the moment she declared herself “Luosha,” she observed the guard’s demeanor shift. The same guard who had just been smiling warmly at the previous entrant now wore a distinctly stern expression.

The guard’s words tumbled out in a rapid-fire interrogation. “Luosha, is it? Your age, gender, race, profession, ancestral land? What weapons do you carry? Do you possess an adventurer’s plate? What precisely is inside that coffin on your back? Do you have any recent history of theft or criminal activity? What is your purpose in Xielan? Confess everything truthfully!”

Eve was utterly bewildered.

‘Brother, this… this isn’t right, is it?’

Most individuals without an adventurer’s plate were simply asked their intentions before being granted passage.

Yet, when it came to her, it felt more like a full-blown interrogation of a prime suspect. Even a genealogical inquiry wouldn’t delve into such exhaustive detail!

Eve surmised that her unusual attire likely made her appear less than trustworthy. To ensure a smooth entry into the city, she patiently addressed each of the guard’s questions, systematically dispelling any suspicions about her identity.

“I am sixteen years of age, female, human. My profession is a Holy Cleric, and my ancestral home is Yarokan City. I carry no weapons on my person.”

Eve paused, taking a deliberate breath before continuing, “I possess a Brass-rank adventurer’s plate. The coffin I carry holds someone of immense importance to me, and for that reason, I must respectfully decline to open it for your inspection. Furthermore, I have never committed a crime. My purpose in coming to Xielan is solely to enhance my own strength and advance my adventurer rank.”

These were all carefully prepared statements Eve had rehearsed.

At times, divulging the complete truth might lead to utter disbelief, yet a blend of truth and falsehood almost guarantees a receptive audience.

For people, more often than not, are inclined to believe only what aligns with their preconceived notions.

The guard accepted Eve’s adventurer’s plate, examining it closely. It was not a forgery, and the identity inscribed upon it corresponded perfectly.

Next, his gaze sharpened, fixating on the gap in Eve’s mask, as if attempting to discern some hidden truth, but ultimately, his efforts yielded nothing.

With an air of focused scrutiny, the guard then circled around Eve, meticulously inspecting the coffin that was the primary source of his suspicion.

Truthfully, the coffin was undeniably ornate and visually striking. Its exterior alone suggested a considerable expense in its creation; anyone bearing such an item must surely possess some standing or wealth.

In that light, her decision to wear a mask became somewhat more comprehensible.

If she belonged to a prominent noble family, parading a coffin in public would undoubtedly cast a negative light, tarnishing their esteemed reputation. Thus, the mask would serve as a means to conceal her identity and lineage.

Yet, even if this rationale held true, it was still insufficient to grant her immediate passage.

After a brief deliberation, the guard handed Eve her adventurer’s plate back. “Miss Luosha,” he stated, “I regret to inform you that I still cannot permit your entry into the city.”

“That is, unless you consent to my forthcoming, albeit impolite, request: to allow me to conduct an external examination of the coffin’s interior, to ascertain whether any living beings are concealed within, attempting to bypass inspection and enter the city.”

Demanding someone open a coffin in plain sight, amidst a public thoroughfare, was clearly an unreasonable and unrealistic expectation.

Should it genuinely contain only a corpse, what then of Luosha’s dignity and reputation?

Placing himself in her position, if he were the one bearing the coffin, and it held his beloved or his mother, and he was forcibly ordered to open it on the spot to inspect the deceased within.

He imagined he would fight that person with every fiber of his being.

While the city guards manning the gate enforced stringent inspection protocols, they were not entirely devoid of humanity or understanding.

On her part, Eve had initially felt a surge of helplessness upon hearing the guard’s refusal to grant her entry. However, the subsequent clarification in his words instantly rekindled her spirits.

‘An external inspection will suffice?’

‘Excellent! As long as the coffin remains sealed, who could possibly discover Wennya within?’

Eve did not consent immediately. Instead, she lowered her head, pondering for a brief moment before nodding. “I fully comprehend your duties,” she stated, “and thus, I am willing to undergo the inspection. Provided my coffin remains unopened, you are free to examine it in any manner you deem necessary.”

With these words, she carefully lowered the coffin from her back, setting it upright on the ground.

Eve then took two steps back, creating ample space for the guard to conduct his examination.

Such a cooperative demeanor instilled a degree of trust in the guard regarding Eve’s earlier statements. He offered a slight nod to her. “Thank you for your understanding,” he said. “Please forgive my intrusion.”

The guard approached the coffin, pressing his ear against its surface, listening intently for any discernible movement from within.

Finding no results, he then summoned another guard, instructing them to cast a simple heat-sensing spell upon the coffin.

This, too, proved fruitless.

Only then did the lead guard nod. After dismissing his subordinate, he approached Eve. “Miss Luosha,” he began, “I thank you once again for your cooperation with our duties. I sincerely apologize for any previous impoliteness.”

Eve waved off his apology, unconcerned. She walked to the coffin, hoisted it back onto her shoulders, and asked, “It’s quite alright. May I enter the city now?”

“Indeed, of course, Miss Luosha. Welcome to Xielan.”

The guard stepped aside, clearing the path for Eve, his face once more adopting the practiced, welcoming smile reserved for new arrivals.

Eve nodded, then turned to Yulim, who stood directly behind her. “Well, Yulim, I’ll head in first and look for Anna.”

Yulim, clutching the sides of her hood, gave a small nod, signaling her understanding.

Having bid Yulim farewell, Eve finally stepped, as she had desired, into the bustling heart of the City of Adventure.