Miruzo City's Overseer

A very long line exists in the form of a queue of people waiting to enter the city. Both carriages and people were eager to enter before the night breaks, and it was evident by how quickly the gate guards were hastening the pace of their inspections.

[Wow, so horses aren't the only beings that would pull large carriages like that?] I pointed at the giant fricking brown lizard beside us.It just licked its eyes right now....ugh. What the fuck? The fuck you looking at?! Aa?

Ehem...other than that thing, many carriage-pulling monsters were akin to raptorial birds. Ostriches...ostrich-looking monsters, and raptorial lizards.....Ah...right, this is another world. I forgot.Also, Nene seems to have a hard time explaining things to one of the gate guards. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..

[As I said, we lost our belongings including our IDs. So can we have our identities checked as well as to check for any criminal record?] (Nene) We are quite in a predicament here.I never asked about it, nor did they even tell me about it.We need an ID to enter any place...And I don't have it.Damn, why have I never thought of it?[

As I said! It's not that kind of ######!!!! Mou!!!!] (Nene)

[Come on~ Our little Nene despite being an adult now is just experiencing the joys of youth!] (??)What was that??? I have good ears but mysteriously I can't hear their conversation.Their conversation was muffled by the sound of people chattering here and there as we all waited in the queue at the city's entrance. The rest of the girls were just behaving at the haystack used as bedding in the monster stable nearby.

[Hey there young man, we would like to ask for you to lend us some time for interrogation if you are fine with it] (??) The guard smiled, in his hand was a halberd.....and despite the smile pasted on his face, his eyes did not look like they were smiling.In their hands were spears, halberds, and a crossbow. The security is so tight here, there are watchmen atop the walls, guardsmen at the entrances and exits, and patrolling guards all around the city.I guess the fuss about people disappearing here and there is what caused this super strict procedure. It feels so intimidating being asked by armed people.And so Nene said that I had no ID, papers, and other things that were needed to prove my nationality...hence they came forth with force.Either way, the point here is that no matter how much one tries to prove their standing, as long as that group exists, you are bound to be suspected as one. I mean those kidnappers...but do I look like one? I don't.[Sure thing sir, as long as nothing bad happens that is] I smiled in return. A business smile I have perfected over the years, the smile I trained while facing shitty clients, the same plastic smile I use to appease others. I wonder if it feels that it was way too useful for this situation rather than when I was still on Earth and on that job.

[Hohoho? Then this way please, it's just a few questions] (??) Guided by two guards, I looked at the worried faces of the people whom I left behind.

They were total strangers to me, but somehow I am now attached to them. As for my promise to them, I will keep that. I will return them to their home, safe and sound.

I was led to a small room where 2 chairs and a table were present. In the room, a woman with striking features resembling that of a witch was present.

[Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.....what is it this time?] (??) She held a pipe in her left hand and exhaled smoke from her mouth.

*Cough Cough*

The smell of tobacco is something I have hated since and have avoided having to smoke as a vice.

[Oh? A guest ey?] (??) Let me summarise what she looks like.

A violet witch outfit resembles that of a cosplayer, with a witch hat, a witch cane, a large floating crystal, and a pipe in her hands. What could she be other than...a witch?

[Good morning ma'am] I bowed my head. This person's presence alone somehow chokes me just by being in the same room...the aura of an overbearing person.

[Hmmm? What brings you here youngun?] (??) And she speaks like an old woman too.

[We brought him here because Marie's daughters were with him as they returned here] (??)

[Oya?! You mean!] (??) The tension in the air subsided after her remark.

Ugh...what? Marie's daughter? Them?

They looked at me from top to bottom and vice versa.

[You don't look that strong kid] (??) Gahak!

Said the guard who took me there.

[Ahaha] A rude remark was immediately said to me.

[Yeah, you have matches for arms] (??) Rudely remarked by the witch.

[Ahaha....] I feel like my mental health declines the more I stay in this place.

[Right, let us go with that for now. For starters I thank thee for saving my friend's daughters in peril, we've been racking our brains about it since their disappearance for a week. I hated that it went under my nose when I am the best of the best] (??) erm... she started praising herself for being the best after dissing herself? Excuse me? What?

[But madam, that was only because they did it when you were exactly called at the castle for a meeting. That was the chance they got, after your return, no new cases of people being abducted were reported] (??)

[Still, that makes it even worse] (??)

For now, maybe, it would be better to take a seat. Also, this issue about people being abducted isn't just the girls huh, to think others are being targeted.

[However, I can't appreciate you enough for the bravery that you did, again, thank you] (??) This time she bowed her head toward me.

[You're welcome? It was barely only a chance that I was there to save them] Was it luck or fate that brought me to them? IDK, but I think I will hold onto the belief that it was fated luck.

The genuine feeling that I helped someone is indeed making me happy, but knowing that there were others out there who had the same fate as them....just made me realize how big deal of a situation this is.

Like holy shit, a mass abduction event just happened within this place, and only god knows where they are right now.

[Now let's head into business. I had you called here because you're a new face] (??) Hmmm? A new face?

[Since we have already proven that you're not a criminal, but you don't have papers...we have to make some adjustments. For now it's best if you have a guardian to live with, or perhaps to join the adventurers' guild] (??)

[So does that mean I am on probation or something like that for now?] I asked the witch who was still blowing smoke from the pipe.

The subtle smell of tobacco and perfume wafts in the air as the silence gradually overwhelms the atmosphere.

[Well you are an illegal migrant, with no papers, and no ID, but you brought them here safe and sound. What? Do you want to be completely detained then?] (??)

[No...this much is fine]

[Then that concludes it. Jack was it? I am Irene Fablione, it is nice to meet you] (Irene) The lady witch stood from her seat and courteously lifts the hem of her skirt and bowed gracefully.

This made me remember those frilly Victorian dresses often used in taping anything related to Europe and France.

How did she know about my name?

[Oh by the way the reason it seems that you were brought here is that the magic scanner did not locate any files about you....so....Lugh, can you leave us for a second] (Irene)

[Sure, just call me if you need anything. And don't do anything weird to the young man] (Lugh)

That leaves only the two of us alone in the room, facing one another....silence soon fills the room as she sips from her pipe before asking me something that makes my skin crawl.

[You are not from here aren't you?] (Irene) Geh?!

[W-What is your base for that ma'am?]

[Hmmmm??? A baseline you say? You don't have any mana at all] (Irene) Wh...what?! I have no mana....what was mana again? Ah....magical energy.

Wait.... what does that mean? If magic is what we're talking, then how was I able to use the INVENTORY?

[It shows in your face, the answer that is. No worries lad, summoned heroes are mana-less to begin with hence they undergo the blessing of the church. Other than that, the scanner earlier showed no signs of malice coming from you so.....to say it in short] (Irene) She smoked her pipe...and continued.

[You are welcome to this city....but on probation of course] (Irene) By the swing of her hand, the papers which were stacked on the shelf behind her moved. One sheet flew to her hand, which she then passed to me.

[Please fill in your information here, and please put the true-est information you can put] (Irene) Gulp...she's mad serious. On a side note, this means that I have the green light for entry to the city. Phew~ At least this is better than being detained...

[Oh wait a minute, does this mean that someone is going to check up on me daily?]

[Of course, though for your convenience....I have already selected who will be your guardian. So don't worry~] (Irene) Nope, that made me worried. Her remark made me worry, just who would it be?

I wrote my name, current age, and birthday. As for the place of birth...

[Just put Karson Village in there, don't ask why] (Irene)

The witch overseeing the security of the city sure is one eerie person, but I could not help but trust her this time. I just hope that she's someone I could really put my trust fully.