Ch 17 : Gate's Crowd

Ralors City, City gates:

Reaching the city gates, Martin was greeted by a crowd, some were adventurers, some were citizens, and the majority were merchants. Standing in front of the city gates that were sealed shut, the crowd was shouting and cursing, demanding that the city gates be open and let them pass.

Watching the scene a puzzled look appeared on Martin's face, he exclaimed, "What the hell is going on, I was just here two days ago, how did all this go down?". Watching the crowd, Martin noticed a guard sitting at the side, placing his hands above his head in discomfort.

Walking up to him, Martin asked, "Excuse me, Sir, are you ok?"

Lifting his head, the guard looked at Martin, it was none other than Captain Gerard, the person who welcomed Martin when he first arrived at the city, "oh Captain Gerard it is you", Martin exclaimed.

The guard was still looking at Martin and sizing him with his eyes, a few seconds later his expression brightened up, saying, "Oh if it isn't Martin Immortella, at first I didn't recognize you, I apologize but I have a lot on my plate right now", glancing at the crowd Martin replied, "I can see that, what is going on?"

"From where I start, several groups of bandits have ambushed a couple of caravans killing the people and stealing everything, but that rarely happens because the merchants hire adventures. The worrying part is that it's as if they all have a plan, they all attacked the caravans simultaneously in different areas, the guards had no time to react, and when we send the 6th platoon there, they only found corpses.

" Why don't you give chase?"

"They did, but the bandits used guerrilla tactics, attacking them then retreating, over and over again, they experienced many casualties."

"When will the issue be resolved, and you open the gates again?"

"Honestly, I don't know, we fear that they are still lurking, waiting for a chance to strike again, after all, the momentum is at their side."

"Fine, I'll just kill some time until then, good luck with the bandits."

Saying those words, Martin took a stroll around until he saw a park at the side of the street, walking into the park, he found a bench under the shade of a tree, "this looks like a good place", he then relaxed on the bench taking a nap."

At a restaurant located beside that very park, a cloaked woman was sitting at one of its tables. Hours passed by and the woman kept on sitting there ordering tea, after some time, another cloaked woman sat at the same table facing her.

"Hello priestess Lucie."

"Hello Mora, what's the report?"

"I've been watching him for the last couple of hours, he just slept on that bench ever since you left for the church, and I've been drinking tea nonstop to pass time, I really need to go to the restroom."

Releasing a small laugh, priestess Lucie replied, "Hahaha, sorry to trouble you with my matters, and thank you for covering for me, I'll take it from here."

After hearing those words Mora got up and took quick steps leaving the restaurant, priestess Lucie took her place watching Martin as he was sleeping peacefully under the shade. After another couple of hours, priestess Lucie noticed Martin stretching.

"That's what I call a good nap", looking at the sky Martin exclaimed, "damn, it's noon already, I need to move, I overslept."

Hurriedly, Martin left the park and headed back to the gates, following him, priestess Lucie who left the money for the tea on the table.

Reaching the gates Martin saw the same scene, but this time the crowd got even larger, Captain Gerard, and his troops standing between the crowd and the gates.

One of the troops stood beside Captain Gerard saying, "Excuse me, captain, there is a guy who wishes to speak to you."

"Are you blind, whoever it is tell him to piss off", captain Gerard growled at his subordinate.

Standing at the side, Martin was watching the people, that's when a guard approached him saying, "I apologize, Sir, we are in a tight spot right now, the captain isn't able to come and speak to you."

"I see, then I'd go to him."

"Sorry Sir, that won't work either, he is pissed off, and I can't let you go."

Hearing that Martin got lost in thought.

"Sir, Sir, did you hear what I said?", snapping out of his daze, Martin covered himself with his black cloak, and replied as he eyed the crowd, "Oh it's no problem, I just came up with a plan."

A puzzled expression appeared on the guard's face, "A plan?"

"Oh yes, but I would like to apologize in advance for what I'm about to do."

"What do you mean-", before the guard can finish his words he saw Martin's fist flying at him, taken by surprise, the guard wasn't able to move, all he could do was watch the man's fist smash into his face throwing him flat on the ground, in the next moment Martin shouted as loud as he can, "what the hell do you mean I can't leave, do you know who I am, I'm an adventurer."

Martin's voice attracted not only the crowd, but the guard's attention as well, seeing their comrade on the floor, they charge at Martin with bloodshot eyes holding him in place and greeting him with punches of their own.

At this moment all Captain Gerard was able to see was a cloaked person attacking one of his subordinates, He failed to suppress his rage until he growled with a crazy expression, "Guards throw that bastard in the cell, and let him rot there.", Looking at the crowd he continued, "as for the rest of you, leave this instant, we aren't going to let you leave for your safety, the area will be under restriction for the next 18 hours."

Seeing that, the crowd started leaving until no one was left behind, not wishing to share the same fate as the fool who thought he is a big shot and got dragged into the cell.

Lucid_Devil#9008, feel free to contact me on Discord.