11 - The Royal Capital

After a long journey, Van finally reached the bustling gates of the capital. He exhaled deeply, taking in the familiar yet ever-changing landscape.

'Haah... So busy... Just as I remember it... Well, the place did get a little bigger... Are the walls taller now? And there's a lot more security than I remember...' Van thought, his eyes scanning the expanded skyline as he waited in line. The city's growth was evident in its taller structures and the dense flow of people and carriages.

Eventually, Van came face to face with the guards, their scrutinizing gaze falling upon his weary figure.

"HOLD!! BY THE NAME OF THE HOLY CHURCH, IDENTIFY YOURSELF!" a guard demanded, hand extended for identification.

"Here." Van's voice was low and even as he casually placed his tag in the guard's palm, his movements almost imperceptible.

'I didn't even see him move his hands...!' the guard thought, startled, as he stared down at the badge now resting in his grip.

"Oh... I see. Rank 11 Adventurer, Van Hellix, huh?" The guard's voice carried a mix of surprise and skepticism.

'Oh, I never did take a rank-up test...' Van thought to himself.

'I couldn't sense a mere rank 11's movements..?' The guard mused internally, eyeing Van more closely. The guard's expression subtly shifted to one of disappointment and disgust—a look Van knew all too well.

'Haah... That expression, it's nostalgic. Outside the capital, in the smaller villages, they treat a Rank 11 as if touched by the Goddess herself. Even though I was distrusted there as well, I was still respected to a degree... Ahh, my accursed passive,'

"Wait... This badge... The effective date is... Over ten years ago!? That makes your effective rank as low as 18! An F Ranker!" The guard exclaimed as he examined the badge further.

"That so?" Van replied, unfazed.

'He also sounds too young for someone who's supposed to be in his 40's... And what's with these manners!? For someone who got his badge here at the holy capital, according to this badge itself at least, one should remove their helmet when meeting servants of His Majesty!' The guard thought, his eyebrow arching in suspicion.

"Haaah... I suppose there are sages like you that go to live under a rock or go to the mountains. Nevermind... What's your purpose for visiting?" the guard finally asked, trying to mask his unease with a veneer of professionalism.

"Seeing an old friend. He should be a resident here," Van replied smoothly, his tone unfazed by the scrutiny.

The guard exchanged a doubtful glance with his colleague before scrutinizing Van's badge even more closely.

"...You sure this isn't a fake?" he questioned, a hint of suspicion in his tone.

'There it is. The catchphrase,' Van thought, amused by the predictability.

"There's a guild here, right? I have time. You can go ahead and verify," Van suggested casually, his tone nonchalant.

"Hmm... Alright. Wait here. Cause trouble and you shall meet the sharp end of my spear," the guard warned gruffly as he signaled for his replacement to take over his post while he went to check the authenticity of the badge.

"Alright," Van replied simply, stepping aside to allow the flow of merchants and adventurers to continue into the capital.

As the guard walked away, his eyes momentarily caught the sight of Van's 1.95m greatsword strapped to his back. 'Holy shit... Isn't that greatsword too big for him?' he wondered silently, his suspicion deepening.

The guard's thoughts raced as he navigated the bustling streets of the capital, the weight of the badge in his pocket a constant reminder of the potential threat.

'My instincts haven't failed me in the 6 years I've been a royal guard... This guy is suspicious and dangerous!' Resolving to take no chances, he discreetly disposed of Van's badge into a nearby trashcan.

'Better safe than sorry. I'll protect my kingdom from this threat. I'll just claim they confirmed it was a fake,' he decided, his decision firm as he made his way back to his post with a sense of duty fulfilled.

Van noticed the guard returning and approached him casually.

"Well?" he asked.

"Oh, that..." The guard hesitated, then straightened.

"They said it was fake, so I threw it away. Be glad you're not under arrest," he added, his tone edged with a threat.

Van sighed deeply.

"I see..." He turned to leave, thinking to himself,

'And there it is... This is, what, the 22nd time this has happened...? What a pain.'

The guard watched him walk away, puzzled by Van's calm acceptance.

'Wow, he took that awfully well. I knew I was right! Something about him is off!! He's suspicious!'

As Van started to walk away, the guard impulsively reached out and placed his hand on Van's shoulder.

"Wait. I have reason to believe you're up to no good. Plus, that fake badge and the way you gave up too quick... As I thought, I shall arrest you and—"

"I appreciate your vigilance in protecting this capital," Van interrupted, his voice cool and measured.

"...What?" The guard muttered in confusion, his palm is still resting upon Van's shoulder.

"I'll overlook the fact that you threw away my badge without verifying it at the guild, which would happen more often than you'd think. But—" Van's tone hardened slightly.

"I am not in the mood to be hassled by the likes of you. Remove your hand at once," he stated firmly.

Something in Van's tone or perhaps... his presence made the guard's instincts scream a warning. Without fully understanding why, he instinctively released his grip, as if he had touched a burning surface, and stepped back, allowing Van to continue on his way away from the capital's gateway.

"What..."

"Was that, just now...?!" The guard called in confusion as he looked at the fading figure of Van, not understanding his own reaction.