103 Inspection before entry (1/2)
Two days have passed since they departed from Einsberg, and the gang is finally seen nearing at the outskirts of Florcaster as signs of civilization and society can be witnessed at their proximity.
Like most other towns, the farmlands located outside can now be seen as the gang saw farmers tending to the fields. Numerous small houses make up a mini-village for them to live on with a huge Manor overlooking the area, no doubt housing the noble that administers the entire place.
”Finally, this is it, my lords and ladies!!” Ivan said with excitement at the prospect of their arrival while driving the carriage. ”Flocaster, the City of Jewels. In a few minutes, we'll be arriving at the town gates. As such, I highly advise that you prepare for a thorough inspection. The festival is going to start in about two days. Thus the authorities are definitely going to be in high alert.”
”The festival.” Lily's eyes shone with excitement at hearing the event. ”It's been a long time since I've attended my last festival at Everfall, where the Order's main headquarters is also located. I wonder how Flocaster is going to fare compared to the capital?”
”By a large margin, I can assure you,” Ivan told her with glee. ”With the Bardic University nearby, there is no doubt the festival is the grandest event of all in Whitemoor, filled with music and a lot of entertainment and games that folks both common and nobility get the privilege to enjoy to the fullest.”
'That sounds wonderful.' Selena mentally communicated with them all, her tone brimming with enthusiasm as fitting like a child who simply wants to have fun. 'I can't wait to see what's inside.'
”Same here, sis.” Gray grinned with the same vigorous energy. ”There will be a lot of beer and mead for Isamu and I to drink until we passed out, isn't that right, buddy?”
”You've got that right, oh splendid lord of mine.” Isamu's fangs bared excitedly for his companions to see. ”The festival is the time to let go of yourself, temporarily forget one's duty for the sake of carousing and enjoyment.”
Ivan simply shook his head with a smile at the group's anticipation as he continued to set forth into their desired location.
In a few minutes, the carriage has finally arrived near the town gates, and apparently, the group is not alone in their attempts to enter the town.
Numerous travelers from different backgrounds and races are witnessed to be lining up, no doubt here, for the highly anticipated festivities as well.
”The line sure is damn long,” Gray commented with a frown as he took a peek outside. ”It's going to take us at least an hour before it's going to be our turn at this rate.”
”Not necessarily,” Ivan smirked at him in assurance. ”The nobility is given priority in being granted entrance. Allow me to talk with the guards so we can secure our entry faster.”
”Well, that's a bit unfair to the ones who are waiting in line.” Gray rubbed his chin, pondering if he should be using his privilege as a noble. ”Nah, it's no big deal. We have made our journey for five days already. An hour or two won't fucking kill us. If that's okay with you guys?”
[+3 GOOD]
SPEECH CHECK: 51
SPEECH REQUIREMENTS: 30
\u003cPERSUASION SUCCESS!!\u003e
RECEIVED 90 XP
”Your patience and character are truly admirable, my lord.” Ivan was slightly surprised by Gray's decision. Most nobles won't hesitate to use their privilege for self-interest and gain, but it appears that the elf is different.
Gray's companions agreed with the elf as it does not really matter either way since, in the end, they'll still be entering the town, and there's no need to make a commotion about any of that.
***
An hour has passed, and it's finally time for the gang's turn to be inspected by the guards. Speaking of the guards, they are clad in a yellow tabard that displays the insignia of Flocaster, a striking red horse. The tabard covered the mail shirt and leggings that they are wearing. Their headgear is a kettle helm, with a leather neck guard for support.
The two guards assigned as the inspectors eyed the next carriage meticulously, gesturing for the occupants to first get out so they can properly inspect the inside. In the case of their Inventory, it needs to be checked as well to find items of suspicions that may potentially jeopardize the safety of the festival itself.
Gray indeed was a bit wary at the guards seeing his items, most notably his Godly items. The unnecessary attention that he will garner will unquestionably be troublesome and reveal his Paragon status most likely. Luckily, he has a solution to this predicament.
'And yet again, I owe dear Master for this.' Gray thought with relief, something that was given to him by Rarsu during his and Selena's apprenticeship in case they're going to encounter situations such as this. 'The Seal of Item Secrecy sure does come in handy at times like this.'
The Seal of Item Secrecy is a high-level magic circle used to impersonate an item's status. With this seal, anyone perceiving the item that was subjected to it will be presented with false information instead that's displayed by the System, more specifically its tier, stats, level requirement, item description, and other factors by means of manually modifying it through the System while the magic circle ritual took place. The seal can only be utilized by high-ranking mages typically, but Rarsu allowed Gray to use it since the latter possessed items that can't be exactly considered normal to the eyes of the general public, given his status as the Paragon.
In short, the method is similar to the standard \u003cImpersonation\u003e skill, but it's implemented on items instead and with the additional requirements of the mentioned seal.