Chapter 126 - #125 Cat and mouse (1/2)

”Please, one by one. Don't push or you will be chased away!” One of the guards near the first checkpoint shouted while maintaining numerous people trying to enter the Capital's territory in order.

The queue was extremely long and Akashi's group came quite late.

'Looks like more and more people are relocating to the Capital...poor souls, they don't even know that their life will be even worse there. On the other hand, I don't pity them since it also means more work for me to do, I can't accommodate too many people and since my territory isn't that bad to live in, a lot of people will try to get there. I already had to regulate the migrations of people from other territories because of too little available space.' Akashi thought while sitting on the driver position of the carriage. All kids were already wearing cloaks and were hiding their faces, making them look quite suspicious.

”Wait here, Kana and Tetsu, take over the reins.” Akashi said and jumped down on the ground.

”W-Where are you going, Elder brother?” Kana asked but refrained from using his name since he warned them not to use it in public.

”Talk to the guards, the queue won't be moving any time soon so don't worry, it won't take long.” Akashi replied and advanced along the queue, gathering the attention of many people, and some of them even started shouting at him.

”What the hell is going on here!” One of the guards immediately arrived due to commotion and shouted while hitting the ground with the shaft of his spear to gather attention.

”He is skipping the queue!” Someone from the crowd of people shouted while pointing at Akashi.

”Why are you disturbing the queue? Everyone has to go through this checkpoint fairly so you can't skip anyone even if you are alone and have no carriage with you. Now, go back before I will be forced to chase you away!” The guard shouted at Akashi with a slightly tired expression but Akashi didn't even stop walking and kept on walking towards the guard.

”Hey! I get that you are blind but don't tell me you are also deaf! Get back already!” The guard moved in Akashi's path and pointed the tip of his spear at him but despite this, Akashi didn't stop, making all people gasp in shock while guard narrowed his eyes.

Just when Akashi was about to walk into a shaky tip of the spear, he gently put it aside with his finger, shocking the guard. The guard wanted to quickly retreat but before he could, he felt Akashi's hand in his pocket and then he heard his words.

”Take me to the captain of this checkpoint. You don't want people or your colleagues to see you taking bribes, right?” Akashi said while passing by the guard and he continued walking towards the tents in front of the queue.

”Huh?” The guard put his hand into his pocket just to feel a coin and by the size, it must have been a gold coin itself!

”What are you all looking at?! Don't cause any more ruckus!” The guard said and turned around. He didn't dare to take the coin out of his pocket in front of so many people so instead, he followed after Akashi like a loyal dog.

'He gave me entire gold coin just for taking him to the captain, I believe that captain won't reprimand me for this, maybe I will also get a promotion!' The guard thought with a happy smile on his face.

'...So simple but it's easiest to work with people like him. In this era, everyone needs to be selfish, especially weak and poor people, they have no energy or strength to spare for helping others. I even quite like people like him, as long as you have something to offer, you are free to do what you want to do but I wouldn't dare to entrust him any secret.' Akashi thought with a small smile while keeping his head low.

”Captain, this man wants to talk to you.” The guard that escorted Akashi said once they entered the biggest tent.

”Fuck, how many times have I said not to disturb me unless necessary!” The captain sitting at the table raised his head and once he saw ”blind” man he immediately reprimanded the guard.

”I want to pass, right now, without any checkups!” Akashi said and threw a sack full of gold on the table, making a few gold coins spill out of it on the table.

”Wha-” Both men's jaw dropped down when they saw the number of gold coins.

The captain recovered faster than the guard who arrived with Akashi, he was still in his fantasies, spending the money lying on the table in front of him.

The captain looked at the money before glancing at Akashi with a complicated expression.

”Don't even think about that pal, just think about it... from where could I have gotten so many gold coins? Steal it? Small chance. Don't be too greedy or you might lose your hands.” Akashi could see through his intentions so he warned him with a cold tone.

”?!” The captain's eyes widened in shock before he nodded, completely putting aside Akashi's threat. While the guard woke up from his fantasies only after hearing Akashi's threat which completely shocked him how easily and calmly he could threaten the captain of the entire checkpoint.

'This guy...I can feel glaring daggers at him even though he has that blindfold...creepy. I better just take what he is offering, I just need to give a small part of the money to that idiot who escorted him here and no one will know about this bribe.' The captain thought and quickly decided before taking the action.

”You, go back with this gentleman and let him pass without any complications! Here is my permission, after you are done go back to your post.” The captain took the sack of coins and ordered his subordinate while nodding at me with a grateful look. He then took a piece of paper from the drawer and handed it to the guard.