157 A mad visitor (1/2)

”Sir, there is ... eh ... are you okay?” A guard with the colors of Archet opened the door in a hurry, just to see the officer he was looking for completely wasted. Even from where he stood, he could easily smell the heavy alcohol that the burly man drunk. However, there was not a hint of disapproval, as nearly all of his comrades were facing the same situation and some shared the same fate.

”YESH! MHAT AYE YOU MUEFSDK” THOMP

Approaching slowly, the guard was having a hard time seeing if he had just fainted or was just knocking his head on the table. Touching a bit the shoulder of the unconscious man, he began to shake more and more, but to no avail. Looking right behind the drunkard, he could see two empty sockets standing completely still. The undead had no reaction whatsoever to either one of the two humans in the room.

”I guess it is hard on him, having that stare on your back the entire day.” Shuddering when thinking more deeply, the guard felt that he was strangely fortunate on the ramparts. At least there, the skeletons were not looking at them directly by at the outside, searching for any threats. In those few weeks, they had begun to be used to that feeling, being permanently near the undead. But even then, it still brought immense pressure on their mind across the entire day.

”But now, what am I supposed to do?” Remembering the faces the four of his fellow guards had when they realized they had to enter this room, he felt they would not be pleased at all. Slightly angered already, he cursed them for having better luck than him and not picking the shortest stick. Leaving by the door, he hurried when passing in front of the additional skeleton warrior that was standing guard outside.

”Where is he? Did you explained the situation?” Joining the group, he could only shake his head, as he did not even have the time to say anything. After telling them how was the state of the one that should be in charge of that gate, one couldn't help but look at what was under the walls. A perfectly fine convoy of merchants, something they would have seen multiple times each day if it has been before.

But it was no longer the same Archet as they used to know. The attack of the undead had decimated many of their good friends, their neighbors, their families. Following this, they learned that they had to serve a red demon, a giant whose only pleasure was to feast on human bodies from the dark rumors they heard. If most guards had the idea of leaving even after so many deaths, only a few remained after learning that a Dark God resided inside Archet.

Even now, looking around them, they knew how small the actual number of guards was. Previously, they would have been at least a hundred or so, to deal with all the arrivals, the departures and protect the surroundings. After all, it was a way toward the West, either to aim for the capital of Avenio or the elves. Now, they had only seen people leaving, and none actually entering, until now.

”Mi-Mister, are you sure you want to enter this city? You did not take the wrong path?” Even if an undead was merely 10 meters away and could probably hear them, they knew they had already said so many bad things toward the Demon Emperor that they regarded the skeletons as deaf. Even now, one guard was kindly trying to make those humans escape before it was too late, and it seemed to make no difference to the immobile statue made of bones.

”This is Archet, right?” The man that was in his prime did not seem to be bothered by the fact he was not welcomed here. The only thing that was bothering three of the guards was the fact that his face seemed familiar.

”Ye-Yeah?”

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.

”So I am at the right place, now, can I enter or not?” Where did the merchant obtain such confidence, none of the guards knew. But if they could both see each other and discuss, it also meant the undead was in the sight of the convoy. And they still wanted to enter. Faced with someone that wouldn't be swayed by anything they could say, they had to agree with the request. Even if it seemed to be folly in their eyes.

”OPEN THE GATE!” Shouting that, the previously immobile skeletons began to activate the mechanisms to open the gate. During that, while one stayed on the ramparts, the rest regained their old habits and got in position. Of course, it was mainly because of their intense curiosity, as they couldn't understand the logic behind wanting to go to Archet. Most of the farmers had escaped, the adventurers were all gone and with them the resources they gathered.

”Please stand back and have everyone leave the wagons.As for the fee, due to a decrease of trade, Archet will be exempted of it for an indefinite period.” Trying their best to remember what the Mayor Gwendoline had said, they still acted as the professionals they were. Systematically searching everything, all of them hoped to see a bomb, a dangerous weapon or anything like that. But to their surprise, while they found some swords and bows, it belonged to the mercenaries in charge of the protection.

Maybe it seemed funny for him, as he chuckled when he witnessed it, but the merchant was nearly laughing. Maybe he was the only one not bothered by the fact that an undead was barely in arms reach. As for the pale faces of the mercenaries, they were almost pleading the guards to do anything, while the latter was doing the exact same thing. If he hadn't blackmailed them out of their pay if they dared to flee, none of those warriors would have agreed to enter this city.

”Everything is in order, you can enter Archet. Have a nice ... eh ... nice day in our beautiful city.” As one of the local ended the inspection with the usual sentences, his smile stiffened when he arrived at the part describing Archet. However, the travelers did not seem bothered by the sudden change in the mind of the guard, as they were all starring at the two skeletons that suddenly appeared. A few mercenaries even began to put their hands on their weapons.

”DON'T! DON'T!”