296 Failing To Stall Them (1/2)

”It's too bad we couldn't go through the southern gate.” Jack shrugged.

Tralon chuckled, ”You just want to see the giant statue in the southern square.”

”So, who wouldn't?”

Argyle laughed as well, ”Yeah, who wouldn't want to see a giant statue carved in their likeness?”

When the three men reached the gate, Tralon and Argyle both nodded to the guard as reassurance to let them pass.

”U-um, sirs. I'm afraid we need to check that man,” one of the guards nervously stated, pointing at Jack.

”And why's that?” asked Argyle.

”W-we're just following orders.”

The guards all trembled as they pondered the orders given to them by Lord Bikkem, who made sure to try and stall Tralon's party for as long as possible.

”Sorry, but you're not allowed to check me. But feel free to ask my father-in-law who I am,” Jack stated while motioning toward Argyle.

When they saw this, the guards didn't know what to say. They could either go against direct orders or face the wrath of the two powerful men before them.

”Actually, I think I have a way to prove my identity… And since I'm not hiding it at the moment, I guess he can come out now…” Jack started to ramble, catching the attention of the guards and giving them some hope. ”Here, this should be enough proof, right?”

As Jack activated a ring on his finger, a beast the size of a man appeared, startling the guards.

Excited to get out, Bowzer looked around to find out they were still in the city. 'Jack, what's happening?'

”W-what kind of beast is this? I-is it registered?” stammered a guard.

Jack smiled while he scratched Bowzer behind the ears. ”He's registered with the association. You would be able to check that, but you've closed the local branches. That's why it's impossible for you to check me.”

”B-but, sir. It's against regulation to allow someone without proper identification and the proper paperwork to come and go from Gilga,” The captain of the guard stepped forward, determined to receive the promotion Lord Bikkem had offered in return for stalling Tralon's party.

”Oh?” Jack laughed. ”I don't remember Gilga being so strict in the past…”

”We've always been this thorough, I can assure you, sir,” stated the captain.

Jack continued to laugh, ”Sorry, that was just a thought. As for proving myself, this fox here more than enough proof of my identity.”

”T-that's a fox?!”

Each of the nearby guards inspected Bowzer with their eyes, noticing that despite the beast's size, he did, in fact, appear to be a fox of some kind.

”And how long would that take?” Jack asked.

”Given the short notice and that we're short-staffed at night, we can have it ready for you within twenty-four hours.” The captain smiled and bowed his head, happy to use his connections to speed up the week-long process.

”Too slow.”

”B-but, sir, that's already speeding it up drastically--”

”Bowzer's all the evidence I need. Show them Bowzer,” Jack chuckled. 'Make a medium-sized flame body, enough to scare them but not enough to threaten the city.'

'Okay!' Realizing what Jack was after, Bowzer played along.