29 – New Trouble

"Good afternoon, officers." Alan greeted the two people.

"What the hell happened here?" The pot-bellied guard looked at the lying bodies. "Was there a fight?"

The second guard examined the cat mage, then glanced at the big man. "You guys are nasty. Choose to attack the parts that are, well.... not normal to be attacked."

"Noms!" Ivan screamed because his rabbit almost ran away again. The guards immediately widened their eyes at that animal's ass.

Before the situation escalated any further, Alan continued his words. "They wanted to steal the rabbit from us when we got it first."

The first guard chuckled, adjusted his helmet, and approached the young man. "Is that true? But still, fighting in this city is prohibited. You guys must face the consequences."

Alan's smile widened. "Could that be negotiated, dear gentlemen? How about we meet after we get the prize?"

City workers and guards will not get a reward even if they catch the golden butt. City law considers it to be carrying out orders from superiors, something that should be done by them as subordinates.

So, Alan could see an opportunity, especially after seeing the gesture of the first guard. These two men also want to get their share of the big money.

The second guard joined in. "Then we'll be waiting at the Pignose bar after you guys deliver the bunny."

"And keep this in mind." The first guard brought his face closer to Alan's. "If someone reports this incident, you guys will get into trouble. The evidence is strong. You don't want that to happen, do you?"

"Of course, we understand that." Alan maintained his smile but used a timid gesture to show that he was intimidated, so those guards would feel in a superior position. "In that case, can you allow us to go now? The mayor will surely be pleased if we deliver this rabbit right away, won't he?"

"Before that." The second guard pointed at the bundle of cloth that Igor was carrying. "What are you carrying?"

"T-this is just some spare part for the propeller thruster." The shop owner had difficulty stringing words together.

The second guard frowned. "Why bring that to the mayor's place?"

"Mr. Igor will fix my propeller. We will part ways." Alan explained while taking over the rabbit from Ivan. Luckily the boy and the rabbit are cooperative. "I will go to the mayor's office. Meanwhile, my friend, Celia, will accompany Mr. Igor to our vehicle."

"Y-yeah." Celia joined in. "Our vehicle has been badly damaged!"

Alan wanted to sigh because another Celia's bad acting.

"And I always loved watching my Dad work." Ivan then pointed to the bag on his back. "Look, I also have a bag of tools with me. I'm helping out as much as I can."

Brilliant words for children. The bag contains clothes and other necessities. Alan was impressed by that boy for coming up with a reasonable excuse for why he was carrying a backpack.

"Come on, dude." The first guard slightly kicked the archer elf, who was still unconscious. "Let them go, so we can get money from them faster."

"You are right." The second guard shrugged. "Please continue on your way, and don't mention this conversation to the mayor or other workers."

Alan and the others started the journey. Meanwhile, the city guards were trying to wake up the three adventurers.

"You have an amazing way of using your mouth…. To speak, I mean." Haruna clung to Alan, using a seductive voice again. "That makes you even more attractive, Mr. Aldrych."

Celia cleared her throat aloud after that.

However, Haruna's teasing still hasn't affected Alan. The young man is focused on his mission.

"You are indeed extraordinary. It's not easy to escape from the guards, even though some are corrupt." Igor joined in the praise.

"Please, don't bring that up again." Alan sighed. "I'm afraid they will hear it."

"Hey, you guys!" Suddenly the second guard shouted when Alan and company had arrived at another land, about to cross the next bridge. "The mayor's house is not that way!"

Alan hates himself for being an idiot. He had said earlier that the group would split in two, but now they were going in one direction instead.

His brain seemed too tired from Igor's lesson on making propellers. The young man's concentration diminished.

"Are you trying to trick us!" The first guard snapped and started walking towards them.

"Fighting them is a bad idea," Igor whispered quickly. "They have a way of calling their comrades."

Alan felt that he would be even more suspicious if he suddenly changed course or made some other excuse.

"Run!" Alan gave the order, then sped off with the others.

"Wait, you guys!!!" The first guard screamed in fury.

Alan looked around and got an idea when he saw a three-story building.

"You two also drink a special potion that increases your jumping ability, right?" He asked Igor and Ivan, who immediately said yes. "Then follow me."

Alan led those people behind that tall building, making them invisible to the guards. Then, instead of crossing the next bridge, Alan jumped and caught hold of the ropes of a bridge not too far above him.

Alan then motioned for the others to do the same. The tall building had hidden them while jumping, but time was running out.

The others jumped one by one. Alan helped Igor and Ivan to climb up while Haruna pulled Celia's hand.

"Thanks." After doing that, the female fighter frowned when she found Haruna a little out of breath.

But then everything clicked in Celia's brain. Even though she was annoyed, she couldn't get angry because Haruna didn't say anything.

"Sorry." She grimaced instead. "If I'm too heavy."

The rogue chuckled. "This job I chose doesn't have much strength, though."

"Shhh… Be quiet." Alan hissed. He peeked through the gap in the floor window.

The two guards looked around for Alan and the others, then decided to enter the tall building.