Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang looked at the guard with narrowed eyes, and many thoughts immediately went through his mind.

First of all, the guard wore a slightly different armor from the others, which meant that he had a higher standing.

Second, the guard had easily called the others on the wall.

Third, he felt quite powerful.

However, he didn't feel too powerful.

Shang had seen physical fighters in the Second Realm, but the guard didn't feel like he was in the Second Realm, which meant he was probably in the First Realm, the Soldier Stage.

Shang had seen the leading officer of the Central Wild, and that officer had been in the Second Realm, the General Stage.

Was Blizzard's Edge weaker than the Central Wild?

Probably not.

Just based on the gigantic Mana Austerum, this town was probably even more important than the Central Wild.

So, what did that make this guard?

He was probably a sergeant or something akin to a supervisor.

He wasn't actually the true person in charge.

"I won't enter the town," Shang said with narrowed eyes.

The guard in front of Shang only huffed. "You don't have a choice," he said.

"I do," Shang answered. "I have the choice to remain outside. You have several crossbows pointed at me, and I can't flee. There should also be several more powerful soldiers in the town. Right now, it doesn't matter where I am. I can't flee anyway."

"You're right," the guard said with narrowed eyes. "So, obediently enter the town. You said that you can't flee anyway."

"I want to stay out here," Shang said.

The guard raised his right hand, and the guards on the wall pointed their crossbows at Shang. "You don't have a choice."

The atmosphere became tenser. Some carriages had already arrived, but when they saw the guards with their drawn crossbows, they decided to stop. They didn't want to get involved.

"I will stay out here," Shang answered slowly.

The guard's eyes narrowed.

"At this moment, it's not even clear if I am some sort of thief or not. I know I am innocent, and I don't need your approval for that."

"Are you willing to risk a battle for such an uncertainty?" Shang slowly asked.

The guard only looked at Shang with narrowed eyes.

"If you don't comply, we don't need to investigate the source of the Ice Wood. Your resistance proves that your method of procuring the Ice Wood wasn't legal," the guard answered.

that, a glimmer of light appeared

with not investigating the issue?" Shang asked. "If you are so convinced of my guilt, what would even be

I

case, why would you want me inside

you intending to do something that you

rage. "I am a law-abiding soldier, and a mere thief is not allowed

why do you want me inside the

gritted teeth. "Suspicious individuals have

Shang answered. "I can't possibly escape. We are both

what's the issue with remaining

A tense silence arrived.

was looking at the leading guard,

Several seconds passed.

Clank.

the guard glanced at the wall when they heard the sound of

wall had retrieved his crossbow and vanished behind

without

guard on the wall, he

with annoyance. "We can wait here.

slowly lowered his right arm, and the other guards

the leading guard suddenly

because of the leaving guard on

allowed to

Except for one reason.

about to report to someone of higher rank than the person they were currently

quite suspicious, and he decided to report to the actual officer about

leading guard knew what had happened as soon

to deal with prisoners, and he had made quite some money with some underhanded means, but if these actions came to light, he would be

leading guard knew that this opportunity to make

Shang relaxed.

"Thanks," he said evenly.

do something underhanded, which was

decided

On what?

the leading guard actually being

Why smart?

guard had ordered to attack someone who wasn't actively resisting and whose guilt wasn't even conclusive, he would have

leading guard could have ordered an

Shang had only stood

course, if Shang had been weaker, the leading guard could have simply knocked

guard. On top of that, Shang had claimed

out a normal human and taking them

if the other side could damage the resources of the

injure or kill some

was already

out, the higher-ups would get involved and investigate what

or killed, and they had to find out why that happened so that