Guards

Sol walked down the busy street as he whistled a melodic tune, 'A place to sleep via the Mercenary Guild, check. Food and water, check. Basic Cultivation Technique, check. Next is good defense armor... not checked yet. Before I move on to anything else, I'll get this check on my list.' 

He soon arrived at the outside wall of the inner city where he lived. He had a plan in mind, but first, he had to get to Jetai Forest.

'I'm a Mercenary now... this shouldn't be too difficult.' He mused as he walked closer to the giant wall made of thick gray stone that surrounded the inner city.

It was over 50 feet in height quite easily, with outposts on the top and a large 20-foot tall gate at its stump right in front of Sol.

The gate was wide open, with many people passing in and out through different forms of travel.

The more wealthy used Juun-like vehicles that floated in the air, while the less fortunate used carriages and their own two feet.

Sol even spotted some other Mercenary's who rode in and out of the wall on their mounts.

He spotted some Slime Wolfs, a black horse with a horn on its forehead, and also a large jumping jelly chunk--all of which were mounts.

The only problem he noticed when entering and exiting was the guards standing around and making quite a fuss at the gate.

As he got in the crowded line of people exiting the wall, Sol began to hear the commotion from the front of the line.

"Listen up! 10 spirit stones to enter and exit! It's a cheap price. A couple hours worth a' work, eh? Don't be greedy!"

One of the guards, a fat man clad in chainmail armor, exclaimed as he spit chunks of half-eaten apple out through his yellow teeth.

In his hand was a green apple with a few bites gnarled off of it.

Another guard opposite to him on the other side of the gate also exclaimed in a similar tone, "That's right, ya' sneaky cunts! Don't you dare try to squeeze through for free!" 

He was a skinnier man but with a look no less annoying than the fat guy.

At that moment, a more luxurious group passed by him, riding in a floating Jeen.

Jeen's were smaller versions of the larger Juun's, being able to fit about 5 people in total.

A young man who had an indifferent expression on his face was seen from the Jeen's window by the skinnier guard who had just spoken.

"Hehe..." The guard quickly laughed in a polite tone, allowing the Jeen to pass by without saying a word.

As soon as it did, he resumed the same obnoxious tone from earlier.

"C'mon! Get a move on! We ain't got all day!"

Before long, it was Sol's turn to be first in line. He stepped up, immediately eyeing the small wooden table next to the fat guard.

There were three large bags of spirit stones on the table. Sol could tell this just from a look since they were overfilled to the point where a few spirit stones had even dropped out onto the table.

"Brat! Cough up the 10--" The fat guard tried to say, but Sol abruptly interjected.

He pushed his finger into the fat guard's lips, pushing his head back slightly into his neck--creating a double chin.

Flabbergasted, the guard looked down at Sol's finger, and then back at the boy.

He was speechless. Stunned, like a deer stuck at a headlight.

A few people behind Sol in line began to laugh, and others were already whispering about the absurdity.

"What is that kid doing!? He's trying to get thrown in prison, ahaha!"

"Does he have a death wish or something??"

Sol began to speak, "Listen here, you fat bastard. I am the son of a noble! Haven't you ever heard of the Von Cillion family? You dare question my authority!?" 

Sol exclaimed in an arrogant tone as if he were a classic young master from a novel or something. 

"W-what?" The fat guard seemed even more shocked now.

"Yeah! That's right!" Sol said, affirming his status.

"I-im terribly sorry lord!" The guard bowed his head slightly.

'Damn! I totally forgot the Von Cillions had this kid as a part of their family! I remember him... but he's totally different from what I remember! Then again, that was many years ago. Fuck! Of course, I had to get put in this stupid predicament.'

Lyrian humphed as he turned to the side. Then, his head turned toward the bags of spirit stones.

'Hell... I might as well go for them now that I'm this far in.' He inwardly grinned.

"It's alright. I will forgive you under one condition!" 

The guard looked back up, "Oh? And what would that be young lord?" He politely smiled.

'Just say something simple so I can get this over with...' He wanted to roll his eyes.

"Those spirit stones. Hand them over." Sol demanded, pointing toward the bags on the table behind the fat guard.

"W-what!?" The guard was shocked.

'Is he seriously asking me for that right now!? What a selfish little shit!' Said the guard inwardly. 

"Hey... wait a second." The skinny guard said with squinted eyes.

He had been silent this entire time, staring at Sol as he tried to recall something in his memory.

"Yeah... yeah! This is him!" He yelled as though he had a bright idea or something.

The fat guard looked at him with unimpressed eyes, "No shit Sherlock. I already figured that out myself! He's the noble of the Von Cillion family."

"No! Not that! I'm saying that he's the kid who recently got disowned by his family. Lady Von Cillion made it clear to the entire village, in fact. She was adamant on everyone understanding that Sol Von Cillion was no longer associated with the Von Cillions."

As the fat guard heard this, he slowly turned to look at Sol again. This time, he looked pissed off.

Sol laughed to himself slightly, 'Well... maybe I overextended my advantage just a tad.'