When Enforcers entered the scene, it appeared vastly different from one could expect from Militia in other cities.

Instead of rushing like a madman on the potential enemy, those people made their way into the plaza. The whole place suddenly had all of its exits blocked by small teams of the militia, while a main body of the unit barged into the scene from the Inn backdoor.

Just as Xyenna was leaving the ground intending to skewer the fat traitor, around forty men orderly entered and enclosed the area. Already midair, with a clouded mind, Xyenna had no chance of stopping herself. It took only a moment for her to arrive in front of the first guard blocking her way. Apparently, this was also the one to express his naughty ideas earlier.

Without letting him put his guard up, she reached for one of her daggers… Only to be bump into Mike, who suddenly blocked her path. Without even being able to blink in the surprise, Girl swiftly got caught; just one second, later she was standing straight at the merchant's side.

Dumbfounded by the proceedings of the events, Xyenna took a glimpse at her employer. His knees slightly bent, head put down with an expressionless face, hand hovering near his side. But before anything happened, he straightened and smiled slightly.

While this short act was taking place, everything else got frozen in place by the arrival of the Enforcers. They were widely known around the country and were said to be the best organised militia force in the whole continent. As things were for the three guards? They got paralyzed.

In the city, there was an obvious difference between Altarcian classes. One side believed in enlightenment and organisation, while the other had no chance to compete on the idea's field. Most of the cities swiftly turned into torches of enlightenment afloat in the sea of countryside belonging to the lower class. Because of the rather bad relationship between those two counterparts, both of them created their own militias. Upper class implemented Enforcers.

Made entirely of veterans of the army, prestigious adventurers and noble knights. Famed by their perfect organisation and a true reason behind Altarcia urban security. Compared to them, lower-class Sentries were made of lower rank adventurers and mercenaries. The difference was like between heaven and hell. Despite many conflicts, both classes came to an agreement in the matter of seniority of the troops.

Because of a lot greater potential, cities were an Enforcers domain. While there were garrisons of sentries in the towns too, the former ones wielded far greater authority. On the other side, the militia of the lower class had an upper hand in the countryside.

Thanks to that, as Enforcer's officer moved forward, Sentries trio didn't even try to argue.

"Everyone stays where they are!"

Rather normal, slightly lowered voice resounded in the plaza.

"Let's keep things calm and peaceful while we will settle the problem?"

When hearing this slow voice, one could pain himself a picture of a middle-aged, kind man. But when looking at his smile devoid of any joy, every normal person would freeze. Just as he finished the words, every Enforcer drew his blade to augment their captain kind request.

"At first, you!"

Officer pointed at the Sentry trio.

"What the hell happened here?"

While his face might be scary, his attitude was gentle. After all, he didn't kill anyone to set an example yet.

"We came to investigate a whisper about murder and thievery act. When we were in the process of comparing the existing cargo with the story of the victim, this group barged in and attempted to attack us!"

Lustful sentry quickly recounted his own version of the story.

At this moment, Mike jolted. While the movement was too minuscule to let anyone notice it, a young merchant got stunned. He felt as if something bent itself, just before snapping. It lasted only a fraction of the second, yet he was sure he felt something.

Officer face slightly changed. His plain smile twitched a little before he looked at Mike.

"What is your version?"

Instead of answering, Mike looked deeply into the man's eyes. After short direct contact, he relaxed his gaze and replied.

"As the officially registered peddler, I have a right to just process and investigation. I pledge to speak the truth under the citizen book and demand my rights!"

What was strange, Mike direct and weird response froze the Enforcer on the spot.

He stared at the merchant and his group and finally straightened up and responded.

Stolen novel; please report.

"As the City servants, we acknowledge this Civil case!"

Only Mike didn't have a puzzled expression when the militia officer straightened up and responded in a formal voice.

Those were dire times. Any accident with a chance to blow big would be a hit to Enforcers reputation. To prevent the lower faction from gaining a strong card on the political table, they had to very strict with themselves!

Immediately after he received the pledge, Mike showed his hidden face.

In the blink of an eye, kind merchant disappeared, giving way to an absolutely calm and serious prosecutor.

"You can check with the documents in the Gate. He wasn't with us when we entered the city. We were together yesterday while crossing the border, but because of an argument, I started having my doubts against him. Considering his arrogance and greed, he never had strong willpower. Irked by the conflict he created, it was obvious he will scheme something against us."

Mike exhaled, angry at himself for allowing this situation to happen. While he barely showed it, one could read great exhaustion from his eyes.

"I tried to protect myself by just leaving him alone, but it seems he prefers to haunt me just for the sake of fulfilling his wicked desire."

Speaking with no emotions, Mike coldly recounted with grief hidden in his voice.

The officer went into deep thought for a second. After a short moment, the man turned to the Verkel and asked.

"And you claim that…?"

Slight suspension of the soldier voice was enough for Velker to open the bullshit gates and start spitting it on everyone around.

"They murdered the two coachmen that I hired to transport the cargo. Then they stole the carriages and tried to pretend as they own them despite stealing them from me!"

Fat merchant instantly put on his act and dramatically exclaimed.

"... after robbing most of my wealth, they are proclaiming their innocence right in front of them!"

"… yes, we travelled together! I gave them a ride, trying to be nice!"

"... when they saw the occasion, they backstabbed me! I barely left the scene alive!"

After listening to both parties, the officer fell into deep thought. It took him a few moments to organise his thoughts, after which he ordered his people to search the scene and said carriages. Then he just sat on the nearby bench and started whistling leisurely while his underlings were carrying on the investigation.

It took them only a few minutes to finish their task. Just this was enough to send Mike a signal that something was terribly wrong. According to his experience, this process should take at least half an hour! The young merchant held Xyenna hand and tightened his grip slightly. Just from this, he could feel that her whole body slightly tightened.

Finally, the officer finally stopped listening to the reports, stood up and turned to the audience.

"After going through the situation, we concluded that..."

"… group under the leadership of Mike and Bern, are guilty of their charges. As a verdict, I will give all of their cargo back to its rightful owner, after deducting service costs. Murderer's party is guilty of two heads and will thus surrender the same amount of people for gallows. Remaining two will spend the rest of their days in forced labour around the city."

When officer recited his verdict, the time frozen for a second, as the reality dawned upon Xyenna. Old merchant and his bodyguard looked like they were in the process of accepting how unfairly they were treated, while Mike didn't seem to be fazed even for a bit. Seeing no other choice, Xyenna put her hand on the handle of her sword, preparing herself for the impossible battle.

While Bern's duo swiftly accepted that the sentence couldn't be avoided, Xyenna couldn't agree with it. She took a simple task, and it turned into death pit! Also, that trap was set up by her former companion! There was no way she would just give her life on a silver platter! As she readied herself for the inventable, she looked at Mike, to check whether he would try to back her up.

To her surprise, the young merchant face brightened as he put on an elegant smile.

"What are you smiling for? You are getting what you deserved!"

Verkel instantly joined in, almost dancing on the spot. On the other side, Horien looked as he was the one who passed an unfair and dooming verdict on his former friends.

"Can you give her to us for our troubles?"

Lustful Sentry even dared to ask Enforcers officer, before having his head slammed down to the ground.

"Keep your dignity!"

Officer exclaimed in disdain, looking with a small smile on the paralyzed group.

"Do you really think you have any chances against us? Isn't it better to hope that the line will break your neck killing you swiftly, without a pain?"

He added and burst out with a loud laugh.

"I demand a Nulifier!"

Mike calmly announced.

"What is that, kid? Going to beg for mercy now? Did you offer it to those two poor coachmen?"

Officer continued mocking, not paying heed to the words at all.

"According to the citizen's book, I have a right to demand a Nulifier!"

Mike repeated calmly, letting them insult and mock him as much as they wanted.

"You don't have any laws at all shithead! When you committed murder, you effectively removed yourself from the ranks of citizens!"

Captain laughed yet again, provoking a whole wave of giggles from his subordinates.

"If you refuse me my rights, then by the words of the Citizens Book I will be herby excused for taking your life for breaking the taboo."

Mike calmly replied while pulling a long, elegant knife from under his robes. His face yet again became stoic, as his eyes slowly started shining with dark flames from within. Since he was dealing with an open threat, Enforcer's officer couldn't ignore him anymore. Swiftly jumping out, he pulled his sword and beckoned at his troops. Just as he was to order an attack, loud and slow voice resounded.

"May I know what is going on here?"