After a moment of walking, Zach reached the gate. There were people entering and leaving, some looked like merchant and some looked like warriors. Others were ordinary citizens, goin on with their normal lives.

Zach noticed the looks they gave him while he strode towards to what looked like a guard beside the gate. The man was checking for the incoming wagons and baggages. Zach made his way along different people. Warriors, farmers, merchants and children alike.

“Hey! Follow the line!”

The bearded guard didn't even bat an eye as he beckoned Zach. And indeed, there was a line of people that stretched along the roads to the gate.

Zach looked around. Some people cast an unfriendly gazes, but mostly, curious looks was thrown at him, surveying his black armor and his sword in hand.

He felt ashamed at his bad manners as he briskly retreated in the end of the line. Honestly, it was quite far off from the gate, but it doesn't matter. Rules are rules.

As he stood there patiently, his sword hovered and floated onto his spine. Without a scabbard, practicing to control his mana to create one, was a skill he had learned for almost 60 years.

People around him flinched at the action, some even gasped dramatically, but he pay no heed.

Zach stood straight, a mighty and unmoving mountain. In his front, a boy and woman was cautiously eying him. However, unlike the woman, the boy besides her had a curious glint on his eyes.

Several minutes had passed when Zach had already progressed halfway through the line. At this point, his eyes narrowed at the checkpoint.

Seems like there was a commotion regarding one of the carriage. Looking at it seems it will took some time.

The others had realized it too, making them sigh and mildly complain, including the woman in front of Zach.

He focused his gaze upon the boy, who from the start, took a glance every minute at Zach. The little boy wore an ordinary clothing, a linen shirt and pants.

Being a kid was one of the things that Zach treasured in his eternal life. He remembered his silly and brave past self. Thinking about it now was really a grand adventure.

He glanced ahead at the unprogressing quarrel.

Then, Zach kneeled a knee on the dirt as he addressed the boy.

“Nice to meet you, young warrior. May I ask your name?”

The kid started, glancing above the woman. She looked between Zach and the boy several times before nodding to the child in confirmation.

“D-Darwin... ”

Zach smiled behind his visor as he rubbed the pointed chin of his helm.

“Now, Darwin. Do you want to hear a story?”

The boy was a little pale at the start as the time Zach stood behind the line, but now, his face lit up. But with that, the nearby people was caught in attention as the boy nodded gingerly. They are listening now, too.

“Have you ever heard the tale of White-Bearded Frog?”

——

It was already noon as he got his turn to enter, or possibly, talk to one of the guards.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The guard looked stunned for a second when he got a close and good look at Zach. But after a moment, the guard asked him a worrisome question.

“Sir, may I see your identification card?”

Obviously, he doesn't have one. Being one of the personal knight of great rulers while having a name across countries, had done him a favor for not having to show a card wherever he go from place to place. In that regards, there was no reason to carry something like that, until now.

Well, his famous sword was enough of a proof for his travels. Again, until now.

Assuming that this is not the world he was used to, there was no possible way he could have something like an identification card in hand that's valid. In that matter, he should have been permitted smoothly just by displaying his weapon.

“My apologies. I seemed to have lost my card on my travel through here. May I ask if there is an alternative measures at this particular circumstances?”

The guard blinked at him, opening and closing his mouth several times before responding.

“Oh... that... ”

The man bellowed at the other guard stationed on a guard post beyond the gate.

“Alricc! Come here for a second and bring the list of unregistered names!”

The man, Alricc, got out of his post, carrying a quill, ink and a piece of paper. He gave it and waited besides the man. Alricc's brows shot up as he saw Zach.

“Well, now. As for entering without an identified identity listed was expected to pay an entrance fee of 2 silver and 15 copper coins.”

The nearby guards winced at that. Perhaps, that amount of money was a bit too much to expend for an entrance fee as a guardsman.

Another problem upon the other. Zach didn't bring money, only if necessary. Going back now would do him no good, considering that he wasn't sure if this world was the one he was used to. Perhaps he could ask the guard for something he can do that's equivalent of the fee.

Zach patted his jet-black breastplate and slightly bowed towards the guard.

“May I ask how I could possibly accommodate the needed fee without the use of such metals?”

The two blinked at him again, and after a moment, Alricc coughed.

“Uhm... you could lend us your sword if you want—”

The younger man had said no more as his senior elbowed him on the stomach.

“You damn horse, shut your mouth!”

The bearded guard hissed at Alricc, making him bow his head in embarrassment.

Before the guardsman can focus and say something to Zach, a man in a farmer's attire interjected on the conversation.

“Err... Are you perhaps a warrior from afar, sir?”

The old man was addressing Zach. Several dull pieces of metal was on his hand, beckoning for Zach to take it.

“Please, take it. Consider it a goodwill of just an old man.”

They all focused their gaze at the farmer as he looked at Zach underneath the straw hat. Wherever you go, there is always someone who would do good for other people.

There's no reason to refuse the man's offer. So, Zach took the coins from the old man's hand. He bowed slightly.

“May the god Astaroth blessed your soul.”

The old man chuckled at that. However, Zach was oblivious to the frozen expressions of the guards.

“I would be glad. But... may I ask one more thing?”

Zach nodded to the old man.

“Is that story... is the Frog real?”

Without hesitation, Zach replied.

“Yes. Yes he is.”

The old man sighed and smiled at Zach. The story he just told a moment ago was true, the frog on that story was real. A great friend across several lands and seas. A warrior of great heart and goodwill. Zach smiled behind his helmet.

“Pardon me, but I must now use the money to pay the required fee.”

The farmer just nodded and Zach proceeded to pay the fee. The guard stumbled with his words.

“Ah... yes... 2 silver and 15 coppers... Done!”

He gestured at the open gate then Zach proceed to walk after saying his gratitude to the guards and the old farmer.

After he entered the gates, Zach craned his head and stared at the sky longingly. It was gloomy, promising rain for the next couple minutes.

He strode along the paved road of the town, past the houses constructed of wood, stone and clay altogether.

Already, dark clouds conquered the skies and the first drop of rain had met the ground.

It began to rain.