The Wrong Doings

After parting ways, Karan and Alan continued their journey to the Royal Capital. But what about Luke?

---

Deep within the dense forests, Luke and his party were running for their lives, their breaths ragged, their muscles burning. Behind them, the ground trembled under the heavy footsteps of the Giragox gang, relentless in their pursuit.

"Poli!" Luke shouted over the rush of wind. "Don’t you have anything in your magic bag that can get us out of this mess?"

Poli, struggling to keep pace, gritted his teeth. "I do! But it can only be used on one target, and wasting it now won’t do us any good. Just keep running!"

For half an hour, they sprinted through the wild terrain, too focused on escaping to pay attention to where they were headed. When they finally stopped to catch their breath, realization struck—they had crossed the boundary of Uthol.

Panic set in. Stepping outside the kingdom’s borders without authorization was a crime, punishable by fines or worse. Without wasting another second, they turned around and made a run for it, hoping to return unnoticed.

But fate had other plans.

As they neared the border, they saw the unmistakable figures of Royal Guards standing at their posts. There was no way around them. Their only choice was to surrender and explain their situation.

The guards listened, then led them into a small chamber for questioning.

Some time later, a tall, imposing figure entered—the Commander of the Royal Guards. His cold eyes swept over the group as he spoke.

"I understand your situation," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "However, rules are rules. Your identification will be verified, and once cleared, you will be fined. Pay the fine, and you may leave."

Poli stepped forward. "Sir, we already explained! We didn’t cross the border on purpose. We were being chased—"

The Commander raised a hand, silencing him. "I have heard enough. This is standard procedure."

With that, he took their IDs and exited the room.

For verification, the guards attached a letter to the IDs and handed them to Kate, a highly intelligent messenger bird. Kate soared through the sky, heading straight for the Mutespire Town Guard House.

Upon arrival, a town guard took the IDs to the Adventurers' Guild for authentication. The process was routine—until Luke's name appeared on the list.

The guild confirmed the IDs, but before the final stamp of approval, the guard made his way to the Mayor's estate for the required signature.

Inside the grand residence, Josh, the Mayor’s son, examined the documents. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar name.

"Father," he said, holding up Luke’s ID. "Isn’t this the same boy who owes money to the village?"

Mayor Craig took the ID and studied it. A slow smirk formed on his lips.

"Yes," he muttered. "It seems luck is not on his side today."

Josh immediately caught onto his father's intentions and handed the paperwork back to the guard—but with an additional instruction.

"Stamp the papers and release the others," Josh said. "But as for this one... bring him here. I have some important matters to discuss with him."

The guard bowed. "As you wish, sir."

Back at the border, the messenger bird Kate returned with the stamped verification documents. The Commander reviewed them, collected the fines, and allowed Poli and the others to leave.

But Luke was not as fortunate.

A guard escorted him back to Mutespire Town, where he was thrown into a dimly lit cell.

Confused and frustrated, Luke paced within the confined space. He hadn’t done anything wrong—so why was he being treated like a criminal?

Moments later, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the halls.

Josh appeared before the iron bars, arms crossed, an arrogant smirk plastered across his face.

"Well, well," he sneered. "So now you’ve resorted to illegal activities, huh? Sneaking out of the kingdom and then trying to sneak back in?"

Luke glared at him. "I already told the guards—it was an accident! We were running from Giragox!"

Josh's expression darkened. "Enough with the excuses. I know your kind well. Tell me, have your villagers even paid this month's taxes yet?"

Luke exhaled sharply. "Not yet. But we will."

Josh scoffed. "Oh? You have silver to buy weapons, but not to pay your debts?" He turned to the guard. "Take everything he has."

The guard stepped into the cell and forcibly took Luke’s sword, his silver, and the small collection of items he had gathered on his journey.

Josh picked up a Pride Stone from the pile, holding it up to the dim torchlight.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, intrigued. "A third-class rare item... surely not something a poor villager like you could afford."

Luke clenched his fists. "Please, that stone is important to me. I worked hard for it!"

Josh chuckled. "Worked hard? Or stole it? Either way, it’s mine now."

He turned to the guard. "Donate his silver to the kingdom’s charity fund."

Luke's face twisted in desperation. "Josh, please! Don’t do this!"

Josh’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of disdain. "Did you just call me Josh?" He stepped closer, his voice cold. "Know your place, peasant."

Luke's anger boiled over. "You bastard—!"

Josh’s eyes flashed with fury. "What did you just say?"

He turned to the guards. "Twenty lashes. And if he still has the nerve to speak after that, make it forty."

Luke barely had time to react before the guards dragged him out of the cell. As Josh exited the guardhouse, Luke’s agonized cries echoed through the halls.

A small, satisfied smile tugged at Josh’s lips.

Back at the Mayor’s estate, Josh recounted the events to his father.

"We’ve got him locked up. But I still don’t understand—what’s your plan?"

Craig leaned back in his chair, his smirk deepening.

"You’ll understand in time, son," he said. "For now, just watch and learn."

His laughter filled the room, carrying a chilling sense of foreboding.