Chapter 104: The Identity Problem
The next morning, after breakfast, Airael and the others arrived outside the Tower of the Archmage.
Standing before the majestic building, Axi felt far from calm.
He was getting closer to the truth.
For this, he began to feel nervous.
Would the answer truly be as he wished to see?
In contrast, Airael and the others seemed much more at ease.
Though the Tower of the Archmage was impressively constructed and thick with historical significance, surrounded by a Magic Barrier, none of them were inexperienced; everything about the Tower was old hat for them.
After surveying the exterior of the Tower, Airael mentally scored it: not bad!
She wouldn’t dwell on the architectural style, since tastes vary from person to person.
The key was the Magic Barrier enveloping the Tower, something Airael was definitely qualified to evaluate.
This Magic Barrier? Airael thought she wouldn’t find any flaws in it within a short time.
However, if she could study it closely for a while, she was sure she’d uncover some weaknesses.
Still, even that made Airael regard human magic with a bit more respect.
After all, often it’s the lack of time for such research that leads to your downfall.
So, while human magic still didn’t measure up to that of the Elves, it had indeed made some small accomplishments.
After quickly surveying the building, Airael followed Axi’s lead as they stepped forward.
As expected, they were stopped by a Guard at the entrance.
Their appearance had drawn the Guard’s attention.
However, they didn’t make any excessive movements, and the Guards didn’t feel they could do much to them.
Now, as they approached, the guards in fine full plate armor pointed their halberds at Airael and the others, taking a defensive stance and asking, “Who are you?”
“We’re here to visit Lord Andrew; my name is Axi!”
Axi halted to respond, showing the Guards his mercenary Identification Proof.
After the leading Guard confirmed Axi’s identity, their attitude improved significantly.
“Ah, Mr. Axi! My apologies for the misunderstanding.”
While speaking politely, they sheathed their weapons.
Noticing the leading Guard’s gaze on Airael and the others, Axi spoke up, “They are my companions, and we’re here to visit Lord Andrew along with me.”
However, the Guards’ attitude didn’t change.
Their eyes remained fixed on Airael and the other two.
Airael suddenly felt tense.
It seemed the Guards were going to conduct a thorough inspection.
This was a disaster!
After all, they were all under-the-radar folks!
Previously, due to Axi’s identity, she hadn’t thought about faking hers.
When she had been gathering information a few days prior, she hadn’t paid much attention to that aspect.
And now, great, she was unable to pull together a fake identity on the spot.
However, she had never thought Axi’s usually reliable identity would fail them here.
“What’s wrong? Is something off?”
Axi asked at an opportune moment.
“Mr. Axi, could you have them show me their Identification Proofs?”
At the Guard’s request, Airael felt her heart drop.
This was it.
They’d been exposed as under-the-radar!
Hearing the Guard, Axi’s gaze shifted to Airael.
To him, asking Airael and the others for their Identification Proofs was totally normal.
However, Airael didn’t make a move.
She wanted to whip out something like that but didn’t have one!
Damn it, if she had known they’d face this situation, she would have done whatever it took to get an Identification Proof beforehand.
As Airael continued to remain empty-handed, the atmosphere grew awkward.
“Ailia, they need you to show your Identification Proof.”
To ease the tension, Axi reminded her.
Yet, Airael had nothing she could present.
As Airael pondered how to slip away without looking awkward, the door of the Tower of the Archmage swung open from the inside.
Phil stepped out.
All eyes immediately turned to him.
“Lord Phil!”
The Guards greeted respectfully.
“They are honored guests of the Tower; Lord Andrew instructed me to bring them in.”
Phil told the leading Guard, then turned to Airael and the others, saying, “Lord Andrew has been waiting for you; please, come in!”
As he spoke, he stepped aside to let them pass.
“Thank you!”
Axi replied and ushered Airael and the others inside.
Naturally, no one pursued their identity issue anymore at this point.
The master, Andrew, had spoken; what could these laborers possibly say?
Under Phil’s guidance, Axi and the others smoothly made their way to Andrew.
Looking at the white-robed, white-haired elder seated at the head, Airael felt a strange sensation.
From this figure, she seemed to catch a glimpse of Suratu from the past.
But Suratu should have long since passed away.
He couldn’t possibly still be alive.
If he had lived to this day, he’d be nearing four hundred years old.
Moreover, the two merely shared some resemblance, upon closer inspection, they were very different.
Looking at Andrew, not just Airael, Axi too felt a moment of disorientation as if he were seeing an acquaintance.
He soon shook off the feeling, just like Airael, not giving it much thought.
After all, it was just a resemblance, not the same person.
“Good morning, Lord Andrew.”
Once he regained his composure, Axi greeted Andrew, saying, “My name is Axi, and I come to humbly request your assistance.”
He spoke very directly.
This was the result of a few days of digging for information.
They knew Andrew was an incredibly wise individual.
Playing little clever tricks with him would only embarrass them when he saw through it.
So it was best to be straightforward.
“What do you need help with?”
Andrew didn’t outright refuse but rather responded.
He had heard of Axi’s name.
Thus, he held high hopes for such an outstanding young human.
“I wish to access some information.”
“Information? What kind of information?”
“It concerns some events from three hundred years ago.”
This time, Axi didn’t lay it all on the table but kept it vague.
Yet, Andrew instinctively sensed something was amiss, fixing his wise gaze on Axi.