Chapter Five: Seize It for Oneself

  At this time, the shop owner excitedly said: "Please tell me, how did you get this sword? You know that Mansen loves it like a treasure. When General Gaine of West Divela's fortress went to buy it in person, he couldn't even buy it with his relationship with Lord Lovell."

  "Uh... sorry, I can't tell you." Raymond shook his head.

  The boss's face flashed with disappointment, but soon he asked tentatively: "Then... can I ask you to sell this sword to me?"

  He didn't expect him to make such a request, Raymond was taken aback and shook his head: "No way."

  Although rejected, the shop owner was not discouraged. He said: "You own such a famous sword, but you don't even know its origin, this is... I beg of you, let me have this sword, only in the hands of someone who truly appreciates it can its value be revealed."

  "Rud said in a low voice: 'The value of a sword is not for display on a windowsill.'"

  The boss seemed to have thought of something and hastily said: "Right, you want equipment? You can take whatever equipment you want from my store."

  "You're short of money, aren't you? I can pay you a large sum of money, as long as you can let me have this sword."

  "I think you're mistaken, this isn't about money, I never intended to sell it." At that moment, Raymond also sensed something was off with the store owner.

  The boss, however, showed no intention of letting go: "Is it that you're dissatisfied with the equipment? Give me some time and I can find something better for you..."

  "Hey, what's wrong with you? The young master clearly said he wouldn't sell it, hurry up and return the sword." Bastet was starting to get impatient.

  He clutched the sword tightly in his hand, and the shop owner's expression changed. Suddenly, a strange color flashed across his eyes, and he suddenly shouted: "Guards, guards, there is a thief here!"

  "What!?" Unexpectedly, he suddenly made such a move, and Raymond and Bess were taken aback.

  "What a thief! Are you done yet? Return the sword to Master at once!" Bastet was furious, trying to grab the sword back, but was held firmly by the shop owner.

  Just as they were at a stalemate, a loud shout suddenly came from outside the store: "What's going on?"

  But it was five fully armed guards who hastened over at the sound.

  The shop owner felt guilty and quickly accused the others: "Officer, these beastmen came to my store to buy equipment, but they claimed they didn't have enough money and tried to steal this sword on the sly. Luckily, I caught them."

  "Bastard!" she exclaimed in great anger, just as she was about to speak, Raymond stopped her with a wave of his hand.

  Raymond said calmly: "It's the shop owner who took a liking to my sword and couldn't buy it, so he framed us as thieves."

  As he spoke, Raymond's eyes narrowed slightly and he looked at the shopkeeper deeply: "By the way, your idea is really terrible."

  As his eyes met Raymon's, the shop owner instinctively felt a chill in his heart and was momentarily speechless. He immediately realized he couldn't show too much weakness and hastily said: "No, officer, you have to believe me. These beastmen are dressed in tattered clothes, how could they possibly have such good swords? They're just trying to steal things."

  Look at the equipment on the counter, and then look at the shabby Rudeus and Eris. The guards couldn't help but believe it a bit. One of the captain-like men spoke to Ramon in an unpleasant tone: "Where did these two beastmen come from? Who are you, and why are you with them?"

  "Strange, shouldn't you first find out who this sword belongs to?" Raymond said with feigned astonishment.

  For some reason, the head of the guard felt that this person's attitude made him very unhappy. He was obviously the one being interrogated, but he seemed to be completely ignoring himself.

  He somewhat irately said: "Don't need you to teach me, speak quickly."

  At this time, Lutz took a step forward and said: "We are adventurers who have just completed a mission. We passed by here just to replace some equipment."

  "An adventurer?" The captain of the guard frowned and said: "Let me see that proof issued by the Adventurer's Guild."

  Bast next to him covered his mouth and took a light breath. The three of them had just left the northern wilderness, they didn't even know what the adventurer's guild was like, let alone have any proof.

  But just as she thought it was going to be exposed, Luz suddenly reached into his pocket and actually pulled out a square metal badge with the emblem of a sword and shield, handing it over to the captain of the guard.

  It's clear that Bastar forgot, but Rudz actually used to be an adventurer. What's more, he still carries his 20-year-old adventurer badge with him, this is really not ordinary caution for a Mong person.

  Rudolph surprisingly pulled out the proof, and the captain of the guard was taken aback. After checking it, he awkwardly said: "So that's how it is, then I'll..."

  At this time, the shop owner was a bit panicked, knowing that if he really investigated, he would likely be exposed. He took a deep breath and pulled the captain of the guard to one side, speaking in a low voice: "Captain, maybe that badge is fake, you can't let them deceive you."

  "The captain of the guard couldn't help but say: 'What are you talking about? Of course it's true...'"

  "Hey, maybe he stole it. If you can check more carefully, I'll thank you." The shop owner interrupted him.

  "After all, it's just two beastmen, who would care?" As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and made a small gesture under the table.

  The captain of the guard hesitated for a moment, seemingly moved by the shop owner's last words, and revealed a look of understanding.

  The captain of the guard immediately walked back, loudly saying: "Today an important person has arrived in this city. According to orders, I must strictly inspect all strangers. You three, follow me back to the guard department immediately. That sword will be temporarily confiscated as evidence."

  "Hey, that guy wants to swindle our young master's sword. Why aren't you arresting him instead of us?" Bast shouted angrily.

  The captain of the guard shouted: "Who knows where your emblem came from, I must contact the Adventurer's Guild to verify it clearly, come with us immediately!"

  "Or are you beastmen daring to run wild here?" As he spoke, he slowly drew his sword.

  At this moment, the sound of clanging metal echoed out, and the other guards also drew their weapons, the atmosphere suddenly becoming tense.

  "You... Bastards are used to holding knives, but remembering Raymond's previous teachings, you don't dare to act rashly."

  At this time, however, Raymond seemed rather helpless and threw up his hands: "Okay..."

  Thinking that he had finally given in, the captain of the guard said with a smile: "You're smart. I don't care why you're walking with these two beasts, but if you dare to play any tricks, I won't be polite..."

  But before he could finish, Raymond continued, "It seems I'm too free, to the point of being bored and wanting to see the final outcome. However, negotiations have ended here, sometimes it's indeed better to use force directly."

  "What did you say?"

  No sooner had he finished speaking than Raymond stepped forward, snatched the sword from the shopkeeper's arms. With a flick of his wrist, the hilt unexpectedly struck one of the guards on the head with a loud thud, and before he could even react, he was knocked unconscious to the ground.

  The moment Raymond made his move, Rutz and Bascht also sprang into action. Rutz grabbed one of the guards and threw him straight out of the equipment shop's window, and with a loud crash, the unfortunate man flew out onto the street, where he was immediately met with a chorus of screams.

  At the same time, a white shadowy figure danced in the store, two long swords clanged to the ground, and another two guards covered their wrists in pain, with fresh blood dripping from between their fingers.

  Raymond's first strike didn't go for the kill, and Rude and Butch also simultaneously chose to hold back.

  All this happened in the blink of an eye, and by the time the captain of the guard reacted, he only felt a heavy object on his shoulder, and it was only then that he realized Raymond's long sword had been placed on his neck at some unknown point.

  "What... what are you trying to do? Do you know the consequences of doing this?" At that moment, he finally understood what kind of terrible guy he had messed with.

  On the other side, the shop owner with a straight gaze hugged an empty scabbard and sat paralyzed on the ground.

  "Of course I know." Raymond said indifferently: "I've always thought things through very clearly when I do something."

  "You're really reckless, aren't you? You say you'll take action and then you do." Bastard glared at Raymond and stuck out his tongue: "You were the one who taught me to be calm just a while ago."

  "Idiot." Raymond casually knocked her on the head: "I told you to understand the situation before acting, not to become a turtle. Generally speaking, in this kind of situation, just use force."

  As he spoke, he patted the face of the captain of the guard with the hilt of his sword: "Besides, didn't I warn them?"

  "What's wrong with you?"

  "I told them already." Raymond shrugged innocently: "I said, sometimes it's better to use force to get the point across, they just didn't understand themselves."

  "Wow, you're really good at cheating."

  As he spoke, Bastard effortlessly spun the curved knife between his fingers and walked towards the shopkeeper with a wicked grin: "However, the most despicable guy is here. Hey, do you want me to cut off your hand or slice off your ear?"

  "No... don't come over, I know I was wrong." The shop owner was so scared that he kept backing away.

  Just then, a loud shout came from outside the store: "Halt!"