Watching the massive convoy, made up entirely of Magic Locomotives, disappear down the highway, Kota, captain of the third squad of Laimart City's city guard, took out the money pouch Xu Yi had just given him. He counted twenty-five gold coins inside and smiled in satisfaction.
Turning his head, he caught his men staring fixedly at the pouch in his hand. Kota snorted. "You greedy little bastards."
Despite his words, he still grabbed a handful of gold coins from the pouch and tossed one to each of his men.
The soldiers of the third squad beamed as they received their coins, thanking Kota over and over.
Kota swore, then called his deputy over and instructed him, "Keep a close watch here. If those fellows refuse to give up and come back to try this route again, stop them. If you let even one vehicle or one person through, you know what'll happen."
His deputy hastily assured him that he would.
Only then did Kota nod. He waved to his men and called out, "When we finish tonight, everyone's going to the Forest Tavern for drinks. My treat!"
Amid his men's cheers, Kota swung onto the horse waiting beside the road, turned around, and galloped toward Laimart City in the distance.
Half an hour later, Kota rode straight through Laimart City's gates, continued along its rather narrow streets, and arrived at the City Lord's Manor in the city center.
After his arrival was announced, Kota met the City Lord, Count Scandi Will, in the manor's reception hall-a man he rarely had the chance to see.
"Did you get a clear look at the emblems on those Magic Locomotives? Are you certain it was a Xinfei Merchant Guild convoy?" Sharp light gleamed in Count Will's narrowed eyes as he stared hard at