"Impossible! That's the Saint Clair Grand Library! Do you know what kind of place that is?" The guard sneered. "If you said you were going to the shopping street, I'd let you through for a few Leo. But the library? You?"
"But... I really am going to the library." Vanessa looked bewildered.
"Get lost. Keep spouting nonsense here, and I'll... What's that?"
He frowned at the document Vanessa handed over after rummaging in her pocket for quite some time.
It was a library card.
The guard's face was full of disdain. He could not even be bothered to take it, but he still glanced at it instinctively.
Then he blinked. A moment later, he turned his head to examine it closely, then, unwilling to believe his eyes, reached out to take it and held it up to the sunlight to study its fine, intricate patterns.
The Card reflected a rainbow of light in the sunlight, casting it onto the guard's face.
A trace of disdain still lingered on his face before giving way to confusion, then shock and fear.
The Steam Rifle slung over his shoulder slipped, sliding down his arm and falling to the ground, but he did not notice at all. He simply stared at the library card, dumbfounded, his fingers beginning to tremble.
At last, his expression became respectful. Head lowered, he carefully held the library card in both hands and shakily offered it back to Vanessa. Vanessa was rather puzzled. She felt as though she had watched a one-man show. The guard before her truly was the finest actor.
"What's going on here?"
The fallen Steam Rifle drew the squad leader's attention. He came forward and roared furiously at the soldier, "Pick up your gun! Are you a fucking soldier or not?!"
But the guard remained