534 Power Proving How?
"Oh yeah, I haven't had meal yet. Heave-ho."
I just got myself some fresh bear meat, might as well cook them. A simple bear meat soup should do.
I gave griffon water while cooking next to it. I quenched my thirst as well before sitting down to wait for the soup.
I had cut the meat into bite-sized small slices so it was done cooking in no time.
A simple soup with nothing but meat. And a bit of salt.
I scooped out the scum turning it clear, transparent.
Yet it wafted a nice fragrance in the air.
I fetched a table and put the dishes on it. It's lunchtime.
'Let's dig in', just as I was about to scoop the soup into my mouth, someone yelled loudly.
"We're from the Coliseum Administrative Office. We have questions for you! Comply and you're good to go. Resist and we'll arrest you on the spot, or even execute you!"
If the choice is between a talk and an execution, of course anyone would choose the former. Normally that is.
But I'm hungry right now. So hungry I don't wanna do anything else before I've had my fill.
As such, I ignored the group of thirty people belonging to the Administrative Office and kept moving my spoon.
Silently, without giving a reply to their order.
I took a roll of paper from my magic bag, unrolled it and threw it down near the leader-like man who stood ahead of the rest.
Meanwhile, griffon who had its fill of water laid down with eyes closed. Must be an afternoon nap after chomping down that whole bear.
We're in an open space on the roadside. Situated right in front of the coliseum city's gate.
Meaning it's right next to queues of people waiting to get in. A magic beast showing up in that kinda place would cause a ruckus of course.
I had been doing my hardest trying to ignore all the commotion while I made the bear soup. But it calmed down over time.
After all, all griffon did was only laying down and yawning. Meanwhile, a lone man was cooking next to it.
As everybody was questioning what they were seeing, this group of people who named themselves Administrative Office showed up and asked me.
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"Oy! You! How dare you ignore us! ...What is this paper supposed to be? Oy! Explain yourself! Quit eating!"
They reproached me for throwing and pointing at the roll of paper. Eventually, the guy picked up and opened the paper which gave him a shock.
"No way!? This is from the Tamer Association at the federation? It's a tamed beast certificate!? You're telling me this youngster tamed a griffon!? It can't be! It has to be a joke!?"
The bear soup was so good I went for another bowl. All while observing these Administrative Office folks.
(Hm? Administrative Office huh. So like, the people in charge of this city's governmental affairs?)
The highest authority doesn't always have to be held by a 'King'. This Administrative Office must be the corresponding position in this coliseum city.
The wealthy may assert 'money' as power, but to a country, 'authority' is power. This city wouldn't be functional without one such entity.
Here I thought 'gladiators' would hold the position for their 'strength' considering the image I had about this city.
Turns out it's a prejudice. I guess you can still hold authority without strength.
"We will not pursue the crime of you causing a commotion in this city. In exchange, you have to prove your strength. If you do not comply or cannot do it, we won't let you in."
Now with a full stomach from the warm soup, I gave a brief reply. 'Sure thing'.
All thirty people frowned and glared at me. Sharp gazes that won't overlook anything.
Once they gave me back the certificate, I was about to ask griffon to do some tricks but changed my mind when I saw it dozing off so peacefully.
I had no choice but to show off my own strength.
Besides, griffon's strength is well known in this world already.
These guys must be demanding me to show the power that managed to tame such a powerful beast.
In their eyes, I'm the owner of this griffon, they must think I have the strength to stop it if it goes on a rampage, right?
"What kind of show should it be? At what level of power do you guys want to see?"
I asked them back concretely instead.