Chapter 386: Inspection

In the past, Royce was always informed when smuggling people.

This time, Sam hadn’t told him, indicating the person on the lowest deck was highly significant.

Royce didn’t realize the dragon bones were merely a cover for this individual.

After receiving Sam’s message, Royce rushed to the lower deck.

Normally, unloading didn’t require his supervision, but with a person involved, he had to oversee it.

This was Seranthiel territory, and Royce was from Eye of the Storm.

If caught smuggling here, he’d never return.

Eye of the Storm wouldn’t negotiate for someone like Royce; getting caught meant life imprisonment.

Royce sighed, hoping to relax after selling the cargo, but now faced this issue.

After docking, everyone disembarking underwent identity checks.

Wizards used communication stones for verification; ordinary people showed ID cards.

These black stone cards, linked to the magic network, were like communication stones for ordinary people.

Since the airship came from Eye of the Storm, checks were stricter.

Staying on the airship avoided checks, but entering Silver Beach City required them.

Cargo was also checked, but not every item; samples were taken from batches.

As unloading began, Royce grew anxious, fearing discovery of the person hidden with the dragon bones.

Silver Beach’s dock was a large plaza with a warehouse area.

Cargo was unloaded onto carts, and inspectors randomly selected items for checks.

They used magic sensing spells to scan contents.

However, some valuable items, like the dragon bones, couldn’t be scanned.

The crates had magic-blocking seals, common for valuable goods to prevent tampering.

Such cargo required sample checks.

This worried Royce; if Helag’s crate was chosen, it would be disastrous.

The dragon bones’ paperwork was forged, but that wasn’t a concern.

In Eye of the Storm, they’d be caught, but Seranthiel couldn’t verify the documents’ legitimacy.

The paperwork appeared legitimate; the only issue was North Slope lacked records.

But Silver Beach couldn’t access North Slope’s records, so they couldn’t verify them.

Seeing the paperwork, they’d usually allow passage.

Royce supervised the unloading, appearing calm but inwardly anxious.

Two hours later, it was time to unload the dragon bones.

Several large crates were placed on carts, lined up for inspection.

Aiden, a dock official and Seranthiel member, was a first-level crystallized wizard.

As usual, Aiden oversaw the unloading.

His job was ensuring cargo compliance, free of contraband.

It was challenging, as many tried to bribe him for leniency.

Aiden refused to compromise, treating all cargo equally, never turning a blind eye for profit.

This stance made him enemies, facing subtle sabotage.

His Seranthiel status protected him; otherwise, he’d have been harmed.

Money tempts people, and blocking someone’s income breeds hatred.

Despite troubles, Aiden remained steadfast, committed to his duty.

No one bribed him anymore, knowing he was incorruptible.

Some sought to remove him, not by harm, but by reassigning him.

But this was difficult, and so far unsuccessful.

Aiden personally inspected each cargo batch, though slow, it ensured thoroughness.

The initial cargo was ordinary, with no issues.

The next batch was unusual: several large, sealed crates.

“What is this cargo?” Aiden asked.

Royce smiled, “Sir, it’s dragon bones.”

“Dragon bones? Do you have paperwork?” Aiden frowned.

“Yes! Of course, we have paperwork. We wouldn’t transport it otherwise,” Royce quickly retrieved the documents for Aiden.

Aiden examined them closely.

Finding no issues, he nodded, “Begin inspection.”

“Which one would you like to check?” Royce asked with a smile.

Aiden glanced at him, then the crates, “All of them.”

“All of them? That’s not possible, sir. These crates have seals. Once opened, they can’t be resealed, affecting transport,” Royce protested.

Aiden replied, “I need to verify the contents. Open them all, or leave them here.”

Royce turned pale, considering his options, then whispered, “Can we work something out? Price is negotiable.”

Unfamiliar with Aiden, Royce assumed he was like Case, seeking a bribe.

Hearing this, Aiden immediately suspected the dragon bones were problematic, ordering, “Arrest this man. This cargo is suspicious. Open and inspect each crate.”