The queue finally moved faster once they entered the controlled area directly beneath the gate towers.
Guards directed their carriage toward an inspection point, where two soldiers checked beneath the vehicle while another examined the luggage.
Boren watched with visible anxiety when they opened one of his food crates, but fortunately he possessed enough self-control not to accuse Royal Capital guards of mishandling emergency provisions.
A Mage wearing the same uniform as the gate officials stood nearby beside a waist-high stone device covered in runes.
Each carriage passed beside it before proceeding toward registration, and Sage felt a faint pulse of mana sweep across them when their turn came.
"Detection formation," he murmured.
Mina looked toward the stone. "For what?"
"Probably dangerous magical items, concealed creatures, maybe certain types of contraband." Sage answered.
Boren frowned. "Will it detect expensive wine?"
