312 Silent Nigh (1/2)
”Next.”
A bulky man with rough hands stepped forward after being called out by the official clerk. The official clerk glanced at the man brimming with tight muscles, before proceeding with the paperwork.
”Name?”
”I am John. Just John, Sir.”
”Age?”
”38, turning 39 in 3 months.”
”Past occupation?”
”I was a carpenter back in Eastfell City, before all hell broke loose, Sir.” The bulky man spoke with lingering uneasiness.
”Alright, that's enough. Follow this man to the back to have your picture drawn, then you will be escorted to the camp for your temporary accommodation. You'll be notified when your residential permit and lodgings in the Capital are approved and arranged.”
The clerk was not interested in the man's story and carried on with his work. After scribbling down the information and passing it to another clerk, he urged the man to move on.
”Next.”
”Wait, Sir. What about my family?” The bulky man asked as he glanced back at his wife and two sons lining up in the queue behind him.
”They will rejoin after having their information recorded.” The clerk paused before adding, ”If you are not comfortable with that, you can wait here and head off together after I am done with recording their information.”
”I will do just that. Thank you, Sir.”
Towards the bulky man's sincere gratitude, the clerk nodded and called out, ”Next!”
A total of ten booths were set up for the sake of processing the group of survivors. As the survivors slowly shuffled forward in line, they were still baffled by the strict regulations as city guards, and palace guards were guarding the area.
”What's going on at the front? Does anyone know why we need to line up here? I heard that the royal family would provide us with new homes and food, is that true?”
”It should be. I don't think there's anything to gain from lying to us common folks, but it has never been this strict to enter a city before.”
”This isn't just any city. This is the Capital. I heard it is a new regulation being implemented by the king. The Capital is currently undergoing huge developments and needed a lot of manpower, but they don't take in just anyone.”
”Eh? Where did you hear this from?”
”From the city guards. I have a pretty good pair of ears and overheard them whispering about it just a little while ago.”
”Eh? That's pretty impressive.”
The survivors at the far back of the queue were seen quietly whispering to each other. Suddenly, there was a commotion breaking out upfront.
”Eh, something is happening up ahead. I wonder what it is?”
”We were promised food and housing, what kind of trouble could there be? Could the royal family be going back on their words?” A person said nervously.
”It seems like a few people are refusing to cooperate.” The person said after listening.
In the back of one booth, three hooded survivors refused to lower their hoods to record their facial appearances.
”Please cooperate nicely. If you do not drop your hoods and let me draw your faces, you will not be allowed to enter the camp, let alone the Capital.”
The three survivors remained silent as they hugged their hoods tightly and refused to let go. From time to time, their bodies could be seen shivering.
Their commotion drew the city guards' attention over as one of them began to question, ”What is going on here?”
After the clerk helplessness explained his dilemma to the city guards, they became alerted and eyed the three survivors with sharp looks and swords drawn.
”Refusing to reveal your appearances? I think the three of you are very suspicious!” A city guard said, before forcefully shouting, ”They might be spies! Apprehend them for interrogation!”
”No…”
The three hooded survivors were noticeably shaken by the accusation and made an effort to defend themselves as they spoke feebly, ”We are not spies…”
”If you are not spies, then why are you refusing to reveal your appearances?! What are you hiding?!” A city guard interrogated strongly.
The three hooded survivors bit their lips and removed their hoods reluctantly. Once their appearances were revealed, the clerk and city guards all gasped with surprise and shock.
”Oh my god, such terrible burns!”
”Their faces are disfigured to the point of being horrifying! Their life is as good as ruined with such appearances!” A city guard made a comment after noticing there were two women among the three survivors.