The streets were silent, the once bustling atmosphere now eerie and calm. No vendors at the side of the roads, stores closed.
The roads were intricate and confusing with the buildings close to each other, leaving enough room for just 2 person to walk into.
Inside the palace, at the center of the city. A meeting was currently on hold.
"Ward 20 to 25 have no issues whatsoever, though the citizens are on high alert for some reason. A rumor started circulating, saying that the Noble Faction is trying to make the entire 20's ward into a "Red Zone"."
"The quarantine zones of Ward 15 requested for more medical materials. Especially Quarantine Zone 0-23, with more of our people being infected by the disease. A total of 23 individuals are confirmed to be infected while 203 individuals are currently in observation."
"Ward 4 is suffering from a complete lack of water, the water that came from their pipes were reported to be murky with pieces of flesh on them. They asked us to deal with the water flow problem."
"Ward 32 officials have reported hearing howls and growls on their sewers. They request 15 B Class or 3 A Class Hunters to investigate the sewers of Ward 32."
"From beyond the walls, the City Guards have reported seeing carriages and traces of camps within a 20 kilometer radius of the walls. Dead bodies are also confirmed to be buried near these camps sites."
"General Arshavin has reported. There are currently a total of 15 individuals from the Noble Faction being investigated for treason. 54 individuals from the Hunter Faction and 5 from the Investigator Faction..."
"Forefather of Hunters, Mr. Klein have reported no visible settlements within a thousand kilometer radius of Arkvem, he seeks permission to venture outside of the Forests of Depravity to search for other settlements."
The Crown listened silently from behind the veil as the ministers talked one by one, reporting what was happening to the current Arkvem.
The Crown grabbed their chin before letting out a sigh.
"Send more supplies to Ward 15 and do send more B Class Hunters there too. As for Ward 20 to 25, get Mary to quell the chaos, she would know what to do. Tell the Inventors to find a way to incorporate the new water system they had told me a while ago to Ward 4."
"Ward 32 will be under The Lady's playhouse for a while, tell her that. As for the outsiders, get the Royal Army to triple the amount of men that patrol our territory..."
Bang!
A door bursts open and a mechanical woman entered, with her were countless stacks of paper to which she dumped all of them behind the Crown.
"These are papers you wanted me to compile, please sign them all..."
The Crown stared at the stacks of paper for a moment, before groaning and nodded their head.
It seems the never-ending amount of paperworks they needed to do will end only if they die.
Though if they were to die, they would be free from this...
Regardless, work first.
***
"I thank you for the hospitality." Cheryl bowed her head to a couple who only nodded their heads and smiled.
After accomplishing her mission, she went around the outskirts of the city, visiting the people there. When she was in the village of Harken, Cheryl was spotted by the old couple and gladly took her in to rest.
Secretly tossing a gold coin to the table, she bowed once more before turning her heels.
The old couple waved their hands goodbye before entering the inn. Cheryl let out a soft sigh as she fiddled with her weapons, after making sure they were in proper place, she jogged to the forest, to her home.
Along with her were a few stacks of certificate of citizenship, for her and for her children back home.
"Are the children okay?" She muttered to herself as she walked.
It has been 3 weeks since she accepted the First Hunter's request, and he did fulfill his promise of making her children legal to Arkvem.
That also means she can now stay in Arkvem with the children and do not have to live in the outskirts of the city anymore. They would also be much more safer inside the city than where they had lived.
"I need to find a house inside soon... Preferably a villa with their numbers..."
She entered the forest.
She was just thinking when she suddenly saw a large sewer drain. She stared at it for a moment, before rushing inside.
"...What is a person doing inside a sewer outside of the city?" She muttered before finding a man laying down inside the small sewet hole.
She stared at it for a moment, looking at the legs. The only limbs that could be seen with most of his body inside the sewer drainage.
"Im sorry, is somebody there?"
A voice sounded out from the drainage.
"Please? Can you hear me? I heard your voice earlier."
"..."
Cheryl stayed silent, eager to just observe for a moment.
"I don't have anything on me, if that is what your planning. No coins or anything valuable, especially bills. Look through my wallet, you can find nothing so please don't steal my boots.."
"..."
"M-Maybe you want me to pay you? Is that it? But i have nothing with me. I-I c-could pay with my body but..."
"...What are you doing?" Cheryl let out a sigh inwardly and spoke.
"Ah, you finally answered. Thank the Crimson Moon."
The man let out a sigh of relief, then he twirled his feet around and spoke, "As you can see, im stuck in here."
"I can see that."
"...And im in desperate need of help."
"Yes, i know."
Cheryl nodded her head as she watched the man stop in place.
"...Can you please help me out?"
"...No?" She refused.
After all, why would someone be in the outskirts of the city, especially inside a sewer. He was also stuck inside too.
There were far too many suspicious points, enough to make her hesitate in helping him. She didn't want to unleash another evil in this world like last time, and she learned her lesson last time too.
There was no way she would help a stranger, who is in a strange predicament, for no reason.
"..."
The man just stayed still, before his feet slumped down. He stayed silent for a moment, before speaking, "Let me introduce myself first, I am Charles Choi. A Company Commander of the Sword Edge Military Division, im currently here to scout out a city inside the Forest of Depravity under the orders of the Queen."
Cheryl stayed still, 'So he's basically a spy on a covert mission to uncover the city?'
She thought to herself as the man, Charles continued.
"I don't know why a lady like you is in a place like this, and judging by the fact that you didn't kill me the moment you found me, i can interpret this as a sign that you are a human being and not a Monster."
"So as fellow human beings, it is an obligation to help one another."
"No." Cheryl refused, making Charles flinch in shock.
"Please help me. Im really stuck."
"..."
***
It was hazy. Literally so.
He opened his eyes to see a familiar ceiling. He turned to the side of the bed and saw a man wearing only a shirt with black trousers. He was reading a book of some kind.
He stared at the title for a moment, before closing his eyes.
Then he let out a sigh.
The man beside him, turned to look at him, then fixed his glasses.
"Good afternoon." He greeted.
Rueben stayed silent for a moment, before nodding his head. He let out a grunt and forced himself up.
"...How long was i out?"
The man dug into his chest pocket and pulled out a pocket watch, opening it, he stared at the clock for a moment before turning to him.
"2 weeks."
Rueben nodded his head.
"...Two weeks, huh?"
The man nodded his head once more and continued, "One of the hunters found you unconscious in the sewers inside Ward 32. It was fortunate that one of the Hunters knew who you were because everyone opted to killing you."
"You have been Missing In Action for two days, Hunter Gustaf, designated code name: Hir, brought you to the division office and we swiftly made arrangements for your recuperation." He grabbed his throat and poured himself a glass of water.
The man drowned the glass before putting it down, "We will not ask you where you have been or what you have been doing, as per Rule 16–42 but we need a report to explain your recent disappearance to the Crown."
Rueben nodded his head.
The man stared at him for a while before sighing, "But recuperate for a while, Rueben. After you have healed, immediately go to the Office and write a report."
"Affirmative."
The man stood up and started gathering his things.
"Now that's out of the way, i will leave you for a moment. I still need to sign some papers just to chip the mountains of it back at the office." The man then put on his coat and turned his feet.
He opened the door, stopped for a moment, before turning around, "And Rueben?"
Rueben stared at him, "Yes?"
"Refrain from using Ichor Siphons for a while, your eyes are getting brighter."
"..."
"That is all. Thank you for your time."
The man then left the room, leaving Rueben alone inside.
Rueben looked around the room, then to the window and glanced at the desolate city outside. Then he looked down and grabbed his two hands and pressed his palms together.
He let out a whimper that only he could hear as he shook.
The darkness seemed comforting as the lantern by his side went out.