Alexander lined up all the employees in front of the bar. The usual murmur of the place gradually died down until only expectant gazes remained.
—Well, thank you for coming —he said calmly—. The bar is going to close for an indefinite period.
—What?! —several people exclaimed at the same time, including Zein and Kiomi.
—Just as you hear it —Alexander continued without changing his tone—. The bar will close for an indefinite period. That is exactly why I wanted to speak with you today.
—Why? —Judas asked, leaning on the bar, more serene than the rest.
Alexander interlaced his hands before responding.
—According to my sources, several instructors and a small group of Imperial troops will arrive on the island very soon, and they will do so by surprise. We cannot afford to continue operating with them searching every corner of Mirathun.
Kiomi frowned.
—And are those sources reliable?
Alexander looked her straight in the eye.
—They are. I don't trust just anyone.
A heavy silence fell over the place. No one seemed in the mood to argue with him on that.
—For now, I recommend that you look for temporary work —he continued—. Inspectors usually take quite a while to leave. I will pay you in advance for this month. And if you need help finding a job, don't hesitate to tell me. I know a lot of people.
A quiet smile accompanied his words, contrasting with the general unease.
Alexander began handing out the payment envelopes one by one. The employees said their goodbyes little by little until the bar was almost empty.
Zein and Kiomi were the last ones to stay.
—I have something planned for you today —Alexander said while handing them their envelopes.
—What's that? —Zein asked, looking at him with curiosity.
—I'm taking you to register. You haven't done it yet, right?
—No —Kiomi responded, crossing her arms.
—Then it's time to do it —Alexander said—. I'll go with you to the census office. At this hour, there shouldn't be many people.
Alexander picked up his coat, as if it were something completely routine.
—It will be quick —he added.
On the way to the office, the group crossed paths with several soldiers moving from one place to another. Some walked in a hurry; others stopped to talk in low voices, with tense gestures and restless looks. The activity in the streets was too obvious to ignore.
Upon arriving at the office, they were met with an unpleasant surprise. A long line stretched from the entrance nearly around the corner.
—I'm glad there weren't that many people, Alexander… —Zein said, scanning the line with his gaze.
Alexander let out a nervous laugh as he scratched the back of his neck, without responding.
During the wait, murmurs began to spread among the people. Voices mixed, rising and falling, heavy with speculation.
Some said the Empire would invade again, just as it had done with Ilmenor not long ago. Others claimed the Duke of the island would come down to inspect the slums. And there were those who mocked the idea, saying no one from the upper echelons would set foot in such a place, that they were too classist to even consider it.
To pass the time, Alexander began explaining to Zein in more detail how those "magic televisions" worked, talking about frequencies and crystals as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Kiomi, on the other hand, kept her eyes fixed on the projected images.
The news reported that, not long ago, an Imperial ship coming from the colossus where the capital, Solheim, was located, had landed on the coast. The reason for its arrival and what exactly they were seeking was not yet known, but rumors pointed to the presence of an important figure.
Then, from inside the office, a sudden commotion was heard.
Several uniformed people burst into the premises, and the atmosphere changed instantly.
The uniform commanded respect even before seeing the face of the wearer. It was a precise blend of military authority and imperial luxury. The black tunic, with its gold-embroidered collar, fell back in long coattails, evoking an orchestra conductor more than a common soldier. White webbing crossed the chest, held by golden buckles that glinted under the light.
The service trousers were tucked into polished leather boots, adorned with golden tips. Upon their heads, a steel helmet with golden edges was encircled by a metallic laurel wreath—a symbol reminiscent of ancient emperors.
The uniform was similar to what the soldiers in Mirathun wore, but this one was far more striking, designed not only to impose order but to be seen.
A blonde woman appeared before them. Her uniform stood out even among the others, carrying an authority that needed no announcement. Unlike the rest, she wore rigid gala epaulettes and a heavy cape that trailed with every step, enveloping her figure in a shadow that seemed to claim absolute dominance over the place.
The group moved directly toward the reception desk.
Around them, people avoided looking at them. Some lowered their heads; others feigned interest in anything else. Even so, whispers began to filter through the forced silence.
—Look at them, with that proud posture... They despise us just for not being from Solheim —someone murmured.
—Sure, they're still just common soldiers, but because they come from the capital, they think they're superior —another voice responded.
—Hey... isn't that Leonor Von Trapp?
—Yes, it's her. What is a noble doing here?
—I'm sure her parents pulled some strings to get her into the army —some mocked in low voices.
The murmurs grew bit by bit, covering the place like a constant hum. Even so, no one dared to look directly at the Imperial group.
Leonor was already in front of the reception window, arguing with a receptionist who was visibly nervous, trying to maintain her composure. Her hands trembled slightly as she leafed through some documents.
—I am telling you to give me a list of everyone who has registered as a citizen in the last two weeks! —Leonor exclaimed, slamming the wooden counter.
—I-I beg your pardon, but we cannot do that —the receptionist responded with a tense voice—. The laws specify that such information is reserved solely for the Dukes of the Colossus or for those who have their authorization. We have not yet received any confirmation that the Duke has permitted you to...
Leonor struck the counter with more force, making several people startle.
—Don't you know who I am?! —she spat, bringing her hand to her chest in an exaggerated gesture—. I am Leonor Von Trapp! Proud heiress of the Von Trapps! And what I say shall be done!
—Forgive me, but I truly cannot —the receptionist repeated, her voice trembling and her hands gripping the edge of the counter.
One of the men accompanying Leonor approached her and leaned in slightly to whisper something in her ear.
—My lady, we are drawing too much attention. It would be better to go to the central island and request the corresponding permit to continue with the investigation... —he murmured in a low voice.
Leonor clenched her jaw. Her nails dug into the palm of her hand for an instant before she turned abruptly, walking toward the exit with hard steps, heavy with contained humiliation.
That was when it happened.
By pure coincidence, her gaze met Zein's.
Leonor stopped dead in her tracks.
Alexander reacted immediately, pulling Kiomi back and positioning himself in front of her to hide her ears, his body rigid like an improvised wall.
Leonor, however, changed direction and headed straight toward Zein.
As she approached, her expression twisted upon noticing something she wasn't accustomed to seeing.
Zein did not lower his gaze.
There was no bow, no fear, no submission. Only a firm, almost defiant look.
That was enough.
Leonor grabbed Zein by the hair with force and pulled him up until he was forced to her height. The tug was sharp, drawing an involuntary gasp from him.
—Do you have something against me, brat?! —she spat, her eyes burning with rage.
—No… —Zein responded, holding back the urge to react.
—Then why are you looking at me like that?! —she continued, tightening her grip further—. Don't you know who I am?!
Zein clenched his fist tightly. His fingers trembled for a second… and then they relaxed.
—Forgive me… —he said, his voice tense but controlled—. It's just how my face is. I never meant to offend you…
The same soldier who had spoken to Leonor earlier quickly approached and leaned toward her.
—My lady… I remind you that we should not cause more of a commotion while we are here —he whispered urgently.
Leonor clicked her tongue, furious. Without ceremony, she let go of Zein, shoving him aside.
—You should change that face, brat —she threw at him before turning around and leaving.
When the Imperial group exited the premises, the air seemed to circulate once more.
An older woman standing next to Alexander hurried to help Zein to his feet, resting a firm hand on his arm.
—Are you all right, child? —the lady asked, looking at him with sincere concern.
Zein barely nodded. Before he could say anything, Alexander approached and ruffled his hair—a clumsy but genuine gesture.
—I'm glad you didn't make a scene —he said—. Kio had already told me how impulsive you are.
—Yes… I'd say it was a miracle, honestly —Kiomi intervened suddenly—. I congratulate you for not doing anything stupid.
—Tha… —Zein tried to respond, but he didn't get to finish the word.
—But —Kiomi continued, her voice not softening— even so, this shows how dangerous you are. Just because of that white hair, you put us all at risk. When are you going to stop being a danger to those around you?
Her gaze was hard, sharp, as if every word were weighted with something deeper than simple anger.
Zein lowered his gaze. He did not respond. His hands hung at his sides, motionless.
—Kiomi! Don't say those things —Alexander reprimanded her immediately—. Besides, she didn't mention anything about Zein's hair.
Kiomi pressed her lips together, looking away.
After that, the paperwork was completed in silence. Signatures, stamps, quick glances over the shoulder. And then, they left.
A while later, Zein was walking through the city alone, looking for a job, just as Alexander had recommended.
Thanks to Naoko, he no longer got lost so easily. He recognized streets, corners, even some stalls. Even so, the answer was always the same.
"We aren't hiring."
"We're sorry."
"Maybe another time."
There were too many people looking for the same thing.
Zein observed the advertisements plastered on the walls—many torn, others half-covered.
"Wow…" he thought. "So there are also many who live off illegal things."
The difference was clear. When he first arrived in Mirathun, there was work everywhere. Now, almost nothing.
As he moved aimlessly, something caught his eye. A poster. It showed the figure of a person pointing directly forward, as if pointing at him. Large letters read: "We Need You." Below that, smaller information.
Zein stopped.
He hesitated for a second… and reached out to peel it back a bit, just to read it better.
At that moment, three people passed by on the street in front of him. Their steps were firm, synchronized.
Zein looked up.
They wore blue tunics cinched with red sashes and leather belts laden with tools. Over their shoulders, heavy gray coats with thick plush collars shielded them from the cold, while tall boots allowed them to trek through the deep snow.
Their heads were encased in rigid canvas and leather straps that held steel binocular visors. An iron filter hung from their chins, hiding any trace of humanity beneath a mask of war-engineering and shadows.
"Those uniforms look so good," Zein thought for a moment, not realizing he had been staring longer than he should have.
In that same instant, the three soldiers noticed his gaze. For a second, the world seemed to stand still, their visors pointing directly at him. Then they noticed the poster Zein was trying to peel off the wall and, without a word, began to approach.
—Hey, you. Are you looking for work? —one of them asked, his voice muffled behind the filter.
—Eh? Yes… sure —Zein responded, surprised they had approached him so closely.
The three looked at each other and, without giving him time to react, gripped him firmly.
—Come with us for a moment. We assure you we aren't going to do anything bad to you —one said, adjusting his grip.
—Exactly, exactly. We think we have just what you need —another added, in an unusually lively tone.
—Wait a second… —Zein tried to say, struggling—. I just…
He couldn't do much more.
In the blink of an eye, they took him to the coast of the colossus, where a considerable number of people dressed in that same peculiar uniform Zein hadn't seen before were gathered. The atmosphere was different there, denser, charged with a silent discipline.
Upon arrival, the three soldiers let him go and adopted a firm, impeccable stance. Then, someone appeared in front of them.
It was a girl, slightly shorter than Zein. She wore the same uniform and carried the same mask, but the way the soldiers straightened their backs even further made it clear that her presence commanded a different kind of respect.
—Captain! We have brought you a possible new member of the brigade! —one of them announced loudly.
The captain slowly turned her head toward Zein. Upon seeing him, her body tensed for just a second—enough for Zein to notice. Her shoulders relaxed almost immediately and she regained her composure, as if that surprise had never existed. That small gesture, so fleeting, left Zein with a strange feeling he couldn't explain. Then the captain stepped toward the three soldiers, her gait firm and heavy with authority.
—Idiots! —she snapped—. Do you even know if he can manipulate magic?!
The three shifted in place, uncomfortable. Even through the masks, their nervousness was evident by the rigidity of their postures.
—P-pardon… we never asked him —one of them admitted, lowering his head slightly.
—Ah… just as I feared —the captain murmured, bringing a hand to her face as she exhaled wearily.
—Excuse me… —Zein intervened, taking a step forward—. If that's what this is about, I do know how to handle magic.
The captain looked up at him.
—Fine. This time, you are excused —she said, without taking her eyes off Zein.
—Thank you so much! You saved us! —the three exclaimed almost at the same time, approaching Zein and surrounding him—. Who knows what the captain would have done to us if you didn't know how to use magic!
—It's not like I'm such a bad person! —she shouted at them, crossing her arms—. Get back to work!
—Yes, captain! —they responded in unison before hurriedly leaving.
Zein watched them walk away, still trying to understand what had just happened. He didn't know how he had ended up there, or why he had allowed them to drag him to this place without putting up much resistance. Everything seemed to have happened far too quickly.
—Ahem… —the captain cleared her throat to get his attention—. Sorry about before. Let me introduce myself.
She approached and extended her hand to him.
—You can call me Captain —she said, in a calmer tone.
—Nice to meet you. You can call me Zein —he responded, shaking her hand with a slight smile.
"Her voice… it sounds familiar," Zein thought as he listened to her speak. "But I don't remember from where."
—So, you were looking for work? —she asked.
—Yes. To be honest, it's being quite difficult to find anything at the moment —Zein answered, letting out a soft laugh.
—I understand. Then this is the perfect place for you —the captain said.
—Sure, but… —Zein hesitated— what exactly do you do here?
She tilted her head slightly.
—My. Did you come here without knowing who we were?
—Yes. They simply brought me here without giving me much room to ask.
—They really are something… —she murmured, exhaling with resignation—. Well, in that case…
The captain extended her arm, pointing toward the facilities and the soldiers moving with precision all around.
—I welcome you to the Liquidators' base.
Zein remained silent. The words resonated in his mind, heavy and difficult to process.
—Eh…?