"What do you mean I'm not the VIP the Magistrate's expecting? Go see for yourself, everyone's been talking about it."
"Every guest is important to Jinzhou. They didn't tell me I'm not."
"Why can't you let me talk to the Magistrate?"
The woman kept shouting at the guards, who looked done with everything, probably because this was not the first time nor will it be the last time when someone claimed to be the VIP that Magistrate talked about in her transmission.
Watching everything going on, I could not help but shudder.
"Great. It's a Karen."
Rover, Chixia, and Yangyang gave me confused looks at my words.
"What do you mean? Is that woman's name Karen?"
"No. Back home, we call self-important, ignorant, and disruptive women as Karens."
I chose not to mention various other, more degrading traits that also make us label a woman Karen, since I don't want to spoil the mood even more.
"...Isn't that kind of rude?"
"That's the point, Yangyang."
Shaking my head, I walked forward with the girls, ignoring the commotion in front of the City Hall thanks to the broadcast made by the Magistrate.
"I heard those stubborn people who somehow made their way inside got turned around by a 'one freezing look from Lady Sanhua'."
Chixia gave Yangyang an odd look.
"What kind of description is that? They make Lady Sanhua sound like that snake-haired lady from the legends who turns people to stone."
I felt startled as I heard that.
"Wait! You guys have a legend about Medusa here as well?"
Chixia gave me a confused look.
"Medusa? Never heard of her. The legends I am speaking about are based on a monster called Stheno."
'Stheno? Isn't that the sister of Medusa from the Greek Legends? What is this? Another thing to research about.'
The similarities between our worlds are really starting to worry me.
"Who's Sanhua?"
"She is the Magistrate's bodyguard."
Chixia nodded her head.
"Yeah. I've only heard rumors about her, but supposedly, she is some super-powerful Resonator with Glacio affinity."
Rover nodded.
"Then, will she let us meet the Magistrate at all? Putting aside this VIP business, how will we get our reward, and how will Robbie get his ID if Sanhua does not allow us to meet the Magistrate?"
Chixia grinned with her hands behind her head.
"Don't worry, that's why Yangyang and I are here. We have already filled out the proper paperwork required to document your contributions with the Tacet Field, so Lady Sanhua has no reason to stop us."
I gave Chixia a shocked look at her words.
"You!? You actually filled out paperwork? Who are you and what have you done to Chixia?"
"What the hell!? Robbie? Are you trying to pick a fight? 'Cause you got it!!"
I chuckled as the redhead instantly blew up at my words, attracting the attention of the guards, who only shook their heads at her actions, indicating that they were used to her way of doing things.
Maybe Chixia really is famous in this city? Or rather, infamous? Another topic to look into at a later time.
Soon, we walked unhindered into the City Hall after Chixia and Yangyang showed their IDs as Junior Patroler and Outrider, respectively, making the Karen from before shout even louder about 'preferential treatment'.
Once we stepped inside and the doors closed behind us, I could not help but marvel at the sight inside.
It was a strange blend of architecture and nature. Towering walls made of advanced materials, lined with bamboo trees and grass growing from the sides. A beautiful sight.
'Ahti would have loved this place.'
As we continued walking forward, we came upon the entrance to the Magistrate's chamber, where a woman was already waiting.
The Receptionist did not even look at our faces before turning around.
"Please, follow me. As for the Outrider and Junior Patroler, you will have to stay outside."
"....Ok, that was not ominous at all."
Rover nodded at my muttering but still followed the woman in, making me follow her as well.
What is going on here? Wasn't there supposed to be some test? Wasn't this supposed to be hard? Hence, Yangyang and Chixia's preparations?
Turning around, I spotted the same kind of confused look on the girls' faces, so I just waved at them and walked inside, tensing slightly when the doors closed behind us.
'Somehow, this feels like an ambush. Better be on my guard.'
"Please, take a seat. Lady Sanhua will be with you shortly."
Rover and I shared a look and took the seats right beside each other. This will help us cover each other in case of any unexpected attack while also having the benefit of being in close enough distance to have private conversations.
As the Receptionist put down some refreshments for us (which were not to my preference, given that I don't like tea all that much). I started spreading my senses across the room, watching out for any hidden threats.
Given the way Rover kept her hand subtly close to her sword, it is clear that she, too, is no guard.
We did not have to wait long before a woman with silver hair and crimson eyes walked in. Given the Terminal on her back and the Resonance Energies I can feel from her, she is a Resonator.
Her steps are measured and sure, while her body language shows a familiarity when walking down this path. This means she is no outsider, so she cannot be treated as a threat for now.
And, if she is not a threat, she must be Lady Sanhua, given our location and the restrictions on entering it.
Rover and I stood up as Sanhua stared at both of us.
Once again, I tensed as I saw her Tacet Mark within her right eye glow while her energy mobilized.
Whatever she saw in Rover seems to satisfy her, as a tiny smile made its way onto her face. However, that smile quickly faded as her eyes widened slightly the moment her gaze fell on me.
The tensing of her body and the way her hand twitched did not escape my gaze as I, too, unconsciously started to take a martial stance.
Thankfully, things did not escalate as the woman took a deep breath and bowed.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I apologize for the delay. My name is Sanhua, and I am the bodyguard of Madam Magistrate."
"Pleased to meet you, I am Rover."
"Rober Graham."
Sanhua nodded at our introductions before motioning us to sit down as she took the chair opposite ours.
"I regret to inform you that Madam Magistrate is currently away. Prior to her departure, she instructed me to bring you these tokens and a welcome gift."
She put a candy, a strange leaf, a black fruit, and some kind of sundial on the table.
.....Strange things to give as tokens for a first meeting.
"Madam Magistrate advised you to explore what these tokens represent during her absence. This may help you acquire information you seek."
There was no shift in her facial expressions, but her tone conveyed her sincerity as she spoke her words.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, but please rest assured. She will be here to meet you in three days' time."
Rover nodded at her words but then asked softly.
"Where is the Magistrate?"
"I'm sorry....I cannot disclose her whereabouts at this time. Please trust me that she is eagerly looking forward to meeting you, both of you, in person."
That surprised me.
"Meeting me as well? How does she know about me when I literally walked into this city yesterday?"
Sanhua gave me a strange look before speaking cryptically.
"Lady Baizhi informed us about your circumstances the moment she found out yesterday, and communications were restored. And even before that, certain sources told us that an 'Outsider' would walk into Jinzhou in a few days, which I assume refers to you."
"Hm. What makes you sure that I am the 'Outsider' as you claim? In fact, what makes you certain that both Rover and I are the people that you and your Magistrate are looking for?"
Sanhua smiled thinly at my words before brushing her fingers across her right eye.
"Without Madam Magistrate, I cannot make the final confirmation about Rover, but I am sure that she is special. How do I know that? It is because of my eyes."
She stared me in the eyes as her Tacet Mark activated again. If it were not for my training, there would have been no way for me to catch the tiny wince that appeared on her almost emotionless face that barely lasted for a second.
"My eyes can see the frequencies of all living beings. Or rather, those frequencies are the only thing I can see."
I see, so she can only see the world with frequencies? Like those comics that one of my subordinates loved to read? What was it again? Daredevil or something like that, right?
Sanhua turned to look at Rover, and I saw how her eyes softened lightly.
"You share the same frequency as Madam Magistrate."
"...What do I look like?"
"Without distortions. You appear to me exactly as you are."
"And you."
When she turned to me, her smile strained a bit as she spoke.
"I don't think there is any other description for you aside from 'Outsider'. That is why I am very much sure that you are the one that our sources talked about."
'Again, not ominous at all, eh? Polaris?'
I did not feel any reply from my old friend, indicating that she was still in slumber within my mind.
"Speaking of...."
Sanhua reached into the storage of her Terminal and pulled out another one, tossing it my way.
"I have taken the liberty of speeding up your registration after Outrider Yangyang submitted the documents yesterday, as well as registering this Terminal at the Nexus. I have also cleared the issuance of the reward for subduing the Tacet Field near the Gorges of Spirits. Your reward is already placed in your new Terminal's storage. Rover can get her reward from the Distribution Office right outside."
My new Terminal looked exactly like the one that the girls have, and checking inside, I found a lot of money, Shell Credits, as they are called here.
Last night, the Hotpot cost 1000 Credits and Yangyang's cake cost 500 Credits, rounding up to 1500 Credits. Based on what I heard from Yangyang and Chixia, the cost is fair, and if someone were to make this food at home, it would cost half, which means that a person has to spend 750 credits a meal, rounding up to 4500 Credits at least per day. Combined with all the expenses here and there for everyday things, a single person needs somewhere in the range of 30,000 to 40,000 Credits a month to live comfortably.
Right now, in my Terminal, I have six million Credits.
Did she purposefully overpay us for some reason? Is this the standard reward for clearing a Tacet Field? Or did we get ripped off?
I'll have to talk to Yangyang about this since she seems to be very knowledgeable in literally everything. (It also helps that Yangyagn loves to talk).
Sanhua turned to Rover.
"May I have your Terminal for a moment? I will update its systems with the latest Utility modules while also updating your Terminal ID so that you have access to all regions in Jinzhou, and update your border pass as well. I have already done so for Mr. Robert."
Rover nodded and handed over her Terminal, which Sanhua connected with her own. The process was similar to how Wi-fi sharing or Hotspot would work for the smartphones back home. (It's a shame that anything more advanced than tech from the 1950s or 60s would instantly fail or explode violently the moment they were brought into the Oldest House. I would have loved to have that advanced tech during our operations within the Beureu or in the various Thresholds we ventured into in those days.)
"There. It is done. Also, do you two already have a place to stay in the City? If not, Madam Magistrate has arranged accommodations for you here, in the City Hall."
"Rover"
Rover did not show any reaction to my Telepathic communication, but I could feel her shock thanks to the link I established.
"I don't think we should take her up on this offer."
"Why? Free accommodation would be an asset, no?"
"Not right now. Don't forget that both of us are highly sought-after individuals based on what we saw till now. Who's to say that the Magistrate, or someone else in this city's government, has plans for us and will take advantage of our stay here for their own schemes?"
"...But the Magistrate arranged the accommodations, right? She doesn't seem to be that bad."
I did not give any outward indication, but internally, I could not help but sneer as I remembered the governments from my old life, even the FBC.
"Let me give you some advice as your friend, Rover. Never trust a Government fully, no matter how benevolent it appears. I say this from experience."
".....Alright. But what are we going to do about long-term accommodations, though?"
"I'll think of something. Meanwhile, we should get going. This woman is giving me the creeps with the way she keeps staring at me."
"Haha! I guess even you can be unnerved by something. I need to tell Chixia about this."
If we were not being observed, there is no doubt that I would have had a horrified look on my face.
"Don't you dare! I can't have my street cred destroyed like that!!"
"No can do. The poor girl needs some ammo to retaliate against your bullying."
"Rover!? You betray me like this?"
"Yeah. For the sake of the poor girl oppressed by you, I have to betray you."
"You-you traitor! You backstabber! Monster!!"
"Yup, yup, and yup."
I sulked a little but remained silent as Rover shook her head at Sanhua's expectant look.
"We already have plans for an accommodation so..."
"That is fine. In the future, if you change your mind, we will be ready to accommodate you anytime."
With that, our meeting came to an end as Sanhua got up and bowed to us.
"I need to get going. There is still something that I need to do. I hope you two will find the meaning in the Magistrate's message."
As the icy beauty left, I finally turned to Rover with a glare.
"Traitor."
"Heh. Pettiness doesn't suit you, Robbie."
That how you want to play? Alright, let's go for the nuclear option.
"Echo-Eater."
"Wha-? Hey!! I don't eat Echos!!"
"Crownless would beg to differ."
I gave her a mischievous look.
"I wonder what everyone will think if I post details about a certain mysterious woman who eats Echos instead of using her Terminal? Will you become an urban legend? Or will people try to find you for one reason or another-"
"Alright! Fine! I concede! You keep silent about that, and I'll stay silent about Sanhua's effect on you."
"Deal!"
I cheerfully walked forward, ignoring Rover's glare. Ever since I teased her about how much she ate yesterday night at the Hotpot, she seems to have developed some kind of defensiveness whenever I bring up her eating habits, which also extends to how she 'ate' that Echo back in the Gorges.
Who knew it would come in handy like this?
"Alright. How about you go with the girls to take care of those mystery goods you got from Sanhua? I'll go and see if I can't solve our long-term accommodations problem. What do you think?"
Rover just sighed and spoke out.
"Fine. Do what you want. But keep your terminal close. If something happens, I'll call you for help."
"Sure thing."
I grinned at her and raised my fist.
"We make a really good team after all."
She smiled in response and bumped my fist with hers.
With that, we separated and went about our tasks.
Hopefully, I can find an apartment complex or a house that Rover and I can rent out long-term. There is no way we are staying in a motel of all places for long periods of time. It's very hard to defend such public infrastructure in case of an attack.
And given how Rover seems to attract trouble one way or another, there is no doubt that we will somehow end up being attacked in the first week.
Humming an old tune, I continued walking.
All in all, a productive day.
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Sanhua: click here for image