Metello and Jeffrey were in the middle residential area, not much far from the Gods Square. They were standing near an average-built house, looking toward the gathered crowd. As most of the people in the city were there, as much from the Sirius-cycle as from the anti-Sirius-cycle, the two young monster hunters had never ever seen that many people at the same time. Metello had not been too keen on going into the crowd and trapping himself with strangers. Nonetheless, all was good. Indeed, when the mayor began to speak to the people, both young hunters could hear it well even without seeing him.

“Citizen of Ironholes. It has been a long time since I have been able to talk to you altogether. You probably remember the last time was a happy one as it was to announce the birth of my third son, Gerard. He is now six years old, and he lives happily, thanks to the love you all gave him during that cycle.

Now, I have some less joyful announcements to make. I know a lot of rumors started to grow since the last cycle. I wanted to clarify things. I don't want you, my beloved people, to fear something which is not a real threat.

One of the falsely spreading rumors says that the Saint's Walls were breached, like what happened 400 years ago. Some other rumors told about Nox incarnate descending upon her Darkened Lands to help her minions conquer our lands. All of these are false. Neither is there a Wall breach nor is Nox coming to our lands.

What has been confirmed is that there has been a bit more activity near Saint John Walls recently. It generally happens several times every century. It's a usual occurrence. But as we take this seriously, and to be sure the Saint's Wall stays in good shape, half of our military force will depart by this time next cycle with some monster hunter voluntaries.

I assure you, beloved citizen, that there are no threats to our lives, that the rumors are wrong, and that we take great care of the little event at Saint John Walls.

But, as our army will be halved for some time, there will be more dangers of stray monsters coming into the valley outside our walls. So, to guarantee my beloved citizen's safety, I have no other choice but to pronounce the temporary closure of the gates. Only authorized people would be able to leave the city to work outside from now.

I know you won't be happy about that, but I love you as much as my children, and I don't want any one of you to die a meaningless death like that. I hope you will understand the feelings of a father.

Now, I know half of you have to rest after a long work period as the other half have to start their working cycle. I won't talk much more for now. Therefore, I will let my counselor, [Menta High Priest] Neville, guide us through a Prayer of Thanks to curry favor with the gods.”

It had not been much since Metello took part in a Prayer of Thanks with more than 300 people. He had a good memory of what it felt that cycle. It had been nothing compared to this time. More than 10 000 people were saying the Prayer of Thanks together. It was strong. It was magnificent. The weight of the feelings put into the prayer was overwhelming. For Metello and many young people nearby, divine energy was coming into their bodies, signaling the level up of their blessing. Metello looked at Jeffrey at his side, who sported the same smile he had from the sensation.

Metello and Jeffrey had waited a few minutes for the crowd to disperse a bit. They now walked to the House after listening to the mayor's speech. They had to know if they could still hunt and earn money for the rent. The closure of the gates was not a good thing for them if they could not hunt monsters anymore, even if dangerous for the people.

However, both were happy and smiling, and Jeffrey was particularly joyful.

"We really have a great mayor. I don't know how he managed to hear the rumors, verify they were wrong, alert the people of it for them not to be afraid, and organize some military forces to fix the minor problem at the Walls, all of that in a cycle."

Metello replied, the same kind of smile on his face.

“Yes, I agree. He is a great man. I'm relieved I have the time to grow strong before looking for my family. To be honest, I may have said I wanted to be able to fight skeletons if they were to breach Saint John Walls, but I was more than afraid about that.”

“I'm relieved we won't have to move the orphanage to the north too. I like Ironholes, despite all the problems.”

“Yes, Ironholes is not a bad city.”

Hearing himself saying that, Metello flinched and stopped in the middle of the street. With bulging eyes, he mumbled to himself.

“What am I saying ?”

Jeffrey had stopped too a few meters before him.

“Come on Metello! Don't you want to know if we can hunt or not ?”

“Coming!”

When they came in sight of the House, they understood that their squad was far from the sole one who needed more information. The number of people entering the door was impressive.

As they came to the door, they could see and hear the crowd of monster hunters inside.

"But what can we do if we can't hunt? Will the mayor pay our rent and beers ?"

The two stayed outside, and Metello recognized Paul's voice, louder than usual.

“Just take a cycle or two off, guys! As I already said, the higher-ups have already sent people to negotiate to let hunters go out of the town.”

Hearing that, many hunters went out, some simply chatting and going toward the tavern section of the House, a few being frustrated about the situation. The angry ones stayed inside. One of them was the same as the last time.

“You can't force us to participate in the expedition! We are not the mayor's little [Guards] and [Soldiers] !”

“I know, I know, guys. It's not a fun thing. But the decision had been taken by the Sunwarf's headquarters. It's not the mayor's one. We even have to strip the rank of gold and silver-ranked squads that are not respecting the decision.”

Paul said the last words with a grimace. The bulky man looked at him with pitiful eyes even if his body stayed tense with anger.

“But, after all that we have done, they...”

“Yes, yes. I know. It is harsh. The headquarters are a bunch of [Civil Servants] who throw you to the monsters, and it's not fair. But someone has to defend the Walls, and the [Guards] and [Soldiers] lack versatility and experience for this kind of event.”

Paul's method seemed to be more successful than Mr. Morton's one as the man's rigid body loosens itself.

“Yeah, you're right. I guess I'm angrier because of our lack of luck. If only we had been on the hunt, we wouldn't have been forced to participate.”

“Look at it on the bright side! You'll have free support from the army for food and beer. You just have to make the more out of the occasion Ryan, and all of you too. I have to remind you once more that the expedition leaves next cycle. The departure will take place at the 8th bell. Once again, know that it is mandatory for silver and gold hunters. Go and enjoy the time you have for now guys. Beers are free for gold and silver hunters at the tavern until the last bell.”

After hearing a few more complaints and seeing the crowd disperse more, Metello and Jeffrey decided to try and find Brorne once again in the training ground. To no avail once again. Then, the [Rogue] proposed.

“Let's go and see Mrs Richardson. We will tell her the good news if she was not here to listen to the mayor."

"Yes. Let's do that. We have the whole cycle to do weapon training now anyway."

As they were coming in sight of the orphanage, they heard Maria's flute sounding clumsily in the air from the roof. Jeffrey chuckled at that.

“I'm glad I don't live in the orphanage yet. I don't know if I could bear this much.”

Quickly, they found Mrs Richardson at her desk.

“Hi, Jeffrey. Hi, Metello.”

Jeffrey was the first to speak excitedly.

“Hi, Madam. Did you hear the mayor's speech ?”

The old woman's face sank a bit but replied with a complicated smile.

“Yes, I heard it. What did you think about it?”

“I'm relieved that the rumors were wrong and that there was no big problem with Sain John Walls. Now that the mayor fixed it, we don't need to move out, and I'm happy about that. I like Ironholes.”

Mrs Richardson listened to Jeffrey's words with a bit of a grimace, and she saw the smiling Metello flinch as he heard the last sentence.

“And you Metello? What did you think about it?”

Metello hesitated. He felt something was wrong with him without being able to point it.

“I... don't know.”

Jeffrey burst with incomprehension.

“Why? You said you were glad too earlier, that you had more time look for your family, and that Ironholes was not that bad which surprised even me but it is justified.”

Metello stayed focused on the fading feeling while Jeffrey was speaking. He noted the feeling of wrongness coming back stronger at the mention of Ironholes.

“Yes, I'm glad that... I don't...know. It feels...wrong.”

A few silent seconds passed while Jeffrey looked weirdly at Metello before Mrs Richardson spoke again.

“I know your problem, Metello.”

The [Lux Acolyte] looked expectantly at the [Priestess].

“Do any of you know the mayor's class? ”

Jeffrey answered.

“Yes, he is a [Duke], why ?”

“Do you know what blessings a [Duke] have? The [Civil Servant] class has four directions of progress. We call it aspects: administration, authority, weapons, and land knowledge. For example, [Guards] are special tier [Civil Servant] with one weapon aspect, while the [Questioners] are special tier [Civil Servant] with one authority aspect.”

As Metello remembered his meeting with a [Questioner], he understood.

“A [Duke] has multiple authority aspects? He can force us to do things like [Questioners] ?”

“That's right. The [Duke] class has two authority aspects and one land knowledge aspect. Unlike [Questioners], he can influence more subtly people behavior.”

Jeffrey spoke in disbelief.

“Are you sure? The mayor has our well-being at heart, isn't he ?”

The [Calor Priestess] released a breath and replied.

“I have to tell you this. I can't let you in the dark and prevent you from doing what you want to. Just one question: Why didn't the [Duke] mention the [Apostle of Nox]?”

Metello's mind cleared at once, and words went out of his mouth, running like chased by monsters.

“You're right! He hasn't said a word about it. It is vastly more serious than an increase in undead activity near Saint John Walls. Why has he lied to us? Ironholes is a shitty city! Yes, that's what was wrong. He even made me say that Ironholes was a good city, that Nox lover!”

The old lady stood up and went to Metello, embracing him.

“Calm down Metello. Calm down.”

Meanwhile, Jeffrey stayed silent with a complicated face at their side. After a few seconds of quieted complaints from Metello, he mumbled.

“But, no. The mayor was right. He had to. Mrs Richardson is wrong.”

Mrs Richardson let Metello to himself for a bit to take care of the [Rogue].

“Jeffrey, let me explain to you a bit more. What the mayor has done is nudge people not to worry. Like that, they won't leave Ironholes. A mayor needs people in his city. He even closed the gates for most people to ensure it more. But, hear me. Hear me! There is a danger for your Carl and Isobel. Not now, and I don't know when it will finally come, but I know you want to protect them, so I had to tell you that.”

At the mention of his siblings, he changed. Tears came to his eyes, but they stayed focused.

“But, how did he do it? How do you know?”

“I said it earlier. He can influence people's behavior. I could see through it thanks to my high Mind Resilience. Metello was not far from finding out himself too. What he was nudged to think and what he really thought were too much different.”

They stayed silent longer, Metello sitting on the floor and Jeffrey on a chair. The [Lux Acolyte] finally said with despair in his voice.

“What can we do then ?”