Inside the house of the passage were several benches facing tables full of people working. Some people were at those tables while others sat on the benches.

“Now, the four of you should go first talk to the lady on that table there, she will start you on the process of entering the city.”

I have a feeling this is going to take a while. I don't think I've ever seen such an impressive bureaucracy as the one I'm looking at right now. Having given us the minimum information necessary the inspector left us, probably to take care of some other important business in the port. I led everyone to the woman he had pointed us toward. She had a very bored face and plain clothes, there was something of a feeling of drudgery around her.

“Excuse me, from what I understand, this is where we start the process to enter the city.”

When I spoke to her, she suddenly started smiling one of the most fake smiles I have seen in my life, and that's saying something. Her eyes were clearly annoyed by our presence.

“Of course, dear, I'm just going to need all four of your names, as well as whether you are fighters, merchants, envoys or something else.”

I gave her all four of our names.

“I am Alexius Magnar, a knight from Meridia. This is my fiancee, Helena Gracie. This is Kardenon Therynia, a noble from Tharaz Eron. This is Massen Garesade, a mage from Toragan.”

She sighed almost inaudibly as she took a glance at us and jotted down our names on two different pieces of paper.

“Four fighters from what I see... Okay, here, hold on to this paper and don't lose it. Wait on those benches for your names to be called. Present the paper to the official that calls you. Have a nice day!”

As expected, we would have to wait. It was slightly annoying and a bit anti-climactic that the first thing we have to do when stepping foot on a new continent is go through this kind of thing. Helena, particularly did not bother hiding her frustration.

“What is this? Is all of this really necessary? How stupid. Now we are going to be made to wait here? Like we are nobodies!”

Massen shrugged.

“Well, we are nobodies here. Also, you should be thankful we are coming here. Tarkatore is not just the most powerful and influential city-state in this region, it is also the most orderly. Most of the neighboring cities are a cesspit that tries copy Tarkatore's bureaucracy to some degree, rumors have it that no place else is as free of corruption as Tarkatore is. So really, considering we won't have to go through any extra 'steps' is very good.”

Not a fan of being directly contradicted, Helena retorted.

“And where have you come by this information? Books?”

She spoke with a slight tinge of derision, as if information from books might not be that reliable. Massen smiled and replied.

“I talked a lot with the sailors on the port of Toragan.”

Helena didn't look to happy, but she conceded the point and spoke no more. Next to me, Kardenon and Massen started a conversation about Kardenon's armor. They really love talking about it, don't they. While at first I had shared their enthusiasm, they just didn't stop. Eventually it bothered me. Looking at my other side, I saw a not all that happy Helena. Looks like I will just wait in silence. Eventually we are going to be called, just have to wait.

“Mister Magnar, Miss Gracie, Mister Therynia, Mister Garesade, please this way.”

Finally! It felt like an eternity of waiting. We were guided to a room. Inside was a minotaur that was looking over a few stacks of paper on a desk. He gave us a penetrating gaze as we entered, as if he was trying to know what we were thinking.

“So you are the four fighters who want to enter the city. Interesting. First of all, may I have the reason for your visit?”

I take charge and answer the question.

“We are just travelers. To be honest, we didn't even plan on staying very long in this city.”

The minotaur's eyes sharpened and he shook his head.

“Well, well, I guess I will have to take note of the fact that either you're lying to me or you're ignorant of a very important fact. I will be generous and believe that you're just ignorant.”

I put a hand in front of Helena. Getting heated here will not help us.

“Please enlighten us as to what you're talking about.”

“Since five years ago, when a Great Dungeon appeared a few kilometers from the city, each year around this time a great amount of monsters appear from the dungeon and attack the surrounding cities, which includes this one. We are currently under siege and thus, none of the city gates to the outside are open at this time.”

That was a problem... Garesade cut in.

“And how long is this siege expected to last?”

The minotaur shrugged.

“No idea. It could end this week, it could end months from now. I suppose if you want to see it end quicker, you could look into becoming auxiliary mercenary troops. There should be a recruitment officer near the palace. Any treasure you can get your hands on is yours. Although it is quite dangerous.”

It doesn't feel like a real choice to me.

“Fine. We will help then.”

He nodded and started jotting down something on a paper.

“Okay then, reason for visit: Traveling and mercenary work.” He saw me react to that word. “If I don't put it like this you don't get to be hired to help break the siege. Now, due to smuggling and security reasons, do any of you carry an object that functions as a treasury? It's a capital offense to omit that.”

Oh, here we go, I have a bad feeling about this.