The night of the last full moon was long.
The city gates had not opened,
but the sounds ringing out beyond the walls broke people’s sleep again and again.
A thunderous roar, as if something were collapsing.
The clash of iron.
Short bursts of rupturing noise from afar.
People kept their candles extinguished and pressed their ears to the walls.
Holding children in their arms,
blocking the cracks in the windows,
lowering their breaths in fear that the gates might be forced open.
“Is war breaking out…?”
“I heard some of the guards… died.”
“They say that holy knight went mad…”
Unconfirmed rumors circled through the alleys.
Only one thing was certain.
That night was an anxious night for everyone.
And then morning came.
The watch atop the walls changed,
and a long line of carts began to appear outside the city gates.
Blue oxen pulled the carts.
Armored soldiers walked with their heads lowered.
“The Empire is… leaving?”
Someone asked,
and someone else watched until the very end without answering.
Not because they were glad,
but because they feared it might be another trick.
Before noon,
military police lined up in front of the notice board in the square.
A clerk came out holding an official notice.
The sound of nails being hammered rang out twice.
Tak, tak.
The first announcement was posted.
People crowded in.
Someone read the words aloud.
Republic Notice,
As of today, this Republic has confirmed the withdrawal of the Imperial Expeditionary Force.
Beginning this evening, the city’s temporary lockdown measures will be lifted in stages.
Entry and passage through the city gates shall follow the guidance of the guard force.
Regarding the council explosion incident, evidence of external forces’ operations and prior preparation has been confirmed,
and the Republic will continue its investigation and records.
Accordingly, we state that the claim that “the Silver Moon Order was the executing body behind the explosion” lacks sufficient basis.
In order to prevent a public security vacuum,
the Republic will organize the Silver Moon Order as a “temporary public security cooperation unit” until the next full moon.
This shall be effective only under the orders and regulations of the Republic.
During the temporary organization period,
the Republic will establish a dedicated body to monitor and supervise the cooperation unit’s activities.
This notice takes effect immediately.
As it was read, breaths mingled across the square.
“They’re lifting the lockdown starting tonight…”
“Finally.”
“But the explosion… was an outside operation?”
“The Empire?”
“If the Silver Moon Order wasn’t behind the explosion… then who did it?”
“They said evidence was confirmed. Even prior preparation…”
Words passed between the people.
Confirmed facts,
speculation, and rumors mixed together and swelled.
Then someone said in a low voice,
“The Silver Moon Order… a public security cooperation unit?”
“They’re coming into the city?”
At that moment, the military police opened the way again.
“Additional notice. Stand back.”
The clerk posted a second sheet of paper.
The sound of nails being driven in rang out again.
Tak, tak.
Establishment of a Temporary Protection Zone,
As of today, this Republic shall establish a “Temporary Protection Zone.”
Those subject to protection include refugees and displaced citizens caused by the aftermath of war,
as well as the elderly, the weak, the injured, and children in need of immediate protection.
Those entering the protection zone shall undergo registration procedures.
This registration is a minimum measure for rations and safety.
The carrying of weapons within the protection zone shall be restricted.
Public order shall be maintained under the command of the Republic Military Police.
Operation, rationing, and medical duties shall be handled by the Republic.
This notice takes effect immediately.
Detailed procedures shall follow the guidance of the military police.
This time, the reactions were more divided.
“Refugees? We had people like that in our city?”
“Displaced citizens… does that mean the people of the moon?”
“Registration? Of course.”
“That way, they’ll know who’s who.”
“But was the situation serious enough to need a protection zone…?”
“You heard the sounds last night. I really thought the gates were opening.”
Someone muttered,
“Did you hear the rumor?”
“They say the Silver Moon Order… did something.”
“I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Another person shook their head.
“What’s certain is that the Empire left, and the lockdown is being lifted.”
Wind blew over the square.
The two official notices fluttered side by side.
As people looked at those papers, each of them drew a different conclusion.
Last night had been anxiety.
And this morning was—
a beginning where relief and suspicion were mixed together.
—
Sienna approached Rangnan as he was checking the condition of the members at the assembly point.
Only after Rangnan had looked once more over the bandaged hands
and the bodies laid out on the ground did he turn to Sienna.
“Lord Rangnan.”
Sienna caught her breath and spoke.
“The Empire’s retreat has been confirmed.”
“And… a decision has been made regarding the treatment of the Silver Moon Order.”
Rangnan’s eyes narrowed.
“Tell me.”
“First, carts for transporting the injured will be sent around noon to the clearing at the forest entrance.”
Rangnan gave a short nod.
“Good. We’ll bring them out.”
Sienna continued.
“And a temporary protection zone will be established.”
“However, the Republic will handle its operation… and they say registration comes first.”
“For now, it’s a temporary measure, and the final decision will be reviewed again ‘after the next full moon’….”
Rangnan briefly looked up toward where the moon had been—
at the sky where that light had now grown faint.
Then he withdrew his gaze and raised a hand, calling those around him.
“First, everyone moves.”
“Those who can stand, take care of the injured. Start with the stretchers.”
The members began moving quietly.
Bandages were lifted, water flasks were carried, and groans settled low in the air.
Rangnan said to Sienna,
“We’ll get the injured to the clearing before noon.”
“When the carts arrive, load them immediately. Keep the number of people entering the city for now to a minimum.”
He paused for a moment, then added in a low voice,
“Leave behind any unnecessary weapons as well. Today is not a day for showing ourselves off.”
Then he changed his tone, speaking more practically.
“After that, I and a few others will go to the headquarters.”
“We’ll get the people—including the refugees—ready, attach escorts, and move them to the city.”
Rangnan nodded as if calculating.
“Half a day… no, a little more.”
“If preparations are ready, moving tomorrow would be realistic.”
Sienna nodded.
“Yes. I’ll relay that to Lord Yun exactly as you said.”
Rangnan turned his gaze back to the assembly point.
He glanced briefly toward Kallen, who lay on the ground,
then lowered his head once without saying anything.
“Go.”
“And… tell Yun one more thing.”
“What we received was not victory. It was a contract.”
—
The clearing at the forest entrance.
It was not far from the city gates, yet far enough that those from the city came no closer.
Prepared carts stood in a row,
and members unable to move on their own were being loaded along with their stretchers.
A blue ox scraped at the ground with the tip of its nose and let out a low breath.
Rangnan swept his gaze over the scene once.
“Aslo.”
Aslo raised his head.
“Bido, and the twins.”
“You four go into the city with the carts.”
Rangnan’s voice was low, but the order was clear.
“Meet Yun and sort out the situation. The council side will already be moving as well.”
“Inside the city, procedures come before words. Don’t cause any needless conflict.”
Aslo nodded.
“Understood.”
Rangnan turned his gaze and called to the remaining members.
“The rest come with me to headquarters.”
“We’ll prepare the people and form the column tomorrow.”
The members moved quietly.
They tied their belongings into minimal bundles, divided the stretchers, and looked over the clearing one last time.
After checking the carts once more,
Rangnan led the members and turned toward the forest.
The remaining four stood beside the carts.
The wheels began to creak forward.
Together with the carts,
they advanced toward the city gates.
Before long, the gates came into view.
Guards and military police were waiting in front of them.
The carts stopped one by one, were checked, and passed through.
Three military policemen approached the group.
“Registration and confirmation.”
“You’re the cooperation unit, correct? State your names and affiliation.”
Aslo stepped forward first.
“Aslo. And this is Bido.”
“We are entering as part of the temporary public security cooperation unit.”
The military policeman’s gaze dropped to the weapons on the two of them.
“First, disarm.”
“That is the regulation inside the city.”
Bido flinched.
At that moment, Aslo stepped forward and took a silver metal plaque from his chest.
It was a silver plaque the size of a palm.
On its surface, Arcu’s seal was clearly stamped,
and words granting permission to carry arms were engraved on it.
“This child and I have citizenship in this city.”
At those words, one of the guards raised his head.
“…Huh. Aslo?”
His gaze shifted to the side.
A black-haired girl, a familiar face.
“…Bido?”
Aslo and Bido greeted him with short nods.
The military policeman looked back and forth between the silver plaque and their faces, hesitating for a moment.
Low murmurs spread among the nearby guards.
“So it was true… Those two.”
“I heard they were with the Silver Moon Order.”
“If it’s Aslo… at least he won’t do anything insane.”
Aslo first unfastened his own sword and handed it to the military policeman.
“I’ll leave my sword with you. According to regulation.”
The moment the military policeman received it, Aslo shifted his gaze to Bido’s back.
“However, the sword this child is carrying must, due to circumstances, remain in her possession.”
Bido swallowed.
The leather strap across her back suddenly felt even heavier.
The military policeman looked Bido up and down.
The girl’s age, the trembling of her hands, and the strangely incongruous presence of the sword on her back.
After a brief silence, he gestured with his chin toward Bido’s back.
“Then… we’ll seal it.”
When the military policeman reached for the leather strap, Bido’s shoulders stiffened again,
but Aslo raised his palm, signaling that it was all right.
The military policeman wrapped another cord over the strap and tied it,
then pressed a small lead seal onto the knot.
Arcu’s mark remained on the seal.
It was a knot bound with both “permission” and “surveillance.”
“If this seal is damaged, you’ll be arrested immediately.”
Aslo nodded.
“I know.”
“Pass.”
Together with the carts,
the four passed through the city gates and entered the city.
The air inside the gates was different from outside.
The anxiety that had pressed down through the night had not completely disappeared,
but at the very least, this was a place where “procedure” was still alive.
And into the very heart of that procedure, Aslo and Bido had returned once more.