Passing by a few patrol soldiers around Amai Castle, Mr. Oga finally reached close to Ballot Castle. At this point, he could no longer accompany the young man, as the area around the fortress had been heavily fortified since the conflict between the two sides began. Moreover, the general's hatred for the Elf race was a certainty, so if we were caught traveling together, it would undoubtedly lead to trouble.
Oga: Listen to me, Amai! Be cautious and take care of yourself.
Amai: I will, sir.
Oga: Remember this. In this world, there is no love without reason. Every act of care has a motive. Keep that in mind.
Amai bid farewell to him and headed alone toward the castle gate. As he approached, he encountered a group of people who appeared to be refugees.
Amai (thinking): "They're carrying lots of luggage. They must have come from far away. What could be the reason? Are they fleeing from something?"
He moved closer to the group, trying to find someone to ask. He spotted a young man about his age and decided it might be easier to strike up a conversation with him.
Amai: Hey there, what's everyone doing here? Why are you carrying so much luggage?
Young man: Don't you know what happened? The news has spread far and wide. We're residents from the north of this fortress, just a few dozen miles away. We lived peacefully until they arrived. They're incredibly savage and killed many people.
Amai: Who are "they"?
Young man: The filthy beasts of the Demon Legion, of course. Haven't you heard about them? Or have you never seen them before? Are you fresh out of the forest or something?
Amai: Um, well, yes. I just came out of the forest. I don't know much about the fortress or the events you just mentioned.
Young man: You're not an Elf, are you? Wait, you don't have long ears... That can't be! What were you doing in the forest?
Amai (thinking): "Oh no! I slipped up. I'd better keep this a secret for now."
Amai: I mean, I crossed through the forest to get here, not that I lived there.
Young man: You crossed the forest?!!! How did you manage that? Are the Elves in the forest friendly toward you or something? Haven't you heard the story? That story!!!
Amai: What story?
Young man: Well… Uh, no, we should head into the city. This is the southern gate, and nobody is allowed to talk about that story here. It'll bring trouble.
Amai: Just tell me quietly.
Young man: I don't want to die yet, my friend.
The two talked as they walked and eventually reached the castle gate. A guard stopped them and asked for entry papers. The young man quickly produced his papers, but Amai had no idea about this requirement.
Young man: Hey, hurry up and show your entry papers. What are you waiting for?
Amai: I… I don't have any papers. (He scratched his head with an awkward smile.)
Guard: You don't have entry papers? Then leave immediately. Unauthorized entry is prohibited. Everyone needs entry papers to get in.
The guard waved him away, forcing him to bid farewell to the young man and leave the gate.
Amai: I'll have to find another way to get inside. But how?
Walking along the city walls, Amai came across an area with several tents and a crowd of people. They seemed to be refugees without entry papers, just like him. As he passed by, a middle-aged man approached him.
Middle-aged man: My name's Gazal. I'm a guide around here. You don't have entry papers, do you?
Amai: How do you know?
Gazal: Haha, no one with papers would be wandering out here.
Amai: Fair enough.
Gazal: You want to get into the city, don't you? I can help.
Amai: Help me? Why would you want to help me?
Gazal: You seem smart and good-looking, like someone from a wealthy family. Just give me some money, and I'll get you in.
Amai: How will you do that?
Gazal: Of course, I have my ways. (He rubbed his fingers together.)
Amai (thinking): "Looks like he's only helping me for money."
Amai: Fine. Name your price.
Gazal: Oh, it's up to you. After all, this is charity work for us.
Amai: If it's charity, why don't you help them? (He pointed at the people lying in tattered tents nearby.)
Gazal: Young man, you're too naive. Even kindness comes at a price.
Amai: Kindness has a price? I don't understand what you mean.
Gazal: Let's go. Don't dwell on it. If you want to help them, talk to the general inside the city.
As they walked and talked, Amai asked again.
Amai: The general?
Gazal: Yes, General Douglas. He oversees the southern region of Ballot Castle. He's one of the four most powerful figures in the city. If you really want to help those people, go find him yourself. I can't assist with that.
Amai: Fine. Where can I find him?
Gazal: You'll know soon enough.
Amai was puzzled. They kept walking until no one else was around. Then Gazal took something out of his bag that Amai couldn't see clearly.
Gazal: This is a cloak enchanted with invisibility spells. We'll use this to get in. Put it on. (He handed Amai one, leaving him astonished.)
Inside the cloak, Amai couldn't see anything outside. Gazal led him to a corner of the city wall, knocked three times, then four. Amai heard the sound of bricks moving, and suddenly he was pushed inside. When he removed the cloak, he was surrounded by men wearing armor similar to the gate guards'. One of them grabbed him, and another used a magical communication spell to notify someone about capturing an illegal immigrant.
Meanwhile, Gazal was laughing outside.
Gazal: A naive kid talking about "charity"? As long as you're caught, everything you have belongs to us! Hahaha!