I stopped just shy of the massive, gated wall before me. PanTech’s invisible barrier, long since inactive, wasn’t really necessary. This wall must’ve been here for a long time, only now becoming effective in any way that mattered. It was likely something ceremonial, constructed by PanTech when the zone was being established to fit some cultural theme they barely understood and made no effort to comprehend. Then again, why would they?

Two armed guards stood on either side of the gate, eyeing me as I approached. They were calm, neither alarmed by the large falcon on my shoulder nor the sword on my hip. Their armor was ornate, mostly leather, featuring some sort of mythical creature’s face shaped on each shoulder piece. They wielded elaborately designed spears, with swords at their sides. These were not simple ruffians, but trained soldiers—unusual, considering PanTech’s stance on allowing citizens to become competent in military matters.

I recalled some of my mother’s stories about this zone. They were given significant leeway for ceremony and appearance. It would explain the wall and the soldiers. However, it raised a larger question in my mind. Zone protection was, ceremony or not, within the jurisdiction of Adversity Management. Why were citizen soldiers standing at the gate instead of Adversity Management?

I waved as I approached, offering a smile. It was worth a try. I was met with stone-faced indifference. For a moment, I thought I might just walk right between them without any interference, but two spears crossed in front of me the moment I reached them.

“What zone do you hail from?” the soldier on the left asked.

“I’m from the desert village zone far from here. Originally.”

“Originally,” he answered, looking down his nose at me. “So, you’re from PanTech. There were survivors, after all.”

His tone implied disappointment, though I couldn’t necessarily blame him for that. In his position, I’d likely have felt the same way—before I met Linus, before I became an employee of PanTech myself and met so many good people there. Life is so much easier when you can view a group as a collection of evil rather than as diverse individuals with different beliefs and personalities. Despite that, some institutions simply can’t be changed from within. They demand you either work outside of them or conform, with no middle ground. It is possible to hate PanTech and still care about many of the people who work for them.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but yes. I’m here to speak to Adversity Management. Can you take me to them?”

“Adversity Management is no longer the acting authority.”

“They’re gone?” I asked.

He tilted his head at me, as though I were slow for not understanding his answer the first time.

“They are no longer the acting authority. They have sworn to serve the new emperor,” he clarified.

But his clarification made the statement no easier to swallow. The only times I’d seen zones take charge of themselves like this was when Adversity Management was no longer around, because they’d all left or had all been killed. Here, they surrendered control willingly?

“I see… could you take me to the emperor, then?”

The other soldier chuckled.

“Do you think anyone can just show up and ask to see the emperor? Of course not. You may enter and join in the festivities, but our laws strictly forbid accepting assistance from outsiders. That includes other zones and, yes, even PanTech.”

Finally, there was no Adversity Management to stand in the way of offering the vaccine quickly, and they were telling me they were unable to accept aid from outsiders because of some law? And surely they just made this law recently. Adversity Management certainly wouldn’t have allowed it while in power.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Also… festivities?

“What are you celebrating? Are you not experiencing a plague, like other zones?”

The soldier’s face hardened.

“Yes, we are. However, the coronation ceremony for our new emperor is in three days. That is cause for celebration, in spite of the sickness.”

“New emperor? What happened to the old one?” I asked.

I’d finally worn out their patience. The other soldier spoke up again.

“It’s none of your concern. You can enter and take part in the festivities if you’d like, or you can move on with your travels.”

“I have a vaccine that can cure everyone here. It’s a simple medical procedure that can be done before the coronation ceremony. Wouldn’t that be a fine way to start the new emperor’s reign?”

I knew full well this kind of decision was far outside the authority of the two men in front of me, but I was casting my line out. I wanted to get a feel for the overall reception of the people here to gauge what kind of response I might get from the emperor or those loyal to him.

The two men looked at one another, then returned their gaze to me. I wouldn’t know their true reaction, because they clearly did not believe me. The faint smiles on their lips gave that away.

“Open the gate!” one shouted over the wall.

The door slowly lifted until finally, it was open far enough for me to walk through.

“Enjoy your brief stay,” the other said.

I stepped through the gate and was greeted by a bizarre, but not unwelcome sight. The street was crowded with people, all in high spirits. There were costumes, dancing, and vendors lined up as far as the eye could see. For a zone with only a few thousand people, it was hard to imagine anything warranting this kind of participation given the circumstances.

A line of people ran in front of me, wearing a multi-person costume that looked like a dragon. They ran in a circle around me, then continued along the street, hopping and creating all sorts of eccentric movements as they did.

A child approached me with what looked like some kind of candy on a long stick, and I accepted it. It brought back memories of another zone I had visited some years ago when I was still dealing with the General Markus problem. At that time, it had been a trap to get us to let down our guard, and I was kidnapped. I’d have to stay on my guard here, but that didn’t mean I was going to pass on any delicious food.

I took a big bite, much to Ghost’s silent surprise.

“Mmm!” I said, nodding to the kid with a big smile. She laughed, then handed me another before running off with a basket full of whatever these things were.

“Don’t get distracted,” Ghost nearly whispered in my ear.

“I’m just blending in,” I said.

“Right. Right.”

He didn’t believe me. Or maybe he was just jealous of my treat.

“It’s some kind of cake ball but firmer. It holds together on the stick. It’s almost gooey. Want a taste?”

“I did not ask, and I do not.”

I grinned, shoving the rest of the ball into my mouth, causing my cheeks to puff out.

Each vendor stall I passed was enthusiastic, calling out to me. A woman held up a necklace.

“It would look so beautiful on you!” she said as I passed.

Another man held up a large carving of a falcon.

“Just like your companion!” he said.

I nodded and smiled as I continued walking. In truth, I hated these sorts of pushy merchant tactics. I was already feeling drained, and I’d only been here a few minutes. My pace quickened, eager to make it out of the market area.

Eventually, I encountered some men working to repair a building that had partially collapsed.

“Hello. Could I get some directions?” I asked.

“I’m working,” the man said, bumping into me as he hurried past with a piece of lumber on his shoulder.

Wandering around aimlessly it is, then.

I continued for a while longer, eventually making it past all the vendors and businesses to what looked like government buildings. Maybe this was a little closer to what I was looking for.

I stepped inside the first building I came to, seeing a “Ministry of Agriculture” plaque above the door.

Several men loitered inside, perhaps looking busy more than being busy. A government building, to be sure.

“Hello. I’m wondering what the proper procedure is to meet with the emperor.”

The man closest to the door took a step toward me, bowing slightly before letting his eyes linger on me for a moment. He seemed to grow more and more confused with each passing moment.

“Well… you’d first have to wait for him to become the emperor. He is simply the prince for now. Chief Adviser Tannis is taking care of state affairs for the next few days.”

“I’ll meet with Chief Adviser Tannis, then.”

The officials smiled at one another before the man turned his attention back to me.

“Esteemed visitor… well… any business discussed with the Chief Adviser won’t be addressed for several days, and by then we will have our new emperor. Why not just enjoy the festivities for now? It’s unlikely the emperor will have time to meet with anyone outside of the royal court for months anyway.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. It was going to be one of those places.