While Lucian was grinning foolishly at the forum, he was suddenly grabbed by the scruff of his neck with a strong grip.
"Had enough fun?" Rover said flatly.
She truly couldn't understand how someone could be so socially extroverted.
Meanwhile, Chixia snickered beside them. "I think it's pretty amusing."
As they spoke, the three arrived at the outer area of the City Hall.
The City Hall was a grand structure located along Jinzhou's central axis, accessible via the entrance steps.
Its atmosphere was solemn and dignified, serving as the political heart of Jinzhou and the home of the Data Bank, the Grand Library.
Since the founding of Jinzhou, successive Magistrates had governed from here, making it a crucial administrative site in the eyes of the city's people.
The City Hall was built against a mountain, giving it a relatively high elevation.
The view of Jinzhou from the City Hall was particularly favored by Magistrate Jinhsi.
According to her own words, the mountains outside the city stretched endlessly, but with Jinzhou's countless lights illuminating the night, they didn't seem frightening at all.
Moreover, the current Magistrate, Jinhsi, had lifted the restriction on entering the outer perimeter of the City Hall, allowing both locals and visiting tourists to explore the area.
Defensive installations were also built into the structure, capable of effectively repelling Tacet Discord invasions. If an intrusion occurred, the alarms would be triggered immediately.
Outside, there was also a small pond and rustling bamboo groves. If one wanted to practice swordsmanship, this might be a good place.
At the moment, the area was bustling with activity.
This was due to a notice previously issued by the Magistrate. Some people, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, had come here claiming to be the important guest she was looking for.
A female passerby argued with the Midnight Rangers: "How could I not be that distinguished guest? Look, look! Everyone who received me along the way said so!"
"Every guest is an important visitor to Jinzhou!"
"No one said I wasn't the one!"
"So why won't you let me see the Magistrate?!"
Nearby, two men were conversing:
"How far have you gotten? Did you see the Magistrate?"
"I did see Lady Sanhua! She looked at me!"
"And Lady Sanhua personally confirmed that I wasn't the guest!"
"But who cares about such trivialities?"
"I got to see Lady Sanhua with my own eyes and was personally rejected by her!"
Pushing through the noise, the trio finally spotted Yangyang.
Chixia chuckled. "First time seeing the City Hall so lively~"
Yangyang replied, "I was shocked too when I arrived. It's the first time I've seen so many non-officials gathered in front of the City Hall."
Though part of the outer area had been opened to the public, the overall atmosphere remained quite formal.
Lucian asked, "Are all these people here for the meeting too?"
"Most of them have already applied for an audience but were politely turned away without seeing the Magistrate," Yangyang answered.
Lucian rubbed his chin. "Haven't they seen the post I made yet?"
Yangyang smiled. "If you'd posted it earlier, they might not have come at all."
"Who turned them away?" Rover asked.
"Most were gently dissuaded by the guards during the initial procedures. Those who insisted on staying were either acting on behalf of others or stubbornly determined to meet the Magistrate."
Yangyang clarified further:
"But those who went in all said, 'After Lady Sanhua glanced at me, it was like I was frozen.' Then they were sent away with a single sentence."
Chixia exaggeratedly remarked, "What kind of weird description is that? Sounds like some snake-haired Tacet Discord next thing you know, they'll turn people to stone."
Lucian frowned. "Is this Lady Sanhua really that scary?"
Yangyang: "She's the Magistrate's personal guard."
Chixia suddenly understood. "Oh~ I've heard of her. A 'cold beauty who's all-powerful, sharp-eyed, and terrifyingly strong.'"
"—Or so the rumors say," she added.
Cold beauty…
As the saying goes, the eyes of the masses are sharp.
If she was the Magistrate's personal guard, she must also be a Resonator.
"Heh heh heh…"
Lucian planted his hands on his hips and tilted his head up slightly. "They must be waiting for me!"
Chixia patted his shoulder reassuringly. "You're great and all, but you're not a Resonator. The Magistrate is probably looking for Rover."
Rover: "Can holographic messages be pre-recorded?"
"Of course! They're just messages, after all!" Chixia playfully shook Lucian's shoulders. "What's on your mind, Rover?"
"The Magistrate might not actually know who this guest is." Rover pinched her chin, deep in thought.
"What do you mean?"
"Mass communication wasn't just because the guest is 'lost.' The Magistrate must have anticipated imposters and this situation. But how is she distinguishing the 'fake guests'…?" Rover seemed to be muttering to herself before sighing. "No, never mind."
Yangyang: "I'm not sure what Rover is thinking, but I think meeting in person and confirming directly would be best?"
Chixia: "I'm also confused. Whatever the Magistrate's goal or plan is, isn't this the clearest lead we have right now?"
"What do you all think?" Rover still seemed uneasy.
Lucian, however, understood Rover's concerns.
After all, in that earlier recorded message, the Magistrate's description of the person she was looking for had been vague. Rover likely couldn't be entirely sure that Jinhsi was searching for her.
Lucian reassured her, "Don't worry. Let's go in and meet this Sanhua first. Since the Magistrate hasn't appeared and left it to her personal guard, there must be a way to determine the truth."
Yangyang asked worriedly, "How do you feel, Rover? A strange city and blank memories… Does it make you feel lost and uneasy?"
Rover pressed her lips together. "I don't know what to do."
Ever since she woke up, she had been led by the nose, never taking the initiative.
After all, someone with amnesia would naturally feel lost in an unfamiliar world.
Like Lucian though he hadn't lost his memories, he didn't know much about this world either.
But at least he had his system to rely on, ensuring his survival in this dangerous world wasn't an issue. Plus, the system's tasks gave him some direction.
For example, his current small goal was to become a social terrorist!
Lucian cheered her on. "It's fine! No matter what the past was like, people always have to look forward!"
Rover smiled and nodded.
"If there's no issue, why doesn't Rover go in and meet Sanhua first? She might be able to answer all your questions."
Yangyang then turned to Lucian. "As for you… Though I think the chances are slim, the Magistrate's message didn't explicitly state that the person she's looking for is a Resonator. Why don't you go in with Rover?"
"No problem!"
Yangyang nodded. "Chixia and I will wait for you outside."
Chixia: "Mhm, we'll be right here! If anything happens, just shout oh, wait, probably not. They won't hear us outside, and the City Hall doesn't allow loud noises anyway."
Lucian patted Chixia's head, then walked into the City Hall with Rover.