They got off the vehicle chatting noisily, passed the gate of the military administration building on their way to the cafeteria, and heard a group of people shouting.
"Why have you locked down the city and won't let us out? Do you know how much money we lose for every day we're not working?"
"Protest! Protest! Give us a reason, you can't make decisions arbitrarily."
"We're covering the mercenaries' fees ourselves, and now that we can't work, where will the money come from each day?"
"You're only concerned with your official image, without regard for the lives of us merchants."
"Either lift the lockdown or compensate us."
The riot soldiers held up shields, expressionless, blocking the outsiders without speaking.
They couldn't express their grievances, even though they had said there were many Insect Men outside. Yet, the merchants focused only on immediate profits thought the Military Department wanted to monopolize the resources.
