"Whoosh—!"
A frigid wind swept past, carrying a howling sound with it.
Snowflakes danced in the cold wind, whirling as they drifted down.
The snow falling from the sky had dyed the earth a dazzling white, stretching as far as the eye could see.
And in this season of falling snow, countless people bundled in winter clothing, like refugees, walked together in one direction, leaving row after row of footprints in the snow.
A closer look revealed that their destination was a city.
A remarkably grand and prosperous city that nonetheless seemed newly built, carrying an air of freshness.
Many armored knights stood around the city gates, setting up lines of defense. The walls, too, were filled with knights, creating an atmosphere of strict vigilance—or perhaps grim martial tension.
Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might have mistaken the city for a military fortress.
Yet this city was no military fortress. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Mithra—the royal capital.
At that moment, the royal capital's gates stood wide open, welcoming refugees from every direction.
Quite a few armed figures dressed as knights stood guard nearby, shouting at the refugees.
"Those from northern cities, proceed to the north gate to register for entry!"
"This is the east gate! Only those from eastern cities may register for entry here!"
"There is no fee for entering the city! But anyone who refuses to cooperate with registration will be expelled!"
"These are extraordinary times! The royal capital will not accept people from other nations or other territories! Those not from cities surrounding the royal capital, follow the Knights preparing for an expedition to the other territories!"
"Everyone, line up! Maintain order!"
"Don't run around recklessly! It's dangerous!"
The knights warned the refugees like this.
The refugees had no complaints. They obediently lined