Looking up at the three-story black stone pillar that neither of them could hold together, Angel felt the weight of history coming to his face.
There is no doubt that this building has existed for more than 1,500 years. Although many relics from the Tudor period have been excavated around Backlund, and Angel even entered one, but compared to those ruins, this kind of building that has always been used and remains intact is still amazing.
Unfortunately, it also followed the architectural style that was spread from the Solomon Empire to the North Continent countries at that time. The eight stone pillars on the front were clearly an even number, but there were five on one side and three on each side. The door of the City Hall opened to the left, which made her feel quite uncomfortable.
Looking down, Angel looked from the open black iron door to the lobby on the first floor, and found that even if it was close to lunch time, City Hall had many people coming in and out. Like the pedestrians on the street, they were mainly dressed in black, but their styles were different. What made her a little concerned was that the crowd was generally older, and there were hardly many young people to see.
Could it be that the population is aging... She murmured, and followed Cliff who led the way through the hall and to the second floor. As she walked slowly along a long corridor, she finally couldn't help but ask:
"What is the total population of this city?"
This question obviously meant something. Even Nast, who was following the two of them, looked over curiously, but Cliff answered calmly:
"The last count was five months ago, and there were about 103,000 people in total. This is slightly more than the planned population, but it is not a big problem... Our city's maximum population is about 120,000, and there is still room for it. There is no need to deliberately reduce it."
The carrying capacity... This may be related to the supply of food, industrial products, etc. in the entire city, and it must have used extraordinary power, such as the characteristics of a "biologist" like Frank Lee... Well, he is probably already Sequence 5's "Druid"... Thoughts were rolling in Angel's mind, and suddenly stopped on a word in Cliff's words.
"Depopulation? What will you do if the population exceeds carrying capacity?"
At this moment, she thought of giving up some old people, making the law more stringent, and executing some minor offenders...
"Of course, the number of newborns is planned. Currently, each couple has an average of 2.4 children. Excluding those who die early due to illness, accidents and those who are unwilling to get married, it can just meet the replacement of generations. If the population is too large, City Hall will issue new regulations and find ways to reduce this number, such as promoting later marriage and childbirth, and increasing the intergenerational gap."
It is such a scientific method. Hearing about the almost modern family planning method in a city that was isolated from the world more than a thousand years ago makes me deeply feel sad for those countries outside that have just used steam engines and are planning to have a World War... Angel My mouth opened slightly, and I didn't know what to say for a while.
"What about outsiders? If they become 'residents' and integrate into this city, are they allowed to leave children?"
Nast, who was following behind, suddenly asked.
Why is he asking such a question? He is not tired of life outside and plans to retire here... I remember that the law prohibits Beyonder from leaving offspring. It should not only be a regulation for local residents... Angel muttered and looked at Cliff, who shook his head and replied:
"Ordinary people can leave their own offspring if they come here at an age suitable for marriage, but you can't."
"Is it because inheriting Beyonder Characteristic will cause the offspring to become born Beyonder? I think you may not know that Beyonder of High Sequence can decide on their own whether to pass on their characteristics to the next generation... Wouldn't such an outsider be allowed to leave offspring?"
Nast then asked, his tone even a little anxious, making Angel look at him secretly.
"I'm sorry, I don't know much about these things. If it's prohibited by law, it's not allowed. If it's not prohibited, it's okay."
Cliff shook his head again and replied.
At this time, Angel saw the undisguised disappointment in Nast's black eyes, and suddenly realized something.
He is not preparing a way out for himself, but looking for the descendants of someone who has already entered this Hope City.
He is confirming whether his father, Savini Solomon, has left any descendants in this city!
This guess shocked Angel, but the more he thought about it, the more likely it became.
Otherwise, there is really no need for Nast to take the risk of fighting a "Balancer" and forcefully get on the bus to "Ghost Empire". Even if he really covets the "Lawyer" Pathway characteristics of Sequence 2, he can still exchange interests afterwards.
He won't be like Bernadette, who has been searching for his father's whereabouts all his life... Looking at Nast who was disappointed and closed his mouth and stopped asking questions, Angel felt a little emotional in his heart.
At this moment, Cliff pointed at a Double Door door with a black wood base and brass edges and said:
"We are here, this is the office of Archon Your Excellency.
"He just received one of your companions in the morning, and will receive several others in the afternoon. If you have any other questions, you can ask him."
With that said, Cliff pushed open the door on one side and made a gesture of invitation.
It's not like Anne was the one who received them in the morning, and it was Klein's turn in the afternoon... Sorted according to Sequence, which is also in line with the strict and somewhat old-fashioned attitude of this city... Angel thought about it, glanced at Nast, and found that the other party was also looking at him, so he took a deep breath and walked in.
The room was more concise than she expected. There was a huge desk and a wing chair next to the floor-to-ceiling window in the innermost part. There were several smaller chairs on the other side, with bookshelves on both sides. An oil painting depicting the sea and rocks hung on the last wall near the door. Other than that, there were no extra decorations.
Behind the desk, there sat a stout middle-aged man. He was about 40 years old, with short brassy hair and light golden eyes. His facial features were somewhat deformed by the excess fat on his face. He also had two tufts of beard with upturned ends between his nose and lips, making him look a little unserious and funny.
The corners of the eyes, ears and other features are somewhat similar to the statues enshrined in the memorial hall... Could this be a descendant of the Trunsoest royal family, or at least have a blood relationship, does this have something to do with him becoming a consul... Angel's eyes quickly scanned the other person's appearance and figure, and then imitated Cliff's name for him and said:
"Consul Your Excellency, good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, two guests, welcome to 'Dream City'," the consul stood up from the chair, walked around the desk, and came to Angel and Nast, making his bulging belly fall directly into their eyes, "Cliff, please wait outside the door for a while, I will talk to them alone."
Cliff, who was named by him, seemed to already know this process. He nodded and left the office, closing the half of the wooden door.
Click, the sound of the lock bolt hitting the door frame was heard, and there were only two Sequence 3 outsiders left in the office, as well as the "Consul" who seemed to have no extraordinary power.
"Please sit down, both of you. Although I am a consul in name in this city, I am actually no more aloof than ordinary people... I believe you can also see that I am actually just an ordinary person, and I do not carry weapons or... Mystical Item."
The fat Archon said, opening his arms as if to show the two that he was no threat.
No, actually I don't see it, only Demigod of "Arbiter", and you are an ordinary person that worries me, which means you will rely on that "Hand of Order" Characteristics exercise power, not through one's own strength... Angel muttered secretly, but still found a single chair to sit down. Nast did the same, but still stared at the other party with some vigilance.
"Very good. In this city, abiding by the law and following the advice of the Archon is the foundation for a good life." The Archon nodded and sat back at the desk. "Introduce yourself. You can call me Goredolf, or like most people, call me Archon Your Excellency."
"Angelica Zaki."
Angel gave his pseudonym without hesitation, and "King of the Five Seas" sitting next to him also said in a low tone:
"Nast."
"Miss Angelica, Mr. Nast, good afternoon, welcome you to this city again," Goredolf once again delivered a welcome speech, and then opened a document on the desk, "Later, you have to go to the office next door to fill out a few documents. The form mainly contains some basic information so that City Hall can be included in the file. In addition, each of you will be assigned a house of your own, allowing you to make your own choices to a certain extent, such as location or house size, but the total value will be limited to a reasonable range."
"Does this mean we have truly become 'residents'?"
Angel asked.
"Yes, with files, houses and identities, you are the residents here... Of course, there is also a 'quota' for you. Even if you don't work, this can ensure that you will not starve to death, but if you want to live a good life, you must obey the task assignments of the City Hall. This We will consider how your original Beyonder Ability can be used without breaking the law... Haha, even now, there are a small number of Beyonder in this city. If you are interested, you can chat with them and learn from them to adapt to life here."
"Other Beyonder? Have you all registered?"
Nast, who was sitting next to him, asked with a serious expression.
"Everyone's files are at the Archives Bureau near the City Hall. You can check them as long as you have reasonable reasons."
Goredolf replied, glanced at "King of the Five Seas", then laughed, leaned back, leaned on the back of the chair, and continued leisurely:
"I think before coming here, you should all read the City Law in the hotel according to Cliff's prompts and know what can and cannot be done. This may be a little difficult for Beyonder, but I hope you can abide by all laws and don't try to find loopholes in them. Although the law will not be retroactive when fixing loopholes, I, as the consul, have the power to impose corresponding punishments.
"Of course, I hope you will study the legal provisions carefully and find loopholes that can be exploited. This will help our city improve its laws and repair any shortcomings. For me, it can also bring a bit of fun to the boring work."
"Fun?"
Angel asked in return, curious that such words would come out of the mouth of a consul who spoke of laws and closed regulations, as if he was the incarnation of City Law.
"Yes, after all, life always needs some excitement, fun and expectations."
Goredolf replied with a smile. He raised his right hand naturally, but put it down before raising it up, as if it was just a twitch.