Picking People Up

January 14. The weather in Black Flame City was slightly clear that day. Though the snow outside the city had yet to melt completely, the sliver of light leaking through the thick clouds overhead had, more or less, swept away some of the gloom in people's hearts.

Black Flame City remained prosperous and bustling at this time. Amid that bustle, more than a dozen coaches bearing 39th Division plates moved quietly through the city, drawing no attention at all.

On every coach, a 39th Division officer held a route map and a list filled with names. Following the pickup points marked on the map, they collected the people on the list one by one and brought them aboard.

For the 39th Division soldiers and drivers on the buses, today's assignment had been issued according to military-operation standards. Nothing could go wrong, so everyone was extremely serious.

A bus stopped outside Nobin Hotel in Black Flame City. The officer aboard got out. At the hotel entrance, a family of three—a Rose Society girl and her parents, carrying luggage—waited there. After checking their names, he ushered them onto the bus...

At the same time, another coach stopped outside Red Tree Mall in Black Flame City. Seeing it pull up, several people waiting by the roadside walked over.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Fransa's family?" the officer asked politely.

"I'm Fransa..." Mr. Fransa, an ordinary gardener in Black Flame City, stepped forward somewhat nervously.

"May I see your migration permits?"

"Of course!" Francis smiled and stepped forward, taking out his family's migration permits and handing them to the officer.

"No problem. Please board," the officer said politely.

Francis and his family got on the bus. Once aboard, Francis spotted several familiar faces among the brothers of the Divine Grace Brotherhood and