Hamridge Camp

After parting from the Middly villagers, Carolyn made her way to the large tent that Robert described. The tent was under the jurisdiction of the government, so there were soldiers nearby to monitor it. Carolyn wasn't the only one with business here, so she had to join a line in front of the tent, and thanks to the soldiers' presence, there was no need to worry about anyone skipping the line.

Once Carolyn made it inside the tent, she noticed a middle-aged man and a young woman, both with neutral expressions, sitting behind a table with files and stationery at the back of the tent. The two appeared to be government officials, and there were also two soldiers standing at the back of the tent next to them. Others who had been ahead of her in the line were standing at the right side of the tent. There was no furniture on that side, so it appeared that the right side of the tent served as a waiting area.

When Carolyn made it to the front of the line, the male official spoke to her.

"State your name and business."

"Carol of Bart Village in the Walker domain. I'm here to get a travel pass so that I can enter Vernum City."

She wasn't sure what diction would be best when addressing officials as a villager, but Carolyn tried to speak plainly while hiding the anxiety in her heart. Even if she was strong enough to defeat the two soldiers near the officials, she was right next to a fort filled with enemy reinforcements, so if she was caught lying, she would have no way out.

"Hmm, do you have a letter from your village chief?"

"Yes, I do."

Carolyn presented the letter that Hanson forged for her to the official. She didn't want to show any signs of nervousness, but the tension was too much, so she resorted to clenching her teeth. The official looked at the letter for about ten seconds before stamping it and passing it to the female official, who left the tent with the letter using the back exit. Carolyn stifled her relieved sigh as the male official addressed her once more.

"You can wait on the right. Your name will be called once the pass is ready."

"Thank you."

Once she left the line and joined the crowd on the right, Carolyn finally released the tension in her body. She wasn't completely safe yet, but there was little chance that anything could go wrong now. Travel passes only served as proof that someone entered a domain through official means, so there wasn't much verification that needed to be done. After her letter got stamped, there was basically no reason to worry any more. If she wanted to get a position in the government or open a store, then it would be a bit more troublesome, but since she came from a different territory, they would only check if her village was real.

Carolyn didn't know how long she would need to wait, but since she was allowed to stay inside the tent, it would likely be over before night came. She would have to spend the night at the camp, but she doubted she would be able to get much sleep. She hadn't brought a tent since it would weigh her down, but she knew that she could rent one at the camp, so it wasn't a matter of securing a space to sleep. She had little experience, so she was still unsure of how dangerous it was for a woman to be by herself, and this would also be the first time she was camping alone. Although there would be others nearby, they weren't even acquaintances, just strangers. Even when she woke up in Noral Village, she was comforted by the presences of Atla and Teri, but here, there was no one like that, and the strange gazes she felt weren't helping.

She had always been proud of her ability to detect the emotions in gazes directed at her, so this was the first time she had ever wished she could turn it off. She had mistaken them for being part of her anxiety while she was in line and talking with the male official, but now that she was waiting, Carolyn became aware of the leers targeting her. When their gazes touched her skin, it was as if their tongues were licking her body. It was different from when she was running from the bandits that destroyed her village, but just as frightening. She could tell that none of the gazes carried any intent to do anything to her, but she couldn't imagine what they were thinking while looking at her to make her feel so violated.

Carolyn kept her head down to avoid their gazes while praying that her name would be called soon.

'Just endure. Just endure. Just endure. Just endure.'

"Car... Carol..., Carol of Bart Village."

"Ah, yes!"

She didn't know how much time had passed, but while she was trying to ignore the sickening gazes, Carolyn's name was eventually called. She went to the female official, who handed her back the introduction letter and a brown wooden card with "Fort Hamridge" on one side and a stamp on the other.

"This is your travel pass, valid only in the Amber domain. The first issue is free, but if you lose it, then you'll have to pay 1 silver for a replacement."

"Thank you. ?"

Carolyn reached for the items, but the female official's grip was too firm. Right as she was about to ask why, the female official leaned closer and whispered to her.

"If their gazes bother you that much, then buy a coat and cover up. Just cus you're not in a skirt doesn't mean those scumbags can't see those curves of yours."

She then let go of the items and backed away. There was no change in her blank expression, but Carolyn detected sympathy in her eyes. This act of kindness had her on the verge of tears, but she knew that would trouble the official, so she covered her eyes.

"Thank you so much."

With as much sincerity as she could pack into those words, Carolyn bowed and then left the tent in a hurry.

***Female Official POV***

And there she went. I'm glad she didn't start crying in here, but I hope she's not crying in public either. I can't remember the last time I went out of my way to give advice to someone while on the job, but I couldn't help myself this time.

From a distance it was hard to notice, but up close it was easy to tell that she was using makeup to cover up her appearance. I can't be sure, but she's probably quite the beauty underneath the disguise, so it was a good idea, especially if she was travelling alone. However, her attire obviously didn't have as much thought put into it. Even with her makeup, she wasn't ugly, and her outfit didn't do a good job at hiding the sensuality in her figure, so it didn't surprise me that she was getting lecherous looks. But her reaction; she must not have experienced it before.

Usually I would have ignored a pampered brat like that, but for some reason I was reminded of my younger self when I looked at her.

Still, Vernum City, huh? It's too late to head there now, so she'll need to stay the night. I hope nothing happens to her...