Chapter 53: The Interview

By the time the sun hovered just above the horizon, the square was packed to the brim. The cold had given way to the steady warmth of the rising sun, yet the tension in the air remained thick and heavy.

At about 8:20 a.m., the recruiters finally arrived. Ten of them in total, dressed in dark blue cloaks adorned with the royal crest of Keldoria. They moved with purpose, setting up their tables and checking thick ledgers, their expressions sharp and unreadable.

The crowd stirred. People straightened their backs, adjusted their clothes, and stood taller—everyone trying to look their best despite the exhaustion of standing for hours.

Elric stole a glance behind him. His heart sank at the sheer number of people still gathering. "Must be at least three hundred by now… maybe more," he muttered under his breath.

"Looks like we weren't the only early risers," Bram whispered with a nervous chuckle.