The other Indulgers trekked to the North Pole like a marching crowd. Since they didn't have any directions or hints regarding the mission's main location, finding a residential area was the best option.

Originally, the rookies had doubts about following the instructions of a stranger they couldn't trust like Rolan, but Snider's confident support towards Rolan made them think otherwise.

Snider was a well-known person and adequately trusted; if he had faith in Rolan, then why shouldn't they? Also, the group couldn't risk getting devoured by the forceful cold, so it was worth a shot.

The man with blue hair was more focused than the others; his body tensed and his face stiffened in seriousness. He was technically the leader of the group, for the moment at least.

A dim orange light caught their attention; its rays split the distance, hanging from below like a tall watchtower.

"We're getting closer," Snider uttered.

"Guess you were right about trusting that guy. How do you know him anyway?" the brown-haired man asked.

"Now's not the time," the blue-haired man silenced him with a thick voice.

They pressed forward, their feet sinking beneath the snow. Fortunately, they arrived at the place without much difficulty, Before them was the city set, but there were no red caps.

"Odd..." the pink-haired girl blurted.

'I can't help but get a strange feeling from this place. Ms. Antadisma's words make me more uncomfortable,' she thought.

The blue-haired man entered first. Cautiously stepping through the set, he was welcomed by a subtle warmth. The inside was indeed cold, but not to the extent they had predicted.

The feeling of heat crawled up their bodies, making its way through their necks. Involuntarily, they pulled off their tops, tying them around their waists due to the excessive heat. They didn't really need them after all; the city was a strong protection against the cold.

"Ceaser, what do we do now?" one of the rookies asked, facing the blue-haired man.

"Firstly, we find where to settle down," he answered.

The blue-haired man was known as Ceaser Ordenhein, a former militant made Indulger by circumstances. Despite his wise appearance, he was only 26 years old. Held together by a tight composure and logical decision-making, Ceaser was another respected Indulger amongst them.

The pink-haired girl was Nagita Fetish; not much was known about her past by her colleagues. Generally, she exhibited a kind and caring personality, but occasional plotting and scheming vibes leaked from her persona.

The brown-haired man was Gordon Ravi, a freelance journalist turned Indulger for snooping too deep into things above his head. His age was unknown but was presumably in his 20s.

Ceaser surveyed the area with his eyes; the orange bulbs dazzled atop the black poles. The place was rather quiet, arguably deserted; due to the set, it was nighttime, which made the lack of activity logical.

'Why are innocent civilians being involved in a trial?' Ceaser wondered before placing a calculating glare on Nagita.

She noticed and lowered her gaze in an awkward manner. Ceaser only grew more suspicious but concealed it with a planning expression and calm body language.

"We'll operate like this," he broke the silence. "Five of us each will find different inns in different districts. If the districts are fewer than eight, we'll regroup and adjust to the numbers; if more, we'll rest in our respective inns and start investigating tomorrow."

"Why should we follow your plan, though?" one of the Indulgers at the back spoke out.

"Why not, though?" Snider asked.

"Because it makes no sense. Nobody put him in charge, yet he's been ordering us around like a bunch of robots,"

Ceaser countered, "I'm failing to understand what you mean. There isn't any order I gave that wasn't thought out; everything was for the benefit of the group." His voice thickened. "You speak as though I'm some sort of dictator. I never forced you to comply, did I? If you didn't wish to follow me, then why didn't you object from the start?"

The man paused, his face struck by surprise. "You might be right, but not any longer. From this point on, I want to work independently!"

"Are you being for real or feigning stupidity?" Gordon asked, his face red with rage. One of the other Indulgers shoved him to the side like a burnt lamp.

"The hell..."

"Mind your business, Gordon. This has nothing to do with you," the rookie Indulger who pushed Gordon spoke with a threatening voice.

"Gordon is right. The key to passing trials with a low death rate is by utilizing the strength in our large numbers," Nagita convinced.

"Says who?"

"..." Stunned, she couldn't formulate a response.

"That's enough," Ceaser uttered with a strict tone. "What exactly is your point, Sylzao? Make your demands clear."

"My demand is simple: we split the group into four separate units, each with ten members. Instead of going around like a school of fish, this method is easier and far more efficient."

'Is he being serious? The plan has so many obvious flaws. I'm disappointed by Sylzao's train of thought,' Nagita pondered. 'He wouldn't come up with something this presumptuous on his own; it's obvious someone is trying to split the group. Another party apart from ours is at work....'

'...Is someone among us is an imposter trying to divide and conquer the rookies?—at least that's what I think. It's best to play along for now; if they catch onto my suspicion, they might change strategies.'

Nagita sneakily turned her gaze towards Ceaser. To her surprise, Ceaser was already focused on her behavior and facial expression. A smile twitched on her face, yet she managed to keep it tamed; he was onto them as well.

'Though only an assumption, the possibility of a manipulating party best explains the sudden want for individual power,' Ceaser introspected. 'I might be wrong though.'

The Indulgers fell into a death-like silence, staring at each other with anticipation beaming from them. Ceaser parted his lips, sparking a bright eagerness to hear his answer within everyone.

"You said it yourself: nobody put me in charge. I'm not officially the group's leader or anything either." He snubbed them and kept walking. "Do what you want, discuss it amongst yourselves and decide, but one thing..."

Ceaser gave them a sharp side-eye that pierced through their courage. "Nobody has the right to request any help from me and assume I'm obliged to respond. I'll only aid those I want to; apart from that, you're all on your own." He waved.

"I never really liked that guy."

"Did you see his attitude just now?"

"Seems that calm and collected facade was a mere show."

"Good riddance."

The Indulgers turned on Ceaser one by one, insulting him from behind like cowards—aside from Nagita, Gordon, Snider and a select few.

"Now that's settled, who wishes to be on my team?" Sylzao stepped separately to the side.

Fourteen Indulgers raised their hands. With a pleased smile on his face, Sylzao selected from the bunch.

"You, you, you, three of you, and you guys." He pointed to each person, the similarity in their personalities was rather obvious.

'Like-minded idiots, I guess,' Gordon thought.

"The rest of you sort yourselves out." Sylzao gathered his team, and all of them walked into the somber, orange-lit town.

The remaining scraps of Indulgers sorted themselves out; arguments broke out and fights occurred trying to pick members and the person in charge. Whomever remained after all ten slots of the remaining two groups were filled would automatically fall into Ceaser's team.

Gordon, Nagita, Snider, and two others didn't mind. The selection process was like a play to them, a fun way to pass time as the foolish struggled to pick who would lead them to their deaths.

Out of all the Indulgers present, Ceaser was likely the most reasonable person to lead a group. The only other people capable were Nagita and Snider, but then again, Ceaser was the best bet in general.

After a few minutes passed, the dark sky painted the scenery of the snowy floors and sprinkles from above. The other two groups were formed and fully occupied, leaving their leftovers for Ceaser's group.

The dispute and grieving didn't last too long; the remaining Indulgers accepted their fates and gathered with Snider and Nagita, a bitter taste and disappointment pained their hearts.

"Now that you're done whining, we'll follow through with Ceaser's plan. All of us will find an inn and stay there for the night, except our kind and graceful head, of course," Nagita explained with jesting body language.

"If you don't want to follow through, you're free to sort yourselves out; being a member of this group isn't compulsory. Make your choices now."

Snider held in a hearty laugh, so did Gordon and the others.

Bathed in embarrassment, the reluctant members bowed in respect. "Yes, please accept us," they replied in unison.

"That's good." She stretched a frightful grin. "Best get your lazy asses ready then; work starts tomorrow." She clenched the air as she uttered a commanding statement.

What the next day—or the trial in general—held for them was still a mystery.

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