Chapter 1523: The Building

Erend approached the large building, studying it more carefully as he drew closer.

Like most structures in the settlement, it had been constructed from a combination of metal, wood, and stone, but it was considerably larger and sturdier than the surrounding buildings.

The structure rose three stories above the ground and had the appearance of a massive square column with four distinct sides. Rows of narrow windows were positioned across the upper levels, allowing the occupants to observe the settlement from above.

Reinforced metal plates covered several sections of the exterior and thick stone supports formed the foundation and corners of the building.

The two guards standing near the entrance immediately noticed Erend approaching. They frowned as they looked at him. Their expressions showed both confusion about his unfamiliar face and suspicion about why someone new to the settlement was approaching their building.

"Good morning," Erend greeted them with a friendly smile. "I’m new to this settlement. Can I enter this building?"

"No," one of the guards replied coldly immediately. His stern expression did not change. "You’re new here. You’re not supposed to approach this building."

Erend glanced toward the building again, an expression of curiosity appearing on his face.

"What kind of building is this, anyway?" Erend asked.

The guards did not answer. Instead, they simply stared at him sharply as though they wanted him to leave as quickly as possible.

"For new people, this place is prohibited," the guard finally said.

"Then when can I enter?"

"When the time comes."

The answer was hardly useful.

Erend understood immediately that he would not be getting inside today. If he wanted to enter through ordinary means, he would probably have to wait until he had been accepted by the settlement or gained some kind of permission.

"Well, alright. Have a good day." Erend turned around and walked away.

The two guards continued watching his back as he disappeared farther down the street.

"Who is that guy?" one of them asked.

"He’s with the group Norma brought in yesterday. She said they met her while she was traveling and she brought them here."

The first guard narrowed his eyes. "He looks like a man who could be useful."

"Yeah. But I don’t like his eyes."

The other guard glanced at him. "Why?"

"They look like the eyes of someone who has seen a lot of things and wouldn’t hesitate to use violence if necessary."

The guard beside him snorted. "Aren’t we all like that?"

"No. This man is different." The first guard continued watching Erend’s distant figure. "I don’t know how, but he’s different."

—

Erend sighed as he walked away from the building.

Getting inside was clearly not going to be as simple as he had hoped. The guards had made it obvious that newcomers were not allowed inside, and Erend did not want to create unnecessary trouble by forcing his way through the entrance.

So he decided to find Norma. She had lived in the settlement long enough to understand how things worked here and knew about the four of them. If anyone could explain the purpose of the building, she was probably the safest person to ask.

Erend stopped several people along the way and casually asked if they knew where Norma lived. Most of them simply pointed him toward another section of the settlement. After asking a few more people, he finally received a more specific direction.

Erend followed it until he reached a district near the other portion of the settlement, a little bit far from his own house.

As he approached the district, he saw one of the houses’ doors open and Norma stepped outside.

She immediately noticed Erend approaching and paused for a moment before walking toward him.

"Do you need something?" Norma asked seriously.

Her tone carried a hint of concern. By now, she understood that if Erend or one of his three companions came looking for her, they probably wanted information about something important.

"I need to know about that big building," Erend said in a low voice.

Norma stared at him for a moment. She had expected this question eventually. With a small sigh, she nodded. "Follow me."

Norma turned around and walked back into her house. Erend followed her inside.

The interior looked similar to the house where Erend and the others were staying. The walls were made from the same mixture of stone, wood, and salvaged metal, the furniture simple and practical.

However, Norma’s house contained a few more personal touches. Some tools had been carefully arranged along one wall, several old containers had been placed on shelves, and a few small objects that clearly held sentimental value had been kept near the living area.

Norma motioned toward two chairs.

"Sit down, please."

Erend sat down while Norma took the chair opposite him.

For a moment, she studied his expression before finally beginning to explain.

"That building has several purposes. It’s basically the center of this settlement’s activities and government."

Erend listened carefully.

"It’s where most of the important decisions are made. The people who manage the settlement work there, and that’s also where we deal with matters involving resources, security, trade, and the people coming in and out of the settlement."

"So it’s the government building?" Erend asked.

"Partly," Norma replied. "But it’s more than that. The people who run the settlement use it as their headquarters, but several organizations also operate from there. You could call some of them guilds. Scavenger groups, guards, resource workers, traders, and other people who need official permission often have to deal with someone inside that building."

Erend’s expression became more focused. He nodded to himself in understanding. "So it’s basically the center of everything."

"Pretty much," Norma said. "If something important happens in this settlement, there’s a good chance someone inside that building knows about it."

That immediately made the building much more interesting to Erend.

If there was any information about Valthoria, ancient ruins, expeditions, or unusual discoveries existed anywhere in the area around this settlement, there was a good chance it would eventually pass through that building.

"I must enter that building," Erend said.

Norma shook her head. "It is not easy."

—