Charles walked alone towards the Relic Research Institute. Although there was a car available, he chose not to ride; for someone who had spent years confined to the Unicorne, the opportunity to walk like this was indeed a rare pleasure.
As he passed the factory area with its towering chimneys, he finally arrived in front of the Relic Research Institute. The place had changed enormously and, rather than a research facility, it now resembled a heavily fortified military base.
As Charles approached, a massive spotlight from a nearby tower bathed him in light, and a loud voice boomed from the speakers atop the tower. "Stop! Raise your identification card and state your name!"
Charles looked up, and due to the intense light, he couldn't see the person's face clearly, but he knew that they must have seen him clearly.
"It's me. Open the gate and let me in."
