ATLA, In A Darker World

Chapter 30 Trap

Southern Earth Kingdom ….

Inner Haican Stronghold .....

Sunset. .....

After many months of aiding refugees, the food supply in possession was gravely depleted.

Hence, every last morsel needed to be properly utilized to avoid waste.

At least, that's what the soldiers said.

However ........ Looking at the bowl of congee placed beside him, Luca found it difficult to stir up an appetite.

The smell emitted wasn't pleasant, it was cold and exuded a smell akin to food close to getting rotten.

'… Food? More like scraps …'. This was the food meant for refugees. And it was the food they had dished out to the civilians who had gone into the stronghold after registration.

Thinking back to the registration, Luca felt a little odd.

The questions asked were simple really. Just names, where you're from, if you had any family members, if you were a bender, and your area of experience.

Honestly, it was too easy. At least …. That was what he thought.

There were no body checks, no searching through their belongings, no asking for proof of identity.

Not so fun fact, passports existed in this medieval fantasy world. Luca, who didn't have one, was initially worried that something might happen. As a result …. Nothing.

His sword wasn't even confiscated.

'Are all military bases like this?'

It couldn't be helped. From Luca's perspective, this stronghold was severely lacking in vigilance. Worst of all, it was wartime.

It was normal to accept and care for refugees, but the fact that they didn't undergo strict checks was a bit astounding.

Weren't they scared that Fire Nation spies would infiltrate the base? With such laxity, all the Fire nation had to do was send a few hundred Firebenders disguised as refugees.

As soon as they entered the stronghold, they would use their bending to wreak havoc while reinforcements promptly followed. Storming the base in one go and capturing it completely.

Honestly, he didn't understand why the Fire Nation found it difficult to destroy this place.

Of course, this was what he thought initially. However, seeing the large number of soldiers in the stronghold, his suspicions eased slightly.

Still, something seemed ..... Off about this place. As a guy with the memories of a former Fire Nation spy, that was saying something.

'...... Travelling great distances ..... Just for this?' No matter what area of expertise you filled in, there was no change in general treatment like Luca had expected. Even the two sole engineers in the batch were treated the same rotten food the other men and women were.

Apparently, it was also the food that would be given to the other refugees outside after their departure.

Thankfully, he wasn't hungry. And even if he was, he saw no need to eat this.

They had been placed in a large empty room within the stronghold after entering and left to fill their stomachs before being taken to Omashu.

That was some time ago.

At that moment, the door was pushed open. Luca turned his gaze to see several soldiers walk in and giving instructions and gestures.

'Looks like it's time to go'.