Southside of Magwurt City

0725, 13 Feb 2025

Once every two days, Tuscan Region authorities would distribute porridge to its residents, and today was the day when the distribution was carried out.

Usually, Sia would rush to the porridge distribution area while carrying two bowls. One for herself and one for her sick grandmother. However, at this time Sia had no interest in leaving the house.

A few days ago, Sia received a very soft and sweet bread from a stranger, who somehow stood not far from the hut where she and her grandmother lived.

The problem was, after enjoying the piece of bread, her grandmother muttered, "Ah... so delicious, this must be the bread the gods in heaven enjoyed. Now I can go in peace."

And last night, her grandmother once again muttered, "Sia, forgive me, grandma can no longer accompany you."

Her grandmother then sobbed all night, while Sia panicked. She knew that the grandmother who had raised her had no blood ties to her, but the grandmother was very kind to her.

The grandmother had never provided adequate food for her, but she never hesitated to give a portion of her food so that Sia could get a little extra intake.

That's why, even if Sia was hungry and weak most of the time, her heart always felt comforted whenever she remembered that she still had a grandmother who loved her.

That's why, the thought that her Grandmother would leave her made Sia feel that the whole world suddenly went dark, and she was worried that if she left the hut, she would not see her grandmother again when she comes back.

Kreeeaaaaak!

Sia turned to the door of the hut that had just opened, and her gaze met three people wearing clothes similar to strangers who gave her bread a few days ago, it's just that one of them also wore a white robe.

The man in white robe smiled softly before saying, "Sweetie, good morning. We were told that a grandmother needs medical attention here."

The man in white robe then turned to the rickety bed, where the grandmother was lying under the shabby cloth. Then, without hesitation he walked over to the bed and grabbed Grandma's wrist before sighing.

"Thankfully we are not too late, but we must immediately transfer her to the medical tent."

Sia tried her best to try to understand what was happening, and was dumbfounded when the man in white robe walked up to her.

"Sweetie, does anyone else live here?"

Sia shook her head three times and the man in white robe asked.

"Apart from your grandmother, is there anyone else who can look after you?"

Sia shook her small head once again.

"Looks like we can't leave you here."

The man in white robe nodded slightly before continuing, "Sweetie, your grandmother is seriously malnourished. So we have to take her to the medical tent. Will you come along to accompany her?"

"Can Grandma be cured?"

With a face full of hope Sia asked, and the man in white robe answered with a small nod.

Tears immediately flooded Sia's face, then with a sobbing voice she begged, "Ser Benefactor, please heal Sia's grandmother. Sia will work hard to repay your kindness."

"Don't worry, your grandmother will be fine in a few days."

The man in white robe then carried Sia and rubbed her head gently. He didn't feel uncomfortable in the least even though Sia's hair and clothes were very worn, and who knows how long it had been since the child took a bath.

At the same time, one of the men who had previously moved the Grandmother onto the iron carriage came over.

"Major Shade, we're ready to go back to the medical tent."

"Then we'd better get going."

The man in white robe replied before getting into the iron carriage while carrying Sia, who was still sobbing.

- - - - -

Southside of Magwurt City

0815, 13 Feb 2025

With feeble steps, Rutim walked with her son Lucca, who was 8 years old. While on her back she carried a bundle containing several worn clothes which was the only belonging she had.

Yesterday, she heard a convoy of iron carriage encampments near the eastern wall of the city, and this morning she saw dozens of green iron carriages with red cross logos on both sides pacing the south side of the city to pick up sick residents.

Surprisingly, the iron carriage could move without being pulled by a horse and the roads it was on had collapsed. However, Tuscan Guard personnel who were guarding the road ignored it. They instead helped the foreigners who were riding the iron carriage.

Not long after that, several Centurions came and asked the residents to move to a campsite on the southeast side of the city, because the south side of the city was going to be undergoing major renovations.

At first, Rutim didn't bother with the relocation, but when she heard the Centurions say that starting today they will no longer be hungry, Rutim's heart immediately felt tight.

'First they got rid of the sick, and now it's our turn.'

Rutim took a deep breath before kneeling and hugging Lucca tightly. Even though he was born to a commoner couple, Lucca had a handsome face and was smart enough for a child of his age.

"Sorry son, because your parents were so useless you had to suffer at such an early age."

"Mom, don't cry. Lucca will become a strong mercenary and come home with lots of bread for you."

Lucca hugged her mother as he tried to calm her down. However, Rutim became even sadder because she remembered her husband, a Centurion who died when Tuscan Guard was hired by Kingdom Makai in the war against Kingdom Horrep.

Even though her husband died in the war, things weren't that bad as long as someone hired the Tuscan Guard. At least, the residents of Magwurt City could eat once a day and even twice a day if victory was won.

Unfortunately, during the past year there had been no major conflict requiring the services of Tuscan Guard, therefore the residents of Magwurt City conditions were plunging to the lowest point.

Rutim and the residents of Magwurt City did not blame Viscount Rattel for the plight that had befallen them. Instead, they were very grateful because when other nobles abandoned their titles and left secretly with their wealth, Viscount Rattel who came from the smallest Noble Family, decided to stay behind, took over the leadership responsibilities, and did his best to fix the situation.

"Lucca, we should have gone with your uncle when he asked us. Sorry, because of my decision you suffer too."

"Mom, I heard that uncle and his group were captured by slave hunters."

"Those things might just be rumors."

Rutim rubbed Lucca's head gently before rising to her feet and continuing the journey with thousands of other residents.

- - - - -

A2 Dining Tent, Amethyst Merchant Camp.

Rutim was dumbfounded when the monk from Nemo Temple handed her a tray of thick red bean soup, a piece of bread freshly out of the oven, jelly with sliced ​​fruit, boiled eggs, and a glass of warm barley tea. While for Lucca he got a glass of warm milk instead of barley tea.

"Uncle monk, can we really eat this food?" Rutim asked doubtfully, while Lucca repeatedly swallowed his saliva.

"Of course, after that go to the tent on the east side. There, you will receive instructions on where to stay and how to use the other facilities. You will also get new clothes and tools for personal hygiene."

Rutim tilted her head before asking again.

"Is all of this from Viscount Rattel?"

"I don't know the details. I only heard that last night the Abbot received a request from Viscount Rattel, for the Nemo Temple's monk to help Amethyst Merchant take care of the residents who were transferred here."

Rutim instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Because if Nemo Temple was involved, it was unlikely that she and the other residents would receive ill-treatment such as mass slaughter or enslavement.

"Hurry up, don't get in the line!"

Rutim immediately gave a deep bow before approaching a table that was still unoccupied with Lucca.

Ear-to-ear smiles graced the faces of the two, considering how long it had been since they had a proper meal while sitting at such a clean table.

*****