Weiss and the other two rode their horses, following the Imperial knights across the winding valley plank road, passing along a stretch of familiar mountain paths.
The wind blew down from the heights, carrying with it a trace of the chill from the rocky slopes.
After crossing another highland, their view suddenly opened up.
Following the gentle slope downward, on a broad stretch of flat land, countless brown tents had been set up, stretching endlessly as far as the eye could see.
A refugee camp?
Though the arrangements were simple—just poles holding up canvas of various sizes to create makeshift shelters—
They looked as if a single gust of wind might topple them.
But in the tranquil, windless Silent Sun Valley, at least they could barely shield against the night dew. It was certainly better than sleeping out in the open wilderness.
Looking at that endless expanse of brown roofs, the heavy gloom that had weighed on Weiss all this time seemed to finally loosen its grip on his heart.
Should he call it relief…?
After seeing all those densely packed, murdered souls’ heads atop the fog body earlier, he’d thought this region must have already become a living hell, with no survivors left.
But now, the figures moving about within the refugee camp were clearly visible—many of them women and children.
At the very least, it proved that there were still some villagers near the town who had managed to survive.
“This is the refugee settlement camp.”
The female scout knight assigned to guide them reined in her horse, glancing back at them with her usual arrogant demeanor.
She spoke with deliberately lowered voice, as if “just opening my mouth to speak with you is already a kind of charity,” warning them from her lofty height,
“You’d all best behave yourselves, mercenaries. Don’t go thinking that just because Lord Kreonka treats you kindly, you can get full of yourselves or start having any sly thoughts.”
“Of course not.”
Weiss replied with a gentle smile, and yet it was impossible to tell if he was being perfunctory or not.
“Knight Dame Weisswood, correct? Naturally, we will behave and respectfully follow your teachings.”
“You’d better—I’ll be watching you closely.”
The female knight snorted contemptuously, withdrawing her warning gaze, then turned her horse and left without another word.
Fia glared at the retreating figure of Weisswood, her teeth grinding audibly.
Perhaps, in the way that woman treated Weiss, she saw the shadow of her own former, foolish arrogance—and that only deepened her disgust.
Her gaze swept around the camp, and she finally muttered in a low, unhappy voice,
“Whether they’re high-ranking knights or common soldiers, everyone in the Empire’s just as lazy as ever. But they sure do know how to put on a show.”
Weiss could only reply with a wry smile.
He followed Fia’s gaze.
It was afternoon in the refugee camp. Under the autumn sun, half-covered by clouds,
Several squads of patrolling Imperial soldiers wandered about, handing out relief meals with a noticeably casual air.
He knew full well what Fia meant.
A Soul Devourer Lord of Calamity was not the kind of enemy that appeared at its peak strength right away.
It gained power by absorbing the souls of those victims who could not be freed.
This time, the Soul Devourer Lord that became the disaster source had already reached the level of a Lord—which meant it had silently grown and accumulated strength on this land for a long time.
Such a grave danger had appeared on the border, yet the Empire neither prevented nor dealt with it. This was clearly due to gross negligence on the part of the local authorities.
A minor calamity that could have been nipped in the bud had grown into a major disaster that the Kingdom now had to clean up.
Or, to be more precise, it was ultimately Weiss and his companions who had resolved the problem.
And they had nearly lost their lives for it.
Anyone with sense would have some complaints in their heart.
So it was no surprise that Fia would grumble so directly.
Lortissa, on the other hand, seemed focused entirely elsewhere.
She remained silent, her indifferent gaze sweeping over every corner of the camp.
Sensing that the girl beside him was deep in thought, Weiss moved a little closer, concerned.
“Is there something on your mind?”
Lortissa nodded, then shook her head.
“No, it’s nothing.”
She paused, then added,
“No, just—I haven’t seen the Empire’s main forces.”
Weiss blinked, then understood.
It must be a professional habit from her time as a commander.
Even now, she hadn’t forgotten to gauge the enemy’s strength.
But this wasn’t something that needed close observation; it was basically common knowledge.
Weiss shrugged and explained in a relaxed tone.
“Unlike the Western Border Army of the Kingdom, the Empire’s side has always taken things easy.”
Fia, hands on hips, muttered under her breath and leaned in closer to the other two:
“That’s only because the Western Border Army doesn’t put enough pressure on them. Do you know what the Chaplains at the Royal Knights Hall in the capital say? They say Count Leicester is still too soft.”
It was well known that relations between the Empire and Kingdom were always tense.
But because the Silent Sun Valley mountain range was rugged and unsuitable for large-scale battles, and because the Empire was wary of the Kingdom’s elite Western Border Army, most clashes occurred on the wider border plains of Central Hanerney.
Every year after the autumn harvest, the two sides would fight a battle—it had practically become an unspoken tradition.
But two years ago, after that great calamity swept across the northern reaches of the known human world, all the countries bordering the north suffered heavy losses.
The vast Mane Sun Empire and the Holy Covenant Kingdom, as the main forces resisting the calamity, had naturally taken severe damage to their national strength as well.
So for the past two years, both countries had tacitly agreed to recuperate, and had not sought to provoke any new conflicts.
What would really happen if the two sides ever threw everything into a war?
Weiss had heard plenty of drunken mercenaries and merchants boasting about that kind of topic in taverns.
But if that day ever really came, Weiss had no interest in getting involved.
Whether it was the Mane Sun Empire or the Holy Covenant Kingdom, he felt no sense of belonging to either.
So when Fia expressed her contempt for the Empire without reservation, Weiss only smiled tolerantly and said nothing more.
The three of them led their horses through the narrow passage formed by tents on either side.
As they talked, a sharp crack of a whip suddenly exploded in the air without warning.
The sound was shrill and piercing, instantly shattering the afternoon calm of the camp.
Right after came the rough, angry voice of an Imperial soldier.
“What do you want? You rats are even lower than the ones hiding in their mud holes—you should be grateful you even get food! And you want more?”
Like everyone else who instantly fell silent, the attention of Weiss and his companions was drawn to the commotion.
Not far away, an Imperial soldier stood holding a long whistle whip, its tip drooping weakly onto the dusty ground.
And before him, a frail little girl had been lashed to the ground, struggling to get up while still begging desperately:
“Please, just one more bowl of oat porridge—I’m begging you! Grandpa can’t hold on much longer, just a little bit to eat isn’t nearly enough…”