Chapter 182: Winter's Moon (2) (Teaser)
The line of mountain villagers was endless, and they handed everything over to Rekordak—bundles strapped to their backs, carts laden with grain, and livestock gathered from their mountain homeland, all of which had represented their life’s savings.
"There ain't much, but please take good care of 'em."
"Thank y’all so much! We ain’t gonna cause no trouble, we promise!"
"Come on now, dear, say hello like a good girl."
"Hello..."
Epherene listened to the soft sounds of their voices, so pure and unadorned that they brought to mind her own childhood in the quiet countryside. Whether they stirred warm nostalgia or memories better left untouched, she couldn’t quite tell. For a moment, she lingered in that cloud of thought before turning her eyes back to Deculein.
"Guard," Deculein said, motioning for one of the guards to come over.
“Yes, Professor.”
"I will begin selecting the commoners and see that they are gathered."
“Pardon me? Oh, yes, sir!”
Epherene watched Deculein closely as he scanned the crowd of approaching villagers, his eyes moving with precision until he singled out an individual.
"You there! Step forward!" the guard shouted on behalf of Deculein.
"… Sorry, now?"
“Come over here.”
"Oh, a'right..."
The villagers on Deculein's radar had been selected and gathered in a nearby clearing, their faces pale with fear.
"You there! Yes, you as well!"
The guard continued to gather the people as if he were sorting livestock.
“You as well!"
“And you too!”
“Come now! Don’t hesitate!”
The mountain villagers seemed to number well over ten thousand, but those selected by Deculein numbered only about a hundred.
“Oh? Jupan!” Epherene said.
Among them was a boy Epherene had met once before, named Jupan, a herbalist by trade—a spirited child who would...



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