Parting

Under Carnford's highly efficient administrative machine, the work of registering, screening, and assigning more than eight thousand refugees was nearing its end.

In the temporary camp, people were packing their meager belongings according to the final assignment lists, saying farewell to the temporary neighbors they had depended on these past few days, and preparing to follow the guides sent by each fief toward the new lands that would decide their future fate.

The members of Webber's squad had also reached the moment of parting.

Several days of rest and relatively sufficient food had improved everyone's complexion considerably, but the sorrow of separation had begun to spread through the air.

The first to have their destination confirmed were Juan and his wife Jenny. Though Juan's leg injury had been saved, it had left him severely crippled. He needed a crutch to walk and could no longer take on any military duty.

According to the arrangements, the couple, together with the three prostitutes who likewise had no particular special skills and needed shelter, were assigned together to Old Morrell's fief, Silver Sand Bay.

The climate there was relatively mild and it lay close to the coast. Old Morrell was advanced in years and generous by nature, and he was in need of stable residents for reclamation and fishing. For wounded soldiers like Juan who had lost their ability to fight, and for women and children who needed a steady life, it was undoubtedly a good place to end up.

"Webber, Tom, Erich, Mia... we... we're going to Silver Sand Bay." Juan leaned on his crutch, his tone somewhat low, carrying confusion about the future and reluctance to part from his companions.

Jenny supported her husband tightly, tears in her eyes as she said goodbye to everyone one by one.

"Once you get