Karl, standing nearby, was already a little drunk. Holding old Vance's hand, he said sentimentally, "Hey... old friend, when you first came back... I was really worried... worried that you couldn't make it over at that port or whatever, and had come back to scrape by again..."
"Is life here very hard?"
Old Karl nodded. "Ever since the lord changed... most of the young people have gone elsewhere to make a living... The Northern Territory was already harsh to begin with, and now only old bones like us are left..."
Only then did Rebecca vaguely recall that she had indeed seen far fewer young people along the way.
That made sense. Many young people had gone off to earn money when the railroads were being built. Having witnessed the Expeditionary Force's strength, they would naturally be willing to venture out as well, wouldn't they?
She turned to look at her uncle and aunt again. The elderly couple wore ragged clothes. They had worked hard their entire lives, yet had only barely managed to feed themselves.
The Northern Territory... could not keep its young people.
No wonder they hated the Expeditionary Force and feared the distant Blood Port. Those prosperous places had taken away the young people, leaving the aging cities to slowly decline.
Rebecca suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.
"It'll gradually get better. We met Governor Alexei before. He brought many people to develop the Northern Territory. There will... there will be factories, enormous furnaces, and steam will drive away the bitter cold!"
Karl and his wife froze at those words. They exchanged a glance, then both began to laugh.
"Hahaha..."
"Little Becca, the things you're talking about are all wonderful, but we won't live to see that day."
"That's right. Your aunt and I are already old.