"When the place where one's faith resided was taken away before their very eyes, what people lost was often more than just their homeland and their lives."
The people of Chaldea had already climbed to the summit. This was not the crater out on the wasteland, but a true mountain.
Bedivere held the hand of a refugee child as the two stood by the mountainside, gazing out into the distance at the barren, grotesque land.
That place had once been a beautiful holy land.
"That place..."
The refugee leader who had once spoken with Fujimaru Ritsuka stood nearby as well. Leaning forward, he looked reluctantly at that land, tears in his eyes.
"East Village was built by people who had left the holy land for all sorts of reasons in the past. Even though they had been forced to leave the land they loved for many reasons, they still chose to make their homes here so they could worship it." Rubbing his eyes, the man turned around and explained to the group.
After spending several days together, his fear had already faded. He knew that the people protecting everyone were kind.
The "East Village" he spoke of was their destination—the home of the Mountain People.
"By the way, how much farther is East Village? Ever since we entered the mountains, it feels like we've walked a long way." Roman's image appeared as he asked the man.
"We've probably walked over thirty li already, and it's all been uphill." Fujimaru Ritsuka sat against the mountainside and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Here, kid, have some water." An elderly refugee woman traveling with them handed Fujimaru Ritsuka some water.
"Ah, thank you."
"We're almost there." The child holding Bedivere's hand skipped over to Roman's image. "I remember this place. My mom