This village had vast tracts of farmland and pasture for grazing, so it was only natural that there would be so many children here now.
Because the adults—at least the able-bodied workers—should all still be working.
After all, this was an obvious agricultural civilization. Gerda going outside alone to gather herbs was the more unconventional behavior.
"Still, we haven't seen any elderly people."
After struggling free from the crowd of children, Mash looked into the distance.
"Yes, that is something worth noting."
Goredolf said with a frown.
No matter the circumstances, it was absolutely abnormal for a community to have no elderly people.
No matter what.
But they had not yet gone deep into the village, so they did not know what the situation truly was.
"Mm-hm! Normally, there should be more children, right?"
Gerda also ran out from among the children, standing beside Mash with a beaming smile.
"Lady Mash is so strange. Usually, old people only exist in legends, don't they?"
"Huh?"
"Old people aren't suited to appearing in the village."
Gerda raised one finger and looked at them as though explaining something.
"Because—"
"All adults have to leave the village when they turn twenty-five."
The atmosphere fell silent.
Silent as death.
The children's chirping behind them seemed as though it had nothing to do with the people of Chaldea at all.
Fujimaru Ritsuka stepped before Gerda with a grave expression.
"Gerda, what did you mean just now?"
"You mean that once adults reach twenty-five, they all—"
He did not say the rest. He merely placed one hand on Gerda's shoulder, half-turned, and pointed toward—
That gate.
The utterly ordinary-looking gate standing amid the high walls.
But—
Within the gate lay a home where humanity could live and work in peace. No giants, no Demonic Beasts, no blizzards