【 SITUATION AND RUMORS 】

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The bustling dock was teeming with people, alive with constant movement and noise as ships of all sizes lay anchored within the river bay, their flags fluttering in the wind.

From time to time, new sailing vessels could be seen arriving from afar, entering the harbor and gradually drawing in to dock.

Most of these ships came from the lower reaches of the river, and whenever a boat docked, a large number of passengers would push and shove their way onto the dock.

Nearly all of them carried their belongings, their expressions weary and uneasy…

They were, without exception, refugees.

Along the shoreline, city guards had already been stationed at the dock, maintaining order amongst the crowds.

At that moment, a sailing ship bearing a red flag slowly approached from the distance, the golden scepter emblem at its center standing out prominently against the crimson backdrop.

As the vessel arrived, all the surrounding ships parted to either side, yielding a clear path for it.

Witnessing this scene, a refugee aboard an imperial vessel could not help but look on with curiosity.

Turning to a crew member, he inquired:

“Which family does that one belong to? Why are all the other ships giving way to it?”

The sailor glanced at the red flag, then at the iris emblem painted on the ship’s hull, and let out a short chuckle.

“My friend, this must be your first time here in the Maple Moon Free State, isn’t it?”

“Listen, a ship like that, flying a red flag with a golden scepter, marks a vessel directly under the authority of the Executor.”

Upon hearing this, the refugee suddenly understood.

“The Executor… you mean Lady Sophia?”

“That’s right, Lady Sophia herself.”

The sailor spoke with evident respect.

As he continued, he pointed toward the iris emblem on the ship’s hull and added:

“Do you see that emblem? If I am not mistaken, that ship is also affiliated with the Amway Merchant Group. That’s their symbol.”

“Amway Merchant Group?”

The refugee hesitated briefly, then his expression shifted to one of surprise.

“You mean the great merchant group said to have its headquarters in the Elven Forest, locked in fierce rivalry with the Sauron Merchant Group, and battling relentlessly in the underground markets of the Kingdom of Aries?”

“Yes. Do not underestimate them. Their elven mercenaries are exceptionally formidable.”

The sailor sighed with admiration.

The refugee nodded in agreement.

“I have heard of the reputation of the Amway’s elven mercenaries. It is said they are highly active on the southern battlefield. As long as one purchases the statue of the Goddess of Life they sell, those mercenaries can be summoned…”

At the mention of the southern front, the refugee’s expression gradually darkened. Even the sailor’s gaze grew troubled.

“The southern battlefield eh… I have heard that the southern frontier has completely fallen.”

Hearing this, the refugee let out a sigh.

“It’s far worse than that. I have heard that the demons have already established a stable passageway there. Their numbers continue to grow, and even terrifying demigod demons have appeared.”

“A demigod-rank demons?!”

Others nearby, overhearing the conversation, also gasped in shock.

“Yes… I fled from the south myself. It is said that several legendary-rank experts have already fallen at its hands.”

The speaking refugee still bore a lingering look of fear.

Those around him showed expressions of deep concern, while some others appeared relieved, exhaling softly.

“Fortunately, we evacuated in time. In just a few months, the southern frontier has totally collapsed. Had we delayed any longer, perhaps the entire southern territory of the empire would have been overrun by demons…”

As the discussion turned to the war in the south, it seemed to open the floodgates as many other refugees spoke with visible fear:

“Demons… they are truly horrifying. I saw them tear captured humans apart with my own eyes!”

“Hah, being torn apart is almost merciful… I have heard many captives are turned into food.”

“Have you seen land corrupted by abyssal power? It is absolutely dreadful. Wherever demons pass, the earth turns black, even the rivers become dark and murky. I even saw someone drink that water, and their body immediately began to rot!”

“That’s too terrifying…”

“That’s why it is called the apocalypse! A demonic invasion, this is the end of days! I have heard their goal is to destroy our entire world!”

“Eternal Lord above, when will this nightmare end? Is the Church doing nothing at all?”

“Hah, the Eternal Church has already dispatched the Inquisition Knights. But it is said that both they and the imperial army suffered crushing defeat against the demons. Even the Pope is enraged. Now, the Empire is rallying all factions to resist together…”

“Hmph, a bunch of incompetents… I knew it, the Church has long since fallen. Tch, priests and bishops collude with the nobility, exploiting us common people. Who knows how many useless men fill the ranks of the Inquisition Knights? It’s no wonder they cannot win. The Eternal Church… is no longer the protector it once was!”

One refugee spoke with indignation.

The expressions of those nearby shifted immediately.

“What nonsense are you saying!?”

“What? I am merely stating facts. From what I know, if the bishops and noble lords of the southern frontier had not concealed the fall of the towns to demons at the very beginning, the demons would never have established themselves so quickly. This matter… is said to have already spread throughout the imperial capital.”

Having said this, he turned his gaze toward the dock ahead, toward the prosperous city beyond as a trace of longing appeared on his face.

“The Maple Moon State is still the better place. I have heard that Lady Sophia stripped all the nobles of their titles, and under the guidance of the Church of Life, the entire territory is becoming ever more prosperous…”

“I have already made my decision. Once I disembark, I will go to the Temple of Life to pray and become a formal believer of the Goddess of Life…”

Upon hearing his words, the other refugees could not help but look toward the city on the shore, their faces filled with hope.

This was Zelouan, the capital of the Maple Moon State, and since the demonic invasion, it had become the primary destination for fleeing refugees.

In stark contrast to the suffering in the southern regions of the Empire, this city, which was said to have been ravaged by war just a year ago, now appeared remarkably peaceful and secure by comparison.

“Let us disembark. Once we are ashore, we’ll finally be safe. I have heard that Zelouan is in great need of labor forces. As long as we can find even temporary work here, I’m sure we will be able to survive…”

One refugee sighed as he spoke.

“But… what if the demons reach this place? It is not that far from the southern frontier, isn’t it? The demons advance so quickly… I plan to remain on the ship until we reach the northern territories.”

Another refugee voiced his concern.

However, upon hearing this, most of the others responded with dismissive laughter:

“The demons reaching the Maple Moon State? Hah…”

“What? Is that not possible?”

The worried refugee asked, puzzled.

The man who intended to convert to the faith of the Goddess of Life shook his head with a smile.

“My friend, you are worrying too much. With the demonic invasion underway, there is likely no place in the entire world safer than here in Maple Moon and the Elven Forest.”

“Why is that?”

The concerned refugee asked.

“Because this is the sphere of influence of the Church of Life. The great Goddess of Life herself stands as its protector. The demons would never dare come here, especially not to the Elven Forest. Unfortunately, only elves and half-elves are permitted to settle there. For people like us, the best choice is the Maple Moon Free State.”

Several refugees nodded in agreement.

Since the outbreak of the war between the demons and their subsequent invasion of the world of Seigües, vast numbers of refugees had fled from the Empire’s south to the Maple Moon Territory. The primary reason was the support it received from the Goddess of Life.

Although information did not flow freely for most people, the renown of the Goddess of Life had spread widely, and many of her deeds had already become common knowledge within the Empire.

For instance, she was said to be the only deity currently able to walk upon the world of Seigües in her true form.

It is also said that she harbored an intense hatred for evil and had personally destroyed several powerful evil gods.

Moreover, even aside from her own might, the famed elven mercenaries who served under her had long since gained a formidable reputation across the continent.

To say nothing else, they could frequently be seen on the southern front, engaging in battle against the demons.

As the refugees conversed, one of them suddenly frowned and spoke:

“Speaking of which… I heard a strange rumor some time ago. I do not know whether it is true…”

“What rumor?”

The others asked with curiosity.

He hesitated briefly before replying:

“The rumor says… that the Goddess of Life was sealed away by the demon lords during a battle…”

At this, the others burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! What’s that? The Goddess of Life sealed away? How could that possibly be true?”

“My friend, where did you hear such an absurd rumor?”

The man paused, scratching his head.

“Like I said, I am not sure whether it is true or false. I just heard it from someone who came from the underground region.”

“The underground?”

The others were visibly surprised.

He nodded and explained:

“Yes. My hometown is South Fort, where there is a passage leading to the underground. I heard it from a merchant caravan of the Dark City-State Alliance. Many people there are saying the same thing now.”

“Nonsense! I have heard that the Dark City-State Alliance once fought a war with the Elven Forest. That rumor must be false. Besides, the Goddess of Life resides peacefully within the Elven Forest. How could she possibly be fighting the demon lords in the Abyss?”

Someone shook his head in disbelief.

“Well, I cannot say for certain.”

The speaker spread his hands.

Then, frowning slightly, he added:

“Still… the Goddess of Life is so powerful and so opposed to evil. Why, then, has she still not taken action, even now that the demons have already invaded deep into the Fertile Plains?”

“That is only natural. After all, the southern territories of the Empire does not follow the Goddess of Life.”

Someone responded.

“But the former Maple Leaf Territory did not follow her in the past either.”

The man sighed.

At his words, those nearby exchanged glances and fell into silence.

Many of the refugees began to show uncertain and uneasy expressions.

Only a few refugees who had converted to the Church of Life remained visibly dissatisfied.

“Rumors, all of this is nothing but baseless rumors! Her Grace the Goddess of Life is both benevolent and powerful. What you are saying is outright blasphemy!”

“I am merely stating what I have heard.”

“Hah, you are clearly spreading rumors to incite panic!”

The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated quarrel, which soon devolved into a physical scuffle as the deck descended into chaos.

The commotion eventually even drew the attention of passengers on nearby ships, many of whom began to whistle and watch the spectacle with amusement.

Even on the sailing vessel adorned with the red flag, the one that other ships had been yielding to, several crew members cast curious glances in their direction.

On its deck, a knight clad in armor looked toward the disorderly ship and frowned slightly.

He shook his head with exasperation, then turned his gaze forward.

The vessel was already slowly entering the harbor, where people had arrived at the shore to receive it.

Soon, the hull gave a slight jolt as the gangplank was lowered. The anchor dropped into the water, and the sailors secured the ship firmly with ropes.

“Lord Fehn, we have arrived.”

A crew member spoke respectfully.

The knight was none other than Fehn, who had risen from an ordinary hunter to a mid-ranking knight during the liberation war of the Maple Moon Territory.

After the demonic invasion of the world of Seigües and the outbreak of war in the southern regions of the Holy Maniya Empire, he had been dispatched to investigate the situation. This time, he had returned alongside the refugees aboard a vessel belonging to the Maple Moon branch of the Amway Merchant Group to deliver his report.

He nodded to the crew member, leapt lightly onto the dock, and boarded a carriage that had long been waiting nearby.

“To Wells Castle.”

༺⟐༻

After a year of recovery and development, the city of Zelouan had regained its prosperity.

Passing through the newly renovated, straight avenues of the city, the carriage eventually came to a halt before a solemn and imposing castle.

This was the residence of the Wells Household, and presently the home of Lady Sophia herself, the ruling Executor of the Maple Moon Free State.

After disembarking and identifying himself upon entering the castle, Fehn was led by a steward to the office of Lady Sophia.

“Lady Sophia, Sir Fehn has arrived.”

The guard at the door announced.

Seated behind her desk, Sophia was occupied with administrative affairs.

The traces of youth in her features had long since faded and compared to a year ago, she now appeared far more composed and mature.

Upon hearing the announcement, she rubbed her temples lightly and set down her quill.

Then, looking toward Fehn at the doorway, she smiled faintly.

“Please, come in, Sir Fehn.”

Fehn approached and bowed respectfully.

Sophia examined him from head to toe before speaking directly:

“Sir Fehn, what is the current state of the war in the southern regions of the Holy Maniya Empire?”

Fehn’s expression turned solemn, his gaze heavy.

He let out a quiet sigh.

“Lady Sophia, the situation is grave. It is worsening with each passing day.”

“If I were to describe it in a single word, I would call it ‘decadence.’”

At his words, Sophia’s expression grew serious.

She straightened in her seat and asked:

“Has the Eternal Church still not taken any action?”

“They have. Both the Eternal Church and the Empire have deployed their main forces. However… the demons are simply too numerous.”

Fehn sighed again.

As he spoke, he glanced at the map behind Sophia and continued in a low voice:

“Based on what I have observed, it is likely that within two months, the demons may advance even here at Maple Moon.”

“So soon?!”

Sophia’s expression showed clear surprise.

Fehn nodded.

“Lady Sophia, the demons are moving faster and are more powerful than we anticipated. Alas, our territory remains relatively weak. If they attack, we may find it difficult to resist them. We must inform the Elven Forest and request assistance from our elven allies.”

Sophia fell into thought.

After a moment, she nodded slowly.

“I will report this matter to the Church for consideration.”

After speaking, she glanced at Fehn and noticed his hesitation.

A thought stirred in her mind.

“Sir Fehn, is there something more you wish to say?”

Fehn hesitated briefly, then nodded.

“Lady Sophia… while I was in the south, I heard certain rumors concerning Her Grace the Goddess, and they appear to be spreading with increasing intensity…”

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