Chapter 61: Impossible to Imagine

Chapter 61: Impossible to Imagine

The carriage moved slowly along the road. Audrey’s gaze drifted unconsciously toward the window again.

Quite a few pedestrians stood at the roadside, staring at the horses pulling the carriage with eyes that seemed almost to glow green. The lucky ones who had successfully received food concealed their parcels as best they could while hurrying across the street toward their homes.

Teams of police officers in black-and-white checkered uniforms patrolled the streets, revolvers at their waists and short clubs in their hands, intimidating those who were tempted to take risks.

“Recently, we don’t dare go out alone anymore…” Annie, the personal maid beside Audrey, muttered softly.

Audrey gave a faint nod but did not respond.

After a while, the carriage arrived at Phelps Street and stopped at the edge of the square in front of Saint Samuel Cathedral.

The flocks of white doves that had once gathered there were nowhere to be seen. The square looked utterly empty.

The Loen Charity Bursary Foundation, the Loen Poverty Relief Foundation established afterward, and the Loen Medical Charity Foundation had all moved from 22 Phelps Street into several small rooms inside the cathedral, because their original building had collapsed during a recent air raid.

For the staff of the three foundations, that period was a terrifying memory. If they had not each left 22 Phelps Street ahead of time for different reasons, they would already have become victims.

After stepping down from the carriage and passing through the gate, Audrey saw a thin-faced young woman with black hair and brown eyes coming to greet her.

Before the other party could speak, Audrey asked first, “Melissa, is there still food available for distribution?”

Melissa’s expression was grave. She shook her head.

“Even the disabled soldiers we provide relief to can no longer receive the full amount of food…”

Audrey’s emerald-green eyes dimmed. She did not reveal her helplessness or weakness, only nodding slightly.

“I will think of a way.”

…

“From the City of Silver…

“From outside the cursed land…”

Gehrman Sparrow’s words echoed in the ears of Adal, Xin, Rus, and the other members of Moon City’s hunting team. They felt as though they were dreaming and could not regain themselves for a long time.

Just as Adal gradually recovered his reason and was considering what he should say, Xin, who had been born without a nose, already asked a series of questions in excitement:

“Where is the City of Silver? What is it like? How far is it from here?

“How many normal people are still outside the cursed land?”

Klein swept a glance over her and answered in an emotionless voice, “The City of Silver is on the other side of this cursed land. They discovered a kind of plant that can be safely eaten, called black-faced grass. That allowed them to stabilize their population and effectively explore the depths of darkness in search of a way out.

“Recently, they found some mushrooms as well. Those mushrooms can use the flesh and blood of monsters as nourishment and produce all kinds of fruits free of toxins and madness.

“The City of Silver has further freed itself from madness. Once the new generation grows up, even in old age, they will not lose control so easily…”

These words left Adal, Xin, and the others desolate and empty, as though their own perseverance had lost all meaning.

The life in the City of Silver that Gehrman Sparrow described was the most beautiful scene they could possibly imagine, yet others had obtained it so simply.

“…Do they have deformed newborns?” Xin asked in a dreamlike voice.

Klein shook his head.

“Almost none.”

“Do their parents, when their physical condition declines—no, when they grow old—walk into the depths of darkness by themselves?” Adal subconsciously followed with another question.

Wearing a black trench coat and top hat while carrying the lantern, Klein answered, “No.

“Because they bear a curse of kin-slaying. If a…