Edited by: Waning_Crescents

When the Conciliators arrived at Shuri Town, the assigned teams split up to take up their post for this operation.

The first thing Cal spotted as he set foot into that area was the bad condition people lived in. Most buildings appeared to be close to collapsing. Broken walls, holes in various places, which only enjoyed a temporary fix through plastic covers to provide at least some protection against weatherly conditions.

After the government abandoned this place two years ago, they got cut-off from any financial support altogether. This not only affected the maintenance and repairs, but also led to a downfall in the market as distribution of goods and food supplies stopped. To not get branded as murderers, the government sent in merchants once a month to give them a chance to resupply, but whoever lacked the money to do so had to starve.

While Cal walked along the streets, his gaze fell upon the dirt that was scattered around everywhere, along with the stench of blood, urine and all other kinds of unpleasant odors that wafted into his nostrils. Then his gaze shifted to the people who sat on the pavements begging for money or food; their appearance showing their suffering and pain.

At this sight, Cal’s chest tightened. He never entered this area before, and even though he heard about the conditions in Shuri Town, seeing it with his own eyes exceeded his expectations. In comparison to anything he saw in Colst, this area shocked him the most.

How can they let this happen? Not all of them are criminals. What about these poor people who can’t afford to get out and are stuck here?

Through the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of Sigal as he stopped at a house, which really looked more like a shack in its condition. However, in front of the shack stood a young woman along with many children, who laughed and jumped around his partner.

Cal tilted his head as he drew closer. What is he doing?

A tug on his right sleeve pulled the young investigator out of his thoughts. His eyes wandered around, but he couldn't see anybody; another tug followed. “Hey, mister! Are you with that other man?”

Cal’s eyes fell on the little boy that stood next to him and barely reached over his knees. “Oh, hi there.” He crouched down to face the kid. “Yeah, we are together here.”

Then Cal glanced at Sigal to confirm that he couldn’t listen in on this conversation. “Say, what is he doing?”

“Oh, you must be new!” the boy exclaimed. “That kind man is always giving us some food and money.”

Kind man? Cal chuckled.

 “And, and!” He jumped up and down in excitement. “And candy too! We get to eat candy!!”

Cal blinked. “And how often is he doing that?”

“Every time he comes here!” The kid put his index finger on his chin. “I don’t know, but it feels very often.”

“Ooooh, that’s really nice of him. I am really happy to hear that.” Cal’s lips curved into a kind smile.

“Yeah! Mrs. Shayla says that it’s thanks to him that we have food.” The boy grabbed Cal’s wrist with both of his tiny hands. “Come, come!”

“I will be right there, just go ahead.”

The boy nodded and hurried away.

Cal got back up. Kind, huh? 

His eyes held a warmth to them, and a soft smile formed on his lips as all the kids ran around Sigal and tugged on his clothes whilst laughing and smiling.

He really is something else.

Then he trudged over to them, where the woman thanked his partner and then urged the kids to go back inside.

“That’s why you carried the bag.” Cal walked beside Sigal. “What’s this place anyway?”

“An orphanage. Many kids lost their parents since the government cut them off, so this woman took them in.”

“I see…” Cal then glanced around. “How can someone even earn money here?”

“Mostly not by legal means.” Sigal folded the bag and put it away. “Even if it doesn’t look like it at first glance, this place is dominated by unpleasant people, so watch your steps.”

Cal nodded. 

Yeah, at first, all you see is the suffering of the people, but that’s not all this place holds. The reason the government abandoned them was to contain the criminals or give them less leeway to rampage when they couldn’t even afford the basic needs. Cal knitted his brows. In other words, rotting them out this way, but why sacrifice the innocent along with them? They could have at least relocated them. What are they thinking?